Hack a collaborative Google Map to share food reviews with friends
No more sifting through reviews on the Internet! Discover an easy way to make a map containing just the food spots that you and your friends love.
Services like Yelp and Urbanspoon are helpful when seeking a place to eat, but can sometimes overwhelm you with options. Additionally, you'll probably find comments that are unrealistic (possibly from an owner), and others written by people who simply can't be pleased mixed throughout any solid feedback.
Instead of trying to decode the truth, why not make a map that only you and your friends can edit and comment on? Here's how to get started:
Create the map that you and friends will be editing
Step 1: Head over to Google Maps in your Web browser of choice. Make sure you're logged in before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Click on the My places button and then click on the button labeled Create Map that loads under it.
Step 3: Give your new map a title and description. You can also choose to keep the map private, if you don't want to share your fave spots or reviews.
Step 4: Click on the Collaborate link that appears to alert friends of the new map. You'll just have to enter their e-mail address and can add a note if you like.
Add places to your new food map
Step 5: Search for one of your favorite food spots in Google Maps.
Step 6: In the pane on the left-hand side, click on the Save to Map link.
Step 7: Select the map you created in Step 3, and click Save.
Whenever you add restaurants to the map, you can also leave comments about your favorite dishes or servers. After opening the map, just click Edit and then select one of your blue-pegged locations. You should see it appear on the map in the right-hand side pane with a box for you to add your comments. This pop-up also has the delete option, should you change your mind about one of the restaurants at a later time.
(Via Lifehacker)