cj15 mapping the hyperlocal sector in the uk
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Local Web Listmapping the sector through simple active discovery
http://localweblist.net/
In the beginning was Openly Local
Great volunteer hyperlocal map, driven by submissions.
Passive not active.
Therefore huge gaps and under reporting.
Facing closureOpenly Local data April 2015
Local Web List
Active discovery process
Adds 44 sites to map
64 hyperlocal sites feels much closer
http://localweblist.net/
Active discovery maps c100 sites - Devon+Somerset
Openly Local - passive Local Web list - active discovery
http://localweblist.net/
Find individual properties
Google placenames - obviously - good for smaller communities and names of distinctive features - parks, beauty spots, Trickier in cities. Search for public spirited place based voluntary groups - village hall, Rotary, church/chapel/mosque, ‘friends of’ groupsSearch twitter for # and @placenameFacebook - search often harder, usually need link from a web site or TweetAsk twitter - obviously
Find groups or lists - gold dust
Links out lists on individual properties to neighbouring sitesRegional registries or hobby lists - e.g. Scotlandinter.net, Yorkshire Bloggers Librarians love lists Council reference library/website - they may have a list of sites - Devon Parish council contact lists - most distrcit or county councils have one in civic pages - hyperlocal place URLs in email addresses eg [email protected] parish websites - a local web agency will have done a clutch with links
Make judgement about what is a hyperlocal site…..and add to map
Active hyperlocal discovery process - simple, common sense, laborious
http://localweblist.net/
Localweblist.net - sizing the sector
Scotland, Devon, Somerset, Wakefield, County Durham exercises - the sector is much bigger than we think:
‘Based on our recent work we judge that there are between 1,500 and 2,500 active hyperlocal sites in the UK of which we have 511 mapped’
NOT full of ‘news led’ sites - civic information and networking properties in all forms across all platforms.
‘Median’ site is volunteer run providing parish information and links to genuinely hyperlocal stuff.
http://localweblist.net/
Help us get to 1,000 mapped sites
LocalWebList is open - anyone can add a site, we moderate
We need people who want to run discovery areas - preferably in area they know well
Do you have some students? Seeking a new meditative process? Having trouble sleeping? Enjoy hours staring at a screen?
Massive prize - unique TalkAboutLocal hoodies (cough) for top three contributors when we get to 1,000 sites
Drop us a line - [email protected] [email protected]