Open-source mapping tool Crowdmap creates interactive maps for visualizing location-based data on a map and timeline. The tool crowdsources information via a web form, mobile phone, or Twitter, though it also uses news sources to document and verify incidents.
The webapp was created by non-profit Ushahidi, an African tech company specializing in data collection and visualization. First used to document Kenya's 2008 post-election fallout, the Ushahidi platform has also been used to monitor the Haitian earthquake aftermath, crime in Atlanta, and violence and protests in Gaza. Crowdmap, which promises a basic setup in five minutes, was designed to be less technical and quicker to launch than Ushahidi. Be it civil unrest, a natural disaster, a public nuisance, or even something less important (and more fun), Crowdmap looks like an excellent tool for the right job.