TimeMapper

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

TimeMapper provides fast creation of timelines and TimeMaps from Google Spreadsheets, with easy publishing and sharing.

Target Customer

{"Educators","Researchers","Historians","Students"}

Key Differentiator

Open-source project that integrates Google Spreadsheets data with TimelineJS/ReclineJS/Leaflet/Backbone/Bootstrap components, allowing fast, publishable timelines and maps.

Implementation Timeline

Value can be realized quickly: create via a 3-step flow (Spreadsheet → Connect/Customize → Publish/Share); timelines/maps can be created in seconds once data is prepared.

Pain Points

1Slow or manual creation of timelines/maps.
2Difficulty turning spreadsheet data into interactive visualizations.
3Need for quick publishing/sharing of timelines and maps

Key Features

1Create from a Google Spreadsheet
2Choose visualization type: TimeMap, Timeline, or Map
3Publish, embed, and share timemaps
4Ambiguous date handling options (US and non-US styles)
5Geodata support via latitude/longitude or GeoJSON
6Spreadsheet-based data model with required fields (Title and Start) and optional additional columns
7Anonymous creation or account-based ownership with optional sign-in
8Open-source source code and GitHub availability

Target Customer Industries

Client Results

1Fast creation of timelines and maps (in seconds per claims on the site)
2Publishable timemaps with a personal URL for sharing
3Open-source, customizable data and visualization stack

Competitive Advantages

1Free to use
2Open-source with source code available
3 integrates Google Sheets data directly
4Supports multiple visualization types (TimeMap, Timeline, Map)
5Publish and embed capabilities for easy sharing
6Uses well-known open-source components (TimelineJS, ReclineJS, Leaflet, Backbone, Bootstrap)

Key Benefits

1Fast, spreadsheet-driven timeline and map creation

2No-cost access with open-source code

3Multiple visualization options (TimeMap, Timeline, Map)

4Publish, embed, and share timemaps easily

5Geospatial and date handling support (lat/long, GeoJSON, ISO 8601 dates)

Case Studies & Success Stories

Major Battles in the Napoleonic Wars

Case #1

An example TimeMapper timemap created by an anonymous user using TimeMapper; demonstrates public sharing and embedding of a historical dataset.

Medieval Philosophers

Case #2

An example TimeMapper timemap showcased as a sample on the TimeMapper home page.

Archaeology of Wine

Case #3

An example TimeMapper timemap showcased as a sample on the TimeMapper home page.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

TimeMapper is a project of Open Knowledge Foundation Labs that lets users create timelines and TimeMaps quickly by connecting Google Spreadsheets. It supports publishing, embedding, and sharing, with visualization options including TimeMap, Timeline, and Map. It is open-source and relies on components such as TimelineJS, ReclineJS, Leaflet, Backbone, and Bootstrap.

Target Market

Educators, researchers, historians, and students who want to transform spreadsheet data into interactive timelines and maps and share them publicly

Unique Value Proposition

Open-source, fast, spreadsheet-driven timeline and map creation with easy publish/share capabilities and a flexible visualization suite

Technical Requirements

{"Google Spreadsheet data source (Publish to Web required for data publication)","Location data as latitude/longitude or GeoJSON","Date handling (ISO 8601 preferred; supports US/non-US styles)","Place column with optional coordinates lookup formula","Account optional for ownership; anonymous timemaps are supported"}

Pricing Model

Free to use; open-source; source code available; optional account signup for ownership and management of timemaps

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