User:Arb/WikiMapia Profile

''Note for Wikipedians: This article is written primarily for readers of my Wikimapia profile (from which it is linked). Pleased read it in this light. -Arb. (talk) 19:52, 11 July 2008 (UTC)''

In the early days of WikiMapia, Koriakine proposed a semi-automated, two-way link with Wikipedia. He was rebuffed (for good reasons) but he was certainly on the right track - I find it very rewarding to work in parallel on places at WikiMapia and the related Wikipedia article(s), often creating the article if there is none.

Having grown up in the Jamaica of the 60s (but long since returned to the UK) I am currently indulging a nostalgic streak by documenting some of the island's buildings and transport infrastructure, particularly the now defunct passenger railways.

Recording on WikiMapia the route of these old railways takes one past many interesting locations, occasionally resulting in a diversion into drafting a Wikipedia article that would not otherwise have come about. And because Jamaica is both small and has a freedom of information act, there is often sufficient information available on the Internet to make these articles reasonably comprehensive. Examples include:
 * Lighthouses in Jamaica
 * Prisons in Jamaica
 * The Railways of Jamaica:.. series, of which 3 are live with the final 3 still in work.

Other than that (and in common with most WikiMapians no doubt), I mainly record places I have visited through education, work or vacations.

It will be interesting to see how long this WikiMapia/Wikipedia combination continues to be so absorbing. Much longer than most Internet fads I suspect.

-Arb. (talk) 23:25, 13 March 2008 (UTC).

PS I may sometimes vanish for long periods of time - WikiMapia/Wikipedia is a hobby, real life takes priority.