In an effort to help displaced hurricane victims and their families, ad hoc communities of Internet users are using mapping technologies from Google to track storm damage, analyze aerial photos and try to make sense of what little information is available.

FORBES: Magazine Article

From mapping sites to social networks, web-based software evolves much faster than desktop software, which often looks old-fashioned by comparison.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

Campaigners have pressed for a wide range of public data, from mapping information to MPs' expenses, to be made available on the web.

BBC: Web creator job 'beyond politics'