Mapping the London riots with Google

It’s all too easy to focus on the negative side of technology when looking at the devastation spreading across London as I write this. Everything from Facebook and Twitter through to the Blackberry instant messaging service have been blamed for helping the rioters to organise both the violent disorder and the looting which invariably seems to follow. However, technology can actually be helpful in times such as these. Facebook and Twitter have been reported as being used by police in working out where to deploy manpower by following postings which appear to be orchestrating events, for example. And, obviously live newsfeeds have been breaking the news of where riots are erupting before the 24 hour news channels get hold of the story.