Social Design Notes has a nice rundown on MoveOn’s use of live interactive maps as a feedback mechanism during live events.

In Stamen Design’s latest project for MoveOn, the map of feedback has itself become the means of participation.

On June 28, over 55,000 people in 4,600 house parties participated in an online conversation with Michael Moore about his film Fahrenheit 9/11. Moore spoke over a live, RealAudio feed while users asked questions via the map interface. User feedback was displayed on the map in real time.

The design firm has a nice series of screenshots that illustrate the flow of the event. Worth checking out.

Again, MoveOn shows its ability to create innovative one-off organizing tools. I just wish they’d share the code so that others can iterate and re-use. I think that’s part of the obligation of the “big dogs” who have the money to spend on innovation. Too bad they don’t seem to see it that way.