Finder.geocommons.com - Search for Geographic Data

Finder is an application that allows site users to store, organize, and share geographical data. Through a search function and listed categories, such as Business and Labor and Science and Environment, users may hunt for various geographic datasets. In order to use the site, users must be invited. Once they have received an invitation, they then register a profile on the Finder site. After profiles have been registered, users may then save their searched datasets to those profiles, and share that information with other Finder users. Registered users may also upload their own geographic datasets to the site as well.

“Finder is a browser-based application for finding, organizing and sharing GeoData in common formats. Designed to both host and store GeoData, Finder is bringing together the world's geographic data. Use Finder to organize the geographic data that matters to you.”

The concept behind Finder is solid and useful for specific users, particularly professionals. However, there is limited information available on the site as of now. To succeed, Finder must ensure that the database is full of available information.

How can users be incentivized to upload their own datasets to grow the site? What other methods can be explored to enhance the information content of the site? Does the invitation-based user system affect the amount of information posted?