Connect Moderators are Local Guides just like you and me. They apply the knowledge they’ve gained as active members of our community to moderate Connect and help improve the experience for everyone. You may see them welcoming newcomers, explaining the program, answering questions, and sharing their knowledge with others.
Each month, we share some personal insights from one of our amazing Connect Moderators. This month, meet Gregg aka @Flash in the Connect community. Gregg enjoys answering Local Guides’ questions and telling others about great things to do in his neighborhood. He also recently had a beautiful granddaughter!
Name: Gregg Gordon
Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia (a suburb of Vancouver) - Canada
What I love about being a Local Guide: Local Guides is a fantastic program to learn about places locals recommend as opposed to what is advertised. I love showing others what my area has to offer and taking advantage of other Local Guides’ contributions.
Why I’m a Connect Moderator: Long ago, I found that I can make the biggest contributions on Google Maps by helping guide others towards better mapping. I enjoy showing others the possibilities and helping them to overcome obstacles they encounter. Many years of involvement with various Maps programs allows me insight that not many other users have and much of that knowledge was given to me specifically to help others.
My favorite things to explore: When I travel, I don’t like to follow the “tourist” route. That is to say that I’ll visit the attractions that interest me the most, but I also like to go to restaurants, neighbourhoods, and shops meant for locals. Some of the best and most authentic food I’ve eaten has been at local restaurants, and often at a fraction of the price of touristy restaurants.
This is also the best way to encounter the local culture; as you then meet people who aren’t paid to smile and greet you.
My favorite type of contribution(s) to make on Google Maps: Road edits were my favourite, but now photos are taking that place.
Languages I read/write/speak fluently: English.
Places I’d like to visit: I love ancient buildings and thus would like to visit Indonesia to see temples such as Borobudur.
Fun fact about me: I made my first edit to the map within the first week of editing being available, when Map Maker was introduced as a tool with just a few countries available.
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know @Flash. Say hi or ask him a question below as he has a lot to share about Google Maps and Connect.
Interested in becoming a Connect Moderator? Learn more here.
Want to learn about other Connect Moderators?
Learn more about Stephen in November 2018
Learn more about Paul in October 2018
Learn more about Sampson in September 2018
Learn more about Sonia in August 2018
Learn more about Nunung in July 2018
Learn more about Shirley in June 2018
Learn more about Farid in April 2018
Learn more about Ludwig in March 2018
Learn more about Karen in February 2018
Learn more about Ivan in January 2018
Learn more about Ermes in December 2017
. It could be funny but I started opening threads from the first post of connect… . …