diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/Jit/onCreateLabelHandler.js b/app/assets/javascripts/Jit/onCreateLabelHandler.js
index 05cdff82..1bd2bdc9 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/Jit/onCreateLabelHandler.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/Jit/onCreateLabelHandler.js
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ function generateShowcardHTML() {
                    style="background-image:url($_imgsrc_$);"                  \
                    title="click and drag to move card"></div>                 \
            </div>                                                             \
-           <div class="linkItem contributor"></div>                           \
+           <div class="linkItem contributor hoverForTip"> \
+             <div class="tip">Created by $_username_$ on $_date_$</div>   \
+           </div>                           \
            <div class="linkItem mapCount">$_map_count_$</div>                 \
            <div class="linkItem synapseCount">$_synapse_count_$</div>         \
            <div class="linkItem mapPerm $_mk_permission_$"></div>             \
@@ -131,6 +133,7 @@ function replaceVariables(html, node) {
   html = html.replace(/\$_name_\$/g, node.name);
   html = html.replace(/\$_userid_\$/g, node.getData("userid"));
   html = html.replace(/\$_username_\$/g, node.getData("username"));
+  html = html.replace(/\$_date_\$/g, node.getData("date"));
   html = html.replace(/\$_metacode_select_\$/g, $('#metacodeOptions').html());
   html = html.replace(/\$_go_link_\$/g, go_link);
   html = html.replace(/\$_a_tag_\$/g, a_tag);
@@ -142,7 +145,7 @@ function replaceVariables(html, node) {
   } else {
     html = html.replace(/\$_link_\$/g, node.getData("link"));
   }
-
+  
   html = html.replace(/\$_desc_nil_\$/g, desc_nil);
   if (node.getData("desc") == "" && authorizeToEdit(node)) {
     //logged in but desc isn't there so it's invisible
@@ -195,7 +198,7 @@ function populateShowCard(node) {
   var selectingMetacode = false;
   // attach the listener that shows the metacode title when you hover over the image
   $('.showcard .metacodeImage').mouseenter(function(){
-    $('.showcard .icon').css('z-index','3');
+    $('.showcard .icon').css('z-index','4');
     $('.showcard .metacodeTitle').show();
   });
   $('.showcard .linkItem.icon').mouseleave(function() {
diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/application.css b/app/assets/stylesheets/application.css
index 6ffbde7b..59040f9c 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/application.css
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/application.css
@@ -2015,21 +2015,7 @@ li.meta, li.tutorial, li.exploreMaps {
   height:100%;
 }
 
-#homeMap {
-height: 350px;
-width: 510px;
-margin: 0 auto;
-transform: rotate(18deg);
--ms-transform: rotate(18deg);
--webkit-transform: rotate(18deg);
-}
-#homeMap-label div.node{
-transform: rotate(-18deg);
--ms-transform: rotate(-18deg);
--webkit-transform: rotate(-18deg);
-font-family: 'vinyl';
-text-transform: uppercase;
-}
+
 
 .home_content {
   width: 830px;
@@ -2050,6 +2036,29 @@ text-align:center;
 background: url('home_bg2.png') no-repeat center -46px;
 }
 
+.home_content .request {
+margin: 5px auto;
+background: #15bad4;
+height: 40px;
+font-family: 'LatoLight';
+font-size: 16px;
+font-style: italic;
+width: auto;
+padding: 0 30px;
+cursor: pointer;
+color:white;
+line-height:40px;
+}
+.home_content .request:hover{
+background: #19C8E4;
+-webkit-box-shadow: none;
+box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+#homeMap {
+  margin-left:23px;
+}
+
 .contact {
   text-align: center;
   margin: 1em 0 1em 0;
diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/base.css b/app/assets/stylesheets/base.css
index 4a174b66..2874ebc1 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/base.css
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/base.css
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ position: relative;
 .linkItem.contributor {
   background-image: url(MMCCicon_mapper_black.png);
   margin-left:20px;
+  z-index:3;
 }
 .linkItem.mapCount {
   background-image: url(MMCCicon_map_black.png);
@@ -266,7 +267,25 @@ background-color: #F8F8F8;
 float:left;
 }
 
-
+.CardOnGraph .hoverForTip:hover .tip, .mapCard .hoverForTip:hover .tip {
+  display:block;
+}
+.CardOnGraph .tip, .mapCard .tip {
+ display:none;
+ position: absolute;
+ background: white;
+ width: 155px;
+ bottom: 0;
+ left: 38px;
+ color: black;
+ border-radius: 4px;
+ font-size:15px !important;
+ font-family:'LatoLight';
+ line-height:17px;
+ padding: 3px 5px 2px;
+ border: 1px solid black;
+ z-index:100;
+}
 
 
 .CardOnGraph .link {
diff --git a/app/controllers/main_controller.rb b/app/controllers/main_controller.rb
index c08f72eb..3d936453 100644
--- a/app/controllers/main_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/main_controller.rb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ class MainController < ApplicationController
   
   # home page
   def home
-    @maps = Map.visibleToUser(@current, nil).sort! { |a,b| b.created_at <=> a.created_at }
-    @maps = @maps.slice(0,5)
+    @maps = Map.find_all_by_featured(true).shuffle!
+    @maps = @maps.slice(0,3)
     
     respond_with(@maps) 
   end
diff --git a/app/models/map.rb b/app/models/map.rb
index 77cffb6f..b06fa7cd 100644
--- a/app/models/map.rb
+++ b/app/models/map.rb
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ end
 		  @topicdata['$yloc'] = @mapping.yloc
 		  @topicdata['$mappingid'] = @mapping.id
       @topicdata['$permission'] = topic.permission
+      @topicdata['$date'] = topic.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y")
 		  json.data @topicdata
 		  json.id topic.id
 		  json.name topic.name
diff --git a/app/models/topic.rb b/app/models/topic.rb
index a0506607..e5e151f1 100644
--- a/app/models/topic.rb
+++ b/app/models/topic.rb
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ belongs_to :metacode
 		  @topicdata['$userid'] = self.user.id
 		  @topicdata['$username'] = self.user.name
       @topicdata['$permission'] = self.permission
+      @topicdata['$date'] = self.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y")
 		  json.data @topicdata
 		  json.id self.id
 		  json.name self.name
@@ -110,6 +111,7 @@ belongs_to :metacode
 		  @topicdata['$yloc'] = @mapping.yloc
 		  @topicdata['$mappingid'] = @mapping.id
       @topicdata['$permission'] = self.permission
+      @topicdata['$date'] = self.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y")
 		  json.data @topicdata
 		  json.id self.id
 		  json.name self.name
@@ -155,6 +157,7 @@ belongs_to :metacode
 			  @topicdata['$userid'] = topic.user.id
 			  @topicdata['$username'] = topic.user.name
         @topicdata['$permission'] = topic.permission
+        @topicdata['$date'] = topic.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y")
 			  json.data @topicdata
 			  json.id topic.id
 			  json.name topic.name
@@ -175,6 +178,7 @@ belongs_to :metacode
           @topicdata['$userid'] = topic.user.id
           @topicdata['$username'] = topic.user.name
           @topicdata['$permission'] = topic.permission
+          @topicdata['$date'] = topic.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y")
           json.data @topicdata
           json.id topic.id
           json.name topic.name
diff --git a/app/views/layouts/_lightboxes.html.erb b/app/views/layouts/_lightboxes.html.erb
index bcb8c549..c09ea123 100644
--- a/app/views/layouts/_lightboxes.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/layouts/_lightboxes.html.erb
@@ -12,18 +12,13 @@
       <div class="lightboxContent" id="about">
         <h3>About Metamaps.cc</h3>
         
-        <p>
-         Metamaps is an online interface for communities to build and visualize their shared knowledge. 
-         It is a tool to connect people, resources, and ideas in 'big picture' views without losing context or detail. 
-        </p>
-        <p>
-        Metamaps provide a natural window into complex systems, sparking insights, creative opportunities, and social synergy. 
-        The platform is evolving to meet a growing range of application scenarios.
-        </p>
-        <p>
-        The Metamaps project is a collaborative venture powered by a passionate network of peers, 
-        dedicated to the wealth of knowledge we find in common.
-        </p>
+        <p>Metamaps is an online interface for communities to build and visualize their shared knowledge. It is a tool to connect people, resources, and ideas in a big picture view, without losing context or detail.</p>
+
+<p>Metamaps provides a window into complex systems. Maps are a natural way to spark insight, find opportunities, and create social synergy. The platform is evolving for a range of applications amidst a growing network of designers, developers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and artists.</p>
+
+<p>We're weaving a human scale web to enhance natural connectivity: the Metamaps project is a collaborative venture powered by a passionate collection of peers who have dedicated this effort to uncovering a wealth of knowledge held in common.</p>
+
+<p>We are currently based between San Francisco, CA and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Learn more in the PAQ link below.</p>
         
         <ul>
           <li><a href="/paq">P(ossibly)AQ</a></li>
diff --git a/app/views/layouts/application.html.erb b/app/views/layouts/application.html.erb
index 65cad0eb..33684bf2 100644
--- a/app/views/layouts/application.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/layouts/application.html.erb
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
                 </li>
                 <li class="meta openLightbox" data-open="about">ABOUT</li>
                 <li class="tutorial openLightbox" data-open="tutorial">TUTORIAL</li>
-                <li class="exploreMaps"><%= link_to "EXPLORE MAPS", maps_url %></li>
+                <li class="exploreMaps"><%= link_to "EXPLORE MAPS", activemaps_url %></li>
           </ul>
           <div id="mainTitle"><%= link_to "metamaps", root_url %></div><!--<div id="beta">beta</div>-->
       </div>
diff --git a/app/views/main/home.html.erb b/app/views/main/home.html.erb
index 784016a4..4f788345 100644
--- a/app/views/main/home.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/main/home.html.erb
@@ -14,15 +14,18 @@
 </div>
 <div class="clearfloat"></div>
 
+<p class="contact">
+  <a href="/request" class="request button">Request Invite</a>
+</p>
+
 <div class="centeredProfile">
-  <div id="homeMap"></div>
+  <div id="homeMap">
+    <% @maps.each do |map| %>
+      <%= render map %>
+    <% end %>
+  </div>
 </div>
 <div class="clearfloat"></div>
-<p class="contact">
-  Status: INVITE-ONLY BETA <br>
-  <a href="/request">request invite</a> : <a href="http://blog.metamaps.cc">visit the blog</a><br>
-  To get in touch, follow or tweet <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/metamapps">@metamapps</a>, or join our <a target="_blank" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/115060009262157699234">Google+ community</a>.
-</p>
 </div>
 <div class="clearfloat"></div>
 
@@ -30,152 +33,3 @@
   Welcome
 </h1>
 </div>
-
-<script>
-var image1 = new Image(); 
-image1.src = '/assets/map.png';
-var image2 = new Image(); 
-image2.src = '/assets/person.png';
-var image3 = new Image(); 
-image3.src = '/assets/problem.png';
-var image4 = new Image(); 
-image4.src = '/assets/futuredev.png';
-var image5 = new Image(); 
-image5.src = '/assets/knowledge.png';
-var image6 = new Image(); 
-image6.src = '/assets/implication.png';
-var rgraph;
-
-$(window).load(function() {
-var json = {  
-    id: "x",  
-    name: "explore maps",
-    data: {
-      t: "map"
-    },
-    children: [
-    <% @maps.each_with_index do |map, index| %>
-      { id: <%= map.id %>,
-        name: "<%= map.name.truncate(20) %>",
-        data: {
-          t: <%= index + 1 %>
-        }
-      },
-    <% end %>
-    ]
-    };
-$jit.RGraph.Plot.NodeTypes.implement({
-	  'customNode': {  
-		  'render': function (node, canvas) {		  			  
-			  var pos = node.pos.getc(true),
-			  dim = node.getData('dim'),
-        type = node.data.t,
-			  ctx = canvas.getCtx();
-			  
-        if (type == "map") {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image1, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        } else if (type == 1) {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image2, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        } else if (type == 2) {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image3, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        } else if (type == 3) {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image4, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        } else if (type == 4) {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image5, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        } else if (type == 5) {
-			    ctx.drawImage(image6, pos.x - dim, pos.y - dim, dim*2, dim*2);
-        }
-		  },
-		  'contains': function(node, pos) {
-			var npos = node.pos.getc(true), 
-			dim = node.getData('dim');
-			return this.nodeHelper.circle.contains(npos, pos, dim);
-		  }
-	  }
-  });
-rgraph = new $jit.RGraph({  
-    //Where to append the visualization  
-    injectInto: 'homeMap',  
-    //Optional: create a background canvas that plots  
-    //concentric circles.  
-    background: {  
-      CanvasStyles: {
-        strokeStyle: '#36bbe8',
-        lineWidth: 1
-      }  
-    },  
-    //Add navigation capabilities:  
-    //zooming by scrolling and panning.  
-    Navigation: {  
-      enable: true,  
-      panning: true,  
-      zooming: 10  
-    },  
-    //Set Node and Edge styles.  
-    Node: {  
-        type: 'customNode',
-        dim: 20        
-    },  
-      
-    Edge: {  
-      color: '#000',  
-      lineWidth: 0.2  
-    }, 
-    levelDistance: 150,    
-  
-    onBeforeCompute: function(node){  
-        //Log.write("centering " + node.name + "...");  
-        //Add the relation list in the right column.  
-        //This list is taken from the data property of each JSON node.  
-        //$jit.id('inner-details').innerHTML = node.data.relation;  
-    },  
-      
-    //Add the name of the node in the correponding label  
-    //and a click handler to move the graph.  
-    //This method is called once, on label creation.  
-    onCreateLabel: function(domElement, node){  
-        domElement.innerHTML = node.name;  
-        domElement.onclick = function(){
-          if (node.data.t == "map") {
-            window.location = "/maps";
-          } else {          
-            window.location = "/maps/" + node.id;
-          }            
-        };
-    },  
-    //Change some label dom properties.  
-    //This method is called each time a label is plotted.  
-    onPlaceLabel: function(domElement, node){  
-        var style = domElement.style;  
-        style.display = '';  
-        style.cursor = 'pointer';  
-  
-        if (node._depth == 0) {  
-            style.fontSize = "1.2em";  
-            style.color = "#FFF";
-        } else if(node._depth == 1){  
-            style.fontSize = "1.6em";  
-            style.color = "#FFF";
-        }
-  
-        var left = parseInt(style.left);  
-        var w = domElement.offsetWidth;  
-        style.left = (left - w / 2 + 8) + 'px';
-        var top = parseInt(style.top);
-        style.top = (top + 10) + 'px';        
-    }  
-});  
-//load JSON data  
-rgraph.loadJSON(json);  
-//trigger small animation  
-rgraph.graph.eachNode(function(n) {  
-  var pos = n.getPos();  
-  pos.setc(-200, -200);  
-});  
-rgraph.compute('end');  
-rgraph.fx.animate({  
-  modes:['polar'],  
-  duration: 2000  
-}); 
-});
-</script>
diff --git a/app/views/maps/_map.html.erb b/app/views/maps/_map.html.erb
index b8dc9a1c..50135c67 100644
--- a/app/views/maps/_map.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/maps/_map.html.erb
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
          <div class="linkItem icon">                                             
             <div class="metacodeImage" style="background-image:url(/assets/map.png);"></div>                 
          </div>                                                             
-         <div class="linkItem contributor">
-           
+         <div class="linkItem contributor hoverForTip">
+           <div class="tip">Created by <%= map.user.name %> on <%= map.created_at.strftime("%m/%d/%Y") %></div>
          </div>                           
          <div class="linkItem topicCount"><%= map.topics.count %></div>                 
          <div class="linkItem synapseCount"><%= map.synapses.count %></div>