(Google) Mapping - Web Dev. - Neils Resource Web| Summary of Content |
 This section is the start of a collection of links, notes and bits related to Google
Mapping. More of an exercise in how I could use maps as a means of navigating my Travel Web pages.Whilst using the standard Google Maps API is relatively straight forward, I've found that GMapez much more simple to use, as it takes all the hard work out of 'talking' to Google. The Google tutorial is fine as an introduction to the capabilities of the API but leaves (me) short on the finer points such as marker formatting and positioning. The independent tutorial from Econym complements and develops on it well. GMapez is much more straight forward. Its more within my programming capabilities. First and most importantly for many people is there is no requirement to use any Javascripting whatsoever, its already been done. Its the Google Maps API with some additional finer points wrapped up in a nifty bit of (ready made) java scripting. The capability of changing sizes, colours and text on the markers is probably its best feature, followed closely by its remote access to the information pop-ups. Yes, these features are available using Google's' API but are not as easily implemented. The biggest problem with either way of mapping seems to be the loading times. It might be my impatience but I know that I have to wait over 30 seconds for my example to download and display on my 2mb b/band / 2.8mhz / 512mb machine. Saying this I know that much lesser specified machines are seeing my map in ten seconds or less. If I get to the bottom of it I'll be a happy bunny. If you know the answer or places to look could you let me know? Thanks. GMapez Discussion Group - Google Maps Discussion Group - Google API V2 Reference - Blueweb / Chouser - Map PHP file I've put my marker positioning guide below for ease of access for me (just displays the get-centre position and current zoom) |
| Links to Useful sites | |
| Site Link | Description |
| ● Utilities | |
| Econym.demon.co.uk | A good Google Maps API tutorial. |
| Mapmaker.donkeymagic | A really easy to use Google Map Maker, for those one-offs'. 03/2007  |
| Google Maps | This is getting better (for the UK) 12/2005 |
| Gmapez | A really simple way of using the Google map interface, using it a lot in my
Luz section. 11/2006 |
| Earth.google | A fun (and useful) extension on the above. (Requires a download, and still weak for UK) |
| Positioning Guide | GMapEZ equivalent Zoom Level Spans | |
Google uses the 1 to 17 levels of zoom these translate to the following 'spn' measurements in Gmapez (only when using the default Google map size 400 x 300). | ||
|
Level 1 = spn=179.746711,360 Level 2 = spn=171.310124,360 Level 3 = spn=130.766408,360 Level 4 = spn=75.21788,199.6875 Level 5 = spn=38.593914,99.84375 Level 6 = spn=19.40676,49.921875 Level 7 = spn=9.713039,24.960938 Level 8 = spn=4.858729,12.480469 Level 9 = spn=2.429602,6.240234 Level 10 = spn=1.21484,3.120117 Level 11 = spn=0.607427,1.560059 Level 12 = spn=0.303713,0.780029 Level 13 = spn=0.151857,0.390015 Level 14 = spn=0.075929,0.195007 Level 15 = spn=0.075929,0.195007 Level 16 = spn=0.018982,0.048752 Level 17 = spn=0.009491,0.024376 | ||
| The Google api requires the space between the Lat / Long. Note that GMapez will not work with this space. | ||
| Use the map above for finding the current Lat / Long specification and Zoom level | ||
| Hyperlink titles may have been abbreviated, (right click on the link and select properties for the full URL) |
 The (normal) double mouse click return to the of the page function has been DISABLED on this page. |
Last Updated: 09/02/2008- Mapping - Web Development - Neils Resource Web