Put a google map on your site.... no knowlage required
 

okay... so I've been messing around with maps for a while, building back-end systems that will take data in various formats then place that on a map in a way that allows the user to interact with it.... that's great when you're dealing with a 'data source' but what if you just want to make a map with a route and some photos on it maybe?

It's always been a pain... but I've just come across these guys

http://www.quikmaps.com/

who are making this very very easy - here's a map that took about 10 seconds to make and place in my site

http://www.thelondonbiker.com/blog/?p=108

Cracking tool for people who don't want to learn what XML means....

in similar news it appears google have got wise to this and will be launching a new piece of functionality that will also allow you to do this...

http://news.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39...9292218,00.htm

Nice
 

Looks pretty nifty. Thanks for that Matt.

Thanks

This is just what I am looking for but... The question is should one wait for Googles version, are you?

damn no! Even when the google one comes out it wont have the mutlitude of markers and drawing tools on it to start with... so I'm diving straight in there.

m

Great link. Thanks, Matt. I've just tried it out and it works really well. :thumbup1:Stephan

My mum's going to be so pleased knowing where I am, and Dad's going to spend hours browsing my route in the Satellite mode I'm sure.

Cheers for pointing out a brilliant tool!

Thats good stuff, I was immediately going to use it in my blog. Until I discovered that there's no map data for the countries I'm currently in (Georgia - Central Asia). And finding my way just by geographic is really quite hard. I'll use it once i come to India - that is covered.

thanks, Andi

I don't know if it helps but you can put in locations just using long and lat values.... for example here's a location without any road data

Google Maps

hope that helps....

m

Google Maps - Update
 

Hi Matt,

I've recently played with this and have really found it useful. I have found the Google version quicker, easier and with a richer functionality layer. I suppose that's what you get when you throw money at things.

I do love Google, but I hope the originator isn't going to forced from the market. Or perhaps (s)he's a happy (wo)man, with a wad in the back pocket.

Either way, a big thumbs up for this innovation.

very easy to draw and use.. thanks for that..

Maps
 

For a trip log / blog I still prefer POI66 - France to Goa-2007

John

Ooh - why is that?
 

Hi John,

Is that jsut a personal preference or is there added functionality/ease?

I am about to make some 'static' maps, purely to show where we ARE going to go. Once we actually move (still 18 goddam months to go!), I would like to log the journey on a map too.

Hi,
Personal preference, but, also ease of use. You just send an SMS with your GPS coordinates as often as you like. We tried to do it 2 to 3 times a day when on the move but that is not always practical - no mobile signal. In that case, you just stack the messages up for transmission when you get a signal.
Kees is the fella that runs it and we had him change some of the functionality. Like changing the route colour for the return journey (cut short I'm afraid).

He's always open to suggestions if you think something can be improved and its possible.

John