PHP 101: PHP For the Absolute Beginner. Hacking Maps with the Google Maps API. August 10, 2005 Google didn't get around to releasing the documentation of its maps API until relatively recently, but many developers were experimenting with the service as soon as it went into public beta. I built the Irving, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) parks demo before the API was publicly documented. In addition to providing a useful service, Google also reinvigorated web user interface expectations, as has been widely noted. In particular, being able to fluidly drag and zoom maps from a web browser is an engrossing feature for the user. Google Maps API The Google Maps API is based on JavaScript, which makes life pretty easy, since you don't need to worry about installing software. There are several limitations to the Maps API: It doesn't provide a geocoding service; that is, you have to provide it with longitude and latitude.
Yahoo also has a mapping API, with some significant differences. Developing a Map Application 1. 2. HOW-TO: Make your own annotated multimedia Google map. One of the great things about Google maps is it has its roots in XML. To translate for the non-web developers out there, it basically means Google maps are user hackable. This how-to will show you how to make your own annotated Google map from your own GPS data.
Plus, you'll be able to tie in images and video to create an interactive multimedia map. We'll walk you through the steps we took to generate an annotated map of a walk we took recently through our hometown, now that it's actually starting to get warm enough to want to walk about! Background I saw this post by Jon Udell, in which he does a screencast of an annotated walking tour through Keene, NH. Screencast goodness aside, I wanted to figure out how he made the map and how to simplify the process so that the non-web geek could attempt it without too much trouble. Materials GPS device.
Getting started Before we get in to how it's done, let's look at the results. Now that we've seen what we're about to create, let's get started.