Spatial Join (Analysis) Returns to ArcGIS

Spatial Join returns to ArcGIS 9.2, This function has been missing since ArcView 3.x, which is a much needed function in the GIS field.

This geoprocessing function is found in Analysis Tools>Overlay>Spatial Join

Please note this function is not Spatial Join by attributes as in previous versions of ArcGIS nor the Join on the tables.

This Spatial Join (Analysis) is by the features location.
"Creates a table join in which fields from one layer's attribute table are appended to another layer's attribute table based on the relative locations of the features in the two layers."

There is are three very powerful new functions also available in this example.

• Spatial Join (Analysis) is available in the Model Builder
• Spatial Join (Analysis) works with the new batch mode
• Iterations can be applied to the analysis if required.

This quick example is setting up the Spatial Join selecting the Rivers that fall with different countries and assigning the river with a country name using intersect
.
Data is from the ESRI DVD World Data that was shipped with ArcGIS 9.2


The spatial join using one to many on intersect features



Using the Model Builder to create this process (yes there are new funky shapes in model builder)



Model of Spatial Join but with 3 Iterations using values in the search radius (10, 20, 30 kilometres are examples)

The batch can be created by right clicking the saved model and selecting batch.
More info on batch set ups here

Cartographic Representations - OverPass (Part 5 ) of...

Cartographic Representations are a big leap in ArcGIS 9.2

It allows the GIS/Cartographer more control on how the Map is displayed and this has been covered in Parts 1-4.
Part 4
Part 3
Part 2
Part 1

However this is part 5 but on requests from regular blog readers and ArcGIS users, there will be more examples on Cartographic Representations.

The gap between ESRI USA and ESRI UK Users has been 2 months hence why this post has taken so long to get on the blog. Mapperz has only used ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 Arc/Info for 2 days, one day was updating all the service packs

Please note this functionality is only available with ArcGIS Desktop Arc/Info (the super expensive one)

Carto what? Overpasses??

Image Source: ESRI

• Generates mask polygons at the intersections of stroke representations to symbolize one set of strokes passing above the other. Optionally, linear parapet features can be generated adjacent to these masks.
  
• Requires intersecting line features symbolized with stroke representations as inputs.
• Feature classes without representations are not supported by this tool.
• The Input Above Features With Representations layer can be the same as the Input Below Features With Representations layer in the case of self-overlapping features.
• When Input Above and Input Below representations are the same, a SQL expression is encouraged for further refinement of feature selection.
• Overpass masks are created based on the user-indicated margin sizes.
  
  

This post covers Overpasses (where a road overpasses a railway/railroad).

This Tool is found in Cartography Tools > Symbolization Refinement > Create Overpass

First you need a Cartographic pair of representations to be able to do this. Mapperz is using the Examples are using the ArcGIS Tutorial >ArcTutor\Representations\Exercise_1.mxd



Converting to Representation


OverPass dialog in ArcTool Box in ArcMap 9.2


Processing.... yawn.



Result - This has been emphasized in Red and larger than normal for a project to create OverPasses.

The same method can be also applied to UnderPasses

Stand-alone Maplex user? (Not ArcMap Labelling Extension)
Underpass/Overpass can be exported to shapefile format and used to mask road/rails etc for Adobe Illustrator export (recommended as ESRI Export still not quite there from ArcMap).

Google Book Search Adds Maps

Google Book Search Maps


Around the World in 80 days

Google Book Search now includes maps based on the content of the book.

More info on the Offical Book Search Blog


http://books.google.co.uk/

Mapperz

RSS Feeds to GeoRSS Maps

RSS Feeds to GeoRSS

RSS?
GeoRSS?
Give your posts the spatial location element with http://exploreourpla.net/
converts your rss/atom feeds into maps in seconds.



To add your rss feed simply go to
http://exploreourpla.net/georss +url of RSS feed in full

Example
http://exploreourpla.net/georss/http://mapperz.blogspot.com/rss.xml
http://exploreourpla.net/georss/http://mapperz.blogspot.com/atom.xml

More info
Source:geonames.org
Related:addressfix.com

Mapperz

LookLocal Maps (now beta 2)

LookLOCAL is an online mapping and location based search site. Access and compare data from Google Maps, Yahoo! Local Maps, and Live Search Maps. View over 6,000 traffic cams, import your own KML layers. LookLOCAL is becoming a personalised online mapping portal.



"We built the site to integrate the search results and data from the three main online map providers. The idea being that it provides the user with the best of all three through a single seamless interface. Thanks for pointing out the zoom box. I've seen those and they are helpful for navigating. The zoom tool on our site is a thin client version of our patented Pliable Display Technology. The idea behind this type of visualization is that you can view additional detail without zooming the bigger picture (your context) off of the screen.



The beta 2 version now includes traffic cameras (North America and the UK), listings for some of the world's favourite travel destinations, and the ability to represent multimedia files on a map.

A worthwhile look at the development labs to for:

• LookOUT is a great new add-in for Microsoft® Outlook® that enables you to easily map a location or find directions straight from your Outlook Contacts window.
• The new LookLOCAL toolbar extension for Firefox® allows you to map search results or find directions directly from your Firefox browser toolbar.
• LookWMS is a PDT-enabled Java Web Map Client with several unique features that enable you to access maps from servers that implement the OpenGIS® WMS specification.

Mapperz

Tag Maps - Explorer Maps

Tag Maps - World Explorer, Night Explorer & Trip Explorer

"TagMaps are a new way to visualize text on geographic maps. TagMaps can be used to communicate key characteristics of location-based data in an easy-to-understand way."

• Visualise text (tags) geographically on a Yahoo! Maps.
• Where Flickr tags are added to map for easy locating

There are three types of map available:

• World Explorer
• Night Explorer
• Trip Explorer

More Information at the FAQ
Yahoo! Map Developer API

Source: ProgrammableWeb

Mapperz

GPolygon Example - Google Maps API

Updated with New Content and New Links

Mapperz was Googled on the Official Google Map Blog

"Some of you have probably noticed (<-mapperz link) that we've added a new tool to your Google Maps API toolbox, the GPolygon. Just think of all the colorful triangles, octagons, hendecagons, icosagons, etc. that you'll be able to overlay on your map. I'll be really impressed if someone is able to build a googolgon, a polygon with 10100 sides."

More details about the GPolygon class can be found in the Maps API reference.

Permalink

Posted and thanks to Brandon Badger, Product Manager, Google Maps API.

Mapperz also wants to thank all the Google Maps API Group and all the helpful mappers out there.
Important Google Map People
Mike Williams
ESA also inspired mapperz with the polygon fill and bouncy icons
Pamela Fox (now Google Employee, Support Engineer, Maps API Team)



The orginal post

update 19/01/2007
Live Link to the Gpolygon example - a filled polygon with an outline - this is testing if a polygon is inside or outside a mouse click or mouse movement defined by a user, but can be used to find markers/icons that fall inside a polygon - this method is called simple topology (points that fall inside a polygon).

update2
Circle Topology using the Gpolygon method



live link and more clever google maps api trickery

more Gploygons

Example to show people what can be done with GPolygon
(stars, circles, polys):

25/01/2007

Last update on this hot topic

Official Post by Pamela Fox, Support Engineer, Maps API Team

• We define several utility functions to aid in generating random numbers and colors
• When the map is clicked, we find the clicked pixel using fromLatLngToPixel on the result of G_NORMAL_MAP.getProjection().
• We start generating random variables for small radius, large radius (used for stars), number of sides, and color.
• If the draw mode selected is polygon, we iterate from 0 to number of sides. In each iteration, we calculate the new pixel location using good old trigonometry. We convert the pixel back to latitude/longitude using fromPixelToLatLng and add it to our points array.
• If the draw mode selected is a star or circle, the process is almost the same. For stars, we iterate twice as much as the number of sides, calculating points at the large radius on the odd iterations. For circles, we ignore the randomly generated number of sides and always iterate 20 times around the clicked pixel for a nice round look.
• Now for the magic - we create a new GPolygon with the points array and style parameters, and add it to the map.

Now here's the challenge: my own example is pretty useless, except for its teaching value. How can you put GPolygon to work for your app? Exploit the GPolygon for all it's worth (and don't forget its friend, GPolyline), and ping us with your creations on the forums.

http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/2007/01/gpolygon-example.html

ArcGIS 9.2 is Delivered to UK Users

ArcGIS 9.2 is Delivered to UK Users

UK Users can finally get there hands on ArcGIS 9.2 (Arc/Info, ArcEditor and ArcView)

Though a few surprises lurk:

• DVD only (Lots of CD only users beware)
  
• No Service Pack 1 included
• Documentation is in PDF format (no hardcopy unless you print them)

Though there is one useful leaflet called ArcGIS Desktop - A Selection of Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts (This will be put to the test).

Cartographic Representations part 5 coming soon.

Mapperz recommends installing the updated version of the Service Pack1
updated on the 9th January (43.7mb)

Also use the ArcGIS 9.2 Help Web Version
as is more up-to-date than the desktop installed version

Source: Mapperz

Oblique Aerial Photos & More 3D Buildings Windows Live Local / Virtual Earth

Some nice 3D Photographic Images coming from Microsoft is are making their way through Windows Live Local / Virtual Earth


Monte Carlo



Miami in 3D
(use IE7 with 3D Virtual Earth Plugin pre-installed)

Source: Virtual Earth Blog

U-turns Google Maps Directions

Some advanced driving needed...


and 246 U-turns later



Source:theinquirer

link to google map directions

mapperz

Google Analytics to Google Earth

Google Analytics to Google Earth




In Google Analytics, open Marketing Optimization, then Visitor Segment Performance.
Click on Geo Map Overlay and you get their best world-map overlay.
If you look at the upper right of the data window, you see an Export section, and the first icon is a T.
Click it and cut the data out, then paste it here and hit Submit.
source:Analytics2KML

This file is returned to your browser with the proper MIME type for Google Earth,
and upon submission it may open up in Google Earth immediately.
If not, you will be prompted to save a file that is in Google KML format.
Some browsers (Like FireFox) may give the file a .php extension so rename the file to a .kml, which will open in Google Earth.


Source: http://freegeotools.blogspot.com/

Detailed Shaded Relief of the World

Detailed Shaded Relief of the World


One of the biggest custom tiles for google maps your likely to see.

This gives high quailty coverage and is still in 'work in progress' so more to come.

"We have uploaded up to zoom level 8 completely and have the Northern hemisphere of level 9 completed - Southern Hemisphere in progress - just 60,000 tiles to go"

Well done to Jon Parker for his time and efforts on this demanding project

Global Mapper was used to create the shaded relief colours.

VMAP0 vector data to include rivers and lakes and mask the coastline

Rasterised with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to produce more detailed at larger scale (zoom in)

Global Mapper Batch tiles

Level 0 - 1 tile

Level 1 - 4 tiles

Level 2 - 16 tiles

Level 3 - 64 tiles

Level 4 - 256 tiles

Level 5 - 1024 tiles

Level 6 - 4096 tiles..

Time 3 hours (approx) for Level 0 -6.
Source Data:
ftp://topex.ucsd.edu/pub/srtm30_plus/data/

Level 7 - 8110 tiles - 3-4 hours

Level 8 - 32440 tiles 12 - 18 hours


Processing now

Level 9 - 129760 tiles - over a week so far

to do

Level 10 - 519040 tiles (approx a month!)

(Level 10 is the limit for the srtm 90 dems)
source:
http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/

File sizes currently at 109 Gb and growing....

Other information...

The search is powered by directly by Geonames

The flag icons supplied for free.

It was all put together using Globalmapper

The post process was done using EyeBatch

Powered by the Google Maps API

posted by Mapperz

update: more info in map room
note not to be confused with http://www.shadedrelief.com/

Travel Intelligence Maps

Travel Intelligence Maps

Nice Map Integration of the Mapsack

Features

• Hover on linked text (side panel) to highlight Point of Interest (poi's)
• Map display area is link with the photo rail at the bottom.
• Nice and clean interface
• Fast database retrieval of information (ajax?)
  

More Maps like these please!

Map Blog Feed For Mobile Devices

Get your Mapperz Blog Feed For Mobile Devices



This is a cut down version of what is available on the main mapperz blog and to reduce data charges, images removed and content is reduced to 50 characters.

• Supports older web/wap enabled mobile phones.

Top Tip:Use GPRS (data transfer) mode rather than pay per minute on wap.

Blog feed to mobile feed provided by winksite.com

simply add this url
http://winksite.com/mapperz/mobile

Network charges vary.

NeoEarth - Blog Visitors by World Map

NeoEarth - Blog Visitors by World Map

These seem to get flasher...




Available from neoworx.net (NeoEarth)
Compare Free

• Basic display past 24 hours visitors.

Premium

• Detailed display
  All online and past visitors
• Fully customizable
  12 maps each in 4 sizes
• Exclusive Day/Night feature
• Full-scale map allowing detailed navigatio

Mapshark - Search 600 Mapping Sites

Mapshark

With so many mapping blogs online, and no time to view them all.

Search 600+ mapping sites in one place.

Now includes all mapperz posts from this blog.

Phoogle Maps (v2.01)

Phoogle Maps (v2.01) includes International Address Support.

• 1 Address (Outside United States)
• Multiple Addresses
• Displaying Valid/Invalid Points
• Customizing the Info Window

"Phoogle Maps (pronounced like Foogle Maps) is a PHP class that integrates itself with the Google Maps API and with the Yahoo Geocoding API to make an easy to use interface to display Google Maps on your site."


Mapperz Note to Users: Check the Yahoo Maps API Terms and Conditions before investing time on this. There maybe infringement using the Yahoo Geocoder with Google Maps.

Powerful Mapping Applications

Using Google Maps API and Oracle Application Express (APEX)

• Oracle APEX is a free, supported feature of Oracle 10g
• Google Maps API is Free sign up here for a key

Source and image: inside-apex this blog has lots more information and links to build your own powerful mapping application.

Mapperz

All ESRI Downloads in One Location

Some of latest Free downloads for GIS from ESRI in one location.

Software(Free)

ArcExplorer 9.2 (bulid 350) (43.4 MB)
ArcExplorer 9.2 (AIX) arcexplor92_aix.tar
ArcExplorer 9.2 (HP-UX) arcexplor92_hp.tar
ArcExplorer 9.2 (Linux) arcexplor92_linux.tar
ArcExplorer 9.2 (Solaris) arcexplor92_solaris.tar
ArcExplorer 9.2 (Windows) arcexplorer92_windows.zip

ArcReader 9.2 (175 MB)
ArcReader 9.2 Linux arcreaderlinux92.tar
ArcReader 9.2 Solaris arcreadersolaris92.tar
ArcReader 9.2 Windows arcreader92.zip

More Downloads

Retro Map - BBC Ceefax Map Live

Retro Map - BBC Ceefax Map Live


See old style Ceefax (from analogue signal) live on the internet.
(click the 400 at the bottom then 401 for the Weather Map)

Also available for mobile devices

Ceefax (wiki)

Ceefax TV
© Ceefax is a registered trademark of the BBC Corporation
© Aertel is a registered trademark of RTE

Gchart - Currency, Local Time and Weather Map

Gchart - Currency, Local Time and Weather Map all available on from one source and one map.
Simple and a easy to use.

Also mapped is video and web blogs

Mapperz (now with rss email feed - visit blog to subscribe)

Food Tube Map - London Restaurants

Food Tube Map - London Restaurants




London Restaurants, searchable by Tube station or by cuisine, complete with live booking service.

Quick, easy and fast mapping.The live booking is an excellent idea.
Keep an eye on the special offers.

Mapperz

UK Wii Map

UK Wii Map


MapWii maps Nintendo Wii's, across the World. Use the map and simply click the "Request" to contact the Wii user. Over 7000 (Currently) Wiis have been mapped worldwide, with thousands added daily. Designed for the Wii Internet Channel, hence the long narrow map in most internet browsers.
To add your Wii (not wee) you need to login in and register.

Source: Google Map Mania

MapSpeller™ for ArcGIS® Extension

MapSpeller is a spatially-smart map spell-checker.


Image: Edgetech America, Inc

The MapSpeller for ArcGIS extension is for all ArcGIS Desktop users who want to avoid the embarrassment, delays and costs of typos on their maps. Before printing, MapSpeller quickly checks for, and suggests corrections to, spelling errors in and around GIS maps using patent-pending processes. Simple to install and easy to use, MapSpeller is an ingenious and effective tool that will quickly pay for itself by saving users the cost of expensive reprints.

Currently Edgetech America, Inc.has filed for a U.S. patent for, and reserved international filling rights to, a GIS map spell checking and correction system.

As we all make the odd spelling mistake. Don't we?
Hope that more than just US English is Supported.
Mapperz just needs a dyslexia corrector

iPhone Maps

Update on the Device Name.
Apple seem to have forgotten an internet search on 'iPhone'
hence CISCO Systems are suing them for using their trademark name.

New names for Apple (for Free)
"Wireless Dog and Bone" (Cockney (East London) slang for Phone)
"ILMTCMD" (Internet lightweight multi-touch communications mobile device)
iTelephone is also CISCO

but PhonePod more likely

The CISCO iPhone (yes little "i")


Like creating a search engine or map search and calling Google 2.0/Google Maps 2.0
(no not intending to Google Inc)

More on this from BBC News

iPhone works with Google Maps see here (quicktime required)

"With Google Maps and iPhone’s amazing Maps application, you can view maps and satellite images, or get directions and traffic information, all from iPhone’s remarkable, easy-to-use touch interface."

But wheres the GPS? to tell you, your not lost.

Might look pretty but who has used one?

Nokia might have the edge with the N95 (has GPS integrated)

One question for both products. Battery Life?

Update with Phone Specifications (Official)
iPhone Spec
N95 Spec

Remember at the end of the day it is your choice

Mapperz

UK Google Maps Mashup Roundup Part 6

Google Maps Mania does a 6th Roundup on UK Based Mashups


Image: Google Maps Mania

Some of the highlighted posts have more information on the mapperz blog.

Like
BlockHunter
Bristol Live,Work & Play
London: Life in Maps

and a few others not listed
Golf Course Finding Map
Zoomf Property Map (update)
Care Homes Map


Mapperz

Drive More Traffic to Your Maps API Site - Include KML Files

From the Offical Maps API Blog

(Posted by Brandon Badger, Product Manager, Google Maps API)

Publishing a KML Sitemap involves a few easy steps:

• Identify those features on your maps site which can be displayed as KML features.
• Convert those features into KML equivalents and publish them within one or more KML files.
• Create a sitemap.xml file that identifies links to all of your KML files.
• Place the sitemap.xml in the root directory of your site.

More Information here

A simple sitemap.xml example

Note:Sitemap.xml files must have no more than 50,000 URLs
and must not be larger than 10MB

Mapperz RSS Feed

Mapperz

Golf Course Finding Map

Golf Course Finding Map



But with some clever integration

• Search 10,20 or 50 Mile Radiuses
• Dynamic Pan (Auto updates finding new courses in the radius range)
  
• Dynamic Overview Pan as above but the overview map syncronized with the main map
• Interactive Sidebar
• Hotels Listed

Very fast retrieval of Markers and a well thought out map.
Well done The Golf-Finder.net Team

Full instructions on use

Google Earth Beta 4 Updates

Update via Ogle Earth

• US Congress information has been updated to reflect the 110th Congress (Senators and Representatives) who took office on January 4th.
• Updated content from the GeoWeb layer data sources (example, more than double the number of Panoramio photos)
  
• Updates to other data layers (Volcanoes, ESA images, Tracks4Africa, etc.)
  
• Updates to GEC [Google Earth Community] content to capture latest posts there.
  ...and as always, lots of subtle changes to refine both client at data.
  
  
  
• The Overview Map - View> Overview Map (Ctrl +M)
• New Layers and Content - Yelp Reviews, 3D Buildings (from 3D Warehouse), Roads of Brazil, Geographic Web (more Panoramio photos) and Sunrise Earth

Seems the big upadates are available with Google Earth 4 beta this allows to view higher quality 3D Buildings - many of which are photo-textured. Mapperz recommends that you install Google Earth 4 beta (build 4.0.2722) because it loads these models faster than the previous releases.

Source and more details: Google Earth Blog

Mapperz joins GIS WIKI

Mapperz joins GIS WIKI

This Blog will be available through NewsFeeds

ArcGIS Explorer 9.2 Gets Fixed

Fixed Features

Source: Spatial Adjusted

Note:You will need to Register to Download this Software

ArcGIS Explorer 9.2 (Build 350) is 28.4 MB in file size.


Version 1.0.348 to 9.2.350

Zoomf Property Search - Update

Update from 19th August 2006


New Features:
Zoomf.com have launched a new innovative feature on their website which allows users to find the average house price and other property statistical information for the different London boroughs. This information is processed completely live as normally obtaining this information can take weeks if requested from a real estate agent.

What is zoomf.com?

Zoomf.com is a residential property search engine connecting consumers with estate agents and property brokers. In one search zoomf.com enables consumers to find many 'for sale' and 'to let' property listings from a wide range of available Internet sources - and we continue to add new websites every day. Once the consumer finds a suitable property they are referred to the original source of the listing.

With a simple to navigate interface and map based presentation, zoomf.com makes it easy to drill down by property attributes, types and location to find the ideal home for you. You can either search for property by submitting your requirements or
browse for property by area.

Example

Posted by Mapperz

Map Letter Gets Delivered

"I haven't got his address and he hasn't got my address either - we still haven't sorted that out"

"I drew a map of the coastline of north Cornwall and Devon and put on it 'Peter O'Leary, living somewhere here."


Source: BBC News
Alternative Source: Map Room
(Thanks to mapgirl)

Crown Copyright crushing UK Mapping Innovations

This is a post to make people aware that government agencies are stifling UK innovations.

"Public money paid for it - but the public can’t view because of crown copyright"

Says the Guardians Free Our Data Campaign

"Imagine flying at rooftop height up the Thames. You dive under Tower Bridge, then twist between the Gherkin and Tower 42 skyscrapers. As the London Eye looms, you bank right and dive into a translucent globe which transports you into the middle of St Paul's cathedral."


But you can't put it online!

"Although Virtual London was funded by another state body, the computer model cannot be posted on the web without infringing Ordnance Survey's copyright."

"Public money funds it, yet "public" copyright keeps it shut away."

But how can Geographically data be locked down to some ceramic hard drive and not accessible to the people who paid for it?

Nicely timed just ahead of Christmas, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has put its Statute Law Database online. You can search for any extant law, and various others - including how upcoming legislation will affect existing laws.
This was protected under crown copyright so why can this be released to the public free of charge and available online?

Come on Ordnance Survey sort your out of date crown copyright.
Reduce your prices to commercial vender's and you will gain more consumers and increase your incomes 10 fold.

Sources:
http://freeourdata.org.uk/blog/
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1981821,00.html
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/aboutus/
yourinforights/copyright/index.html

Even little company Google are having issues with Ordnance Survey -

"The sticking point is understood to be Google's attempt to negotiate a fixed fee for the data, rather than accepting Ordnance Survey's practice of charging by the number of transactions. Ordnance Survey would not comment on the specific case, but said that a fixed fee would "wreck the level playing field for other partners" - and it should be noted that it is obliged to treat all customers (including itself) on the same terms. OS said it is happy for its data to be used in a "Google-type" environment. "Sites such as Multimap and Streetmap use our data and their services are freely available to the public over the web.""

BlockHunter - For Homeowners and Buyers

This site helps homeowners and potential buyers locate property for exchange.



However there is major difference on this site

There are no properties for sale on this site.

Normally, you use an estate agent to advertise your house for sale

You hope someone sees your advert and buys your house

Blockhunter works the other way around

Buyers use this site to register their searches on a map

Sellers can then register their house to see if buyers are interested

Registered sellers are NOT advertising their property

Your property details remain private. It's up to you if you contact a buyer

The Mapping used the Google Maps API but there some nice functionality on the mapping side .
The Create Block refers to a rectangle that can be resized to become the search area.
This is a good way to empower the user and making the the search more interactive.

One Suggestion is to have a Circle Search and/or a multi-edged polygon.
Multi-edge Polygon Example
Circle Method

Has very good potential though. Mapperz

Google Maps and Topology

Quick update:
clickable circle with topology
creating your own circle on the fly with the inside/outside topology result.

Google Maps and Topology

Mapperz stumbled across this on the Mike Williams Website

Though he might or might not realise that this is simple Topology in effect.


Link to live page

What is Topology?

In GIS Terms it is "a spatial relationship between features" a set of rules that control features and errors between feature classes.

There can be many terms of this topology. A very simple example is a Point Feature has to be either Inside(1) or Outside (0) a Polygon Feature(s).


Image from Richie Carmichael (ESRI Prototype Labs)

To view this in Action modified slightly from Mikes code.

Why the fuss?
Using this type of analysis in google maps api can be applied and bringing the google mapping api into a very simple GIS.

In this Markers (or Icons) can be selected and stored as a collection of arrays.

This could be 'select ice cream vans (points) with the county of somerset (polygon) only.'
or
'select available houses to rent in the Royal Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames'


Geographic Information System (GIS). An organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.
www.fws.gov/data/IMADS/glossary.htm

Topology can be very powerful and very complex - this post only caters in the most primitive format of Topology.