MapQuest Embed Two OSM Editors

MapQuest Embed Two OSM Editors

MapQuest are getting ahead of the rest with an instant online OSM (Open Street Map Editor

If you know the area and spot an error on the http://open.mapquest.com sites you can now edit directly using the Potlatch 2 Editor without too much trouble.

Mapquest are pleased with themselves: (and why not?)

"We’ve done it again! Updates are fast and furious on our MapQuest Open sites, powered by OpenStreetMap data. Just this week, we’ve released new edit buttons, ‘send to website’ and ‘right click’ to find the closest thing in your map display.

Our new edit button is really three different edit button or links: below the search result & top right of your map; and edit links that are built into the popup information box. The popup information box allows you to choose which OSM editor you want to use in order to edit the location (or surrounding area). Your two edit tool choices are Potlatch 2 (hosted by MapQuest) or JOSM (known as the “Java OpenStreetMap Editor”). Potlatch 2 uses a GUI user interface for easily making edits whereas JOSM allows you to download chunks of the OSM data onto your desktop to edit and then upload the newly changed data back onto the OSM servers for processing. (Note: be sure JOSM is already installed and running when you click the JOSM edit link.)"

http://blog.mapquest.com/2010/11/11/latest-updates-on-open/

Quite an achievement for both MapQuest and OpenStreetMap

Full Details

http://open.mapquestapi.com/dataedit/

Evolution: European OpenStreetMap

Evolution: European OpenStreetMap

Evolution of European OpenStreetMap coverage from skobblertutorials on Vimeo.

Hence why Mapquest(Open) and Bing Maps (OSM App) are becoming more mainstream

Embed MapQuest - New

Embed MapQuest - New

You can now add MapQuest maps to your blog or website.

How to do this:

Enter the location into New.MapQuest.com

Click the “Send To” button, then the “Your Website” tab

Copy and paste the code to your site.

"The MapQuest specific HTML code is written for you and all you need to do is add that text to your HTML source on your web page. This is useful for businesses, bloggers, or even hobbyists building your own website. Imagine making it easier for your customers to see where you are, and with a click or two, they can get directions directly to your location. This allows you to add maps instead of just links! This works for single locations, as well as routes. More advanced features for Embedded maps will be coming soon as we continue our fast, iterative feature releases."

Also includes the ability to pick your language, search and re-arrange saved locations within your ‘My Maps’ collections and more in-line help. We have also updated the ‘Send to’ feature to now support Garmin GPS devices and added the Embedded Maps option.

http://new.mapquest.com/

Source:

http://blog.mapquest.com/2010/08/30/more-updates-to-the-new-mapquest/

MapQuest Open (Beta) Using Open Street Map Data

MapQuest Open (Beta) Using Open Street Map Data

MapQuest have over the past few months vastly improved the map user interface and are one of the first major mapping service to engage and encourage the use of Open Street Map Data with the new MapQuest Open mapping project.


"At the 4th annual international State of the Map 2010 conference, their plan to be the first major mapping site to embrace and encourage open source mapping at scale.  As part of this initiative, MapQuest just launched their first site that is completely powered by open source data from OpenStreetMap.org"


"This new project – open.mapquest.co.uk – was developed using the new MapQuest.com design but using data provided by the OpenStreetMap community.  The main difference between this new site and our existing MapQuest UK site is that the mapping and routing data was created, edited and enhanced by every day people like you.  OpenStreetMap was designed to give the local community the ability to update areas (roads, parks, hiking trails, bike paths, points of interest, etc) that they know in their own neighborhood and around the world, ultimately leading to what we believe will be the best and most accurate mapping experience for all.


AOL (owners of Mapquest) also announced a $1 million open-source mapping investment fund.  This fund will support the growth of open-source mapping in the United States in the local communities that Patch.com covers.  More information about the AOL grant application process is available by emailing osm@mapquest.com."


View the new Mapping Service - http://open.mapquest.co.uk/

More information - http://blog.mapquest.com/2010/07/09/mapquest-opens-up/
Well done to Mapquest for taking the challenge on and implementing a clean and easy to use mapping service.


Source:
http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Harry%20Wood/diary/11288

Please give your feedback here http://mapquest.open-street-map.sgizmo.com/s3/

Mapquest Streetview (called 360) - Street Level Imagery

Mapquest Streetview (called 360) - Street Level Imagery

You can now view MapQuest Maps in a whole new way. We have developed a simple, easy-to-use interface that fits seamlessly into the MapQuest mapping experience you have come to know and understand. 360 View provides fantastic panoramic views (360° horizontally and 160° vertically) of any given image within the 360 View coverage area
*selective USA Cities only

orange glow represents 360 street level imagery available when the '360 view' option is on.

The quality of the imagery is not as high resolution as Google (Streetview) or Bing Streetside but then they require post-processing bluring faces, mapquest does not.
The Orange 'bubbles in' 360 mode could be made transparent but do indicate direction of the next photo in a simple manner.


Mapquest API
currently 360 mode is not available in the mapquest api
http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/beta-releases

source:
http://blog.mapquest.com/2009/12/11/street-level-imagery-comes-to-mapquest-com-as-360-view/
screen shots:
http://www.mapquest.com/360-details

MapQuest Static Maps with POI's (advanced features)

MapQuest Static Maps with POI's (advanced features)

Interesting update from Mapquest API's

De-cluttering Points of Interest [POI] with the static maps api

Creating Static Maps with your own POI- this example show how to use the de-clutter option (when points of interest are too close to each other and maintaining a pre-defined zoom level)

This static map is create with the url request

http://platform.beta.mapquest.com/staticmap/v3/getmap?type=map&center=51.044600,-1.3413100&size=800,600&zoom=10&pois=1,51.044900,-1.3413450,-51,-51|orange-100,51.044900,-1.3412700,51,-51|green,51.044200,-1.3413450,
-51,51|yellow-s,51.044200,-1.3412700,51,51|&key=[YOUR_KEY_HERE]*

live link tinyurl'ed - http://tinyurl.com/declutter-poi

pois=1,51.044900,-1.3413450, centred locations by latitude/longitude
51,51 (with +/-) is the de-clutter default
(more info on this see http://platform.beta.mapquest.com/staticmap/index.html#advancedoptions

*copying and pasting the long url will work - though for geocoding and other controlled functions require an api key.
API keys are free - they can be created by signing up to Mapquest API via
http://developer.mapquest.com/

Mapquest Static Maps API
http://platform.beta.mapquest.com/staticmap/

source:
http://devblog.mapquest.com/2009/09/14/geocoding-and-static-map-web-services-now-in-beta/

Map Seeaarch - but who wins?

Seeaarch is a quick fire, map and directions search website that uses 4 mapping solutions

Map Searches

• Yahoo

• Google

• Live

Directions

• Yahoo

• Google

• Mapquest

Though a quick test reveals a clear winner.


note: moving the columns is possible to show each one more clearly.

Yahoo gets confused but tries (finds an American route)
Google does the job - as you would expect
Mapquest failed to find the start location

Mapperz requests directions from
10 Downing St, Westminister, London, UK
to SW19 1AR (Wimbledon)

So there a quick and effective test.
(So why not just use Google Directions?)

When Planning a route, whether it is in the UK, Europe or any other part of the world, don't just rely on one solution.
The AA Travel Planner is more effective than any of the above in the UK. The driving times are more accurate and the congestion travel information is more up-to-date.
For Europe try Yahoo Maps

Useamap - Tinyurl for Maps

Useamap a tinyurl for Maps- Mapperz recommended


http://useamap.com/mapperz

"A free site which your readers might indeed find useful. It allows you to save a location for an event with a short URL. For example, if you are having a meeting with your clients, you can save your office location with a link like 'useamap.com/office_meeting' on a map . It is very easy to embed the map onto your blog or website and anyone going to your location can get detailed driving directions to your place."

This site does what it says, very handy and good sized maps, directions are supplied using MapQuest Open API and works well



Note: This site uses it's own geocoding service and is fast.

Nice work and thanks to Vincent Glennon (useamap.com)

MapQuest Map Gas (Fuel) Prices

Mapped Gas (Fuel) Prices - MapQuest USA


FAQ Help

• How can I add a gas station that is not in the list?
  Click here to Add A Station
• How can I add an alternative fuel station that is not in the list?
  Click here to Add An Alternative Fuel Station
• How often are prices updated?
  Gas Prices are updated multiple times a day. Check back often for the most recent prices.

Gas is very cheap in North America!

UK Price
Petrol (Gas) 86.0p ($1.69) per litre
Diesel (Derv) 90.2p ($1.82) per litre