Mapperz - The Map & GIS News finding blog. With so many Mapping sites online. This blog tries to provide you with the best maps and services that are currently available online.
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PublicEarth is a'wikipedia for places' that can be extended by users. Using Google Maps to display 'crowdsourced' Points of Interest [POI] locations. Guests can view the data in a read-only format whereas registered users rate places,create collections and can personalise their suggestions.
Clean, Fast Public Earth Points of Interests [POI] Layers.
PublicEarth has currently 4 million + POI's and rising, all grouped into a number of categories. PublicEarth has over 450 categories, these include the usual categories such as restaurants and entertainment but also more unusual topics.
Full List of Catergories http://www.publicearth.com/categories/browse include Arts, Culture & Entertainment Recreation & the Outdoors Shopping Community Essentials Places to Stay Food & Drink.
Some different catergories to the norm. Fossil Sites, Kiteboarding Locations, Public Rooftops, Shipwrecks, Sundials, Street Art
The site allows the user to plan a trip or a day out and then send the saved locations to a GPS device, a mobile phone or e-mail them to friends. PublicEarth also lets you display your saved places on your own website or blog by creating and embedding a widget.
The site even comes with an API that allows developers to access PublicEarth's huge database of recommendations.
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)
*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/
Ovi Maps News Nokia have released/updated some Ovi Apps Products
Of Mapping interest there are:
Developers that register for the programme will have access to the following:
Ovi Maps Player API – Bringing maps to mobile and web applications effortlessly. The API is powered by NAVTEQ and features more than 180 country maps, location-based search, and detailed place information. Other features include vector-based maps that give a range of views, including: map, terrain and 3D modes for dynamic map mash-ups. The Ovi Maps Player API for the web was introduced earlier this year.
Ovi Navigation Player API - Allowing developers to bring Nokia’s industry-leading walk and drive navigation features to their applications, including: pedestrian navigation, turn-by-turn car navigation, and route planning. Developers can deliver applications that get consumers exactly where they want to go.
Ovi Maps Player Example
"Introducing Maps Player - the brand-new, easy-to-use API for Ovi Maps. Maps Player makes it simple to integrate rich Ovi Maps functionality into your website, turning it into a personalised, contextual and compelling experience. "
here is one example
Unlike other Mapping API's available - [Nokia] Ovi Maps Player API gives developers access to their Point's of Interest (currently 3 million) Database.
Note: you cannot copy & paste the source code unless you have signed up to Ovi Maps Player API (beta) and have recieved 2 api keys from Nokia for specific domains
** For 3D view an Ovi Map Plugin is required and you will require a restart of you web browser.
Ovi Navigation API Ovi Maps Navigation Player API gives you access to the industry-leading Ovi Maps Walk and Drive navigation service, powered by NAVTEQ [Nokia Owned]. With just a few lines of JavaScript, you can add turn-by-turn pedestrian or car navigation to your Ovi apps. You can also add routing to your websites. Ovi Navigation API - Drive, Walk & Cycle 'turn-by-turn' directions
Advanced vector maps allow routes matched to the needs of drivers and pedestrians – even when your users are offline.
Developers will be able to use simple, high-level interfaces to leverage turn-by-turn Walk and Drive navigation, with voice guidance in over 20 languages
Users are tired of seeing car routes recycled as "pedestrian". Give them a real Walk experience, with custom map display and enhanced DiscoverCities Navteq data.
"a market-leading range of data to allow people to conduct personalised searches of any UK neighbourhood and create an-easy-to-understand map, with all relevant information displayed succinctly on one page."
MSN UK overlay Local POI (Points of Interest) for the current map, panning or zooming automatically updates the map with more local information based on users choices in the sidebar.
The coloured polygons represent the local constituencies though out the UK.
One option that is interesting is 'Flood Layer' though not currently available - issues with Crown Copyright and the Environment Agency?ononemap.com has the same issue.
property portal Propertyfinder.com and Virtual Earth (now Bing) developers shoothill.com Find out where "Risers & Fallers" are with this heatmap
Overall , lots of data, managed in a way that it is not totally overload the base maps [TeleAtlas, Ordnance Survey and Collins Bartholomew background maps available]. A good selection of local information is currently available.
Bird Eye View is available but local information is not overlayed - am sure Multimap has this available (Multimap now owned by Microsoft) See http://www.multimap.com/s/JV2Swe8T for points in Bird Eye View.
Ordnance Survey have launched 'OS Explore', a website designed for walkers, runners, hikers, cyclists, anyone with the interest with the great outdoors and sharing their routes and personal favourite places.
Though there is room for improvement:
No Help or FAQ - to get non map people to 'get started'
No Editing of your own routes (that's a bit silly)
No 1:25,000 (Explorer) Mapping is all 1:50,000 (Landranger) (OS have copyright on their own data surely?)
No Polygon creation (Area) - only Lines and POI Points.
No Export so cannot use the route in a GPS
Well it's a start from the Ordnance Survey - but clearly in Beta.
Needs to be more 'MyMaps' in functionality
Add your comments on the service - maybe they take note, maybe not.
*Routes are British National Grid not WGS84
Ed Parsons (ex Ordnance Survey) also mentions it in his blog
Official Reply on the editing of routes "Unfortunately, at the current time, users are unable to edit routes once they have been saved. However, before saving, users are able to undo waypoints they have plotted and remove their points of interest. There are several usability changes envisaged for the next release and this is an area we would like to see improved. The site is still in its beta stage so obviously we are keen to hear about any issues encountered."
