The Wonder of Mapplets
Google Maps takes the web to the next level with Mapplets, a new tool for customizing Google Maps.
With the mini-application Mapplets, users can layer maps with information like real estate listings, events, photos and even jogging trails.
With software like Avenza’s MAPublisher, users can begin adding their valuable information directly unto the Google Map with just a single click and save it in their personal libraries for future perusals.
This can be particularly helpful for users who plan to take a vacation for they can gather pertinent information like hotel availability, regional weather forecasts, gas prices, and layer it directly to Google Maps. What’s more, these saved layered Google Maps can then be shared to families and friends.
If you want to try it out, access these new tools through the Google Map directory by clicking on the “Add content” link in the “My Maps” tab. To bookmark important content, just click on the “Add it to maps” buttons within the directory.
More information on authoring Mapplets can be found in MapBuilder, HOW-TO: Make your own annotated multimedia Google map, Hacking Maps with the Google Maps API, Google Maps on your Website, and Integrating Google Maps into Your Web Applications.
Since the Mapplet rage started last year, more and more Mapplets are being added and ‘published’ in the Google Maps Directory. Here are some of the more useful Google Maps implementations that have cropped up in just over half a year:
- CheapGas - has information from 170 gas price-related websites for an easier quest for low gasoline prices
- Gmaps Pedometer - can record distances traveled during a running or walking workout for a better idea on how many calories were lost
- Google-Yahoo Traffic-Weather Map - for better comprehension of a street’s condition during rush hour traffic, this combined Yahoo Traffic Feed and Google Map implementation is the amazing Mapplet needed
- Weather Bonk - reveals real time weather information on a Google Map by allowing users to click on web cameras for a visual observation from a given location
- Global Coordinate - a one-stop shop with different web applications like an atlas, weblog, photoblog, travel guide, weather report, and news sources, among others, put together
- Gchart - different clocks showing different times around the world is no longer necessary; just click on Gchart
- ChicagoCrime - a good idea for IT-related school projects, this non-profit database of Chicago crimes can also be localized for the Philippine setting.
- Track visitors to your website using Google Maps - for bloggers and website owners who want to track down their visitors using Google Maps
- beenmapped.com- so users won’t ever forget an “awesome place”, bookmark with this website
- gMap it! - using publicly listed phone numbers, users can now get directions from Google Maps to that phone’s address
Enjoy with your students the benefits of Google Mapplets!
Sources:
“Essential Resources for Google Maps.” Retrieved February 20, 2008 from
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/essential-resources-for-google-maps.html
“Introducing Mapplets: a New Tool for Customizing Google Maps.” Retrieved February 20, 2008 from
http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/12153/2/
(Published 26 February 2008, Smart Schools Program)
