Have people seen these? It was being talked about at the Macromedia board. www.housingmaps.com Pretty awesome integration. I noticed that Google left the source code open and there are no TOS for Google Maps for things like this. Are they letting others test things and then they will come in and lock it down? The real estate community is in a buzz and there are web design companies trying to work with the MLS' to get things moving... Any thoughts...
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=18183 Although the articles I've read all say that these sites are breaking the TOS but that Google is obviously not going after them. After all, why would they. What better (and cheaper) advertisement can you think of. It also is free distribution.
I've seen this on other sites (open source) too. Seems to be OK. Other Realty sites using it too. You can chose yahoo maping as well.
I haven't checked the details yet, but "OR" open realty an open source program specialized at realty business. It's included in the package which is free. Really a neat program. Came out recently as a stable version. Some Cpanel has them (OR) included too.
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=xxxxxxxxxxaddressxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" onclick="window.open(this.href,'_map','location=0,status=0,scrollbars=1,toolbar=0,menubar=0,width=800,height=600');return false">View a map of the area</a><br /> Maybe that works, replace xxx...addressxxx with your address.
I know how to make the link, I want to know how to have the map on your site and add those push pins on the fly. Most of it seems client side, i checked the source so it's just a matter of sitting down and understand the format. Then you can add your own coordinates and put them on top before you output it to the browser.
you can read all about it here... http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/06/09/google.map.hacks.ap/index.html
The article also says clearly that: All these sites are operating without Google's permission, clearly violating the company's user agreement. But none charges any fees, and Mountain View-based Google, which declined to comment through a spokesman, has made no effort to shut them down. What's next? Can do? - or not?
I don't know if someone has this mentioned. I got this mail from an open source blog today Notice from Open-Realty Dave Ploch (DaveP) has added the following comment to this task. You are receiving this because you are on the notification list. Task #300: Google maps ----- This application looks to be an implementation using AJAX. Google has invested significantly in this from Adaptive Path. See http://www.adaptivepath.com/publications/essays/archives/000385.php for a briefing on the the technique. As you pointed out the app is pretty awsome in both its presentation and the fact that is it Soooooo responsive. Some of the Google code is now being released into the FOSS arena. http://goog-ajaxslt.sourceforge.net/ Here is another analysis of the maps.google.com http://jgwebber.blogspot.com/2005/02/mapping-google.html DaveP
Thanks, I'll check it out. My guess is that if you start making loads of money from it, there will be some letters from their lawyers. If it's just exploring technology for fun, they'll let you off as long as you shut down at their request.
The basic method to make a map is to use php/asp to output the data in your database in xml format. View the source of the page below and replace the xml code in the middle with whatever you need. http://boneill.ninjagrapefruit.com/wp-content/bbc/newmaps/
I don't see why Google would WANT to stop such an exploration of an amazing technology. Especially when it's being used in such a great way as displayed on this site. http://www.chicagocrime.org/ They should embrace the use of their technology in this manner...then hire the people who are integrating it. -Brian Renner
I think you're right though it may need to be approved. I guess they are not going against anyone but I think that they will implement this as a commercial feature and charge for it when their 3D mapping is up, but thats a long time to go.