In the thread about buying Chris a new computer, Ironsraven wondered if there were any geeks nearby. That gave me an idea. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I've been looking for an excuse to build an app around Google's new Map API. So, here it is: ETS Member Map. It's still kind of crude. There's no authentication whatsoever, so anyone can edit any site. But, please feel free to try it out, and add yourself.

Cool! (And then there were two...)

Hmm, that's a little too accurate for putting on the internet- if you look at the satellite view, it put it on my garage, where I was when I clicked "save" on my GPS. I fudged it a bit using the "edit" function.

How about posting to a nearby park? i.e. Big Bend for the south of Texas.

>> that's a little too accurate <<

Yes - but about what I expected. I offset mine as well. For those who do not have a personal GPS (like me), just use Terra Server USA or a similar service for your country or region.

It's pretty late here so I was too lazy to take the GPS outside so I just used the terrsever site and put in an adjacent town and the state is it gives a long and lat for roughly the center of town (its a small town).

When I try to visit the web page, I get a message "Internet Explorer cannot open the site at http://.............
Operation ended."

<img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Same here. The map actually comes up, but then that error appears. When you click on the button to make the error go away, the entire map goes POOF with a DNS error.

That happened to me too with IE, so I loaded it up FireFox, where it worked fine.

*sigh* I only tested on firefox under Linux. When I get to work later today (and can find a Windows machine) I'll fix the problem. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yes, there's definitely no requirement to post your actual lat/lon. Just somewhere in the correct state, or country would be interesting, I think.

I get the following message when trying to view the site:

Internet Exploerer cannot open the Internet site http://www.kinetickill.com/etsmap/index.php
Operation aborted

Anybody know why I can't view it???? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Not yet. Hang on...

Based on previous reports it's something weird about the way IE is resolving host names.

Ok. That's what I get for assuming. IE needs some extra code to work around a couple of bugs. I think it's fixed now, though.

Could someone please try the Member map in Internet Explorer and let me know if it works?

It worked for me, but it looks better in Firefox. For some reason, my IE is not displaying transparent PNGs correctly. The data's all there, and it's usable, but it's ugly.

As long as we post proximity it is fine. I don't really mind. If one of you guys wanna show up at my door one day unexpected just remember one thing: I require a six pack of local stuff whereever you come from and my dog prefers 2 lbs of Boars Head Honey Glazed Turkey Breast. Don't worry about buying turkey breast at home and keeping it fresh, there is a deli right around the corner that serves all that stuff.

works in IE.

Cool. Thanks.

This brings back memories from my programming days... Test it in IE back to 4.0 versions, AOL browser, Netscape and WebTV. Always a nightmare and it never looked the same so you had to have 6 different style sheets and browser recognition. Nightmare.

Heh. I hear ya.

I'm amazed Google can make it work as slick as it does. View the page source for index.php... I just cut and pasted most of that from Google's API docs. All the nasty stuff is hidden behind their API.

The only thing I had to add was a page "onload" function to call all the java script _after_ the page was finished loading. IE apparently chokes if you don't, and the error message is, shall we say, less than helpful?

There are a couple of people ending up in Greenland. This is perfect ok if that's what you want, but you might have your longitude and latitude switched...

The problem is, the entry form has it longitude-latitude instead of latitude-longitude.

The second one was me. My next attempt put me off the west coast of Africa <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. I think I finally fixed it though.

Vince

Thanks. Fixed.

Is it Firefox compliant? Because it sure doesn't look that way. Please tell me I screwed up and I don't have to use Internet Explorer to access it.

-- Craig

It works for me. Im on Firefox 1.0.2

I do not understand how to enter my lat/lon? Please help.

scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on the "Add a site" link.

yes, exactly what I meant ! I just didn't know the technical word for it .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The easiest way is to click the terraserver link above and put in your home address or even just your city and state. It will then give you the lat and lon numbers that you need to input on Groo's map application.

Very cool. When multiple members are in the same vicinity its difficult to separate them. I added myself at a generic Gilbert, Arizona lat/lon and it virtually covers up xbanker.

I'm still tweaking the default view. It may not be obvious, but this acts just like maps.google.com. You can drag the map to pan, and the controls on the left let you zoom in / out.

I consider this a forum project, btw. Anyone has any suggestions (or wants to code on it, or just a copy of the code) please let me know.

Firefox 1.05 and 1.06 work for me. Weird thing that someone would be glad to hear he screwed up.
As I understand Internet Explorer doesn´t support transparent PNG so it would be better to use browsers which use the Gecko engine anyway.

Works fine with IE6.
I added my pin

Link to Terraserver added to "Add Site" page.

I developed it using firefox, but that doesn't mean it'll work in firefox. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

PM me specifics... firefox version, problem, etc. and I'll make it work.

As a web and database programmer, I screw up all the time.

Then I fix it.

You learn more that way. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

Just tried it again. It pulls up a complete mess in Firefox 1.0.6, but if I use IE, it pulls up very nicely.

-- Craig

Which operating system? I wrote it while using 1.0.6 on linux.

Works fine for me, but IE insists that I'm somewhere around Manchester NH. That's about 80 miles from Randolph, Vt, which FF accurately shows.

Strange, I have the exact opposite problem. IE doesn't show anything & it comes up fine with the latest Firefox on Windows XP. I have to use IE to reply to posts but can do everything else with Firefox.

You mean they actually included an error message? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps this thread could become a sticky?
I tried to add myself to the map, but may have to try again from home.
Firewall here at work may be hindering my efforts.

Well I did it. The first time I ended up in Antartica. Flipped the numbers and I am home again. (Wishes this worked in real life, would get the coordinates for the Palyboy Mansion.)

I visited the link using IE and followed the instructions. Don't know if anything "took," however.

-- Craig

Windows XP Pro (work) and Home (home)

Hmmm...added myself, but now I'm unable to see my entry displayed...any way to search by member name (to see if it ended up somewhere wildly off where I'm looking for it)?
Dave

You're off the coast of nigeria.

If anyone else has trouble, just PM me your desired name and your coords and I'll be happy to add you.
The web site works for most folks but there are still some annoying differences in various browsers I haven't been able to find / fix yet.

I was floating out there yesterday myself <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. That's what happened when I put in 0 lat 0 long (by leaving it blank.)

Well with that weather I dont blame you guys for wanting to be cooled down by nice ocean breeze...

When I entered my coordinates they didn't display on the map immediately, but eventually it did show up. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ken K

Wow. You're right beside Polak187. You have to zoom way in before you show as a separate marker.

The search thing is a good idea. The google map API supports a "pan and center on coords" feature. I'll see what I can do...

OK, thanks Groo and Goatrider - I think I fixed it this time.
Dave

Someone needs to tell Leeman that Utah is not in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean... that is unless of course I slept a lot more than I thought during geography class.

It ended up working, but took a few tries.
We have some pretty aggressive firewall action at work, and an older version of IE.

Are there any conclusions to be drawn from the fact that the eastern half of the US is represented nearly 5:1 over western half? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Probably just that the eastern half is about 5 times more populated.

There is now. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Added a search feature (drop down box near top of map). Just select a member's name and it should recenter and zoom the map to show the location.

ETS Member Map

Can you make it a case-insensitive sort? Now, the capitalized members come before the lower case members.

Yup. Changed.

It's probably something in my security settings between the two browsers and my firewall.

Sorry Bro about keeping you awake at night with my sirens. I love you man <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and I owe you a beer.

explanation to all:
He lives like 4 blocks away from my hospital and we use street he is on as a thru way at night since it is one way and double line.

Damn man can we have the red pins changed to cornflower blue <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Check your marker.

Hahahahhaahahahahahahahahahaha. Damn brother man you are a crackhead but in the good way.

I'm not complaining, but ....... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I went back to the map to check all the mod. you made.
When looking for my pin, I can see that, for Google, FRANCE is still one of those areas on middle ages maps : all white, no details, except for a few "here live dragons" notes.... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I also saw that I had not entered precise enough coordinates for Paris : according to the map, I live near Orl?ans, not Paris.
So I edited my data, but it looks like it doesn't change anything : the pin is still nearer the Loire than the Seine river. Is there a delay before coordinates are actually updated ?

Hmmm I really had to tweak the longitude latitude numbers to get the little indicator to show up in the correct spot. I live in chicago proper but when I used my exact coordinates the map had me in N. Indiana. About 75 miles off.

Caneron

You still have dragons in france? I want to hear what you carry in your PSK for that and what sort of dragon repelent you use.

Awesome! Does it take time to get a "pin"? I can find myself on the map using the nifty search function, but I don't show up as a "pin" on the map yet.

Frenchy, can you give us some idea of the region specific items in your PSK? What do you use for dragon repellant? Are they nocturnal? Do you take the same precautions as for bears?

I've heard dragon scales make excellent linings for fire pits, shingles, shovels, jewelry, armor, etc. Any experience with that? I'd be happy to pay shipping on one if you have an extra laying around somewhere.

Any pics?

My lat long was very accurate - I rounded it off to get it to a bit less so.

No, but you may have to reload the page to get the new coordinates. I doubt it, though.

I noticed you had 48.0 for the latitude. I got out an atlas and looked up Paris. It appears to lie almost completely within the range (48 deg, 40 min) and (49 deg) north latitude. I altered your latitude to put you at (48 deg, 50 min). You now look like you're in Paris relative to the river Google is showing.

I've had some questions from other people about map accuracy. So far, it's just been that we're not giving enough digits after the decimal point. One minute of degree at the equator is (very roughly) 1.16 miles. One minute of degree is just 0.0167 of a degree. That means if you enter 48.0 instead of 48.8333, you're off .8333 / 0.0167 = 50 minutes or (roughly) 50 miles.

Nope, shouldn't. Your data goes right into a relational database (PostgreSQL) and is available instantly. Each time the main page loads, it retrieves the list of sites from the server (using the new, spiffy, XmlHttpRequest object). In other words, you should see it right away, and if you don't, reloading the main page should fix it.

Let me know me if it doesn't. Browser differences continue to complicate things.

Geez, Matt. I'm pretty sure American High School Geography textbooks have some sort of copyright....

Mine was extremely accurate as well which is why I went with an appoximate location. You could have seen me practicing with tarp shelters in the backyard if had used my actual coords.

I put my coordinates on my municipal building, which is about a mile away. I used 5 places after the decimal and stuck it on the first try.

As far as browsers go, I'm using Opera and I had to clear my cookies to get my marker to show up.

Groo,

How do I erase the misleading indication. I tried to note my location was intentionally offset with a correction, but I ended up with two posts of name and flag. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,

John

No prob. Try clicking on whichever of the markers you'd like to delete. Don't use the find feature for this... actually click on the little pin which corresponds to the site you're trying to get rid of. A bubble should pop up with your name, and two options.... "Edit this site" and "Delete this site". Click the delete link.

Let me know if it doesn't work, tell me which you want removed and I'll go in through the database side and do it.

Hey! Somebody got a blue pin! How did they do that? Can I have any color that I want? How about a nice woodland camo?

Matt has this thing about Cornflower Blue. I felt it was best not to ask, while backing away slowly...

Just for grins, I'm probably going to add a feature to select pin color. It's obviously not necessary, but this (believe it or not) is something I do for fun. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Stay tuned.

Hey Groo,

I entered on the map a short time ago (fantastic project, by the way), and after entering the position from my Etrex, I was located several miles south and east of my actual location. I'm thinking this might be a problem with the GPS, not the map, after a few minutes of adjusting fire, I got it to within a block or two... anybody got any ideas of why I'd get an erronious reading from my Etrex???

Troy

PS It's set for WGS84/True, could that be the problem??? Anybody???

It's probably the format you have it set to display degrees, minutes, and seconds. Most online mapping programs use just degrees and fractions, which is hddd.ddddd mode on the etrex. You probably have it set to degrees, minutes and fractions, hddd-mm.mmm' or even degrees, minutes, seconds: hddd-mm'ss.s"

I think that's on the system or settings menu on the etrex.

Anyways, you don't really want it to be too accurate. Anybody on the internet can see it. When I put mine in, it ended up right on my garage in the satellite view- I don't want everybody on the internet to know exactly where I live. Most people have been fudging their location a bit.

I used terraserver to get an image of my area, then put the mouse pointer exactly on my street, took notice of the given data (8 digits after the decimal point ....) and entered that as my coordinates.

"here be dragons..." <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> this is the map I was looking for...


And please, stop kidding with dragons !
Even if there no longer are huge dragons (they died out a good millenium ago...), we still have some, but smaller ones (about the size of a single storey cottage), perfectly friendly.
And that's the reason we don't EDC these boyscout fire making devices (fero-thing, aso...).
Hey, with a dragon for friend, who needs a sparklite to light a fire ?!? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Groo,

Thanks a lot. I think I it fixed.

This really is a great idea.

As with many forumites, I fudged my location a little. So if anybody's coming for a visit...

John

Alain,

A few years ago, my son had a school assignment to write a song based on the theme: "Wouldn't it be strange if..." The song he wrote was "There's a Dragon in the Attic." His song turned out well and led him to an interdistrict art competition. But the important thing is that our friendly American dragon did not breathe fire (insurance and liability concerns in California), so our family had to take special care of him. That's why to this very day, everyone in the johnbaker family always carries a BSA Hot Spark fire starter to help him. I forgot to mention that to Doug in a previous thread on the need to EDC fire starters. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

John

Hey, John !

That's quite easy to fix, if you know why dragons breathe fire, in the first place.
It's only a diet problem.
With nowadays alimentation (bad food habits...), most dragons (and especially american ones) no longer feed themselves correctly.

First, the gas production : to produce the necessary methane, dragon's food has to be rich in cellulose (less meat, more vegies)

Second : the sparking system ; in order to produce healthy sparks, a dragon has to ingest, at least once or twice a year, a good supply of flint rocks.
Note : zippo flint are much too small .... you need rocks the size of your two fists together or a bit larger (depends on the size of yuour dragon's mouth/ throat : he has to swallow them easily)


I got most of these info from my cousin, who is now a certified vet, with a 5 year specialization in dragon's anatomy.
And the other stuff comes from "The Book of dragons - how to care for them", translated from an old french mediaval incunabulum, transmitted thru the ages, in my familly, since the early 1080's !! (which is why my cousin took the specialization courses in dragon's anatomy ...)

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Alain,

Sorry, you do not understand. How could any normal human being understand? You see, we live in the PRkkkk...I mean Kalifor...That is to say, California (all right Chris, I'm really trying, but it ain't easy, especially when it's sooo right). You see dragon are not allowed to breathe fire here, no matter how much salsa, chilis, and other tasty foods they eat. Accordingly, our dragon must eat plain (i.e., bland) Purina Dragon Chow with no spices, peppers, or the many other flavors that make food, and indeed life, so worthwhile. Being a dragon just ain't what it used to be. I think your dragons are lot better off.

I have to say good bye for awhile. I'm off to long term camp (BSA) with our troop today. Talk to you all later.

John

Oooh.... I see ..... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What is PETA doing about that situation ?? Do they not care about dagons ?
Looks like dragons are un- PC in California !?!?! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

What a sad world .... <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />



P.S. : have a good camp ....

Guess I was a little too eager the first time ... I cleared out my temp file cache and revisited the site, and there it was -- thanks for the clarification! And a very big THANK YOU again for doing all this work -- it's a hoot seeing where (approximately) everyone is.

Hi Matt - no worries...I think I approximated my spot enough that it looks a bit closer to the hospital than it is...(Methodist?)
Anyway, I'll definitely take you up on that beer someday - you buy the first one and I'll buy the second. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Looks like a thirsty summer this year.
Dave

Thanks Benton,
you nailed it, the degree setting was(is) set to degrees, minutes, seconds & 10ths for use with nautical charts.
Oh, and thanks for the heads up, but that's why I stopped before I got a direct hit, ya can't be too careful <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

Works great with Mozilla at work, not too good with dialup at home. I have 2 place pins, one home and the other work--about 100 miles apart. I guess that I will have to set up for disaster at new place, but I will have more places to bugout to.

I just wanted to tell you thanks so much for this nifty thing you made for us. I'm thrilled to have a purple pin for my name to mark my (albeit fudged a little, but it doesn't matter) location.

Someday, hopefully, my pin will be centered above the Cayman Islands....

LoL - I was just about to say something about that - I saw the purple pin in the upper MidWest this morning and thought "What??? - Oh, it must be Christina's..." (I changed mine to green ASAP - although a [color:"green"]nice dark green[/color] would suit me better)

Tom

Green on the river

<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm just happy people find it useful.

One thing I think is remarkable (and this goes along with what Garrett said in another thread), is that the map hasn't been defaced yet. I'm on a couple other forums like this, but would never consider making this available there. I've been watching for mischief, and seen none. And this with no protection in place whatsoever.


Anyone read Spider Robinson? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yep, I'm a big Spider Robinson fan.

I just added a marker for my favorite campground, which I'm going to be at in 3 weeks. This is just 2 miles from the "Alpine Lake" fire is burning. I'm excited to have a chance to see this force of nature in action. Of all the places I've been in the BWCA, this area I know the best.

Groo,

I love it when people take the initiative. Nice job!

I've added my home town and two of my field work locations - they're a good indication for why I chose "Frozen" for a handle.

Heh. I thought those were mistakes... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd like to go somewhere up there, just to see the Northern Lights.