Mapping for Groups

From Freegle Wiki

Following a discussion in Freegle-Tech, this is a summary of the current thinking about mapping groups, initially prepared by Chriscant - but feel free to alter/change/delete. Go here for details of Freegle Maps for moderators and ordinary users.

Freegle maintains a database of groups, which should be enhanced to include mapping data so that we can generate various maps (listed below) to help prospective Freegle users find their nearest group. Can this data also be used to update Overcycle?

Google Maps technology is probably the easiest and most used technology for displaying maps on web sites. Google Maps primarily works with KML files that contain details of the markers, lines, areas, etc that can be displayed on a map.

Current Freegle Maps

Russ is custodian of the Freegle maps; he maintains a series of maps of Freegle groups. There is a main UK map with all groups: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=104032218577461097800.000478fbc5161363404bd and a series of maps for each region, eg for Central http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=104032218577461097800.000479879a7e63680fbeb&ll=52.679713,-0.31311&spn=2.407872,5.597534&z=8 There are links from the main map to each region and back again.

The KML for each of Russ' maps can be found by appending &output=kml to the link, eg: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=104032218577461097800.000478fbc5161363404bd&output=kml

Move map data into the iLoveFreegle database

If the group location information can be moved into the iLoveFreegle database then it means that we have only one central place where all our group data is defined, making it easier to keep it up to date and consistent.

Static KML file(s) with the group data should be generated from the database after any change. Equivalent links to those above should be made available - these will reference the generated KML files on iLoveFreegle.

To do:

Add pinpoint location and boundary polygon columns to the database.
Load the current location information from Russ' maps into the database.
Provide admin facilities so Russ can keep map data up to date

Q: Is the Region concept useful? Chris says Yes. If so, then we need to have a region table with each group linked to the right region.

If it is not done this way already, generate each region list directly from the database.

Admin

A password-protected Admin control panel should provide access to the group list, ie adding/altering/deleting a group, including assigning a group to a region. The group add/edit should provide a facility to specify a group's pinpoint location.

Generated Maps

Chris has made some examples of possible maps. Currently these use the KML from Russ' UK map. In future they should use the KML generated from the iLoveFreegle database. The maps will be moved to maps.iLoveFreegle.org in due course, so please do not publicise these links widely. Comments on any aspect of these prototypes very welcome.

Freegle Mapplet

At Russ' suggestion, Chris has written a "Find a Group" mapplet for use within the Google Maps interface. The standard big map is on the right hand side with all the Freegle group markers. On the left the user can search for a group. If a match is found then a link to the group is listed on the left; the map zooms to the group, shows an extra marker and shows a group popup. If a match is not found, the mapplet asks Google to lookup the location, and zooms in to that location if found.

The mapplet will be added soon to the Google Mapplets directory. It will provide useful publicity for Freegle and enable potential recruits to find their nearest group.

Searchable maps on the iLoveFreegle website

Chris suggests keeping the current initial iLoveFreegle groups page, ie with a UK region map and a list of region links. In addition a search box would trigger a server-side search of the group list. If there's a match then a map is shown with group marker, along with ordinary HTML describing the group. If there's no match but the place name is found then display a map centred on that place but showing all nearby groups.

On each region page, show a list of groups and a map showing the region with group markers. All UK markers would be visible if the user zooms out.

Chris has written a Google Maps prototype of some of this functionality here: http://www.penrithedenfreegle.org.uk/find_a_group.htm

Mobile version of the website with maps as a part of this? (for Android / iPhone / etc)

(...ok, sorta a different topic)

To Be Continued

Facebook Freegle Map application (eventually)

To Be Continued

Small map to go in Yahoo group home pages

Chris has written a prototype for this which can be seen in an IFRAME at http://www.penrithedenfreegle.org.uk/

The URL that the IFRAME includes currently looks like this: http://www.penrithedenfreegle.org.uk/freegle_group_map.php?width=396px&height=200px&search=Penrith The width and height specify the size of the map while the search specifies where to centre the map. The IFRAME should be slightly taller to accommodate the search box and result text below the map.

Google gadget

Chris has produced a prototype Google gadget: a small window that can be put on a personalised iGoogle home page, blogs, etc. The gadget search UserPref parameter doesn't work yet.

The gadget is defined here: http://www.penrithedenfreegle.org.uk/freegle_gadget.xml

On your iGoogle page, click on "Add Stuff >>" at top-right-ish. Then click on "Add feed or gadget". Paste in the above URL and click Add. Click on OK. Now navigate "Back to iGoogle home".

You can add the gadget to Google blogspot blogs pretty easily: see here: http://far-closer.blogspot.com/

What else?

Accessibility

Google Maps technology relies on JavaScript. If a user has this switched off, the site should fall back to a suitable alternative. Some of the map searching can be done server-side so there's no requirement for JavaScript.

Q: Are Google Maps useable without a mouse? Ie useable just using the keyboard

Norfolk Freegle Groups

Norfolk Freegle groups are mapped here, including nice area markings: http://www.norfolk-freegle.org.uk/FreegleNorfolkMapContent.html