Google, show me the way!
Google has made their Google Maps API public. What does this mean? It means that you can put the power of Google Maps on your own site!
I decided to give it a whirl for work… my department has several locations for our training classrooms, and it seemed like a good idea to map them out on our website.
How did it turn out? Well, the end product is great, but I must admit, the process what a little painful. Turns out the JavaScript used in Google Maps takes a bit of tweaking, and is very sensitive!
While working on the project, I found a few great resources that helped explain what was going on and give me a heads-up on what to do and how to avoid common pitfalls. I’m passing them on to you…
First, you have to get a Google Maps API key:
http://www.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html
Next, try a creating simple map using Google Map’s “Hello World”
Then if you want to get all advanced and impress your neighbors, try the tips and tricks contained on the following site:
http://www.econym.demon.co.uk/googlemaps/index.htm
I used the following:
Dynamic sidebar with text links: http://www.econym.demon.co.uk/googlemaps/basic2.htm
Loading list of locations from an external XML file:
http://www.econym.demon.co.uk/googlemaps/basic3.htm
The Google Maps API site also has a great forum (”Discussion Group”) for people who are stuck and need answers. Check it out: http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API