1) We don't have any control over the map, really. It's designed by the
print designer for the paper program guide then given to us (usually at the
last minute). We do, however often have to update the map when venues
change before the event. But we (the web team) have no control over its
look, design or contents.
Since she works with the map for print only the files we get are less than
ideal for online or dynamic use. For example you'd think that the "roads"
would be all on layer, but instead there are hundreds of tiny independent
objects creating the illusion of a single layer.
2) We're on a shared host (CrystalTech.net to be specific) and can't install
many of the cooler things we'd like to. ;^) Even if we could the level of
traffic we got on the 31st is such that doing custom maps for each visitor
(something I've always wanted to do) is really out of the question. as it is
we're pushing the limits of our server for those few hours a year.
That being said the "map" (or at least the venues) are indeed databased
already. I store the actual map image coordinates (pixel x and y) and (at
least for those I've gotten to) the GPS coordinates as well.
3) We just don't have much time. The site isn't anybody's full time job and
with all the other requests nifty things for the map always seem to sink to
the bottom of the list. I've wanted to turn those coordinates I've
collected into a "what's close to this" feature for years now. ;^)
We're supposed to be getting a new map this year. the same one used by the
city tourist bureau I believe. I've got high hopes.
At any rate there is a specific look and feel to these maps that can't be
changed - most of the GIS mapping systems I've found are unfortunately
rather ugly. Our map isn't "exact" either - it's a highlight map showing
most (but definitely not all) of the main streets in Boston, a few of the
building and other landmarks and so forth with nothing to exact scale. It's
really more "art" than "fact" but does the job, mostly (I always get at
least one complaint that the train stations aren't listed on the map.)
Jim Davis
From: Paul Hastings [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 5:28 AM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: Re: Displaying a dynamic map - how?
> The New Year's Eve site I do (www.firstnight.org
> <http://www.firstnight.org/> ) needs a fairly complex map of Boston with
> locations and special markers which of course change every year. I've
been
> doing the site going on nine years and the map is always one of the most
> challenging aspects.
because you're treating it as a graphic rather than a database. "the map is
a database. the database is a map." used to be my motto (now of course it's
"just use unicode"). if you stuff your basic spatial datasets into a db &
use some kind of GIS to return what you need and/or add spatial features on
the fly, you will save yoruself quite a bit of trouble. if you can install
CGI programs on your server & don't mind fiddling w/some code a bit then
mapserver's always a good bet http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/ delivers a
graphic to the client rendered on the fly from your database. and you can
finely control quite a bit of it.
[Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
