Dynamic KML

The latest in the Google GeoDeveloper Series...

This installment outlines how to query and extract records from a MySQL database and create a KML on the fly to view in Google Earty/Maps or any other client. Mano Marks shows two different applications, one using PHP scripting and another using the python language.

A second demontration by Brian Hamlyn shows a demonstration using PostGIS/PostgreSQL and the GDAL/OGR libraries to create KMLs on the fly.

A useful addition to the video would be a link to download the scripts and syntax used in the demonstrations like was done in the previous workshop by John Coryat.

Enjoy!

Creating Custom Google Maps

The latest from Google Geo Developer series, John Coryat (of maps.huge.info and usnaviguide.com) gives a great talk on how to go about creating custom maps with the Google maps API. I can forgive him for dwelling a little too long on US Specific data sources, as he gave a very good presentation on how to go about posting data using the Google Maps API.

You can view the video here on YouTube and download his presentation as a PDF.

John described a number of different ways of adding data to maps using the Maps API, highlighting the pros, cons and trade-offs of each method. I list the main points I took from the presentation below, if they are of interest take the time to watch the video:

• Max number points and lines successfully displayed by the maps API in one map window: 50-150 in a view depending on user browser & system.

• Image Overlays: Whole image overlays & tile overlays.
• Whole image overlays.
• Unprojected.
• Projected.
• Tile image overlays.
• Description of structure
• Tiles cut from single images
• Static data tiles (can be different images for different zooms)
• Dynamic data tiles
• Simulated markers

This weeks presentation was a little more advanced than the previous one and assumed a little more previous knowledge. If you felt left behind a little and would like some getting started tutorials and other useful information the Google Maps API FAQ page is a good place to start. Check out their Articles and Tutorials. If you have further questions sign up to the Discussion Group and Blog.