Introduction

Google released their API for Google Maps not too long ago, so I've been keen to have a look at it, especially after they added Satellite Maps for the entire world. I use Google Maps exclusively for all my mapping needs, and based on extentions/hacks other people have written for it, I decided to play around with it.

The Goal of this script is to Plot a Trip using markers on a specified Google Map. Personally I wanted to show family and friends the route I took, and placed I visited on a recent roadtrip. The problem was that google doesn't allow you to specify your own markers, and you can't connect more than two points (using their directions creator).

This script allows you to create as many markers as you want, each with their own balloon popup (which allows for html text, images and links), then linking them together to show the path taken.

To fully understand the purpose, an example is needed:
Online Example of Script:
My recent roadtrip to the Florida Keys

Download and Installation

Note: This script uses JavaScript tied into Google Maps
Download TripMapper.ZIP

Installation
  1. Extract ZIP
  2. Edit index.html and insert your Google Maps Key. This is available for free on Google's Website.
  3. Create your own XML file with information required. Use location.xml, which is included in the ZIP, as a template for how it should look. Please be very careful when writing and checking this file, since any mistakes in here will corrupt your Map display.
  4. Upload all files to your server, and point your browser to the index.html file. Note that by default the script loads "locations.xml" however you can use any other name and simply link to the script using http://map.yourhost.com/index.html?datafilename (no .xml extension needed).

Version and Comments

Current Version:
0.5 - July 9, 2005 - First Public Release

Planned Features:
- Not sure, any ideas?

Comments:
For feedback, comments and questions, please use the comments link on this post.

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