Mapping Hacks

Map Earthquakes in (Nearly) Real Time #43

Chapter 4, Mapping (on) the Web

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191

HACK

These are the points recorded when our GPS device was turned on for test-

ing in Taiwan!

General map parameters. You can set size and presentation for your map, and

give an optional label and scale. GPS Visualizer uses a range of different web

mapping services to overlay your tracks on a map. For the U.S. and Canada,

there are a lot of options, including better resolution aerial photographs and

topographical outlines. For these maps, which are from free sources, GPS Visu-

alizer also offers a “localize” service that allows you to copy a map for online

use at http://www.gpsvisualize.com/localize. You can also create a “fader” con-

trol that allows you to tune the appearance of your SVG map dynamically.

Track options. Sometimes you don’t care about the sequence implied by the

spatial display of your points. There are options to view tracks simply as

points, as lines, or as a continuous shape. You also have the option of dis-

playing waypoints and their labels. You are able to move labels around in

the final SVG map. Tracks can also be colored according to altitude, dis-

tance, and other factors.

Waypoint options. You can display waypoints, and optionally their descrip-

tions, over a map. Append

?form=waypoints to the map-page address to get a

text box where you can paste or type in a collection of points with their

descriptions. ...