Massive mapping project completed...for better or worse

Posted By: John McNeely
Date: 6/27/09 9:30p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

A massive project, undertaken by, me, a P-15 owner, has been completed. As with every project of this type there are benefits and drawbacks. There has not been extensive testing like the aborted attempt before, but I have consulted some Potterowners along the way and they seem to have been able to use the system. The project was begun with the hope that the map would help Potter enthusiasts locate and contact each other to go on outings together and to form local groups. Simply clicking on a marker on the map was to reveal the owner's name and email address, if known. (One caution is that the email addresses may be out of date, thus reducing the value of the map for this purpose.) Also, Potter owners needed to have the ability to create a pin on the map themselves, or search for one if it already exists and to be able to update the optional contact info, such as email address. Also, I wanted to have both P-15's and P-19's on the same map but where the marker would distinguish one from the other. There are several steps involved in making a change and you need a Google account to do it yourself, or you can simply send me your changes or additions (email me at johnmcneely@q.com) and I will make them for you. I am a single Dad and work full time so be patient with how fast I get to your request. The design goals above have been essentially met. So what are the drawbacks? To ensure that maps load relatively quickly, Google Maps sets a limit of about 200 markers per map, however, there is a combined total of about 1300 Potters on the map. So, Google Maps breaks up the 1300 markers into 7 pages, but only displays the markers of the current page; one page at a time. You can select other pages (additional sets of 200 markers). These limitations are mostly solved by viewing the map in Google Earth instead. It has much higher limits than Google Maps but even it may not display all the markers at once. Once you've download and installed Google Earth you can use a link above the map in Google Maps inviting you to "View in Google Earth". That view is spectacular! A picture of the Earth is displayed centering on the North American continent. Yellow pins represent P-15's and Aqua-colored tear-drop markers represent P-19's. If you zoom in on the map, the names of owners are displayed next to their markers. If you click on a marker, the email address is displayed if it is known. You can spin the globe to see Potters located in the Pacific region and in Europe. However, people with older, slower computers may not be happy with Google Earth's performance. To search for your marker in order to edit or delete it you may have to scan through 7 pages of markers in the Google Map. This is a pain but you should only have to do it infrequently. Again, if this proves too frustrating, send your changes to me at johnmcneely@q.com. For each Potter on the map, all I had was the Country, State and City name for your location. I didn't have a complete address. You are encouraged to edit your marker or send me the edits with your actual address and updated contact info if you so desire. In closing I would emphasize that this was a volunteer project. It was intended as a gift to the Potter community and we must live with its limitations. However, if you find it of value, bookmark or add it to your Favorites in your browser (see the web address below). Also, give your webmasters of your potter-oriented sites some feedback if you think a link to the map should be posted on their sites: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116495514169862480478.00046d4ce443fa12f51d5&ll=13.253826,-114.833868&spn=173.571173,360&z=1 Warmest Regards, John McNeely P-15, Tucker's Pride Aurora, CO