Pinmaps.net | Blog | Author: Sean

Site updates and fixes

Thursday, November 20, 2008 by Sean

After a long session of testing I found several problems that needed to be worked on. The list of fixes is rather long but I think there are a couple that is worth to mention here.

First there was a wrong line of code that prevented the buttons to create, edit and delete maps to show on the menu bar after the user has saved his first map; therefore the user could not create more than one map. Pretty bad stuff I would say.

The second problem is more related with performance and speed than a actual visible problem on the user interface. To be brief after an instance of the Gmap was created I tried to add all the controls on the map before setting the center of the newly created map. The javascript would take longer than usual while trying to create the map controls and in some cases the controls would not load at all and instead the browser would throw and error.

On the updates side the icons on the map list show the actual icon selected for that map point instead of the default black push pin icon. This can help to located and relate map points easier.

If you still want to see the black push pin you can change this property on the setting page. Just select default on the drop down box of the Side panel icon property.

As a bonus you can change the size of the map list icon to suit your needs; I suggest you try them to see how they look. I have set the size of the icons on the above example at 22px.

The next update will be the directions mini tab. Stay tuned

Category: Site Updates |

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Why pinmaps.net is a better mapping system

Thursday, August 07, 2008 by Sean

In order to understand better this I'd like to explain how Google maps works.
When you create a map you don't have the option to choose the zoom level nor the map type (normal, satellite, hybrid or terrain).
Let me explain this with an example; I need to create a map of Australia where I have several customers in different cities, and I want to create a map with a zoom level of 18 with a map Satellite map type; Now I create a map of the U.K again with several customers location; so far so good. Sign out and come back later, click on my maps, check box the U.K map and it loads fine, now I uncheck the U.K. map and click the check box for the Australia map; not so good I don't see my Australia map nor my saved map points there. Instead I still see the U.K map. What's going on here; well Google maps is not saving the right location, the map type and zoom level.
If you do the same with pinmaps.net each map will be saved individualy with it's own zoom level, map type and so on. They will show to the user as a drop down box and each map point on a list box. Here again each map point will be saved with it's own zoom level and map type.
Go ahead and do your own testing to see what I mean.

Category: Google Maps API |

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Search Box and other updates

Thursday, June 26, 2008 by Sean

I have implemented some few updates:

The search box is now visible all the time so you don't have make it visible after each search.
After you save or edit a map point you don't have to wait for the whole page to refresh; now only the map and the list box refresh to reflect the changes. This makes the process of saving and updating map points faster.
The links to save and edit map points are now on the info window as well as the menu bar. They are easier to find.
When you click the map to add a marker it will create only one icon. Before, it would create icon after icon every time you clicked the map; this was sometimes very annoying.
The icon created after you click the map is now "draggable", so can locate it exactly where you want.
I have added a Photos button to the map to get pictures from the web service of Panoramio

I have some updates coming for the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted...

Category: Site Updates |

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Map point editing made easier

Monday, June 16, 2008 by Sean

Now editing a map point is easier and more intuitive.
1) Select a map point from the list box
2) Drag the place marker to it's new location

3) Click the Edit Map Point link on the bubble text

4) Change the Zoom Level or Map Type if you need to
5) Click the save buton

Category: Site Updates |

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We are moving to a new server

Sunday, June 01, 2008 by Sean

Due to the lack of reliability we are changing web hosting companies this week.
The site might be unavailable for a couple of hours during the transition. We hope is won't much of an inconvenience, but we are sure it will be for the benefit of all of us. We will post the exact day and time later on this week.
Thanks for your patience.

Update:
The transfer to the new server has been completed, and everything seems to be working fine; the site is loading faster now. If you experience any problem please let us know.

Category: Site Updates |

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The idea behind pinmaps.net

Sunday, June 01, 2008 by Sean

It is not my intention to compete with Google™ Maps but simply to provide another option to the users where they feel they can have a greater input on the development of the site, a better experience and a closer personalized service.
These are some of the things you can do with this Web service:

Save each map point with its own zoom level and map type.
Embed YouTube videos in your maps points.
Add a picture and detail information in your maps points.
Write comments and rate your maps points.
Share your favorite map points with your family and friends.
Use the context menu to get the map point altitude and the antipode.
Customize the settings.

I'll be adding new exciting features in the next coming months, but I'll talk more about in a next post.

Category: Site Updates |

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