I have added a new cool feature to the site; reverse geocoding. I know I said I would work on the directions minitab, but I though reverse geocoding would be very useful and easy to implement. Helpful because it can be used to find the zip code or city name of a given point on the map.

Let me start to explain what it is. Geocoding is the process of converting and address into latitude / longitude so it can be pin pointed on a map. As the name suggests reverse geocoding is the oposite process of converting the latitude / longitude values in a physical address.
Reverse geocoding is not an exact science; the "geocoder" will try to find the closest addresable location within a certain tolerance. In order to help us to figure out how accurate the address is, the geocoder returns a "accuracy" value from 1 to 9 with 9 being the highest value of accuracy. What it means is that a 9 "accuracy" value is within the street level and a 4 value for intance is about the city level. You have to give it a try to find the level you want.

Now I want to explain how to use it; go to "MyMaps" and click the "Add Map Point" link on the left hand side of the menu bar and then click anywhere on the map. An infowindow will pop up with the requested information inside. Here you have the option the to add this point to your map (see example below).

reverse_geocoding.JPG

Then if you want to make another request you need to click the "Add Map Point" link again that triggers the map click event. Every time you click on the map a new push pin is created in a random color and the previous one is removed from the map.

After this update to the site now I promise I'll work on the directions minitab, if I don't get distracted with something cool in the meantime.