geo2web.com

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Posted by Aviv, Maps API Team

Before we release a new version of the Maps API, we always run it through a huge bank of tests to make sure standard functionality is working. But one thing we’ve realized since releasing the Maps API and watching its adoption is that it can be used in ways that we never imagined - and subsequently, ways we never thought to test.

So we figured the best solution would just be to let you, the creative developers, tell us exactly what functionality you want tested - by adding your own tests. We’ve open sourced our integration tests and are now ready to accept contributions. Our infrastructure allows us to run these tests on the stable, current, and bleeding edge versions of the API, so that potential problems can be discovered long before they are out in the wild.

The tests we have released use Selenium. Selenium is an open source tool for automating tests of human-browser interaction. It runs in a range of browsers, so by its very nature it takes into account browser discrepancies. As an added benefit, developers can run tests by simply going to a url and clicking a ‘run’ button!

The screenshot below shows our basic test running (and passing, whee!):

Note that we have hundreds of non-Selenium unit tests for expected functionality, but we’re not releasing those just yet as they’re more tightly coupled with Google infrastructure.

For information on running and contributing tests, read the project wiki. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to your contributions.

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Sealy just went live with their new distributor locator leveraging Microsoft Virtual Earth. Your basic, easy to use, easy to find our mattress locator. Enter a postal code on the home page to get there or go to the Sealy Distributor Locator page and drill down with additional options such as searching on postal code and brand type - Posturepedic, SpringFree, TrueForm and PurEmbrace; or, you can search by state; or, search by retailer name to filter results for a particular retailer. What’s unique about this locator is not necessarily the search options, but the data presented in the result list. In addition to plotting the locations on a map, Sealy populates a tabular list below the map with all kinds of goodies. In addition to the contact information you would expect such as address and phone number, you get things like a logo to call out stores that have a “Sealy Gallery;” notification that there are ‘X’ number of additional locations nearby for a particular distributor brand (such as an additional Sears’ locations) with the ability to view all of those respective locations on the map; and, if there’s a known web site you get a link directly to that web site (such as JCPenney.com).

They’ve also included the ability to share your results at the top right of the page, so you can actually email someone a link to the search results displayed on the page - great feature that most retailers don’t actually have! A mattress sounds so good right now. I’m going to hit it.

CP

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No word yet on which of Garmin’s devices (the nuvifone?) might support the platform and its apps (GasBuddy, Yelp, etc.)

- C|net

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GPS Visualiser
GPS Visualizer is a free, easy-to-use online utility that creates Google Maps and profiles from GPS data (tracks and waypoints, including GPX files), street addresses, or simple coordinates. It can be used to see where you’ve been, plan where you’re going, or visualize geographic data (business locations, scientific observations, events, customers, real estate, geotagged photos, etc.).

GPS Visualiser give you the ability to easily group markers into collapsible/hideable “folders” in a marker list, as in this example. GPS Visualiser can also read markers dynamically from a Google Docs spreadsheet, as in this example.

A quick scan of the main example page will give you a good idea of the multitude of other types of Google Map mash-ups you can create with GPS Visualiser.

GPS TOUR

GPS TOUR is a German language website that allows users to upload and share GPS tracks. It currently has over 10,000 tracks for mountain biking, hiking, biking and climbing.

GPS Tour has now added the option to view tracks with the Google Earth Browser plug-in. This means it is possible to follow tracks with a real sense of the terrain. If that doesn’t give you an idea of the difficulty of a particular track each route also comes with a handy elevation chart as well.

Gointu

GoinTu allows you to download points of interest from a GPS device and view the download on a Google Map. Alternatively you can find points of interest via a Google Map and download the results to your GPS device.

GoinTu describes itself as a GPS points of interest community where members can create and share points of interest. It is possible to enter your own points of interest to the community, to rate and review POI and to recommend POI to other users.

The points of interest added to Gointu can be viewed on a Google Map. It is possible to search the database of POI via location and type and view the results on a map and / or download the results to a GPS device.

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First up is my new favorite blog to look through to kill time, Strange Maps. There are maps shown on there that you just would not think of having or creating. Kills a nice chunk of time when I start browsing through the archives.

workingDog has a first run release of a Ruber Band Selection Tool available for download and experimentation for WWJava.

The code allows various shapes to be drawn using the mouse. Shapes such as sector, circle, poylgon, polyline and a freehand shape. The idea is to use these shapes to encircle/select features of interest in worldwind. You can then process the selected features as you wish.

And last, but nowhere near the least, Pangloss has an update to the Worldwind.net Saturn add-on. This update adds new maps and placenames for Enceladus and Tethys. You need to have Saturn 1.2 installed for 1.2a to work.

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