Three about the Google Maps API

17 November 2006 | Posted by Jeffrey Barke | No comments

Three posts bundled as one about various things Google Maps API, including: an API plugin for Dreamweaver (no JavaScript required!), one-minute mashups by Google and the datum and projection used by Google.

WebAssist Dreamweaver tools for Google

Posted by Brandon Badger, Product Manager, Google Maps API:

We want to highlight a new tool that helps make the Google Maps API accessible to even more web developers. We're for everyone becoming a JavaScript expert, but sometimes it's nice to lean on a tool to get development done quickly. WebAssist has created a free plugin for Adobe Dreamweaver that walks you through a simple wizard to add a Google Maps API powered map to your webpage. The properties of the map can even be edited via Dreamweaver's WYSIWYG editor.

WebAssist Dreamweaver Tools For Google (free)

From the Google Maps API Blog

Map search wizard

The Google AJAX Search API team has put together a map search wizard to help you put a searchable map on your web page in three easy steps:

  1. Customize it—Use the wizard to define the map's width, height, zoom level, title, location, etc.
  2. Provide your site's URL—This is used by the wizard to create your free Maps API and AJAX Search API keys to associate with your web site.
  3. Hit the magic button—Click on the "Generate Code" button and the wizard will create the customized JavaScript for your map. Just paste this code into your web page, and voilà, your users will have the power of Google Maps at their fingertips.

From the Google Maps API Blog

Google Maps projection

According to Google (official), they use a Mercator projection for their maps (both street and satellite). Charlie Savage provides quite a bit more detail in a blog post, though (unofficial, but very informative):

From last time, we know that a geodetic coordinate system consists of a datum, a projection, an origin, a unit system, two axes and perhaps an origin offset. Without further ado, this is what Google is doing:

  • Datum—WGS84 (I'm assuming this, I've never seen verification of it)
  • Projection—Mercator
  • Unit system—pixels (believe it or not)
  • Axes—standard east, non-standard south
  • Origin—near the north pole on the international date line

From cfis

Jeffrey Barke is senior developer and information architect at theMechanism - New York, a multimedia firm with offices in New York, London and Durban, South Africa.

Filed in APIs, Web mapping, mashups | Tagged with , , , ,
No Comments »