Google Maps API

[gemini]

I didn't see a thread here on this subject, so desided to start one :)

Is anyone alredy started with it? I downloaded the example page from google yesterday and tried playing with it - kinda cool. I'm looking into possibility dinamically feed information from a DB and map it on the fly. This kinda stuff can be really good for real estate - if you know what I mean ;) So far what I've seen it is pretty powerfull and you can program areas, neighborhoods, (gof cources are already on the map :)) anything you want, put you own comments or information in the information info/windo pointer etc.

Any tries? Keep it comming the source is worth looking into big time! :D

[Phoenix Realtor]

No I don't have an API... but it sounds awesome. Anyone else doing this?

[HHI Golf Guy]

I started experimenting with the API. You can go to this link http://www.hiltonheadarealuxuryhomes.com/products.asp?tc=4 and click on the "Map and Satellite Image" link in the first listing.

Right now, when you click on the red marker the address and a photo of the home will appear. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it that way, or have it displayed automatically, or delete the info altogether. I'm just experimenting.

[CTABUK]

Great idea, lovely properties, that Colonial one, wow!!! :D

[Las Vegas Homes]

Just a heads up but the Satellite Image isnt working. I do love the way you set that up however. As stated in another thread I believe this will save a lot of real estate agents time driving all over town with some buyers.

[gemini]

To make the satellite pictures work try less zooming - sould work. Usually it happens when satellite pictures are not available at that zoom.

Yes, very cool stuff. I'll try to play with it more this weekend. One problem I found to exist is geocoding - geocoder.us which can be automatically queried for coordinates sometimes switches to a different address - like the closes they have in their DB which is really weird. For example it can't find my office, but gives me different address like 4 blocks to the north from the place I'm trying to get. :confused:

[HHI Golf Guy]

Just a heads up but the Satellite Image isnt working. I do love the way you set that up however. As stated in another thread I believe this will save a lot of real estate agents time driving all over town with some buyers.

The homes are in a region where there is no detailed satellite view. I set the initial zoom level fairly high, so when you click on "satellite" there is no corresponding zoom image.

If you look closely you can see that the image displays text asking you to zoom out.

Gemini - you can get the proper coordinates directly from maps.google.com. Enter the address in the search bar, center the marker in the window, then hit the 'link to this map'. The coordinates that Google uses will will show up in the address bar.

[gemini]

here is the link http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1908+Highway+17+S,+North+Myrtle+Beach,+SC+2 9582&spn=0.024119,0.038609&hl=en and the last numbers don't look like coordinates.

[HHI Golf Guy]

here is the link http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1908+Highway+17+S,+North+Myrtle+Beach,+SC+2 9582&spn=0.024119,0.038609&hl=en and the last numbers don't look like coordinates.

Try this:

After you click on "link to this page", close the dialog balloon, center the marker, then hit "link to this page" again.

Don't ask me why, but it works.

[gemini]

nope, doesn't work for me.

[HHI Golf Guy]

Strange. Try doing the same thing in satellite view and see if it works.

I tried it in map mode and got the coordinates 33.812172,-78.707943 for the link that you posted.

Actually, I had to go to the G Maps home page, enter the address, and then perform the steps that I mentioned. It did not work directly from the link that you provided.

[gemini]

still can't get it.

I'm also stuck with passing variable into GPoint() function. I was trying to have the coordinates in a link/button and then just pull the value out by
new GPoint(document.myform.coordinates.value); the sucker works only if I enter the coordinates manually, but won't parse them from the button's value. Not sure if it defines it as string or what... any ideas?

[gemini]

work in progress - developers don't sleep http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API :)

[HHI Golf Guy]

still can't get it.

What browser are you using? I was able to accomplish this using IE.

I'm also stuck with passing variable into GPoint() function. I was trying to have the coordinates in a link/button and then just pull the value out by
new GPoint(document.myform.coordinates.value); the sucker works only if I enter the coordinates manually, but won't parse them from the button's value. Not sure if it defines it as string or what... any ideas?

I only spent a few minutes with the API, and I entered the coordinates manually.

[gemini]

I looked at some code in the google's group and saw they were using parseFloat() function on the strings. It works now.

As for the browser - yes, I was trying it in IE too.

[gemini]

HHI Golf Guy,

funny, that thing with the coordinates in google maps worked in FF :D