Interactive Mapping Blog of Regio

To be continued...

2010-05-07T13:51:00.004+03:00

For more than a year there’s been no posts to Webmap blog from our team and there will be no one. We’ve been moved into new location at BLOG.REGIO.EE/APPS . It is our new home now wherein you can find a track list of GIS applications made by our team (access to some of them can be limited).

Welcome!

New web-map API services covering Baltics

2009-04-13T13:19:00.008+02:00

We are proud to announce new WMS services and API-s:

Map in WMS standard with layer control. (Coverage: Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Ortophoto (Est. Latvia in progress)

Geocoding API with XML/JSON output.
(Baltic, Est, Lat, Lit)

Reverse-geocoding API with XML/JSON output.
(Baltic, Est, Lat, Lit)

Routing API between multiple points with XML output.
(Est, Lat, Lit. Baltic's in progress).

See level of map details at regio.delfi.ee and maps.delfi.lt For more information about API-s contact us.

Physics with icons

2008-10-17T17:34:00.012+02:00

Making maps closer to real world has been in maps-makers scope for long time. What about borrowing idea of physics-law-like behaviors to web-maps form BumpTop desktop interface? It turns your desktop into a 3D space and lets you move your documents the way you would on a physical desktop.

Flash player for the iPhone?

2008-10-01T10:41:00.005+02:00

Adobe is actively developing a Flash player for the iPhone— now all they're waiting for is the OK from Apple.
Apple may have many reasons for not allowing Flash onto the iPhone, but if anyone has a good shot at getting their technology into the device, it would be Adobe.

More from: Flashmagazine

ArcGIS server Flex API

2008-08-27T14:15:00.003+03:00

ESRI announced the new ArcGIS API for Flex Beta at the ESRI International User Conference in San Diego, California, which was held August 4–8, 2008. Read more at DM press release...

First look and feel is quite good, but it's really still a beta ;-)

Also listen to the podcast at the same topic.

Interactive tourism-map (KOV)

2008-07-01T14:19:00.013+03:00

There is new map on our products line. Interactive tourism-map (oftentimes called KOV inside Regio) is a tool for local municipalities, tourism portals etc to promote POI-s, hiking-routes, nature parks etc on map. It has features like route calculation, intelligent address-search, multible map views, emailing and printing map.

Even more noteworthy are its administration possibilities: Administrator can customize whole map interface design, its measures, and behaviour of objects, depth of zoom levels etc. Of course, has total control over object (also upload pictures to POI-s), layer and groups management.

Try our public demo account:
Map: http://teenus.regio.ee/kov/index.php?id=199
Admin: http://teenus.regio.ee/kov/admin
User: „demo“
Pass: „demo123“
NB! User rights in demo are limited.

Examples of projects using KOV:
- Map of MTÜ Pandivere Arendus-ja Inkubatsioonikeskus
- Map of Põlvamaa talurahvamuuseum. More about this project
- With interface using special design.

Baltic maps

2008-07-01T13:44:00.006+03:00

Our own map and geocoding database of Baltics is finally ready and first tileset with address search is online for testing. Links to map demos:
Latvia
Lihtuania

Mapsite for kids

2008-07-01T13:13:00.005+03:00

New map application for the Estonian most popular kids' website Lastekas.ee is live. Introducing innovations like typing in capital letters, interface and POI-s with sound assistance and special design, it is one of few online maps designed specially for children. Try it here.

Google Map Maker

2008-07-01T13:00:00.005+03:00

Google unveiled Google Map Maker, a product that allows users to contribute and edit map data for regions around the world. More from Lat Long Blog, CNet, GOS

Some experiments with GM

2008-06-12T13:56:00.004+03:00

Some cool measuring and polylines features made on GM API. Links: 1 and 2

Outdoors touch-screen webmap

2008-06-05T12:25:00.009+03:00

An interactive touch-screen webmap that is placed outdoors and connects to internet wirelessly, but not an iPhone.

Põlvamaa talurahvamuuseum (an open air museum reminding how peasants lived in old times) gets an infokiosk with Regio's webmap. The map based on our KOV project will serve useful information about places to visit around the museum to tourists visiting museums info-center.

Info-kiosk hardware was provided by ERD Estonia OÜ

Google Earth Plug-in Puts Google Earth in Your Browser

2008-05-29T09:37:00.003+03:00

Windows only: The freeware Google Earth plug-in integrates Google Earth with your web browser, embedding the 3-D glory of Earth in Firefox or Internet Explorer. The results, which you can see in the video above, are impressive. There isn't a ton of Google Earth plug-in integration on the web yet, but check out the samples to understand the possibilities, like switching between Google Maps and Earth on-the-fly. The Google Earth plug-in is Windows only, supports Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Wikipedia Added to Google Maps

2008-05-15T10:01:00.002+03:00

In what is proving to be another busy day for Google, Wikipedia articles have been added to Google Maps. The new Wikipedia tags can be turned on via a 'More' button that has been added to the top right hand corner of the map.

When the Wikipedia tick box is selected small 'W' tags appear on the map where Wikipedia articles are available. Clicking on the 'W' tag will open an information window containing the Wikipedia article.

Panoramio photos can also be turned on via the same 'More' button. The photos option however feels a little superfluous considering Panoramio photos were added last week and can also be turned on in the left-hand panel. Intriguingly the photos turned on by the 'More' button contain a Panoramio logo whilst the ones accessed by the left-hand side panel don't, even though both sets of photos are served by Panoramio.

Via Googlemapsmania

Mapping orienteering routes

2008-05-06T10:43:00.003+03:00

RouteGadget is web utility for drawing and comparing orienteering routes. It is Java applet running on browser and Perl scripts running on server that can be installed on any Unix, Linux, Windows server or used locally on PC / laptop. Free, no quarantees, support etc. Made by volunteer :-)

Hansapank Xdream demo:

Digitizing on Openlayers

2008-05-06T10:38:00.003+03:00

Digitizing on Openlayers and many other useful developers hints including GML, KML parsers etc:
- http://www.openlayers.org/dev/examples/modify-feature.html
- http://www.openlayers.org/dev/examples/

Easy way to GIS

2008-04-28T10:40:00.005+03:00

This "Easy Way to GIS" seems to be our MapCat PRO competitor: there's less flexibility for IT integrators etc but much more GUI (ready product, "MI Professional" in web). See also GDSK Geoplatform Introduction (PDF)

Whereyougonnabe

2008-04-21T10:07:00.005+02:00

Whereyougonnabe application has now gone live, Facebook account users can try it out here. Read more information about the application at our founder Peter Batty's blog (announcement and review).

Whereyougonnabe is a service which enables you to geocode and save locations where and when you will be doing things in the future (where you gonna be?), also you can see when your friends will be close to you. You can view information on Google maps in both in a browser and using Google Earth.

GIS microsite of Regio

2008-04-18T10:50:00.005+02:00

Now information about our products, services, demos, references etc also available through GIS microsite at www.regio.ee/gis.

...and demos directly:

Maporama for MC FlashTile

2008-04-18T10:04:00.003+02:00

Now Maporama maps available for MapCat customers, click for the demo:

Google Earth gets next major update

2008-04-16T12:09:00.006+02:00

The Google Earth Blog has produced video highlighting some of the newly added features like streetview, day/night lighting effects, faster loading 3d buildings and more in Google Earth 4.3.

Dual maps

2008-04-02T09:16:00.004+02:00

Our demo of Google Bridge combined Regio's and Google's maps. Dual maps lets you display side-by-side for a single location and combines the features of Google Maps and Microsoft Virtual Earth Maps within one embeddable control.

Google Bridge

2008-04-02T08:52:00.007+02:00

For LBS demos we often need clobal content, more and more often "for tomorrow" and sometimes for very exotic and unexpected regions. It's not possible to integrate Navteq, Leaddog or TeleAtlas data into our GIS Engine with such short notice thus we created Google Maps support into MapCat. Google Bridge covers basic GIS functionalities (navigation, search, routing) and enables to use MapCat search, routing and light digitizing components in combination with GM (show adresses, POI's, routing results, geofences on top of the maps etc).

See also:
- Routing demo
- WMS demo
- GC Admin demo

Google Bridge is also useful for our webmap customers in Baltics who're willingly ready to pay for internetmap applications but not monthly fees for the maps (and for whom maps quality is not critical issue :-)

3D in Google Maps

2008-04-02T08:45:00.004+02:00

The guys behind the Digital Urban blog obviously don't think that Google Maps are pretty enough because they have created an undeniably beautiful 3d map of the London Underground.

The map was created using CASA's free Image Cutter software, which helps create maps from any image.

This tube map doesn't include any real-time tracking of trains or fancy search facilities, in fact it isn't actually much use in helping you find underground train stations. In this instance it is a case of being just a pretty face.

Via googlemapsmania

Map portals in Latvia

2008-03-26T12:06:00.004+02:00

There're three main local players in Latvian internet-mapping market:

Jana Seta: best quality and coverage of maps and addresses, operating mainly raster images not GIS databases, limited software functionalities.
See demo here

BOD and Datorkarte: good map scales but not the best coverage, quality and updatedness, many additional layers, limited software functionalities.
See demos here

Envirotech (H-Nit daughter-company): local ESRI reseller, available ArcGIS server functionalites, not active in public internet market, state owned data:
See demo here

MapCat homepage

2008-03-18T10:45:00.004+02:00

Our MapCat homepage is finally ready (yeah, almost - use FF please :-). Here you can find lots of demos, product descriptions, reference projects and information about us:

Demo site is funded by Enterprise Estonia within Finnish export plan of Regio. Finnish version will be available soon.

MapCat integration

2008-03-16T19:00:00.007+02:00

There's sometimes not enough "space" within web-page for a map-component and using pop-up windows is not allowed either. One nice option for map integration in those cases is as follows:

"...we have lot's of employees working remotely in Regio. For example our team members work from Narva and Tallinn as well as from our our main office at Tartu, Riia 24..."

GISSER prototype III

2008-03-01T09:50:00.001+02:00

We started to create prototype III for GISSER project (EAS funded technology project for animated maps). For short instructions how to use demo click here...

GC Admin

2008-01-27T15:48:00.001+02:00

GC Admin is software for geocoding addresses and digitizing objects within 3-rd party CMS/intranet solution:

See also our GC Admin with Google Maps and integration hints:

QVIZ prototype 2

2008-01-24T20:39:00.001+02:00

QVIZ new prototype has been integrated to faceted search lately: narrow your search results using map as a filter or determine time-period using time-bar component:

Travel Planning wizard

2008-01-23T15:22:00.000+02:00

During last couple of month we've had great chance to cooperate with Affecto and develop TravelPlan map-wizard for a finnish tourism portal. Application uses maps, geocoding and routing services from GeniMapper platform (Affecto's mapserver service for Finland) and is built up using MapCat Medium software.

Route animation demo

2008-01-21T15:15:00.000+02:00

New prototype for route animation is ready, functionality is available for our customers through MapCat upgrade next moth (new version will be released soon):

Vector optimization demo

2008-01-21T14:35:00.001+02:00

Using MapCat architecture it was sometimes tricky to quarantee quick client-server communication for vector data handling. Those times are history! New MapCat enables drawing vector data as quickly as raster handling, sometimes vector is even quicker (see the picture):

Newly discovered old one

2008-01-21T14:15:00.001+02:00

Map for Biological Diversity web-page. NB! It was developed as early as 2004 (wasn't common approach then technically) and wasn't in active use couple of years but now it's quite living its own life :-)

2008-01-02T13:26:00.000+02:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Joystick again

2007-12-20T10:23:00.000+02:00

Joystick may give quite good control over map moving or pan: direction, extent and speed. Try MyMiniCity navigation and see also previous post at the same topic here...

Estonian Forest Registry in web

2007-11-19T20:20:00.000+02:00

Estonian Forest Registry is finally accessible through web. New and attractive web-site will be released soon in cooperation with Regio webmap team (us :-) and Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture.

New era in MapCat development

2007-11-08T09:46:00.000+02:00

Map application for biggest internet portal in Baltics (Delfi) that brings us to new era is finally ready:

- try new drag'n'drop layer menu: order of layers is saved in cookies so you can personalize your menu, also the sequence of displaying symbols on top of the map is influenced by layers order.
- animated zoom: map is moving towards search results visualizing the access to an address, location or route.
- map navigation by using keyboard: pan, zoom in and out using just 'arrow' keys.
- search options and driving guidance: show all results as a list or use map bbox for filtering results; show all search-list items or line segments on the map and highlight them both on map or search-list.
- draw your own map and send it to your friend or save in your blog, web-site etc.
- ...and many-many more!

Application for Delfi is first customer project implemented by using technology developed within R&D project named GISSER funded by Enterprise Estonia.

KV real-estate chorophlet map

2007-11-06T14:50:00.001+02:00

Estonian real-estate portal KV launched their new map search based on our MapCat Medium component. When choosing a deal type and parameters like price, number of rooms etc, map will be covered with vector layers of average m² price and property objects corresponding to the search preconditions. Useful tool for finding property via map.

Move Mis-Marked Addresses in Google Maps

2007-11-02T09:23:00.000+02:00

Ever look up an address on Google Maps and find that the pushpin for that address is more than a bit off? Now you can edit where Google pinpoints addresses (provided you're logged into your Google account) by clicking the Edit link and dragging the pin to a more appropriate location.

Via LifeHacker

Cool idea for real-estate portals

2007-10-24T13:41:00.000+02:00

Great idea that is possible to gain easily through our MapCat API either :-)

Some cool web-maps

2007-10-09T10:33:00.000+02:00

Cairolocator - Interactive web mapping solution covers Cairo with detailed maps .It allows users to search in more than 5000 pos and streets.cairolocator is the first web map application supports Arabic.

FlashNavigator - Demonstration of flashNavigator technology. Using powerful Flash map engine flashNavigator is able to display GIS and CAD file formats in Flash viewer. This world map was created using ESRI Shapefile source. Map is divided into 7 layers and it can be fast panned and zoomed. Also there is statistical GIS analysis available. Map is colored in real time to display results of analysis. There is an option to test your own SQL queries and see results on map.

DynaWebMap - DynaWebMap provides a powerful server side map web control which integrates with gViewTek's vector maps library. Users can select their own interesting maps and connect their own data, such as demographic data or other statistics data through data binding fields. DynaWebMap map web control provides wonderful vector map with professional map operations and dockable map components, such as toolbars, overview map, dynamic legend, and charts. DynaWebMap allows users and developers to easily create, display the dynamic web-based vector map, and chart through a group of simple code inside the web pages or behind the web pages.

More from Directions Magazine's web map gallery

New GUI for tourism applications

2007-10-02T16:40:00.000+02:00

As a result of GISSER (one of our R&D projects funded by Enterprise Estonia) new release of our tourism map-applications will be launched next week. First customer using upgraded technology and advanced GUI will be the biggest Estonian internet portal Delfi (see application under construction here).

Application is built based MapCat technology and attractive GUI for tourism-like type of applications is designed in cooperation with Webmedia design division. Long-term objective of this cooperation was to elaborate GUI traits characteristic to all our webmap applications including MapCat API.

Newsletter about ASP services and data updates

2007-09-26T11:17:00.001+02:00

We started to send newsletter to our customers (only in estonian). Main motivator of doing this was need for updated information about our services and data updates, but also software upgrades and latest customer projects.

Regio runs biggest masperver in Baltics and more than 100 applications are using our ASP services daily. See newsletter archive in blog and also latest release about map updates here

From Google Maps directly to your Mercedes Benz

2007-09-17T10:18:00.000+02:00

Mercedes-Benz has recently included a Google Maps service for drivers called Search & Send. The service will give Mercedes-Benz drivers who are equipped with Tele Aid the ability to send destinations and searches directly from Google Maps. More from Google Maps Mania blog...

Merge Your Map on Yahoo Maps with MapMixer

2007-09-13T13:13:00.000+02:00

Yahoo launches new webapp MapMixer, which blends an existing map image with Yahoo Maps. Handy for overlaying a static public transportation system, campus or hiking trails map onto a fancy-pants dynamic Ajax map, MapMixer's essentially an easy-peasy mashup maker for anyone with a map digital image (or a scanner). Just upload your image and fit it onto Yahoo Maps.

Check out some more MapMixer creations in the featured map gallery.

Video playpack syncronised on map

2007-09-07T11:12:00.000+02:00

VeoGeo is a community based mashup using user GPS data, user video from YouTube and Google maps to playback video in sync with GPS data on Google map.
The mashup is still in early Beta, but working with existing examples very well.
This kind of mashups may have a lot of potential in tourism industry and others, especially when cellphones will have good GPS (A-GPS) support.

veogeo.com

JavaScript Map API comparison

2007-08-17T17:33:00.000+03:00

Look at comparison of performance and developer friendliness of JavaScript mapping APIs by Niall Kennedy here...

See also Mapstraction.com website (library that provides a common API for various javascript mapping APIs to enable switching from one to another) and demos.

Papervision3D Public Beta

2007-07-13T14:15:00.000+03:00

Papervision is 3D engine released under the MIT Open Source litsense:

...It started as a simple way to transform MovieClips to achieve the 3D illusion. By changing their position, size, rotation and skew you could almost forgive the lack of perspective. But the latest version, fully optimised for Flash 8 Image API, uses triangle tesselation to distort textures. Now we can render complex objects in “real 3D”!

Read also Adobe's article" Mapping Flash video to 3D objects".

Nutimap beta

2007-07-12T16:38:00.000+03:00

Now you can download and test Nutimap interactive mobile map application. It has Regio detailed maps and address data, MGMaps.com application.

It supports:
- Regio most detailed Estonian maps (up to house number level)
- Search for addresses and placenames in Estonia (also up to house numbers)

Other key features:
- Track your location using GPS (via Bluetooth)
- Save your favourite locations

To be done yet:
- Search objects (POI) around some place
- Route directions
- million other extension ideas...

Routing on the fly

2007-07-03T13:11:00.000+03:00

Damn, Google! They've done it. One fancy idea from our roadmap we called 'routing on the fly' is implemented by Google and looks quite cool, see demo...

Our demo just to illustrate the idea is here...

Cooperation of Microsoft and Maporama

2007-06-29T15:24:00.000+03:00

Microsoft’s Virtual Earth mapping platform featuring roadmaps, satellite and aerial imagery, plus bird’s eye and 3-D views will be available for Maporama Intl corporate customers. They will benefit from increasingly innovative and complete solutions to meet their business needs: geolocalization, business intelligence, geomarketing, and mobility. Read the press release...

XML socket demo

2007-06-29T07:24:00.000+03:00

Demo-application with server pushing vector data into flash through XML socket:

Flex for ESRI?

2007-06-25T14:16:00.000+03:00

Whereas we've combined Adobe Flash + AJAX technology and Minnesota server components to create rich internet applications (RIA's) many years for today, Esri has started partnership to develop their new generation platform also:

...Universal Mind Inc. today announced it will team with ESRI and Adobe to create a new generation of rich Internet applications that leverage ESRI’s enterprise GIS platform and Adobe® Flex™ software to make geographic analysis and access easy and ubiquitous. Read more (DM 22.06.2007)...

See also Google Maps travel and exploration mashup Geowalk with new UI made with Adobe Flex 3(See previous version of GeoWalk). More from Googlemapsmania

Route animation demo

2007-06-25T14:03:00.000+03:00

Simple application for route animation demonstration purposes:

Is it allowed?

2007-06-21T16:16:00.000+03:00

Many customers have asked, is it possible to use Google free API for applications like SeeMe launched lately. The answer is: NO, IT'S NOT ALLOWED! License says: "Except where you have been specifically licensed to do so by Google, you may not use Google Maps with any products, systems, or applications installed or otherwise connected to or in communication with vehicles, capable of vehicle navigation, positioning, dispatch, real time route guidance, fleet management or similar applications".

See also additional terms of Google API:
…Service may not be used: (a) for or with real time route guidance (including without limitation, turn-by-turn route guidance and other routing that is enabled through the use of a sensor), or (b) for, or in connection with, any systems or functions for automatic or autonomous control of vehicle behavior.

First application from our competitor in paper maps market

2007-06-21T15:11:00.001+03:00

We have waited for years when the day comes our competitor in paper maps market starts to serve internet maps and build webmap applications. The day has come!

True, the first application is rather example of how a map application should not be built on 21th century. It's good illustration of architecture we tried to avoid starting development of MapCat SDK years ago (use together with LiveHTTPheaders sidebar). Still, it works somehow regardless some serious usability issues and probably next version will already be better. Potential competitor in Estonian market for some years and I hope it makes us stronger also :-) Worth to be blogged!

Digitizing demo

2007-06-01T16:52:00.001+03:00

Simple application for digitizing demonstration purposes:

K V blog-map

2007-05-24T14:30:00.001+03:00

KV real-estate portal's Blog-map

Future of routing services?

2007-05-24T10:32:00.000+03:00

Movin 360 Berlin tour recalls a city journey on a map and a 360 degree panorama- video. Camera viewpoint can be changed on video screen.

The development of map.movin360 is thesis (diploma) work of Christian Müllenhagen and Fabian Zastrow during wintersemester 2006/2007 at Technischen Fachhochschule Berlin. More in German...

Yahoo maps: new design, new engine

2007-05-23T09:42:00.001+03:00

Cartifact announced that their map design work is prominently featured in the recently released version of Yahoo! Maps worldwide. The goal of the project was to create a style distinct from other web maps, in both visual appeal and content. Yahoo! officially launched the new map styles on May 16.

Also it seems Yahoo has given up of using DeCarta map engine...

Search from radius

2007-05-18T13:52:00.000+03:00

Quite fancy solution of map UI for typical problem of search from radius. Based on google maps, but that's besides the point.
http://www.properazzi.com/

Newsletter archive (only in Estonian)

2007-05-16T10:23:00.000+03:00

Regio veebikaardi uudiskirja arhiiv:

#1 August 2007
#2 September 2007

Chat, pictures, locate friends

2007-04-28T09:20:00.000+03:00

Some nice ideas how to build GUI for FriendFinder and make map more attractive and interactive:

...RadiusIM combines IM with location. It’s the only site that shows you where your friends are hanging out and lets you surf for other people based on location. It supports all the major networks: MSN, AIM/ICQ, Yahoo, and GTalk/Jabber. And you can use radiusIM from anywhere because there are no downloads.

See also another idea how to make website more flexible and customizable here and ideas for implementation here.

Google Maps update in Baltic States

2007-04-26T20:53:00.001+02:00

Google Maps has made a major update on Estonian and Lithuanian map data. Road and railway networks, forest areas, water bodies, place names and urban areas have been updated all over the countries. On all major cities are now street networks with name labels and directions that makes possible road navigation. Also green areas with names have been added to the map in those cities.
The data is claimed to be provided by TeleAtlas. Data seems to be two, three years old (e.g. Raadimõisa).
In Latvia only Riga seems to be updated with street level and railway data.

Still, at the moment, the update doesn't expand to maps created with Google Maps API so you can use it only on http://maps.google.com.

Also it's quite interesting that Google Maps has started to publish some aerial images with super zoom levels (by default zoom bar allows maximum zoom level 13, but some areas have now up to 23). Question of privacy? Google has been using also their own planes for aerial images.

Thematic map for QVIZ

2007-04-23T12:40:00.000+02:00

This is our first prototype for QVIZ - map application capable of drawing thematic maps about time-spatial distribution of digitized historical documents. Polygon color refers to amount of items (historical resources) within search result. Developers can use map as a search filter/faceted query component (specify search by map parameters: bounding box, selected ploygon etc).

Animation examples

2007-04-21T14:06:00.000+02:00

Some sexy examples about animation:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/2006-5-5_FedExDiversions.wmv
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/2006-10-21-FAA-just-plots].mov
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/2006-10-21-FAA-sees-USA.mov
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/2006-5-5_FedEx_25HR_OPS.wmv

Google maps mashups

2007-04-12T11:32:00.000+02:00

Google maps real-time tracking

Helsinki public transport mashup takes the locations of buses and trams in the Helsinki City transport network and plots their real-time location to a Google Map for you to watch, live!

Click on the vehicle and and the info-window gives you the option to show the route this it's traveling, plot the stops and also center the map on that bus/tram as it makes its way around the city. Watch the times to each stop as well. It's an invaluable tool to Helsinkians or tourists, as well as fun and addictive to watch for the rest of us! Very nicely done! [Via GoogleMapsMania]

Google Mapplets: Mashups Of Mashups

A new feature in Google Maps, Mapplets, places data overlays onto your map - like movie times, crime rates and real estate prices. Mapplets just makes different mashups available on Google Maps proper, instead of having to go to another site to see them.

Mapplets are available at the developer preview. Once you add a few, a "Mapplets" tab appears in your Maps interface. Hit the video for a Mapplets demonstration courtesy of Google. More...

Trulia Hindsight

Trulia Hindsight is an animated map of homes in the United States from Trulia. The animations use the year the properties were built to show the growth of streets, neighborhoods and cities over time. View the map »

Google Maps Street View

Google launched a new feature for Google Maps that will include a street-level view. Good way to make street level maps useful as well as impressive to look at.

It's cool to virtually drive down the street,to search for driving directions, and then actually see the route before getting in the car. See also Google Maps Street View promotional video:

Windows Live Street View literally puts in in the drivers seat — though you have to admit it’s kinda crappy and appears to have been abandoned.

FF designed by Art School

2007-04-11T11:35:00.000+02:00

Yesterday we had opportunity to have a closer look at concepts and designs of GUI-s from Art School students for our product named Friendfinder. To be honest, presentation of ideas and implementation was something we even couldn't expect, otherwords impressive!

New prototype for friendfinder is part of R&D project with acronym GISSER (GIS Server for Animation) funded by Enterprise Estonia. Read more...

Sharing Data Visualization

2007-04-11T09:26:00.000+02:00

IBM is showing that there's more to the social Internet than just sharing pictures and video clips. The company has launched a new website, called Many Eyes, with the hope of adding a social aspect to data visualizations like maps, network diagrams, and scatter plots. Already the site is being used by everyone from Bible researchers to college professors. Read more...

Many Eyes visualization gallery
Selection of Technology Review

Tourist Guide by SITO

2007-04-10T09:32:00.000+02:00

Simple application with quite good usability: anyone doesn't like it but everyone can use ;-)

http://www.liikuntapaikat.fi/
http://kartta.liikuntapaikat.fi/Default.aspx

GM My Maps

2007-04-06T17:00:00.001+02:00

My Maps allows users to mark locations on a map from a library of icons, draw lines and (note) SHAPES to highlight paths and areas, and add text, photos, or YouTube/Google videos. Users can also add HTML to their maps.

Trippish.com

2007-04-06T15:14:00.000+02:00

Trippish is a free service that gives you driving directions with weather forecasts along the route. Trippish not only tells you what the weather is likely to be during your drive, but also allows you to determine the best time to leave based on current forecasts.

Implemented by using MS Virtual Earth API.

James Fee GIS blog

2007-04-06T10:10:00.000+02:00

Something worth of attention, man from our planet :-)

James Fee GIS blog

Blogging GIS, ESRI, Google Earth, Virtual Earth and Programming

Some interesting stuff at first glance:

Esri and flash see also Esri flash client components for ArcIMS here

Esri Server vs Open Source solutions

Kuler - Adobe’s Flash Based Color Pallet Generator

Map Compare

2007-04-06T06:51:00.000+02:00

Neeme sent us comparison of applications side by side last week, I put this into our blog as well:
- Google Maps
- MS Virtual Earth
- Yahoo maps

Map Compare allows you to evaulate which mapping technologies is best. All three maps are locked together so panning, zooming and changing map types will effect all maps the same. You can also use the tab pane to try out various map features like; markers, popups as well.

Google ignores Katrina :-)

2007-04-04T17:10:00.000+02:00

Article about Google Maps using pre-Katrina satellite photos of New Orleans. Washington Post has more

See also minut.ee

Steel exactly and copy with proud :-)

2007-04-03T21:55:00.000+02:00

Tanel found interesting test pages for GM API.

Find out how people try to solve similar problems as we from our roadmap and have tried to find some solutions we have solved years ago :-)

Many markers try with 200 or 2000 markers :-)

Overview map idea

Polyline test using SVG

Myriad of markers

...and others.

Base maps

2007-04-02T14:05:00.000+02:00

We use our web-mapping technology as core GIS component inside Regio/Reach-U AVL and LBS solutions that is sold worldwide through Ericsson channels. Full set of solution consists of applications, GIS engine, integration work and maps including data management work.

Some examples of base maps:
Map of Saudi-Arabia and new zoom-bar
Estonian maps within Visitestonia.com map application
Latvia (street level maps it towns 1:10.000, base map 1:50.000, ca. 315. 000 address points)
Europe general (1:500.0000)
Ukraine
Marocco
Mexico
Portugal

Joystick for map navigation

2007-04-02T11:20:00.000+02:00

Interesting sample of interactive mapping application created for Wilhelm Farby Museum in Germany. It is a cool tourism map with an alternative approach to features like:

- map navigation through a joystick;

- several bird's-eye views;
- 360 degrees views of some POI's (also vertical axis);
- image gallery in info- window;
- original ruler and area tools;

Another app with atypical realization is Geowalk combining Flash menus and AJAX maps.

Source

GM Terms and Conditions

2007-04-01T23:09:00.000+02:00

General use
http://www.google.com/intl/en_ALL/help/terms_local.html

GM enterprise
http://www.google.com/enterprise/maps/

MC FlashTile with Google maps

2007-03-30T16:17:00.000+02:00

Principally possible, practically not allowed :-(

Test version for demos only!

Flash usage and statistics

2007-03-30T13:57:00.000+02:00

Statistics of usage of flash player versions:
http://www.adobe.com/products/player_census/flashplayer/version_penetration.html

...and comparison with other plug-ins:
http://www.adobe.com/products/player_census/flashplayer/

Navigation maps for mobile devices

2007-03-29T10:53:00.000+02:00

JKL tested some available solutions of GPS/map navigation for mobile devices (smartphone, PDA), here are the results (in estonian)

Google Mashups

2007-03-27T11:46:00.000+02:00

Some interesting Google mashups:

Detail plannings on the GM;
Panoramio- Million geolocated photos at Panoramio (article);
Who is leader in worlwide online mapping (article);
Global climate map ;
MapDotNet;

I like this GUI

2007-03-27T09:03:00.000+02:00

First example we're all acquaintent with (Atlas from Fresh Logic Studios), updated lately:Also something new - Reuters interactive map of emergencies Alertnet (beta), some interesting features, architecture etc (made using flash).

Something to keep in mind regarding our FT nad TG development :-)

Flash Inspiration

2007-03-26T16:43:00.000+02:00

Collection of flash-maps that inspired us while starting flash-development.

Flashearth and mr Neave development works at neave.com, idea for FlashTile:

US Flashmaps using maps with high vector graphics

Carto Net collection of flash-maps, flash vs SVG
Geoclip thematic maps QVIS R&D, also UI-s at large
Zillertal Ski panoramas, idea for our so-called "rastersolution"
Zillertal Ski animations

Standard for tiling

2007-03-23T15:40:00.000+02:00

Open Source Geospatioal Foundation has initiated some work to standardize raster tiling technology as technology for back-drop maps in map applications. Read more...

MC FlashTile demo site

2007-03-22T16:15:00.000+02:00

FT javascript API demo-site:
http://kaardid.regio.ee/demo/FlashTile/edit/

New version of zoombar (first feature implemented by Jevgeni):
http://www2.regio.ee/ftdemo/

Zoom to mouse pointer while scrolling the mouse
http://www.eoy.ee/atlas/upgrade/indexeng.php

Flex on Google Maps

2007-03-21T22:34:00.000+02:00

Google Maps Collaboration using Flex, Flash Media Server and Ajax (Updated for Flex 2 GA)

Interesting tool wherein some nice features have been implemented from our roadap:

- Map sharing: Maps are kept in sync (in real time) between users involved in a collaboration session.
- Videoconferencing (Webcam sharing and VOIP): You can share your Webcam and microphone to add video and audio to your collaboration session.
- Whiteboarding: Collaborating users can draw on the map. For example you could draw potential directions, etc. The users’ whiteboards are kept in sync in real time.
- Cursor sharing: When you move your mouse, other users see the movements of your mouse and what you are pointing at.

Look at the demo here (username 'quest' worked well)

Adobe Apollo - new approach to internet maps?

2007-03-21T12:52:00.000+02:00

Apollo offers tools for offline applications created using HTML, AJAX ja Flash:

Apollo is a cross-operating system runtime that allows you to install desktop applications that are built using web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and Flash. The technology allows rich Internet applications to run offline, and could threaten the popularity of programming platforms such as Java and Microsoft .NET, Adobe has said.

PC- World and Adobe Labs articles plus videodemo.

Yell kaardirakendus

2007-03-17T16:37:00.000+02:00

http://www.yell.com kaardirakendus. Huvitavalt on lahendtud kaardi nn. hübriidvaade, kus kuvatakse põhimaanteed, -tänavad ja jõed ainult kursori "kasti" sees. Aerial ja Hybrid vaate puhul muutub ka zuumbar lühemaks.

Midagi toredat ka e. kuidas tilesid kopeerida- Vajuta kaardiaknas Ctrl+A ja tee Paste näiteks Wordi dokki.

Selection of tourism maps

2007-03-16T13:02:00.000+02:00

Visitestonia Tourism Agency of Estonia (initial version of new solution), old version here
Map of Tallinn tourism, transportation, trip planner etc
Delfi mapsite address search, ATMs, Gas stations, Internet
Tourism web
Tourism application for municipalities
Estonian Post post offices and letter boxes on the map
Viljandi city map for tourists
Tallinn public transport (old)
Tallinn tourismweb
Via Baltica
Statoil gas stations

FlashTile for Affecto

2007-03-16T10:14:00.000+02:00

Good news! Finnish leading GIS company Affecto (former AffectoGenimap) started using our flashtile technology. First projects will be implemented based on MC Light and Medium.

First customer project in live:
http://www.gva.fi/gva/Main.do

...and demo from development process here

R&D activities

2007-03-15T16:28:00.000+02:00

To sustain the competitive advantage of our products and technology, Reach-U/Regio spends substantial amount of the revenue on R&D.

We participate in number of EU FP6 projects (Motive, Wisecom, QVIZ) and also we’ve got lots of support from Enterprise Estonia foundation to develop new technologies (Gisser, Logisme, others). Our team is responsible for two of them:

GISSER
The aim of GISSER is to work out GIS server of new era and user interfaces for mobile phones and web with high usability and animation support. Animated may be layers on the map and map handling but also the map itself (streaming river). For achieving this aim we cooperate with scientists at many disciplines like psychologists, geographers, computer scientists and design students.

Contact riho@regio.ee for futher discussions (cooperation proposals etc).

QVIZ
The aim of QVIZ is to give better visualization tools for cultural heritage institutions and resources like archives, museums etc. Visualizing time-spatial connections between historical events on the map offer better access tools for scientists as well as for for wider population.

Ask information kalev@regio.ee

Estonian Breeding Bird Atlas

2007-03-15T13:28:00.000+02:00

New version of Estonian Breeding Bird Atlas based on MapCat Medium and flashtile technology. Nowadays birdwatch and data collecting is based on 5x5 km UTM squares but as 10x10 had been used before 2003 then follow-up project is planned before 2010 (end of the project). The aim of this project is to make those data comparable (generalization of data collected based on 5x5 will be done). Today only data collected 2003 and later is published.

Direct link to english version here

L-Est to WGS and vice versa

2007-03-14T22:01:00.000+02:00

An old tool, useful for keeping in mind our future defelopment work, but irreplaceable for GPS users etc already today:

http://kaardid.regio.ee/coords/

FlashTile live

2007-03-14T20:53:00.000+02:00

LIVE DEMOS
Bird Atlas new version of Bird Atlas based on FlashTile, direct link to english version here
County of Põlva map solution for web-sites of municipalities (public map and admin-tools)
Visitestonia Tourism Agency of Estonia (initial release)
Trees with Christ
Map of manors

Additionally ASP service of Affecto, LBS applications FriendFinder, Childfinder and Monitor, applications for software of logistics AVL, Cargo Monitor.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FlashTile demo site for FT javascript API
Bird Atlas 10x10 version for administrator
MonitorMexico our first FlashTile demo having animation (see also tester.regio.ee/mo)
Demo version of municipality-package:
- public site kaart1.regio.ee/demo/pak/
- tool for administrator kaart1.regio.ee/demo/pak/admin

Google links to Maps24

2007-03-14T16:27:00.000+02:00

Due to the new cooperation between Google, Inc, and Mapsolute GmbH, maker of the unique mapping portal Map24.com, it is now possible to search for city maps in all European Google search engines. If you enter a city name into Google.co.uk, the first result list entry is a special link to Map24.com that brings up the corresponding city map. On the result page, for sure, the full set of the rich Map24 options is available to the users.

http://www.google.co.uk

London at Maps24
London at Google
London at Michelin

Ask who we are :-)

2007-03-14T15:59:00.000+02:00

Riho Plado,
Team leader
+372 7 387 304
riho at regio.ee

Tanel Viin,
Sales and ASP services
+372 7 387 442
tanel at regio.ee

Kalev Koppel,
Software development, R&D activities
+372 387 313
kalev at regio.ee

E-turundusest

2007-03-12T15:00:00.000+02:00

Tekkis väike mõttevahetus blogimisest ja e-suhtlusest üldse,
abiks suhtumise kujundamisel mõned Kalevi leitud viited:

E-Turunduse konverentsi ettekanded
http://www.altex.ee/e-turundus-arhiiv

Sealhulgas:
Ajaveebinduse Skype näitel

MapCat Pro

2007-03-12T14:00:00.000+02:00

Demo site for MapCat PRO SDK

Ortophotos of Pärnu have been used as a base map for demo from Regio map server. Editable layers are houses and streets, demo icludes most of client side functionalities exept description of javascript API.