Google Maps Mashups with Google Mapplets

Have a Google Maps mashup that you’d like to expose to millions of users on maps.google.com? New to the mapping craze, but have an idea for a killer map–based application? Want to learn how to create GeoRSS and KML feeds with your geotagged content, exposing your customer to new ways of exploring and navigating your content?

Google Maps Mashups with Google Mapplets

• Is the first book to cover Google’s new Mapplet technology
• Shows you how to create Google Maps–based applications and publish to maps.google.com
• Provides a single–source resource and practical guide to Mapplets and mashups
• Teaches you how to mash up Mapplets using location–specific data
• Includes examples of real–world applications

What you’ll learn

Readers will be taken through the process of building a mashup of multiple data sources and APIs, using Tourfilter’s concert and event data to map concerts and venue information happening nearby. Creating GeoRSS and KML files will also be covered, showing readers how to publish their content with geographic metadata and encouraging their users to interact with their data in new and interesting ways.

Who is this book for?

This book is aimed at developers, designers, and technologists looking to explore Google’s new Mapplet technology. The book will be a great resource for those just getting into Map–based applications and mashups, as well as for seasoned Maps developers looking to reach an extended audience with their mashups on maps.google.com.

Readers of the book should be familiar with JavaScript, basic HTML and CSS, PHP, and some SQL.
About the Author
Michael Young is a Technologist in the Research & Development group of The New York Times Company. He is currently focused on building new digital media products and services, primarily in the mobile space.

Michael won the award for “Best Hack” at the Yahoo! BBC Hack Day 2007 (with colleague Nick Bilton) for their project Shifd.com. He has also created numerous Google Maps mashups, including the AP News + Google Maps mashup, http://81nassau.com.

He has a degree in computer science and mathematics from Lewis and Clark College (Portland, OR). Michael currently lives in New York City with his wife, Kim.