Building a prototype Mapping Application Introduction: Google Maps V3 

Google Maps provides various Map types 

Representing Markers on a Map Google Maps allows placing a marker at a specific coordinate(longitude and latitude). Markers can be moved, edited and use icons of your choice. 

Representing Shapes on a Map Google Maps allows various shapes and lines to be displayed and edited. 

Information Windows on a Map Information Windows can display forms for information capture and display information associated with a given coordinate or shape. 

Lines, shapes and Markers can be combined By combining map elements information can be displayed and visualized on a Map. 

Google Maps supports Web browsers and Mobile Devices 

Example: Building a simple sightings application. 

- Description ( A short description of the sighting ) - Notes ( Any extra information or details relevant to the sighting ) - Time ( The time when the sighting occurred ) - Photo ( A Photo of the sighting if available ) - Coordinate or Location ( the exact position of the sighting(GPS) or the name of the location ) To begin building a Sighting application we look at some basic information we need to collect: Given this basic information we can begin to build a Sighting application that can provide the following: - Capture sightings. - Display the sightings and their information on a Map or Mobile Device. - Provide a timeline of when sightings occurred. - Provide a Twitter-like information Feed. - Provide analysis, reports and graphs on the sightings. 

Capturing a Sighting The basic information for a Sighting can be captured from a Web Browser or Mobile Device 

Displaying the sighting The basic information for a Sighting can be displayed in a Web Browser or on a Mobile Device 

Displaying sightings on a Map A list of sightings can be displayed on a map in a Web Browser or Mobile Device 

Displaying a timeline of Sightings Because Time is part of the basic information captured - sightings can be displayed between a given time range. 

Displaying a Twitter-like feed of sightings A Twitter-like feed of sightings is displayed in a Web Browser or on a Mobile Device 

Analysis, reports and graphs on sightings. Graphs and reports can be created based on captured Sighting information