Comments on: Map thyself

By: Nathan Mixter

Nathan Mixter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:11:00 +0000

What is the best way to transition between online maps and print maps? What options do others use to create high quality maps for print publication?

It’s too bad we can’t take a Google map and print it. Some newspapers have had success with purchasing their own custom vector maps that can be edited in Illustrator.

There is an easy-to-use program called Map Studio for Media but it is expensive because it covers the whole world. But it works great to create custom maps. You enter your information and then it downloads an editable EPS.

What other options are available for newspapers looking to present map information visually in print? What programs/software do others use?

By: Zac Echola

Zac Echola — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:58:51 +0000

I was going to post a question to twitter about photo mapping, but figured I’d do one more Google search. And then this came up. Haha.

Thanks, Ryan. Always a big help! The API tutorial is a great link.

By: Everyone loves a carnival… « My Musings 2.0

Everyone loves a carnival… « My Musings 2.0 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:03:50 +0000

[...] wendylbolm @ 4:03 am Tags: blogging, Invisible Inklling, journalism carnival While reading Invisible Inkling today, I stumbled across a new blog [...]

By: Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Thursday squibs

Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Thursday squibs — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:38:26 +0000

[...] Map thyself. Ryan Sholin points to a couple of recent newspaper map-based stories and, more importantly, to a number of resources for rolling your own embeddable maps. [...]

By: JohnofScribbleSheet

JohnofScribbleSheet — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:04:18 +0000

Hey Ryan,

I am sure you have checked out Yahoo Pipes, but have another look, you can do some quite cool stuff there. Paul from Online Journalism blog has built a Online Journalism pipe.

By: ScribbleSheet Blog

ScribbleSheet Blog — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:37:14 +0000

[...] Sholin has had a look at his local newspaper’s use of mashups. Looks quite interesting. Local residents can find businesses and houses on sale plus other [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:26:10 +0000

I knew there was a reason I put that asterisk in there after Web Producer – I wanted to know if you did this all by your lonesome or if there were a bunch of folks on the case before I gave you sole credit.

And wow, I hadn’t seen the price tag on the PDFs yet. That’s not sane.

By: Mark Friesen

Mark Friesen — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:20:59 +0000

Ryan,

As the guy behind The Oregonian’s effort, thanks for the link!

I had wanted to solicit reader photos through e-mail, Flickr, etc., but we were so slammed, I just didn’t get to implementing that. I wish I’d taken the time to do that.

I had also considered using MyMaps and embedding that in the page instead of the roll-my-own-KML route (especially since you’re no longer stuck with just the cheesy Google markers) , but MyMaps has always been flaky with embedding video in infowindows. Also, you’ve got a lot more flexibility with the styling of infowindows when you do it on your own.

MyMaps did recently implement collaborative editing, though, so now you can set up a map that anyone can edit. That could come in handy. I think the ZeeMaps and Mapbuilder folks may be on a bit of shaky ground if Google keeps co-opting their features.

I do like ZeeMaps’ PDF concept, but Mapquest? And $14.95? Ouch!