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Google Maps API v3

The Google Maps API provided for public use by Google is not an open source product.  However, we are free to use the product to create interactive web maps, with the understanding that Google can update/upgrade the product at any time.  Despite this, one compelling reason to use Google Maps API as a thin browser client is its integration with Google Fusion Tables.  Google Fusion Tables is a spatially aware database product that resides in the cloud, and is available for use by the public.  This allows us to take advantage of a geospatial database without having to maintain the database.

While Google Maps API handles KML files natively, the methods are still relatively primitive (API v3 is still a work in progress).  Many advanced users have discovered the functionality of the GeoXML3 library to enhance the ability to query and manipulate KML file data in Google Maps API.  The same library provides the ability to serve local files onto a Google Map, whereas the native Google Maps API requires data files to be served from a publicly-accessible server.

The current Google Maps API (Version 3) so far has spawned two books dedicated to that version.  (Several others cover API Version 2.)

The first is a beginner's reference book for API v.3, Beginning Google Maps API 3 by Gabriel Svennerberg.  (See the links to his blogs and articles in the table below.)










The second book is Map Scripting 101 by Adam DuVander.  In addition to the Google Maps API, the book also covers coding for Bing and Yahoo! Maps APIs.  This book teaches the use of the Mapstraction Javascript library to create code for mashups for the three commercial mapping API's.


An advantage of using Google Maps API is the overwhelming number of tutorials, blog entries, and forum support available.  The lists below are but a relatively small sampling of the support available (in English) over the Internet.  They cover API Version 3 articles for the most part.

The disadvantage of using the Google Maps API is the usage limit imposed on free (as in "free beer") usage of the API-powered interactive maps.  See the Mashups section of this website or refer to the Google Maps API FAQ page on "Usage Limits."

Web-based Tutorials and Resources


Tutorial/Resource URL
Google Maps JavaScript API v3 Documentation
 http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/
Google Maps API v3 Articles
 http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/articles.html
Geocodezip.com: the mother of mashup resource lists
 http://www.geocodezip.com/
Sterling Udell's Google Mashup Resources http://www.sterlingudell.com/bgmm/appendix_d/
Esa's Google Maps API Tricks blog http://apitricks.blogspot.com/
Google Maps API v2 & v3 examples (Esa's site)
 http://koti.mbnet.fi/ojalesa/exam/index.html
EasyPagez Google Maps API examples http://www.easypagez.com/maps/map_index.html
Export Excel Data to Google Maps http://theclosetentrepreneur.com/export-excel-data-to-google-maps
Geocode with Google Maps API v3 http://tech.cibul.net/geocode-with-google-maps-api-v3/
Google Code Playground (press "Maps") http://code.google.com/apis/ajax/playground/
Google Geo Developers Blog http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2010/10/five-great-styled-maps-examples.html
Code Globe API v3 Tutorial http://codeglobe.blogspot.com/2009/10/google-map-api-v3-tutorial.html
Google Map Basics (among others) - KDM Center http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/cat/maps
Google Custom Map Marker Maker http://www.powerhut.co.uk/googlemaps/custom_markers.php
Stiern.com Google Blog Entries http://stiern.com/tag/google-maps/
Google Maps API v3 Styled Map Wizard http://gmaps-samples-v3.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/styledmaps/wizard/index.html
Google Map API v3 with Custom Pins http://www.evoluted.net/thinktank/web-development/google-maps-api-v3-custom-location-pins
Google Maps Blog Entries at 1stwebdesigner.com http://www.evoluted.net/thinktank/web-development/google-maps-api-v3-custom-location-pins
Embedding OSM Tiles in Google Maps http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Google_Maps_Example#Example_Using_Google_Maps_API_V3
Google Maps API v3 Examples at blog.fpmurphy.com http://blog.fpmurphy.com/2010/10/google-maps-javascript-api-v3-examples.html
Google Maps Mania http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/
jQuery + Google Maps Demo http://weareallrobots.com/demos/map.html#
Make Your Google Maps Stand Out with Styles http://blog.programmableweb.com/2010/05/20/make-your-google-map-stand-out-with-styles/
Making Maps with Fusion Tables http://all-things-spatial.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html
Marker Icons Options Wizard http://gmaps-utility-library.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/mapiconmaker/release/examples/markericonoptions-wizard.html
Univ of Nebraska Omaha Google Maps API v3 Workshop http://maps.unomaha.edu/workshops/GoogleMaps.html
Upload Shapefiles directly to Fusion Tables http://porcupinealley.com/2010/dec/20/shape-escape/
Google Maps API jQuery Plugin http://www.mayzes.org/googlemaps.jquery.html
gmap3 jQuery Plugin for Google Maps http://gmap3.net/
Style your Google Maps with JSON http://tips4php.net/2010/06/style-your-google-maps-with-json/
Gabriel Svennerberg Articles and Tutorials on Google Maps API v3
 http://www.svennerberg.com/category/blog/articles/
http://www.svennerberg.com/category/blog/tutorials/
Display KML on Google Map http://display-kml.appspot.com/
Wisconsin State Cartographer's Fusion Table Mapping Tutorial http://www.sco.wisc.edu/news/new-tutorial-on-google-fusion-tables-available.html
Google Maps with KML (via GeoXML3) http://erskinelabs.com/cartography-javascript/


On-Line Google Maps API v3 User Forums



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