New Posting Features - Phoogle! An interactive Google Maps mapping system.

Keywords: Phoogle, Google, Maps, BBCode

Description:
Allows for the insertion of interactive Google Maps within posts via a new BBCode. Supports point labeling as well as multiple points per map.

Details:
I became increasingly annoyed after seeing more and more links to maps being butchered when posted on forums. I had remembered seeing the nifty Phoogle Maps and figured, "why not?"

A few headaches later.. here we are.

[hr]-[/hr]
Usage:
[map]value[/map]
[map=Option]value[/map]

Example:
[map]1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500[/map]
[map=The White House]1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500[/map]

Multiple Locations Example:
[map]1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500;E Capitol St NE & 1st St NE, Washington, DC 20001[/map]
[map=The White House;Capitol Building]1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500;E Capitol St NE & 1st St NE, Washington, DC 20001[/map]

[hr]-[/hr]
Installation:

1. Download and import product-phoogle2.0Beta1.xml via the Product Manager.
2. If you do not already have one, obtain a free Google Maps API key.
3. Configure Phoogle! via the AdminCP (vBulletin Options > Phoogle Settings).
4. ???
5. Profit!

Notes:
When adding/editing a map via AJAX Quick Reply or Quick Edit, you must refresh the page to see changes.

[hr]-[/hr]
Comments:
As with all my hacks, this modification is provided free of charge. However, if you find this product useful and have money burning a hole in your pocket, feel free to make a small donation, I won't mind.. really.

Version History:

• 1.0.0 - Initial release, here's to hoping..
• 1.0.1 - Added check for post preview, [map] code will NOT be parsed when previewing (because it can't).
• 1.1.0
  • Eliminated need for functions_phoogle.php
  • Modified way [map] tags are parsed
  • Moved previously static html to templates
  • Changed way multiple locations per posts is defined (separated by ;)
  • Added check for cURL() if not, uses file_get_contents()
• 2.0 Beta 1
  • Proper error handling. Will now verify address (and make reccomended changes) before submitting.
  • Javascript will not be loaded on pages that do not have maps (woops!)
  • Few internal tweaks to (hopefully) speed things up.
• 2.0 Beta 2 - Plays nice with the [noparse][/noparse] tags. (thanks Tralala)

* Please note that this modification was developed on a forum with a userbase of 1 (myself). I've tested it for basic functionality but I cannot guarantee functionality or behavior on your forum. So, please -- make backups before installing this product!

[tei727]

i get the map just fine but at the end it say's titleCase then the city's name.

titleCase('TIMONIUM'

[krela]

Originally Posted by krela

Is there any way this would work by putting in lat/long yourself and not relying on a geocoder at all?

i.e.

[map=name]lat, long[/map]

I know this bypasses some functionality, but it would make this module workable for people who either a) don't want to use it specifically for postal addresses or b) have international geocoding issues.

Preferably the option for both would be cool, some kind of check to see if the code given is already in lat/long format, if not parse it through a geocoder.

It must be possible reasonably easily because the geocoder simply converts the address to long/lat anyway.

This would make it the perfect mod for me!

No matter, I've edited the mod so it works with zip, address or lat,long inputs

[ThePiston]

is there a way to add maps for UK addresses?

[nsusa]

How does this thing uninstall? I uninstalled it from the "Manage Products" area, but now it triggers a database error every time someone is trying to write a posting or is starting a new topic.

[magnus]

There's no magic to uninstalling. I've installed/uninstalled dozens of times with no ill-effect. Without knowing the database error, there's not much that can be done.

[Tralala]

Any updates to this, magnus? Curious to know if you're still working on it.

[Digital Jedi]

I've went nuts trying to make BBC code that would do this a couple of months ago. I even asked at vB.com and they didn't know about this. This will really enhance the regional tournament section of our forums, as I usually just post links to all the map sites with the address inputted. This will simplify, and enhance things greatly. I've installed it on our demo forums. It seems to work perfectly, and with my [wrap] tags it looks sharp.

Thanks a bunch.

[Cyburbia]

Originally Posted by bugriders

Installed and working!! Thanks. Great hack.

The only thing.... I want to use the map for countries: Belgium and Holland.
If I try I receive: Invallid adress.

I supose I have to change the Geocode API URL

I've been looking for that code on http://www.google.com/apis/maps/docu...oding_Examples

but no results

Bumping. I'd also like to know if there's an alternative geocode API URL that isn't as finicky as the Yahoo URL. As in Google Maps, I'd like to be able to enter a city, state and zip code alone, or just a city and state/province alone.

EDIT: This doesn't seem to be working in Opera (9.10, Windows XP, Java and JavaScript enabled). I'm having the same problems others have reported with IE 7, too. It does work with K-Meleon, though.

[filt]

This seems like a great mod, but i would really LOVE to just use lat and long!

[cynthetiq]

Awesome. thank you works right off the shelf as advertised.