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.

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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]

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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.

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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!

[PGAmerica]

OK, I installed this and I configured it. I do not see anything different in the forums. What am I supposed to see? I went through the UserCP, the posting screens. I see nothing new.

[Digital Jedi]

It doesn't add anything new. It adds the ability to parse address into a Google Map using BBCode.

[captbunzo]

Hey folks.... I found this lovely add-on today. As others, I got the "Invalid Address" error as Yahoo is now requiring keys similar to google. So, in a fit of coding fury, I hacked up the code....switching the yahoo geocoding functionality over to google.

This is now working for me. I cannot guarantee it will work for you.

I am happy to work with the original author as well to get this "officially" posted here so that it will show up as updatable, etc, in vbulletin.

Enjoy!

[ThePiston]

how would we go about 'fixing' our install with that file?

[captbunzo]

Originally Posted by ThePiston

how would we go about 'fixing' our install with that file?

1. Download my XML file to your computer.
2. Login to the vBulletin admin interface.
3. Go to Plugins & Products > Manage Products.
4. Click [Add/Import Product] at the bottom of the list of installed products.
5. Click browse, select my XML file that you downloaded to your computer.
6. Choose Yes for the option Allow Overwrite.
7. Hit Import.
8. Go to vBulletin Options > Phoogle Settings.
9. Replace the Geocode API URL with this value: http://maps.google.com/maps/geo?output=xml
10. Hit Save.

Go to a post now and try to create some map BBCODE (as described above). When you preview / submit your post you should not see a map....

[SVTCobraLTD]

I am interested in using this but is the only map that will be displayed from the API code? Or can anyone use this feature?

[Digital Jedi]

Originally Posted by SVTCobraLTD

I am interested in using this but is the only map that will be displayed from the API code? Or can anyone use this feature?

I'm not sure what you mean. The API is just what was used to develop this mod. The mod itself adds new BBCode to your forum called [map]. So as long as all your users can use BBCode, then yes, everyone can use it.

[stwilson]

Wow. This MOD looks great but not 3.7.2! Any chance of getting this updated and support for lat/long?

[WildSoftCat]

Originally Posted by captbunzo

Hey folks.... I found this lovely add-on today. As others, I got the "Invalid Address" error as Yahoo is now requiring keys similar to google. So, in a fit of coding fury, I hacked up the code....switching the yahoo geocoding functionality over to google.

This is now working for me. I cannot guarantee it will work for you.

I am happy to work with the original author as well to get this "officially" posted here so that it will show up as updatable, etc, in vbulletin.

Enjoy!

It works fine 3.7.2 !:up:

Maybe author would add "nl", "oe" and "ie" parms to map url (look here http://code.google.com/apis/maps/faq...nguagesupport? )

[jim6763nva]

Can't get it to work in vb 3.7.3 PL1 either. Keep getting the dreaded "invalid address" error.