Jelff wrote:Hello Everyone.
My name is Joseph and I am a software developer in the field of online maps. The maps that I will post here at Storm2k are a public service and part of my way to “pay it forward”. These maps are not part of any commercial endeavor.
The maps are displayed by Gmap4 which is an enhanced Google map viewer that I developed. One unique feature of this browser app is the ability to display a vast amount of data this is hosted on GIS (Geographical Information System) servers. Government agencies at all levels operate GIS servers and much of that data is open and thus viewable with GIS savvy software.
Specifically, Gmap4 can display any user-specified public-facing ArcGIS MapServer and ImageServer data. Gmap4 can also display map tiles via WMS, WMTS and XYZ. Each time a map is opened or a data overlay layer is turned on, the most recent data that is hosted on the GIS server(s) flows to the user’s screen.
Gmap4 automatically displays a touch interface on mobile devices and a mouse interface on non-mobile devices.
If you would like to know more about Gmap4, here is the homepage with lots of examples and help info:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html
I have been asked why I produce these maps and the short answer is because I can. The slightly longer short answer is because I like maps, I enjoy helping people and I have the technical wherewithal.
Next, I will post a stream gage map in the Harvey discussion thread.
Hi, Joseph,
Thanks for your reply to me over in the Harvey Discussion thread. I've only had a chance to look at a little of your site, but, I like it!.
Rather than clutter up the Harvey thread further with another OT question, I'll ask here:
Not all of us have smartphones with unlimited data or connectivity. (Even Verizon's signal is intermittent right at my home, and all of them (providers' signal) are at some of our favorite outdoor recreation spots.) So, I end up trying to print online maps often, but one of my biggest gripes with online maps is that few sources display with colors that work well on a typical low to mod-end printer. Or if they do, they have other problems. (maps.stamen.com is a good example, with variants that lose too much detail as one zooms in to the maps that might actually print well.) Even my $500 (retail list price) color laser printer is quite marginal in this respect. The colors are too washed out, and if printing in greyscale, on anything lesser, it's as bad or worse. Trying to use such printouts when travelling is at a minimum aggravating, and sometimes distracting. Sometimes B4 a trip I'll copy / paste a screenshot and work with it in a photo editor, cranking up gamma, contrast, etc., but this is time consuming and has disadvantages too, like greatly intensifying the colors for water bodies, and so on, leading to use of lots of toner or ink, and even then not getting good results overall. Plus, who needs a beige (etc.) background for printing a street map, less terrain? (More toner waste.)
What is needed is something with colors similar to a lot of the state maps one picks up at rest stops, etc. That's especially true of older maps. Some of the new ones have poor color choices and / or use washed out soy inks -- I guess they are trying to "go green" or save ink cost? I was looking though some of my Dad's old maps, and mine, and one of the color schemes I like best is Illinois, tho' their parks and such are darker than need be. (I can scan and attach an example portion of a map to an e-mail to you.) Basically, my guide would be white background in general; roads, symbols, special features or data points in high-gamma colors; larger cities in light yellow (unless the city dominates the map); parks, water bodies and so on in light pastels; maybe if a given state occupies, oh, I don't know, over 75% of a given view, the other states go to a light brown or pastel background, and so on. If terrain is added then a background similar to others online (Google, for example) would be necessary, but still with the goal of the high gamma color items listed above kept in high gamma, with reasonably high contrast, and a thought to what results will be in grayscale.
Is this doable without it being wayyyy too much work?
I'm not out to harm existing printed map sellers' revenue (maybe limitations or such could be built in), but, truth be told, no printed map maker comes remotely close to what everyone now expects from online maps (even with the limitations from some online maps providers).
What do you think? No rush on an answer. (It might be best to PM me, but to kick this off, I posted here, as others may have ideas too.)
BTW - I wish I had your software knowledge. As a kid, I loved drawing my own maps, model railroad layouts (some were empires
), you name it!Thanks!
. At any rate there have been issues about everything from health to just plain wanting to retire (which I've since done)-- and rather than bore anyone further, just want to say it's good to be back. I SO remember so many of these names; vbhoutex, cycloneye, CajunMama, and Southerngale -- with due apologies to some I've forgotten. I'm hoping all is well with everyone and continue my prayers for the safety of anyone in the path of the current storms particularly at this time, Irma. Good to be back! 
