41 replies to this topic

[Nick Springer]

I have added 2 new member profile fields: latitude and longitude. I would like to create a dynamic map on CartoTalk of the locations of our members.

Please take a moment and update your profile with this information if you don't mind. Please use decimal degrees, south and west are negative.

Once we have a fair number I will set up the map.

I have already implemented a system to display country flags based on member IP addresses.

[Martin Gamache]

I have already implemented a system to display country flags based on member IP addresses.

Unfortunately for us foreigners living or working in the US, having the stars and stripes next to our name is not exactly ideal...

mg (from french speaking Canada)

[ELeFevre]

Maybe you could a put a little Flag on your avatar? Personally, I like the country identifiers, but that's because mine is correct. I understand how this could grate on your nerves. After all, you are a cartographer, and proper name identification is key. Maybe there's a work around... Erin

[Nick Springer]

Martin - you make a valid point.

I have added another field to your user profile for Country if you don't like you IP assigned flag. Later today I will hook it up to the flag display code.

[Martin Gamache]

I was half kidding, I am the least nationalistic person I know, but having said that I dont like seeing a US flag next to my name in my profile. No offence to my host country patriots intended.

mg

[ELeFevre]

Nick,
What kind of information and functionality are you thinking about adding to the dynamic map? Erin

[Nick Springer]

I haven't thought that far ahead yet Basic location and maybe username.

Martin - You now boldly show your national colors.

[Martin Gamache]

OhHHHHHH CAAAANNAAAAADAAAAA

[Hans van der Maarel]

This is a nice addition, Nick. I'm especially looking forward to the dynamic map.

Maybe we can also rig it to show the locations of who's online?

[Jason]

I'd love to see where in the world all of the members are from.
I also like the idea of seeing the locals of who's online.
It'll probably have alot to do with timezones, but who knows, I know I am online at odd hours.

Maybe I'll be Canadian for the week, or maybe Lebanese. I like flags with trees.

[ELeFevre]

Maybe we can also rig it to show the locations of who's online?

That's a great idea. Maybe the state, region, or city could change color when a user from the area was online? I was thinking that maybe a link to the region could be interesting? It's always a lot more fun to learn about a new place your not familiar with when you have a connection to real people living there. Erin

[Nick Springer]

Online status is a good idea. Now we just have to get people to put in their Lat/Longs. I could get it from IP address but that's the location of the IP owner, usually the ISP.

I have also implemented the flags in the Members list. It's fun to see where everyone is from.

[Martin Gamache]

Now we just have to get people to put in their Lat/Longs.  I

Could just just force members to have to input it next time they try to log in and also make it a required field for any new members?

[Nick Springer]

I was afraid that if I made the Lat/Long fields mandatory on the registration page it might be nuisance for people that don't have the info handy, and therefore discourage them from completing the form.

I will look into some way of asking people to add their lat/long on login if they don't have it.

[Hans van der Maarel]

I think it'd be a bad idea to make that a mandatory field. To be honest, I wouldn't know the lat/lon of my location if you'd put a gun to my head... In fact, the location I entered is about 2 miles off... I had to peek in a gps log I once collected...

Also, slightly more embarassing... I can't seem to remember which one is lat and which one is lon...