Maps Update

[Pete Eeles]

It must be a quiet period

At long last, I've completed something that I've been planning for some considerable time - integration with Google Maps. Take a look here:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites_ng ... pecies=All

This is infinitely better than the static maps originally in place that were almost impossible to view if the particular grid square contained a lot of sites. You can now dynamically move around the map, zoom in and out, and combine roads with terrain etc. The only downside is that the latitude and longitude that Google Maps uses has been calculated from grid references, which are up to 20 metres out in some places. I'll continue looking for a more accurate conversion and if anyone has a good source of accurate algorithms, I'd appreciate seeing them!

As ever, feedback welcome. I could give instructions but if the implementation doesn't speak for itself, then it is, by definition, not good enough

Cheers,

- Pete

[Rogerdodge]

Pete,
It looks briliant to me.
The only issue I have is that you have to move from map to map via the large blue arrows on the map edges, as scrolling zooming out and then dragging to re-centre doesn't allow the PushPins in the new area to show.
It is a really good enhancement to an already excellent site.
Well done.

[Pete Eeles]

The only issue I have is that you have to move from map to map via the large blue arrows on the map edges, as scrolling zooming out and then dragging to re-centre doesn't allow the PushPins in the new area to show.

Thanks Roger. Yeah - I know this is a problem. Unfortunately, the way Google Maps works, is that the only way this could happen is if I were to load all of the sites in the database onto the page which takes a while! But I will look into this.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

I guess this would be the starting point:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites2.php

... but it's very very slow. Gives me something to think about this coming week though!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

A vast improvement Pete, this will make it much easier to see each site on the grid squares!

Cheers

Lee

[Pete Eeles]

I guess this would be the starting point:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites2.php

... but it's very very slow. Gives me something to think about this coming week though!

Cheers,

- Pete

Time to admit defeat - the sheer amount of data needed to render a map of the entire UK is very slow. So I've compromised. On this page:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites.php

You'll see a link to this page:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites2.php

Take your choice

Cheers,

- Pete

[m_galathea]

Excellent updates, thanks Pete. Nice to have the option to show all of the locations at once too.

Is there going to be an effort to add in additional locations at all? I appreciate that it's lots of work for 'the team' to verify members' recommendations regarding public access etc, but I think it would be really worthwhile if we could all contribute in this way.

Alexander

[Pete Eeles]

Excellent updates, thanks Pete. Nice to have the option to show all of the locations at once too.

Is there going to be an effort to add in additional locations at all? I appreciate that it's lots of work for 'the team' to verify members' recommendations regarding public access etc, but I think it would be really worthwhile if we could all contribute in this way.

Alexander

That's (almost) next on my list! Will be there in a few days. Thanks for the prod!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

All done (took an hour!). So - to add a new site (which will be "moderated" before being accepted), just go to the sites page at:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites.php

Then click on the link to the "Add a Site" form at:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/site_form.php

and then fill in the details. Once you've submitted this form, you'll then be able to add species (and ratings) to the site. And, once this information is checked, it will become live immediately.

As ever, feedback welcome. Note: Please don't add sensitive sites, or sites on private land - thx!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

Another excellent update to the site Pete - good work!

Can I just check though, are you after sites where unusual or species that are not widespread can be found or sites where things can be found in abundance (e.g. a thriving common blue population) or this field is great for Orange Tips in May etc...

Thanks,

Lee

[Pete Eeles]

Another excellent update to the site Pete - good work!

Can I just check though, are you after sites where unusual or species that are not widespread can be found or sites where things can be found in abundance (e.g. a thriving common blue population) or this field is great for Orange Tips in May etc...

Thanks,

Lee

Given the new mechanism that is now more scalable - I think that both would be useful additions!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

While all of the suggested sites are getting added correctly, I've noticed that some of the species logged at these sites are not always getting successfully incorporated.

If any members who have added sites could please check their entries (which have all been accepted) and re-enter any missing species I'd appreciate it. This time round I'll be taking a backup in case the entries don't get incorporated and I can debug the problem.

Thx again gang!

Cheers,

- Pete

[m_galathea]

I've re-entered the ones I submitted. The ones that didn't get added before were the ones that I didn't include a rating for.

[Pete Eeles]

Brilliant. Bug fixed

Thanks for taking the time to re-enter this lot. Much appreciated!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

I've amended the "site contribution" form to allow members to drag a "pin" around to set the grid reference, latitude and longitude. Enjoy!

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/site_form.php

Cheers,

- Pete