Objectives Google Maps is an application program interface that allows web developers to display points of interest on a map and show information about those locations. In this activity, attendees will be given a “starter” web page, and we will add functionality to it.
Attendees will learn how to convert a street address to geographic coordinates (geocoding), and display that location on a map. Other Google Maps features, including displaying a 1-mile radius around a point, will be shown.
Once we have a working Google Maps webpage, the presenter will discuss how that application can be extended to a more sophisticated website that includes JavaScript controls, a PHP back-end, and a MySQL database using the public web hosting site HostMonster.com. The example will be a website that shows locations of food pantries, convenience stores, supermarkets, SNAP vendors (food stamps), and summer lunch programs for a county in New York state (SICMFOOD.COM).
Participants should bring a laptop running a browser, or be able to share such with at most one other attendee.
Targeted Attendees This workshop is designed for attendees interested in learning about Google Maps and setting up a small Google Maps application. Previous HTML experience is useful but not necessary.
Recommended Citation: Yoder, R., (2016). Getting started with Google Maps. Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference, (2016) n.4173, Las Vegas, Nevada