The Brat Map

[Da Nag]

Introducing: The Brat Map

To skip all the gory details, just click here, and go have fun with our latest C-Brat toy!

For those of you with a little more patience, here's the scoop.

The Brat Map leverages our membership information to build a dynamic, interactive map using Google Maps technology. Getting your information on the map is simple:

1. Login with your C-Brat account
   
2. Update your profile to include your ZIP code (see privacy info below)
   
3. If you haven't done so already, enter your C-Dory information.
   

That's it!

Features

The default map contains a push-pin for every C-Brat who has entered the required profile information above. The push-pins are color coded by C-Dory type; there's a unique color for 16's, 19's, 22's, 25's, Tomcats and "Other".

There's also a unique color for Dealer and Factory Representatives, which are further distinguished by a "D" and "F" on the push-pins.

No need to memorize any of this - there's a legend at the top of the map.

Usage

Usage of the map is pretty self-explanatory, but there are a couple tricks that are not obvious. If you're familiar with Google Maps, you'll be right at home.

• If you want to narrow the scope of displayed members, click on the push-pins in the legend. This will redraw the map, showing only members with the C-Dory type you selected. This also works for listing Dealer and Factory representatives that are members.
  
• To center the map, move your mouse to the desired location, and double-click. The map will center on that spot.
  
• Use the slider on the left side of the map to zoom in/out. It's a good idea to center the map first, on the area for which you want more detail.
  
• You can pan the map - just hold down your mouse button and drag the map display.
  
• Once you can distinguish one push-pin from another (things get crowded when zoomed way out), click on them for details about the member or dealer. The popup window includes a link to the member's profile, location info (if available), information about their C-Dory, a link to their photo album (if one exists), and any information in the member's signature.
  

Limitations

The main limitation...apologies to our Canadian friends. The Google map interface that builds the map requires lat/lon coords to determine where to stick the push-pin. Trouble is...I can find no publicly available list of Canadian postal codes with their related lat/lon central coordinates. Unlike the US, which provides this info free of charge via the US Census web site, the official Canadian version costs $9,000...

I've got a couple queries out, but have found nothing yet. If anyone can find such data, by all means - let me know so our Canadian Brats won't be left out in the cold...so to speak.

Privacy

The ZIP code you enter in your profile is not visible anywhere - folks can't see it when they look at your profile. Also, the push-pin centers itself in the approximate center of your zip code - you can zoom way in to the street level on the map, but for obvious reasons, we don't want to pinpoint a member's house.

Still, as with all the info in your member profile, we won't ever use it for anything other than making this site better, and you're more than welcome to leave any of this data blank. If you don't want to be on the map, just don't enter a ZIP code.

That's about it. I'll be updating this post as new features are added.

Updates

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2005-10-23
Map code rewritten to address performance problems
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[C-Hawk]

In California speak----

Dude, narley, way cool!!

[Chuckpacific]

Bill,

Enter Zip Code where...? Under what category? City? State?

Chuck

[Da Nag]

It just hit me I'm taking a couple things for granted...there are a couple things that may not be obvious, unless one is familiar with how a Google Map functions.

- Centering the map. Move your mouse anywhere on the map, and double-click. The map will center on that spot.

- Use the slider on the left side of the map to zoom in/out. It's a good idea to center the map first, on the area for which you want more detail.

- Once you can distinguish one push-pin from another (things get crowded when zoomed way out), click on them for details about the member.

- A push-pin will only exist if your profile has C-Dory Model info, and a zip code entered.

- A word on privacy. The ZIP code you enter in your profile is not visible anywhere - folks can't see it when they look at your profile. Also, the push-pin centers itself in the approximate center of your zip code - you can zoom way in to the street level on the map, but for obvious reaons, we don't want to pinpoint a member's house. As with all the info in your member profile, we won't ever use it for anything other than making this site better, and you're more than welcome to leave any of this data blank.

Have fun!

[Da Nag]

[Patrout]

Bill...
You are scary!!
Thanks for a great new way to feel part of a tremendous community.
Pat

[Rick from Maine]

In Downeast speak: Finestkind

[rogerbum]

When do you find time to fish and boat?! Way cool dude!

Roger on the SeaDNA

[MOOSE]

We don't need no stinkin' Frappers when we have you, Bill! This is nifty.
Al

[Mighty Bite]

Very, very cool, Bill. I gotta give this a "10"!

[Catman]

Supernerd, your subjects adore you! Perhaps none of us ever have been privy to such selfless technical alacrity.

In addition to the above encomiums, read what a national magazine said about you: Bay area denizen Supernerd shines in his dimly lit mew, maximizing both brilliant white orbs to fashion "Flipper", a constituent to enhanced facilitation of online communication with his aquatic playmates.
Laconic in person, virtually loquacious in his veiled quarters, Supernerd continues to impart his mellifluous tone of sublime benevolence to the fawning fans comprising his sailing subculture. ~Computer World

Supernerd, you're the coolest!

[Robbi]

Is that the same dude with the chainsaw? Robbi

[El and Bill]

Well done, Bill -- great to see where everyone hangs out.

[Alyssa Jean]

Very cool Bill. Just for giggles I changed my zip code to my place in Maui where we are right now and was able to generate a satellite view also. Would a data window on the home page where you could type in a zip and get a map of that area be of any use? Might be good for planning a trip. Might also put more stuff on the home page than you want.

[journey on]

My God (or yours). Jeff must be salivating at the thought of all those empty spaces in which to sell C-Dorys.

From So-Cal, this is really trick. A link on the home page is needed (but you knew that.)

Boris