Map on Website

[Pav]

I would like to put a map on a website as an image. Not a link to mapquest or Google maps (Which I am going also do), nor a google map on my webpage, Just a simple image. The google map is perfect if I save it as an image, but I'm not liscensed to use it. Does anybody know where a can purchase a map image.

[ChrisK]

It's best to re-create the map and only put the major intersections on the map.

[frostyone]

Have you looked at Google maps API?

"The Google Maps API lets developers embed Google Maps in their own web pages with JavaScript. You can add overlays to the map"

"The Maps API is a free beta service, available for any web site that is free to consumers."
http://www.google.com/apis/maps/

Edit to add you can look at this site:
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/
It's got links to various tools, etc. for Google maps

They're called Google hacks or mashups but use Google API
legitimately.

Toronto Star uses it as well.
Toronto Homicide map
http://www.thestar.com/static/googlemaps/starmaps.html?xml=homicides.xml

[Pav]

It's best to re-create the map and only put the major intersections on the map.

Could look fun, scanning a hand drawn map. I need something proffesional looking this time, though.


Have you looked at Google maps API? ...


Yes, I looked at the Google API, and it looks good, But all I need is a static map with one location, no ads or popups which google will put on. No worries about google going down or java script or browser security settings. A plain old fashion image.


Thanks for suggestions.

[frostyone]

a bit more information
In the U.S. it's primarily the USGS ( a federal agency) that produces topographic maps, satelite images etc.

Now the USGS is quite clear about this ( the copyright):
"USGS-authored or produced data and information are considered to be in the U.S. public domain"

Now someone like Microsoft, for example, makes use of this in their maps such as TerraServer. They use USGS supplied data, and images.
They are also a " partner " with the USGs and as such:

The partner site's copyright restrictions must be acceptable to the USGS - minimally allowing personal and non-commercial uses of USGS data or images displayed and downloaded through the interactive viewer.

In Canada, there are provincial, municipal, federal levels.

The biggest pain in the *** has always been the National Topographic Service at the federal level.
(Not the GSC, the USGS equivalent)
The NTS hold a Crown copyright on some key maps.
And apparently no one has told them the Internet exists. nor that
that the taxpayers paid for the maps to be produced. The NTS have jealously guarded it the Crown copyright as their very own.
They've hassled other government departments over it.
Idiots.
They seem to fear releasing any data would result in lost revenue.
Absolute idiots.

Anyways .
The screaming and complaints made about this, may have made some impact as they've just placed this new notice on their web site:

Permission to Use NTS Maps on a Web Site

Permission may be granted to an individual or organization to exploit or reproduce National Topographic System (NTS) maps free of charge on a web site.

A portion of an National Topographic System (NTS) map and other supporting publications such as NTS Index Maps may be published on a web site provided that:

* The scanned data is not for resale.
* The resolution of the displayed NTS map or NTS Index Map is 150 dots per inch or less.
* Less than 25% of the entire NTS map or NTS Index Map is displayed.


Well that's a start at least.
Anyways ,most other government agencies in Canada are far less restrictive.
It is after all paid for by the public, and it is in the public interest to make the info freely available.

You'll have to check the source of the map.
Which government department supplied it or the data.

If a government department supplied the initial data, there may be a secondary clause allowing third party use.

[Pav]

I checked out the NTS. Their maps are topographical, I'm looking for a road map.

Both Google and mapquest have copywrite 2005 Navteq on their maps and I visited Navteq's website, but they don't seem to have a service for purchasing a map.

I'm going to check out pearly's, I know they have a map CD, but they dont seem to have a website, so I'm probably going to have to buy it and check their copywrite.

[frostyone]

Ontariio will let you use provincial maps/data free .
Their copyright policy is here:
http://www.gov.on.ca/ont/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_0_252/_s.7_0_A/7_0_252/_l/en?docid=004222

You can make your own map using LIO, (Land Information Ontario) that use a "public" type copyright.
It has roads etc.
http://www.lio.mnr.gov.on.ca/

Click on make a topograhic map.
When you finally load the applet, it won't look like much: just a map of Ontario.
Click the zoom tool and click on say Toronto.
Keep clicking. As it zooms in more and more layers are added.
The legend will change as well.
You eventually get a detailed road map.

To actually get the most out of it, you'll have to look at their instructions,
It can be a bit of a pain.
What it does is pull information from various databases.
You can choose what to add' remove etc.

[Pav]

http://www.lio.mnr.gov.on.ca/


This was a good link, it had some Links to Stores.

Thanks