PHPCon PL 2011 – Geolocation and Maps with PHP (Derick Rethans)
Derick Rethans has presented how we can use maps and geolocation in our web application.
Of course maps are strictly GUI related so we need to have some knowledge about JavaScript. But sample code we saw on slides was really simple so no one should have problems with that. At least in basic use cases.
Almost all developers think about Google Maps when they consider solutions that will let them use maps on a site they are building.
But as Derick showed us there are alternatives for Google Maps.
He has mentioned Leaflet (JavaScript library for interactive maps) and OpenStreetMaps (open alternative for Google Maps).
You can see his presentation here.
According to Derick you can even host your own map service thanks to OpenStreetMaps data that can be downloaded for free.
His presentation was full of "realtime demos" what made it really interesting.
Maps are just one think that we could use in our application but even plain data about places location could be used in many interesting ways.
With a bit of imagination and creativity you can create amazing and interesting things.
I can't wait to play with that some day.
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