How to convert and share locations for others.

06-09-2010 16:56 by John Varley (comments: 0)

Converting addresses to gps & altering mapping site url strings

How to convert addresses to latitude/longitude or vice versa

Altering Google Maps Url Strings

When you visit google maps, it doesn't display the url strings by default. Instead they prefer you to navigate multiple pages, refer people via the main page, or include long irrelevant strings as well as tracking information.

The excellent plaintext strings are very easy to read and strip down on the whole, if you recognise character encoding features such as both %20 and + representing a space in urls so links are not broken upon copying.

Useful Google strings:

First you must prefix these strings with maps.google.tld/maps?

Also if you are using multiple strings, you must join them with an ampersand (&).
reset maps ct=reset
 Appears when you strip the strings out and go back to the google maps root.
show a location q=location The simplest way to show a location on a map. add the two character country code (or 2 char US state) if there is a better known but similarly named location. eg. q=Manchester,US or Manchester,KY
go to or from a location

q=to:location

q=from:location

As above, but it adds the location as a destination.

q=from:location1+to:location2
zoom level z=10 Enter a number from 0 to...23. 0 being a zoomed out world view.
things near near=location

Combine this with q= to provide a top 10 locations, landmarks or businesses near another location.

eg. q=BBC&near=Manchester,UK
tile view t=

a,b,c,d appear to be very similar vector map tiles

e,f,g appear to be a combination of aerial and vector map tiles that never end loading in chromium, perhaps I'm missing an overlay string.

h aerial shots with roads & names overlaid 

i and j are vector tiles

k disables map labels

p is a terrain view
location information overlays lci=

wikipedia = org.wikipedia.en

photographs = com.panoramio.all

videos = com.youtube.all

webcams = com.google.webcams

bike routes = bike
additional layer layer=

my favourite is the pointless terrain and traffic combo (t=p&layer=t)

More useful is mrt=realestate&layer=t
Here are some examples, just enter your own location information at the end
Overlay map with traffic and available properties for sale.

http://maps.google.com/maps?mrt=realestate&z=15&layer=t&q=Manchester
No text labels & photographs overlay http://maps.google.com/maps?z=10&lci=com.panoramio.all&t=k&q=Bali
How do I find that thing near that place? http://maps.google.com/maps?q=BBC&near=Manchester,UK

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