goMap - go find yourself

Version 2.0.0

Module Overview

As database gurus, it was necessary to come up with a use for the Google Maps API that would utilize some database integration. GoMap provides the ability for you to integrate a Google Maps instance within your DotNetNuke site to any source query you see fit. Sign up for a Google Maps API key, install our goMap DotNetNuke module and join in the fun!

Since Google Maps provides such a high end ability to display the mapping information you require, we provide a built in feature of pinpointing the users within your portals within their Countries and Regions which they have specified. Putting a whole new spin on Users Online!

GoMap 2.0 is completely user friendly, easy to use, and 100% Wizard driven. The wizard provides assistance step by step for setting up your configurations and makes is quick, easy and painless.

	Intelligent Plotting Capabilities - goMap provides serious power in the display of your coordinates, providing three unique plotting capabilities, meant to suite the needs of even the most difficult project. Simultaneous - Provides the ability to render all the points on the map, with no additional interaction level required. Time-Lapse - The points can be plotted on the map in the order which they are appearing within your table or query, with additional delay provided by a Timer value providing a more realistic playback. With our included Countries Online configuration, you can view your Users Online in a while new way. Watch as your good name spreads worldwide! Positional - Many companies require the ability to view data specifically in regions all around the world, without the need to plot every point at all times. With Positional mapping, you can display only the points within a customized radius of the point which has been clicked on the map. Plus, with our Zoom features, points are plotted based on their predefined Zoom levels. Meaning, you can plot summary points when a user Zooms out beyond a certain level, then display Detail points when a user Zooms in!
	Data Sensitive - To make goMap more adapatable to the environment where it is installed, the Bi4ce.goMap module provides the ability to read and update the point information from three types of data sources. XML - The records can be maintained in a fixed, XML file, providing a simplistic method for passing and updating the data between DotnetNuke installations. Supports both read and write of the point records. Table/View - The records can be directly read and updated within a database table or view. Query - The points can be pulled through a custom sql query. This method provides more dynamic capabilities within the results, but does not support updates.
	Speed and Performance - To improve the plotting capabilities of goMap, AJAX has been employed throughout the UI, providing the ability to fetch more points, faster with less lead time. Zooming in and out of your data with multiple Zoom levels defined, or clicking on a positional map to load more coordinates is fast, and simple, thanks to the power of AJAX. Plus, the reading and updating of points within the Wizard also utilize AJAX, so you can quickly Add new points and Edit existing points!
	Find Yourself! - The Wizard also provides the ability to perform a GEO lookup for the coordinates based on a specific address! Just click on the Find Address feature within the Wizard to add points based on your address. The address lookup is not limited to US addresses like many GEO Lookup services, world wide addresses are also supported - all thanks to the power of the Google search engine!
	Your Points, Your Way - Why limit yourself to difficult control and handling of the markers on your map. Bi4ce.goMap provides the ability to add any points you want, with the style, icon and layout you prefer. All with the simplicity and ease you expect from Bi4ce modules.

Table of Contents

Overview - overview of the features and benefits of goMap
Wizard - a full, in depth understanding of the wizard and its functionality.
- Configuration - Selecting, using and saving your configurations for goMap.
- Data Type - a guide to using the three types of storage mechanism for your goMap points.
- Data Source - after selecting a type, the ins and outs of using the specified Data Type.
- General Settings - the basic requirements of goMap, and the three types of displays.
- Advanced Settings - an in-depth understanding of how to setup the advanced features of goMap.
Nuts and Bolts - a brief overview of the provided UsersOnline and PeopleOnline samples.

Blistering Fast Interaction

Taking the presentation layer further into the future, goMap provides the ability to utilize AJAX, Asynchronous Javascript and XML, to handle all the loading and interaction with your data. With goMap and AJAX, viewing all the points in your presentation layer is accelerated to maximum speed and efficiency - posting back only the information necessary to the server for the desired points, and providing quick and simple integration with the Google Maps API. Since DotNetNuke can sometimes load slower than other ASP.Net based applications, utilizing goMap with AJAX within DNN increases the overall speed and efficiency of the user experience.

Your Configuration - Anywhere, Anytime!

The entire Configuration specified using the Wizard provided on the goMap module are stored within the installation directory under a folder named Config. In situations when you desire to utilize the same basic layout of a goMap Module between multiple instances, or when you need to duplicate the goMap on multiple installations of DotNetNuke, you can simply copy and pase the configuration file used on one instance, for another. Plus, if you use XML for the storage of your points, the file is also readily available for your usage.