[Clancy]

As requested we have now installed a GoogleMap here at Guitar for Beginners & Beyond where members will be able to visually show their location on a world map.

To access the map just click on the "Member Locations" link in the nav bar. I've made this link only visable to logged-in members.

For those who are not familiar with Googlemap and how it works, basically, when you view the map you will notice balloon like markers. These markers show where members of our forum are located. If you click on any one of the markers, the username of the member will be shown, from there you can click on the member's link and you will be taken to their profile page.

You will notice that if you zoom in enough (using the zoom controls located on the left hand side right on the the map itself) that North America is shown in detail. You can see streets etc. The rest of the world has yet to have that kind of detail, but you can still add your marker. I would suggest that North Americans only put the marker on their town, not on their street address for obvious reasons.

If you are a member and would like to add your location marker, the instructions on how to do so are right there on the Googlemap page, but I'll put them here as well.

Instructions for inserting your location marker:

To insert your location marker on the map, simply click the "Insert, Modify or Delete your Location" link on the GoogleMap page, then drag your curser over the map to center the map on your location (you can then use the zoom controls to further pinpoint your area).

The latitude and longitude will change automatically. When you are happy with your selection, just enter some text to accompany your location marker (you don't need to add your username as this will be added in for you automatically) then just click the "Insert your information button" and you're done.

If you want to edit or delete your marker at any stage, just click on the "Insert, Modify or Delete your Location" link and either edit the marker location (or the text) and click the "Update your information" button, or if you want to delete your location altogether, just tick the checkbox next to "delete your information" then just click the "Update your information" button.

Please note: If your marker doesn't show immediately, just close and restart your browser or clear your browser's cache. This is a Google cache issue, it doesn't have anything to do with the Guitar for Beginners and Beyond site.

Please also note that it's not perfect and is still in the beta stage. For example, you may need to move the map around using your curser for the marker balloons to appear. This is a fairly new extension for vBulletin and is in the production stage, but more features and updates are being added all the time. A big thank you goes to StonyArc at vbulletin.org for making this extension available.

As usual if you have any problems, questions or suggestions, just post them down at the Suggestions and Troubleshooting forum and I'll answer them there.

Clancy

UPDATE - NEW GOOGLEMAP

The new features include the ability to see the list of members who have added their link... which means you can now go and click on the link "Show on Map" link next to the members name and be to be taken directly to that members location.

You will also notice that the resolution of many areas is now more defined. We even have most of our own Tamborine Mountain shown in high definition (satelite view).

If you have added your location before and would like to move it... I had my location about 60kms from where we actually are... you can just go to the "your entry" link and update your location. The only thing that differs from the old map is that you now have to give your marker a title.

If you haven't added your location and would like to, just go to http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...ooglemapme.php and add your marker.

Please note: for obvious reasons it's best not to put your marker right where you live, putting a marker in the general area where you live is the best thing to do for security reasons.

Please also note that only members can see the map and add their markers.

Let me know if anyone has any problems with the new map. It does take a while to load (dial up will be slow) - and you need to jiggle your mouse around a bit sometimes for the pop up ballons to show, but all in all it works pretty well I think. Once again a big thank you go to StonyArc over at vbulletin.org for making this available.

Clancy