Part II shows you what the Google Maps system is capable of doing. In this section you’ll find
information on some excellent sample applications and how to create your own Google Maps
applications by extending the functionality of the core Google examples.Part III is crammed full of examples of Google Maps applications, starting with basic markers
and overlays, moving through dynamically driven examples and on to methods of highlighting
key points and elements for archaeologists and Realtors. The section finishes up with an exam-
ple of a route description application. All of the examples demonstrated can be viewed online.Part IV covers the Google Earth application. Google Earth is a standalone application, rather
than a web site solution like Google Maps, and offers a completely new set of methods for
describing information.Conventions Used in This Book
In this book, you’ll find several notification icons—Note, Caution, and Tip—that point out
important information. Here’s what the three types of icons look like:Notes provide you with additional information or resources.A caution indicates that you should use extreme care to avoid a potential disaster.A tip is advice that can save you time and energy.Code lines are often longer than what will fit across a page. The symbol ;indicates that the
following code line is actually a continuation of the current line. For example,
var newlat = latpoints[0] + ((latpoints[latpoints.length-1] - ;
latpoints[0])/2);is really one line of code when you type it into your editor.Code, functions, URLs, and so forth within the text of this book appear in a monospace
font, while content you will type appears either boldor monospaced.xxii Introduction
03_790095 flast.qxp 6/12/06 1:28 PM Page xxii