Ground Zero

If embedded maps are required on a Drupal site, the solution is barely more complicated than adding and enabling the gmap module with a registered Google Maps API key. The key, available for any web site that is free to consumers, is required to use the free beta service from Google and is valid for all directories of (only) the registered site.

To introduce capabilities of the gmap module, we give you a map of the primary staff at LS Net. You can click each of the map pins for more detail about our team. The blue circle describes the effective boundary of our on-site service without per-diem requirements.

The macro for the map (above) originated on a Drupal 5.9 site. The designated default input filter (full HTML) had to be modified to process the original ([gmap markers=drupal::36.66165,-80.92551 |zoom=16 |center=36.66165,-80.92551 |width=450px |height=250px |control=Small |type=Map]) gmap macro; a toggle at admin/settings/filters/3 enables the GMap filter for Full HTML. After the initial success, additional map pins and information balloons were added along with better map navigation controls in a larger area; the second generation macro became [gmap markers=drupal::36.66165,-80.92551:Woody<br>115 &frac12; W Grayson St<br>Galax, VA 24333<br>877.465.7638 + 36.71788894873847,-81.16682052612305: Miller<br>Elk Creek, VA + 36.69950,-81.09423:Tarvid<br>61 Caprine Ln<br>Independence, VA 24348 |zoom=11 |center=36.64473252005425,-81.12648010253906 |width=95% |height=430px |control=Large |type=Map]. A next step would be to generate a dynamic map which takes locative data from form inputs.

The next map enhancement modified the latitude and longitude for Tarvid to GPS-observed values (apparently Google or our Garmin requires significant calibration) … and the blue circle which roughly defines our one-day site-service area. This enhancement required just a little spherical geometry to approximate the theoretical center of our 200 kilometer service radius. The resulting gmap macro became [gmap circle=#55ddff/6/0.5: 36.68000,-81.05000 + 200 |markers=drupal::36.66165,-80.92551:Woody<br>115 &frac12; W Grayson St<br>Galax, VA 24333<br>877.465.7638 + 36.71789,-81.16682: Miller<br>Elk Creek, VA + 36.69950,-81.09423:Tarvid<br>61 Caprine Ln<br>Independence, VA 24348 |zoom=7 |center=36.68000,-81.05000 |width=95% |height=430px |control=Large |type=Map]