Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
functions that one would expect for thematic cartography, such as range-grading of
circles or perceptual scaling.
Cartographic Animation Although the multi-scale, panable MSP map is itself a
form of interactive animation, the tiling of maps has made other forms of animation
more difficult—such as moving a point across the map. Few mapping APIs have
any significant functions to support animation and those that are included—such as
bouncing markers—are very primitive. The lack of tools for animation is an
indication of the paper-thinking that has crossed-over to these online maps. While
panning and zooming go beyond the paper map interface, other aspects of the
mapping environment are essentially the same as a paper map.
Map Cost The cost of online map delivery will continue to be a major concern. In
2011
, Google settled on a free model of 25,000 map loads a day for 90-consecutive
days. Although this number would be difficult for anyone to achieve, map providers
began to look for alternatives. The solution for many was OpenStreetMap, although the
delivery of these maps is usually slower (at least in North America). Leaflet was chosen
as an API because it supported OpenStreetMap as well as other map providers. An
additional wrinkle to the cost debate is CloudMade, a company that renders
OpenStreetMap vector data into map tiles and closely integrated with the Leaflet
API. While the first 500,000 map tiles are free, CloudMade charges
25 for
$
downloading the next
million map tiles. It is difficult to compare the cost between
CloudMade and Google Maps because of the different ways that cost is calculated but
downloading 25,000 maps a month at a modest 42 tiles per map display would result in
1,050,000 total tiles. In this particular case, the use of Google Maps would be free while
CloudMade would charge slightly over
½
25.
Of all of the many costs associated with the map in the cloud, the cost of
updating the map is the most significant. The world depicted by large-scale online
maps changes quickly. Even national, state, and local governments have difficulties
maintaining their base maps. What is the best solution for the long-term viability of
these maps? How can they best be updated?
For map updating, we are presented with two completely opposite solutions.
Either, we rely on the OpenStreetMap model and crowdsourcing. Or, we accept the
private sector approach that accurate maps are good for profitability, and that these
companies will continue to provide updated maps for free because they can make
money from them in other ways. Google has developed a significant revenue stream
from its maps that has so far eluded other online map providers.
$
Long-Term Viability Of all of the ways of evaluating mapping APIs, the long-
term viability of the API and the associated tiles is the most significant. Technology
changes quickly and a particular API may no longer be available, or its continued
development may cease. On the map side, the underlying vector base map or the
rendered tiles may no longer be updated—or even be available. Updating maps and
making them available through the Internet is expensive. It must be supported by a
fairly significant revenue stream that is not directly associated with the map itself.
