Beginning Google Maps Mashups with Mapplets, KML, and GeoRSS is a beginner’s guide to creating web mashups using Google mapping technology.

• Serves as a single–source primer to displaying data on Google Maps
• Covers both mapplets and the Google Maps API
• Provides everything you need to start participating in the Geographic Web

What you’ll learn

• “Mash up” GeoWeb services onto a Google map.
• Package your mashup as a mapplet and publish it to maps.google.com.
• Enhance your map with driving directions, local search, map advertising, and more.
• Discover common Google–mapping mistakes to avoid.
• Find out how and when to geocode existing data into mappable coordinates.
• Deliver your own data as GeoXML.

Who is this book for?

This book is for web designers and developers who have not worked with Google Maps or geographic data before. A working knowledge of HTML is required, and some programming experience is beneficial.

About the Apress Beginning Series

The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry–level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from “novice to professional.” You’ll start your journey by seeing what you need to know—but without needless theory and filler. You’ll build your skill set by learning how to put together real–world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you there—it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!

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The miniature web applications known as gadgets (or widgets) are a key component of the Distributed Web and an ideal way to publish your content far beyond the reach of your own web site. Packaging web content and functionality into a gadget enables it to be seen anywhere from iGoogle to the iPhone—wherever the user may be, on or off the traditional Web. Everyone can access your content without having to visit your web site.

This book is a practical guide to building gadgets that will work everywhere, from handheld devices to any site on the Web. The core methodology is to develop a single code base that will run on all platforms, multiplying the syndication opportunities for maximum return on your development investment. Extending this approach is a technique of abstracting key API calls from the various gadget platforms into a single interface layer, implemented in the book as a compact JavaScript class, allowing your gadgets full access to every platform's power without your having to rewrite your code for each.

• Learn the key concepts for successfully syndicating web content via gadgets.
• Build platform-agnostic gadgets that run on all the major web portals.
• Deploy your gadgets to web-enabled handheld devices.

What you'll learn

You'll learn how to design a successful web gadget, build it efficiently, and deploy it painlessly to a dozen platforms from a single code base. In the process, your web content will gain far greater exposure than is possible with a traditional web site alone.

Who is this book for?

This book is for seasoned web professionals with solid experience in XHTML/CSS and JavaScript who are already building web sites and applications that they want to take to the next level. Server-side programming experience (PHP, ASP, etc.) is beneficial but not required.

About the Apress Pro Series

The Apress Pro series books are practical, professional tutorials to keep you on and moving up the professional ladder.

You have gotten the job, now you need to hone your skills in these tough competitive times. The Apress Pro series expands your skills and expertise in exactly the areas you need. Master the content of a Pro book, and you will always be able to get the job done in a professional development project. Written by experts in their field, Pro series books from Apress give you the hard–won solutions to problems you will face in your professional programming career.

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