GeoContent: a new Google Maps Joomla! component
I’m proud to announce the immediate availability of my new Google Maps Joomla component com GeoContent.
GeoContent Logo
GeoContent Logo
GeoContent is a new Joomla! 1.5 component that allows embedding Google Maps into a Joomla! website.
Standard Joomla Articles, can be bound to geographic features such as POINTs, LINEs and POLYGONs and the resulting maps can be shown in the article page and in an overview map.
A single article can be represented by more than one geographic type: so that you can have simultaneously a set of POINTS, some POLYGONS and some LINES for a single Joomla article.
Articles on the map are grouped by layers, appearance can be fully customized through layers configuration.
See the full manual.
See the demo site.
20/08/2009 – UPDATE: the new version has front-end map editing support
Download
ComGeocontent is open source software, distributed under AGPL software license and it is also free software, where “free” means that you can do (almost) whatever you want with this software but it does not mean that it costs nothing. We distribute the component only in bundle with paid 12 month support service that costs 45 € (V.A.T. included).
To receive a copy of GeoContent you are kindly requested to make a donation of at least 45 € (VAT taxes included), using the buttons located at the top or at the bottom of this page. You will receive a regular invoice at the end of the month.
The money you donate will be used to further develop GeoContent and to provide professional assistance and support to those that will need it.
Together with 12 months support you will get lifetime software updates, that means that you can pay just once and use the software forever in how many Joomla installations you like.
Please use the PayPal donation link at the bottom of this page, specifying the email where the component will be sent.
Thank you for supporting free software GeoContent project!
Why a new Google Map component? Don’t we have enough already?
Yes, there are many components out there that allow Google Maps embedding into a Joomla website, and most of them are gratis!. Nevertheless, I believe that none of them have the unique and full set of features that GeoContent has.
Ok, so what makes GeoContent so unique among Google Maps Joomla components?
Professional support
This component is professionally supported, this means that I will
- fix bugs
- provide reliable remote assistance and support on the component for 12 months from your subscription
- send you all the updates of the component, forever.
Advanced input methods: GPX and direct draw POINTs, POLYGONs and LINEs on the embedded Google Map
Perhaps the coolest feature, is the availability of two advanced input methods for your geographic objects:
- users can directly draw geographic feature from the control panel through an embedded Google Map editor
- users can load geographic data from a GPX (standard GPS format) file
KML export
Coming to the output methods, an interesting optional feature is KML export : yes, you can directly publish your GeoContent powered Joomla! website into Google Earth!
Fully configurable
Since articles are grouped by layers, you can change the appearance of a layer and have all map items that belong to that layer changed accordingly.
For each layer, you can style:
- Line color
- Line width
- Polygon line color
- Polygon fill color
- Polygon line transparency
- Polygon fill transparency
- Point icon
- Point icon size (KML only: not supported in the embedded map)
Of course you can configure several aspects of the main map appearance:
- Table Of Content (TOC) type (hidden, list, select)
- TOC position (left, top, right, bottom)
- TOC and main map width (onyl useful for TOC position left and right)
- Which layers should be activated at start (none, all, selected)
- Map dimensions
- KML icon (hide or show)
Flexible binding between geographic objects and Joomla articles
GeoContent allows you to bind articles to the map in several ways:
- a single article is not tied to a single layer (it can belong to many layers)
- a single article can be represented by one or more geographic objects: POINT(s), POLYGON(s), LINE(s)
Translations
They go in a language file, at the moment only English translation is in the distribution, but you have to translate no more than a dozen of strings to localize the front-end side of the component.
Screenshots
Here below you can see some screenshots of GeoContent editing interface and public map view, there is also a test site here (not much content so far though).
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- Layers can be switched on and off and fully customized
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- Appearance can be fully customized modifiying layer’s parameters
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- Listing items for the selected layer in the control panel
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- Editing an item
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- Choosing an article from the control panel, the title can be changed
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- The rich set of configurable options
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- The overview map showing all articles on all active layers
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- Several Geographic elements (points, a polygon and a line) bound to a single Joomla! article
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- GeoContent Logo
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- ComGeocontent Control Panel Map Editor
2009-05-21 at 6.32 am
Fantastic. Now, any hint of what to do if interested in this component? Download it somewhere? Log in somewhere so we can purchase it? Anything? Is this article just for informational purposes? Anyone? Anywhere?
2009-05-21 at 8.52 am
@Scott:
there should be a “Donate” paypal button here above and at the very top of this page…. can’t you see it?
After we have received a paypal donation we will send you the component via email. The process is handled manually, so you could experience a few hours delay if you donate while our office are closed (we are in Italy, GMT +1).
2009-05-22 at 12.52 pm
Is there a demo? To understand what is exactly does i hoped there would be some kind of demo.
2009-05-22 at 1.05 pm
@Pathos,
There is a test site:
http://joomla.studioarborea.it/index.php?option=com_geocontent&view=geocontent&Itemid=54
But most of the cool things are in the control panel, which is not accessible to the public.
2009-06-09 at 7.40 am
Hi, sounds very promising but there are some questions:
1. Are the icon images that you upload via media manager?
2. Is the front-end language easy to adjust into other langauges? Do I have to translate directly in the component?
2009-06-09 at 11.55 am
@Benny,
1. yes, you can upload icons in a folder under image/stories via media manager or via FTP
2. front-end translations is just 1 string but it uses a language file (standard Joomla localization system). You have to copy that file and rename with your language code (for example: from en-EN.com_geocontent.ini to it-IT.com_geocontent.ini) and translate the string inside that file.
2009-06-18 at 3.52 pm
Hi,
List it possible to link to external URL:s from points and polygons?
2009-06-18 at 4.34 pm
@Benny:
no, sorry. The link is always on the article.
2009-06-24 at 6.40 pm
Hi,
Is there a frontend component for users to add new positions?
2009-06-25 at 8.13 pm
I just paid for it, i really like the idea and was wondering if there is a way to expand upon it to allow users to add new positions – say if they are writing a blog they can add a position to the blog, or if they are talking about a route they can show the path of their route on the map and make these user submitted items a checkbox category? that’s what i need!!
2009-06-28 at 8.55 am
@Dom and Peter
UPDATE: the latest version of GeoContent has front-end access to map editor. Map creation and editing from the front-end are now fully supported.
No, there is no front-end component for the registered users to add positions.
I hoped that the sentence in the description was clear about the editing functions being accessible only from the control panel:
“users can directly draw geographic features from the control panel through an embedded Google Map editor”
Anyway this is something that could be planned for a future release even if there are many open questions and I suspect that a commons solution cannot be easily found.
Some open questions:
* which user level should be allowed to edit geometries (registered, author etc.) ?
* should the users be able to only CREATE new geometries or should they also EDIT and DELETE existing ones ?
* at which level the admin choose if the article has editable geometries (global config, layer, single article) ?
2009-06-28 at 6.47 pm
For my purpose:
- registered users should be allowed to create new geometries
- no need to allow to edit/delete (at present moment, but I can see how it could be useful in some situations)
- admin could maybe choose to restrict certain categories or sections where users shouldn’t be able to add/edit geometries
Actually I am building a website, where users will add their favorite locations (through frontend articles) with images and more, so I will have to modify the component anyway, so I am not so strict about what it should be able to do besides this: ‘registered users should be able to create geometries for the article they are publishing’.
Maybe I will just buy the component and have a go at this myself, if you are not planning to start coding the future release shortly…If I don’t succeed I will maybe have to ask you for some assistance. What is your hourly rate?
2009-07-02 at 2.04 pm
Hi,
I am interested in your extension. I have a travel website featuring reviews of restaurants, hotels, attractions, activities, etc. I use a component called Jreviews, which extends Joomla’s core content capabilities by adding Content Construction Kit functionalities. So I am interested in the link in the placemark balloon to point not to the article as rendered via com_content, but as rendered via com_jreviews. Is that possible? The balloon doesn’t need to include any jreviews fields, just the article contents is fine, but when clicked I need the link to point to the page rendered via com_jreviews not com_content …
2009-07-09 at 3.26 am
Interested in the front end component as well. Talking with a Search and Rescue team and it would be a great feature for front end users to be able to place emergency event information easily onto a map. Please keep me posted.
2009-07-10 at 6.45 am
I’m interested in the front-end as well. I need registered users to be able to add trails.
2009-07-10 at 1.30 pm
Hi !
Your extension sound promising. Still some questions:
I was wondering if it’s possible to show all markers on one article and then show only one or some category markers on other article ?
So can you deteminate in the url or somewhere the markers to be shown ? (Does the component yse iframe or something?)
2009-07-15 at 2.06 pm
Hi,
what you can do at the moment is insert the full map (all layers) wherever you like with a {geocontent} tag, no customization is possible at this time (it’s planned though).
UPDATE: the latest version of GeoContent supports parameters override on the {geocontent} tag
Another thing you can do is “automatic maps” through the provided plugin: automatically place a map in all georeferenced articles, zoomed and centered to the geographic features of the article itself and with the corresponding layer activated (no further customization is possible).
2009-07-20 at 2.11 pm
Hello,
The prog looks nice, but I’ve got a question before I buy it.
When I go cycling, I record the route with met Garmin Etrex. Can I import my gpx file onto my article, so everybody can see the route I did?
2009-08-11 at 9.09 am
Like this too if solved
“Following your proposal,
* we could have a set of config parameters to globally choose which user level is able to Create, Edit, Delete geometric features from the Front End
* we could add a per-layer configuration option to fine tune this possibility, overriding global parameters”
Make this work with ACL Noix ACL would be great for restrictions of users..http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/backend-a-full-access-control/7010
2009-08-11 at 9.36 am
@James and SSnobben,
The new beta version does this:
* front-end integration: users will be able to add/edit map items to existing articles from the front-end
* {geocontent} plugin tag options: most of the configuration parameters can be overwritten through {geocontent parameter1=”value1″ parameter2=”value2″} tag attributes
See the new manual here:
http://www.itopen.it/geocontent_readme_online.html
2009-08-23 at 9.01 am
@Alessandro Pasotti Says: 2009-06-28 at 8.16 pm
“Ok, I don’t promise to implement this, but I like discussing ideas.”…
Dear Sir,
With all due respect for your work, I don’t think the way you put it up there sounds customery, or like any marketing approach at all…
Adding another reply:
“The brainstorming has started, if anybody else is interested in this development, just drop me an email.”
it looks you’re less interested in refining the component and provinding a good service, but much more in exhibiting your own hobby, and perhaps, accomplish some (potential) customers surveys. …Why not, then, set up a poll, and post it upfront in the page?!
Furthermore, questioning like:
* which user level should be allowed to edit geometries (registered, author etc.) ?
* should the users be able to only CREATE new geometries or should they also EDIT and DELETE existing ones ?
* at which level the admin choose if the article has editable geometries (global config, layer, single article) ?
is not only futile, but I guess even offending, as anyone any bit familiar with a Joomla component “mechanics” knows that once you’ve managed to get to this point of interaction with the core script code, it’s just a walk in the park to complete the mentioned remaining improvements.
Well, point is I’m interested too in the component, even though I need to say it’s pretty much, especially as no further assistance and customization is guaranteed.
Definitely, front-end user level editting access would be a great plus for this product, and only so, it might get close to the required amount.
Please be so kind as to provide all the above (I mean all the users’…) requirements. And, if you don’t mind, try to approach the market and specifically this blog, on a more positive and enticing manner.
Excuses for any likely disconfort or inconvenience.
2009-08-24 at 9.15 am
@Webcro,
thanks for your insight, I’m sorry that my knowledge of the English language is not enough to allow me to express my ideas as I would like to do.
As you could have easily guessed if you’ve read this page or the manual carefully, front-end editing is already implemented in the version I’m distributing to all new customers and to old customers that are willing to test it.
It’s working very well so far.
I admit that I did not dedicate many efforts on the marketing side of this activity, I just prefer to invest my (limited) time developing the component and providing professional assistance to my customers.
And yes, you’re right, I should definitely install a poll plugin.
2009-08-28 at 4.35 pm
Hello Alessandro, I’m just wondering, is there a search option for the user? Let’s say I have this map full of markers, and I want the visitor to be able to enter their zipcode or address to narrow down the map and able to pinpoint the location near to their home. Is this possible with your component?
2009-08-28 at 5.04 pm
@Azira,
no, there is not such option at the time being.
2010-01-11 at 6.48 pm
buonasera Alessandro,
finalmente un italiano dirai…vero?
ti chiedo una informazione che non mi èmolto chiara, per quanto riguarda il front-end, l’utente ha la possibilità di aggiungere un segnalibro in una determinata via?
es. l’utente inserisce questo segnalibro nella via con una sua descrizione ed a me (amministratore) arriva la mail di questo nuovo segnalibro inserito. grazie, stefano.
2010-01-11 at 7.15 pm
@Stefano
No, geocontent permette di georeferenziare (associare linee, punti o poligoni) ad articoli di Joomla.
Dal front-end gli utenti (se autorizzati) possono creare articoli, e (sempre se autorizzati) possono associare punti, linee e poligoni agli articoli che hanno creato o sui quali hanno permessi di modifica.
2010-01-25 at 1.11 am
Hi Alessandro,
the component sounds very interesting for me.
Is it possible to import KML-files (GoogleMaps compatible)into GeoConent maps?
Greetings
Jans
2010-01-25 at 10.06 am
@Jans
No, KML import is something we are thinking of, but are no real plans to add this feature in a foreseable time.
GPX import is already implemented (geometry).
2010-01-25 at 10.32 am
Alessandro,
thanks for the fast reply.
How do you manage to import polygones, lines and points from standard GIS formats (shapefile) into GeoContent ?
Jans
2010-01-25 at 10.47 am
@Jans
the main goal of GeoContent is to allow direct drawing on the map, but as I said you can use GPX to import geometries. Many tools can convert between shapfile to GPX.
But keep in mind that only geometries are imported, you will loose z-axis information and all attributes.
2010-01-25 at 11.01 am
Alessandro,
ok, I slowly get an imagination…
I am very interested in the option of drawing on the map. What does “drawing” mean? Is it possible for example to create and edit a polygon directly on the screen and export it to KML so it is recognized by Google Earth as a polygon?
Jans
2010-01-25 at 11.17 am
@Jans,
Yes exactly, please read this page and take a look at the screenshots, it’s everything explained (at least, I hope it is).
2010-01-25 at 11.37 am
Alessandro,
I just wanted to reconfirm whether I got everything right before I spent money.
It really looks very interesting.
I just donated the 45 Euro via PayPal. Please send me the extension.
Jans
2010-01-25 at 11.48 am
@Jans
thank you, you should have automatically received a download link, if not, contact me by private mail (see the contacts page).
2010-02-04 at 7.16 pm
The latest update looks like it is not publishing all regions and or all layers, maybe this because the latest Google API changes?
Regards.
2010-02-05 at 10.14 am
@Me
There has been a recent change in Google Maps API which broke KML generation, I think this is now fixed in the latest GeoContent version (v. 2.5), if not, please file a detailed ticket on the bug tracking system.