Site Updates

[-Oz-]

So, now that I'm home I've been working on some small and "larger" updates.

Completed Updates:
- Added Garmin Custom Maps as a checkbox option for the maps; if this box is checked then it will mark the maps as mac and windows compatible and change the download link
- Added editor's choice option (only admins can set them at this point)
- Enabled some more countries for map additions
- Change how maps are displayed on the maps listing page (15 Feb 10)
- Create a search function to allow you to filter maps by features (15 Feb 10)
- Update my topo maps (Arizona complete 10 Mar)
- Update how to load maps to GPS tutorial

To do:
- Update my topo maps (Hawaii next due to roads issue)
- Tutorial on how to upload maps
- Create a generic FAQ
- Add some more pop/options to the front page
- "Force" people to check out the tutorials after they download

I am open to suggestions...

[eaparks]

Thanks Dan, your post came at the perfect time; I had just uploaded a Garmin Custom Map and was trying to figure out why the "Mac" button was appearing.  The "Garmin Custom Maps" button is a nice addtition and the "To do" features will be helpful, also.

I do have a question on why on all but 1 of my map uploads the description does not appear on the Map page but does appear in the "description" box where I originally filled in all of the map's details.

[-Oz-]

Which map has the problem and I'll look into the database/

you need to fill in the content section; the description is used for meta tags and on the map listing page.

[eaparks]

Thanks for making the auto-installer for the Paiute mp file; there may be another .mp file, some of these were uploaded quite a while back and I don't remember what type of file I used on some uploads.  Please make any changes to my map uploads as required or I will be glad to make them if you let me know what needs to be corrected.

My maps that don't have the description appearing in the  Custom Map details page(/map/view/xxx) are:
Alpine Loop Trails, CO  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/160/
Burning Rock ATV Trails, WV  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/252/
Moccasin Gap Trail Map  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/251/
Moccasin Gap Trails, AR  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/44/
Paiute OHV Trails, UT  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/231
Prentice Cooper WMA Trails, TN  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/278/
Taylor Park, CO ATV Trails  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/161
Windrock  / Coal Creek, TN OHV Trails  http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/230

I only typed the description in the "Description" box, it sounds like I should have been typing the description in the "Content" box, also; correct?
Thanks for the help.

[eaparks]

As more and more newbies decide to upload maps it might be helpful to add a link at the top of the details page where new custom maps are uploaded at ("Add A Locally Hosted Map" and at "Add A Remotely Hosted Map") that takes you directly to a set of detailed step-by-step instructions.  I briefly looked for a set but didn't see one.

[Seldom]

You might also want to put a link somewhere about how trying to use MapSetToolKit to install maps from http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php doesn't work.   It would be a pain to write a tutorial for it, but it might be worth a pointer to the wiki.

[-Oz-]

You do need to put the content into the content box.  the content box allows you to do a lot more with the text like formatting, paragraphs, lists, images, etc; none of that is allowed in the description.

[eaparks]

Thanks for the help, Dan.  Will do.

[GeoPaPPy]

I am open to suggestions...

On the main page under Recently Added Maps, I was just wondering if there is a way to add a search function by date or by a certain number of days for new maps.   Like all new maps within 15 days, within 30 days, within 60 days, and maybe within 90 days.  

When I get busy or while traveling sometimes it can be awhile before I can get back to see what new maps have been added since I was last on.  There seems to be no way that I have found to find the new maps added since I was last on.    I just have to browse through all the map areas to see if I can find what has been added more than the five new files on the main page.

Also, I think I remember somewhere that someone asked if a KMZ section could be added, and I think that this would make it easier to find them.

Anyway,  thanks for all your work on the site.

[-Oz-]

kmz are "Garmin Custom Maps"  I"m working on a page to limit by any of the "features" including that, probably about 10 days out.

For the within the last 15, 30, 90 days I can look into that its a good idea.

[GeoPaPPy]

Thanks Oz.

[-Oz-]

I'd say we're about 50% done with the programming needed for recent maps and search by features so its definitely coming; within a week.

[-Oz-]

Alright; so a little over a week but the new map search, filter and display functions are complete.

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/

Please let me know of any bugs or suggestions.

[eaparks]

Wow, these updates look great, nice improvement.

[Jimbob]

Oz, the changes look great, clean, simple and very functional. Great improvement.
thanks for your work.