JMaps is a Joomla module with associated plugins for working with SOBI2 to provide mapping for:
SOBI2 Search Results
SOBI2 Categories
In addition, JMaps has built-in mapping capabilities. By itself, without any plugins or accompanying software, the JMaps module can map:
Custom XML files, KMZ, KML, and RSS Feeds
Optional Google Search Bar
Mapping can be done either by street address or by Longitude and Latitude. (The module looks for Latitude and Longitude first, and then automatically maps by the address fields if the Latitude and Longitude are not present.)
The JMaps module and plugins are available in multiple packages depending on the mapping features desired. See the Packages Tab below for explanations of the various release packages available.
Add this package to your shopping cart to get the JMaps Module and both SOBI2 plugins (Search and Category mapping).
See the appropriate Tab below for more information.
Two SOBI2 plugins are available to work with the JMaps module. One is used for mapping entries by category, the other is used for mapping SOBI2 search results. They have largely the same functionality. The categories plugin is presented first, with some additional functionality for the search plugin noted further down the page.
SOBI2 Category Mapping - Put the mapped results for any of your categories in a module position on any of your Joomla pages!
JMaps works with a plugin to SOBI2 to put your SOBI2 Category entries on a map. The features of Category Mapping include:
JMaps is a Joomla module, so can appear on any Joomla page
JMaps can optionally "float" down the page to keep the map in view at all times
Create and use custom map markers using your own images! Custom markers are assigned by SOBI2 category in each instance of JMaps
JMaps can display a map of the entries in SOBI2 of all Categories, a selected Category, or multiple Categories that you specify.
When multiple categories are shown on a map, you can pick custom colors to represent each one or custom markers or a combination of both custom and regular colored markers. You can also pick the default colors for markers on the map or use a default custom image for entries whose category does not have a unique color or custom marker.
Catgory Map with Regular and Custom Markers
Category Map with Only Custom Markers
Set the option to allow the user to zoom in and out on the map using a wheel mouse.
Choose to open the "View Profile" link to the Entry Details page in a shadowbox, or in a new page. The shadowbox option keeps the user on the page with the map, and promotes viewing more entries! You can display the entire template in the popup, or the detail template only.
Choose to show your entries by Category and by State or Province! In the U.S., you can set up 50 states to show all the entries (regardless of category) in each of those states, or choose to only show some categories on each state map! JMaps has a CRON job which can build these maps by State or Province automatically.
Choose to show the "number" on the marker pin when JMaps is published to the SOBI2 Category page so that each listing is clearly denoted on the map, or choose to not show the number when used on regular Joomla pages without the SOBI2 vCards.
Category Map with Numbering
Category Map without Numbering
Specify the "zoom" level of the map, or set the map to "auto zoom" to include all entries
In the info bubbles, the Entry Name and a Link to the Profile (optionally opens in a lightbox) are always presented. In addition, the Info Bubbles on the Map can include any published field from the entries that you choose. The screen capture below shows how easy it is to configure the information bubbles:
Configuration for the Bubble showing SOBI2 field selection options. Put any published fields in the bubble as needed!
Example bubble showing multiple SOBI2 fields and other available options such as Streetview. Bubble configuration shown above uses a short description field from the entry.
Additional Options for the map bubbles include (shown above):
Google Streetview (optional)
Directions to Entry (optional)
Directions from Entry (optional)
Featured Entry Processing - Specify a unique color and optional Star Marker for "Featured Entries" or use a custom marker.
Regular Featured Marker Showing Optional Star Image
Custom Featured Marker using a "Star" image. Use any image you want as a map marker!
Set category ordering to make sure entries from a valuable or featured category are always on top of less valuable or non-featured categories on map displays.
Set marker limits so that above and below specified zoom levels the markers stop showing. This prevents markers from being too "crowded" in the display when zoomed out or too "obvious" if zoomed to far in.
Completely customizable width and height for the map.
Custom Div setting to let you create custom CSS classes for module stying.
Choose any Google Map Type:
Regular Map
Satellite
Hybrid
Allow your users to change their map preference!
Optionally show zoom controls on the map as illustrated above
Show all the entries in a category, or only show the entries in a specified category that are displayed on the page. This makes JMaps work seamlessly with the SOBI2 Category pages and gives it the ability to stand alone on any Joomla page
Control the size and position of the Entry Details shadowbox, or open entries in the primary window (SOBI2 default processing)
Control the center point of the map, or let it center on the first marker, or let the map auto-zoom as needed to show all entries to be mapped
Copy JMaps as many times as you like to create unique maps to show on different pages of your site!
Show or hide a Google Search Bar to let your users supplement the JMap's display with additional search results. Optional Google Search Bar shown below:
JMaps Instance Showing Google Search Bar with Active Search and Original Markers
SOBI2 Search Results - Put the search results from a SOBI2 query in any module position in Joomla!
JMaps can use all the features detailed above to show mapping for SOBI2 search results. In addition to the features already covered, JMaps SOBI2 Search plugin lets you specify a Pre-loader file. This file, which can be custom created or generated by the JMaps category plugin, is displayed on the JMaps instance prior to the user performing any searches! This is a great way to show Featured entries or other valuable mapping data as soon as the user lands on the search page! When the user performs the search, the "Pre-loaded" markers stay on the map. The images below show the "pre-loader as it appears when the search page is first accessed, then shows the results after a search has been performed.
Markers from a Pre-loader Custom XML File show when SOBI2 search page loads
After a search, results are shown on the map and the pre-loader markers are still displayed
The JMaps Module shows your SOBI2 search results in a Joomla Module Position. This allows flexibility in positioning the Search Results without needing to change any CSS or other code. JMaps also can show entries in a special color as featured items, and can show a star icon on the featured items or use a custom marker image as noted above.
JMaps for SOBI2 search works great with the SOBI2 Search Module and the SOBI2 Radius Search Plugin from Sigsiu.net (the developers of SOBI2). Using the Radius Search Plugin combined with the native search capability of SOBI2 allows you to search and map based on:
Category and Sub-category
Distance from a specified Zip Code
The value of any custom field in the SOBI2 Directory
The option to open Entry Details in a shadowbox is very beneficial on search pages, as it encourages the user to view many different search results!
Create a custom XML file to use for mapping purposes. Realtors can use JMaps to show available properties put together from a remote database. Non-profits can show areas affected by disasters, or areas where they are operating in order to attract donations or advertise where help is provided. Chains of businesses can show their locations. If you can think of something that needs to be shown on a map, then JMaps can help you out by letting you put your mapping results in a custom file and shown on any Joomla page. The JMaps documentation includes complete instructions on how to create an XML file for mapping purposes. Want to see an example file? Click here to download one in a zip file and check it out.
JMaps Instance Mapping a Custom XML File
2) Add an RSS or KLM feed file to your results!
If there is specific data that you would like to show along with your mapping results (from any of the options above), provide a URL to that feed and JMaps will create the map markers for you. Sell ads to businesses in your coverage area and have them appear along with mapped results from your directory or your site members. Whatever you can find a valid RSS or KLM feed for can be mapped! You can add the results to results from your own custom XML file, or you can display a map based only on the RSS/KLM file feed.
JMaps Instance Showing Markers from a Custom XML File (Red) and an RSS Feed (Blue)
3) Show a Google Maps search bar in your map!
Show or hide a Google Search Bar to let your users supplement the JMap's display with additional search results or use the Google Search Bar by itself for Google mapping search. Optional Google Search Bar shown below:
JMaps Instance Showing Google Search Bar with Active Search and Markers from a Custom XML File and an RSS Feed
The entire documentation for JMaps is available online in PDF form. Click here to download the documentation and see all the features of JMaps explained in detail!
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