1. eResearch Mapping Robin Edwards Dale Bocos Madhumathi Nandakumar

2. eResearch Mapping This project describes JCU, Research department has large number of collaborations and projects abroad. Our mission is to enable an infrastructure for the researchers and students across JCU to map and display project locations, descriptions and details within the Google maps API. Project involves attempting to load a list of JCU projects and subsequently map their locations onto an online global map (I.E. Google Maps). The goal of this project is to allow interested parties an at-a- glance view of the extent of JCU Project partnerships and locations across the globe. Current Client is David Salsbury

3. Project Evolution Project started last year, Semester 2 Our solution Began with the idea of integrating google maps into the existing JCU web structure which uses Plone as the backbone We developed our project to the point of a working prototype using the Plone web API.

4. Evolution cont. Tried to find a better, more dynamic way to fill the map with projects Came up with a solution using javascript/html to retrieve project information from web hosted spreadsheets This gave our project a very simple, elegant solution that can be embedded in any web page.

5. Progress overview Currently our project is complete and operational

6. Technical Problems Encountered Problems adapting Google maps to Plone Learning Plone/Python Thor (JCU Server) hpc problems Javascript development environment Hosting on jcu issues JSON throughput Data Security

7. Project Problems Encountered Changes of scope Multiple Clients Team not all on same page Project feature dependencies limit work efficiency

8. Technical Walkthrough

9. User Experience Flowchart

10. Technical Code/Functionality Items Master Key functionality and security Menu and Search Functionality Google Maps Instance Loading Map Data by Owner/Department/Search Displaying plotted Data

11. Master Key functionality and security Project is about sharing information Individuals can only modify their own data Key System Master Key Table controlled by Administrator

12. Master Key/Security Diagram

13. Project Creation Using Google Spreadsheets Could switch to another JSON/XML format Simplicity of design (KISS)

14. Dynamic Selections and Search Ease of use high priority Form drop menus used as selectors Text Field entry for search Added to separate Div Used dynamic javascript

15. Mapping Solution Best mapping solution Google Maps v3.0 Open Street maps 3d Solutions (Google Earth, NASA World Wind) Web Based Solution

16. Loading and Displaying Data Loaded by Project Owner/Creator, Department or Search Term Loaded through a JSON stream Data is plotted as Lat/Lng Point Objects Each belongs to a Marker object in an Array Marker Array is plotted on Google Maps with markerArray.push(marker) Optimise viewing by centering map Bounds.extend(point) map.setZoom(map.getBoundsZoomLevel(Bounds)); map.setCenter(Bounds.getCenter());

17. Clearing the map Simplicity of Google Maps ClearMap() function Array of markers is deleted While (map.markers > 1) markers.pop()

18. Demonstration

19. Where we go from here Project is complete, ready for deployment Clients will be given the documentation and the project deliverables Implement the project within their own sites at their will Proof of Concept Completed

20. Project continuance worth funding? Project is only as useful as the user makes it If clients genuinely will use the project and have it embedded on their site then it could be a usefull tool Otherwise, the project may fall by the wayside of priorities We made what they wanted Up to the client to decide its worth to them

21. What we learned Project management is not easy There are better ways to do things Project useability is key to its success Small things can be time consuming Feedback works wonders Document repositories are great Security should be considered

22. Questions