Posts Tagged ‘flash’

Use Professional Flash Maps to increase website income

Monday, January 18th, 2010

The financial tsunami in 2008 has hit America and most European countries, and has made it hard for small business to grow. Sales have nosedived for many organizations everywhere.

In these tough times it is good to hear about tools and devices that can be affordable to help generate more business and significantly contribute to company’s bottom line.

Professional flash maps are one of these business tools that allow organizations to pinpoint a location in a broader region.

Companies that operate all across the globe are using professional flash maps to show distribution of their branches offices. These offices can be shown as pretty dots and potential customers considering to form business alliance will feel more confident about the deal if they see a map full of dots showing the presence of company all across the world.

Similarly, a company can show its presence in a country or region by exhibiting colored areas as areas of operations. A courier service can show prospective customers the regions where it delivers letters and parcels. This depiction will particularly impress business customers who need to send documents or products all across the nation. A mouse over information box allows you to include information about specific regions.

For instance, interactive flight routes can be used with mouseover info boxes by travel agencies. They can describe the places to be seen or the time for stop over while explaining the package tour to prospective tourists. A clearer description makes people confident about their journey and they will like to return to the travel agent who uses interactive maps to sell tours.

Interactive maps are not only for businesses only as many universities and educational institutions are putting them on their websites. Parents and students searching for good institutes will feel good to see a map showing all the branches of the university. If the institute doesn’t have branches it can show the map of their building. Viewers are bound to be impressed by a college that features an interactive Flash map showing basket ball court, canteen or route from hostel to the library.

Buildings can be marked will different colors and their significance can be explained in text with mouseover info box. You don’t have to be a technology geek to create a map as some software allows people to design a map just the way they want. Since these packages are designed to suit budgets of all sizes, users don’t have to worry about the cost of the project. Users can impress many potential customers with one time investment and eventually their sales graph will begin to look good again.

Professional flash maps are used by thousands of organizations across the world. Fortune 500 companies have the budget and resources to use them but this concept has really caught up with small and medium scale businesses also. Those making interactive maps themselves can choose a range of colors, background colors and pictures to make them more interesting and appealing to website visitors. These tools can definitely help increase business for your organization.

Visit our website today to download a free trial version of interactive map software that does not require coding and programming. You can also find flash software including a flash gallery, music player, video player and flash website creator.

Add a clickable flash UK map to your website

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Business owners in the UK are fast catching up with the idea of using a flash interactive map of the United Kingdom to highlight their respective offices, regional centers, branches and other facilities, establishments.

The United Kingdom is divided into nine government regions. The counties of England are territorial divisions for the purposes of administrative, political and geographical demarcation. As well as being divide into counties, England is also broken up into regions, each region has a different mix of industries and historical, geographical, and cultural differences.

An interactive UK map with the regions and counties can be used as a website navigation menu base on regional information, for displaying directory and business contact details, as well as sales data.

Separate websites can be created for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales with the English area further subdivided into the administrative regions. And the interactive map can open the corresponding website base on the area user clicked on.

Interactive maps can improve data presentation, improve visualization, and provides instant, interactive information to users. For example, if your type of business frequently use geographical or statistical figures related to different regions in the United Kingdom, then by using an interactive map, you can help your visitors to access related information more easily, as they can drilling down any territory in the UK visually. This brings businesses and consumers closer and make your website much more informative and easier to navigate.

Some possible application of an interactive UK map are:

- a real estate map showing homes for sale in different counties of UK

- an energy producing companies showing gas and oilfields in offshore drilling nearby UK

- a dealer finder map for finding the nearest dealer in UK and Ireland

- an interactive UK map showing the major UK airports (around 23 of them), user can simply choose an major airport by clicking on its icon, and will be taken immediately to the related website to see further airlines and flight routes information.

- showing UK map and when user click a region, search results will be displayed for the choose region, and sorted by severity of incident, county or road

With available interactive mapping software, you do not have to be technical proficiency to embed an UK to your website. You can add an Interactive UK map to your website quickly, and change the color, link, text, mouse over events of individual UK counties, so to display related information about a particular location in and around UK.

Visit our website today to download a free trial version of interactive map software that does not require coding and programming to build an interactive UK map. You can also find flash software including a flash gallery, music player, video player and flash website creator.

Flash Mapping Crime

Monday, January 4th, 2010

A research and development organization in the United States of America tabulates disaster related data for analytical as well as preventive purposes. Named The Disaster Centre, this organization also has detailed crime statistics tabulated both in order of county-wise police department as well as a more comprehensive state-wise tabulation. These statistics are presented on their website as a simple list of numbers under various heads and makes for very dry as well as difficult to comprehend study. What is also missing in this tabulation is the viewers? ability to draw actual conclusions from the data they are looking at. This is where the role of Flash Maps comes in.

If we take the US map, for example, flash mapping software allows us to take the data provided and put it in each area using color-coded options which makes it possible to study the statistics from the point of view of an analyst and be able to draw comparative conclusions such as the percentage change in the rate of manslaughter or armed robbery or even rape. In the city of New York, there are more than 40 police department and each of them have their own statistics bearing to the time period right from the 1970s to 2007. We can study the statistics and then draw conclusions as to which state have the highest crime rates overall. We can then color code the states according to high, medium and low rates of crimes and fill in the colors accordingly. This classification can be accompanied by a drill-down option which leads the viewer to the map of the state.

In map classification, states are divided into cities and then further into county-wise police stations. Once we drill-down to a map of a state we are offered a series of differently sized dots representing the cities in a state. The size of the dot varies according to the crime rate in the city. And each dot leads us to a drill-down options which allows us to view flash charts bearing this data with options on the chart itself to get to the county-wise crime rates and also to be able segregate the crimes into categories.

These maps are highly customizable and very easy to create. Most of the mapping software available online are accompanied by extensive tutorials which even let non-programmers create these maps via a GUI interface. Using the US map to visualize crime data is a prime example of how flash maps can be used to create visually arresting and easy-to comprehend visualization of vital data.

A student of Globalization and Development, I am interested in all things tech. i have a special passion for flash based applications and that is what most of my writing is about.

Flash Mapping the Elections

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Electoral statistics have always been of much necessity and importance for both analyses as well as record purposes. Both through the pre-election phase as well as the post-election results stage, tabulation and charting of the data is required. Most of this data is divided on the basis of areas or zones, state wise or even constituency wise. In the wake of an election, TV channels as well as news websites and R&D organizations require a detailed tabulation of the results and even comparisons with previous years’ results. Flash mapping makes all this possible in a most comprehensive and visually arresting manner.

The mapping works pretty simply. Flash maps allow one to include drill-down options right down to each constituency or burrow within a city and the narrowing down of area facilitates the inclusion of more numbers in an easy-to-understand manner. Basic divisions that any analysis will demand are party-wise and then candidate-wise division of wins and losses and then the actual number of votes. Another important factor one can include in such maps in a tabulation of the vote bank numbers itself such as footfall at the booths, gender ratio and area-wise ratios.

Flash mapping allows one to code these maps into color blocks according to required specifications or simply use pin-points that lead to further links or drop-down boxes with further info. Another way to visualize all the data area-wise would be to set up columns with varying heights to illustrate the differences in numbers. In addition to the columns indicating the different areas, they can also be color coded and twisted around while viewing the map. To view the comparative vote ratios between candidates, visually arresting charts can be set up within the maps itself. This makes for not only easier understanding but also allows the inclusion of more options and ultimately more information.

Numbers often make for very tedious study and while attempting to draw viewers towards an analysis; it is only wise to make the mapping look very attractive. This mean using a greater number a colors, using beautiful shapes as indicators and making the numbers move around on a map more like a fantastic visual event rather than simply data. Flash mapping makes all this possible with the simplest, most user-friendly interfaces.

Interactive flash maps are not only easy to understand, they are very easy to create. Detailed tutorials are available with all software and some mapping software even provide a GUI interface to do away with the need for programmers altogether. Flash maps, make election result analysis an exercise in creativity rather than a tedious expedition.

A student of Globalization and Development, I am interested in all things tech. I have a special passion for Flash based applications and that is what most of writing is about.

Interactive Real Estate Map using Flash

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Real estate is a booming industry which has gathered huge momentum with the power of Internet. Today, people can buy, sell or rent real estate properties through online deals. As the competition is getting tough online, many real estate websites are evolving from basic property listing directory, to more interactive websites featuring comprehensive data and high-end tools to help their visitors to find property information faster and easier. One of the most popular tool is an interactive real estate map created using Flash. It is intuitive, contextual and informative. It is also very flexible and easy to embed with your existing website.

You can create an interactive real estate map for the listed properties that are available for sale by your organization in various parts of the nation such as different states and counties. If the visitors want to lookout for the available properties for sale on their preferred county or state, they can simply click on the particular county or state on the map and then the search result will display the property list. Embedding an clickable interactive map is definitely one of the easiest ways to make your real estate website more interactive and user-friendly.

A Real Estate Map can be used as an interactive tool to display the following information visually:

* Current market offerings (for sale / rental)

* Sales trends

* Market reports and

* Information about a state / county / suburb

In the early days, image maps were mainly created using Java Scripts and HTML by the webmasters. Things have changed with the increasing fame of Flash and hence the real estate companies are using flash map software for creating interactive map in the websites.

Unlike the old style image maps, where the knowledge of HTML or JavaScript was a must, flash software tools have been developed to help webmasters to incorporate flash interactive map in a website quickly without any flash scripting. Thus, it is definitely easier to integrate and hence numerous real estate websites are using such feature to gain maximum views from the users.

These interactive maps are an useful too for the realtors as they can present genuine and detailed information about the listed online properties visually by states, counties or cities. These maps are excellent means of presenting real estate data visually, and the best part is that many map templates are already available for immediately usage and customization. Real estate websites that deals with residential properties, commercial properties, apartments, rentals, etc can become powerful with the integration of interactive maps.

Visit our website today to download a free trial version of interactive map software that does not require coding and programming. You can also find flash software including a flash gallery, music player, video player and flash website creator.

What is a flash store locator map

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Interactive maps are being used everywhere. One of the major application is to map a location and pinpoint stores, i.e. store locator maps.

What is an interactive locator map? You should have seen on many websites with a map image of an US suburb or a state map. On the map there are set of icons to pinpoint stores, warehouses and sales offices. Move the cursor over an icon and a snippet of descriptive but factual text appears beside the cursor in a speech bubble. This is a store locator map.

In the past, webmasters use HTML and Java Scripts to create a locator maps or store finder map with pinpoints. Which is difficult for most users and the function is limited.

With the increasing popularity of Flash and easy to use map creation software, you can easily create an interactive, clickable locator maps for different purposes, and easily pinpoint locations with clickable points and icons, with interactive features such as mouseover tooltips, hint boxes and many other features.

Here is a scenario example:

We are a video outlet and have 20 shopfronts in a city, the ability to show the shop nearest a potential customer on our website would be a big plus and help our customers to find our shop online easier.

And as few the stores specialize in certain genre of titles, this would be worthwhile showing on our Store locator map using special icons.

There are 2 stores in the CBD. One is for general movies but the other specializes in the old silent movies and has a large list of stock. It is good to make this known to the buying public.

The specialty shops would have a star beside them or be in a different color on the Store locator map. Move the cursor over the icon and a popup text box shows the address of the store and the number of titles in each genre as well as a short description of the shop with parking instructions.

To do this, we simply need a map of the city (either by using a template, or export a static JPG image from Google Map), a database of titles, and then create the interactive flash locator map using an interactive map software. We can add icons to pinpoint our stores with different specialties, with mouseover tooltips to display its full address and even a storefront image.

When people visit our website online, they can easily use the store locator map to see the distribution of our shops, and then select the nearest shop and see the full contact details with simple mouse rollover. When they click on a shop icon, we will redirect a search query with a set of parameters, and then display the corresponding search results.

This level of visual navigation is comparatively easy for visitors than a traditional search-form based website. And combine the best of online database, interactive flash locator map and the Internet. The trick to getting it right is to determine closely just what your clients want and deliver it in the simplest possible way.

Visit our website today to download a free trial version of interactive map software that does not require coding and programming to create an interactive real estate map. You can also find web design software including a flash gallery, music player, video player and flash website creator.

Flash Mapping—A Brand New World

Friday, December 25th, 2009

Mapping, today, has gone way beyond attempts to locate places on a drawing. Mapping today can be used to trace airline routes, compare data from around the world and plan an election campaign. This revolution has been caused by the introduction of Flash mapping. We find that maps are no longer static and any amount of varied data can be included in to bring out statistics that are easy to comprehend as well as creative.

While researching the routes I could take on a Euro trip, I came across a series of visually arresting maps that were not only comprehensible and coherent but provided detailed information beyond my wildest expectations. As I scanned over the map with my mouse, several drilldown options showed up and dotted lines clearly explained all the possible routes one could take. These drilldown options provided not only facts about the transportation but also provided links to obtaining more information about the selected city. Some of the maps were also 3D and the extra dimension had been used to include other geographical data. In effect, one single map provided me with 90 per cent of the information that I had been looking for to plan out my journey.

The magic of Flash mapping is not a tough nut to crack. On investigation we find that based on an Adobe Flash Platform, these maps are made with the help of very easily available charting software. One simply need sot feed in one’s data in XML to get beautifully rendered illustration of a series of incomprehensible numbers. In the same vein, one can also track product information around the world. As opposed to travel routes which are illustrated via lines and points that expand into links and boxes, the product related data can be placed within bars that are placed on the locations desired. These mapping software also allow for animation and the columns show up only when called for by the user thus keeping the map uncluttered and easily comprehensible at all times.

Another interesting variation to these flash maps is the option of color coding the data for better illustration and data representation. These maps can be resized according to requirements and this extreme flexibility makes them very user friendly and increases the number of fields it can be used in. Some software also allow for a GUI interface and extensive tutorials which drastically reduces the expertise required to generate fantastic maps with minimum effort.

Interactive flash maps have truly changed the way we plot our data over a larger geographical area. The new mapping software available is also very efficient and therefore, makes the job of the user very smooth.

A student of Globalization and Development, I am interested in all things tech. I have a special passion for Flash based applications and that is what most of my writing is about.

Create an interactive flash map for your website without any coding

Monday, November 16th, 2009

A clickable interactive map can significantly improve your website’s navigation and make online presentation a lot more easier.

In the past, webmasters use HTML and Java Scripts to create image maps. Which is difficult for most users and the function is limited.

With the increasing popularity of Flash, today’s webmaster can take advantage of interactive map software to easily create an interactive map, and fully maximize the usefulness of clickable image maps, with mouseover tooltips, hint boxes and many other features.

Image maps are used all over the web. Because of the restriction of JPG and HTML, most image maps are strictly utilitarian, i.e. just several images, buttons or lines of text, each linked to a different page or URL. To create an image map, you would need a graphic software, HTML editor, with some client side scripting and javascript knowledge.

With the popularity of Flash, more and more webmasters start to create interactive flash maps which comes with a lot more features, such as mouseover tool tips, text boxes, hints, dynamic displaying of routes, lines, clickable points, icons, landmarks, etc.

Do not confused by the term ‘map’. An interactive map can be any image with clickable areas with special pin-points. For example, you can create a floor plan, an organization chart or even a calendar. And then add clickable points, different color areas and mouseover tooltips on the image, to make it easy and clear for visitors to find specific information using just a few clicks.

An interactive image map can greatly improve the navigation and functionality of your website. For example, you can create a local area map and embed into your website, so to make it easier for your customers to know where your headquarter and branch offices are located. You can indicate specific routes that customers should take in order to locate your place of business. You can also pin important landmarks on your interactive map for quick reference. The clickable flash map can serve as your virtual mapper — your customers will find information about your company and products much easier.

If you are selling real estate, then your website might have a property search function. Once you finished your website, you can add an interactive map to serve as a search tool. For example, you can generate a map for the properties that are listed for sale by your company in different states or counties in the United States. All your visitors need to do is click on their desired state or county of your property map, and then see the list of properties as search results.

You can also use this interactive flash map to provide further details about the area, such as schools, parks, building, etc. These interactive functions can attract property buyers so you can generate more sales leads for your company.

If you need to provide information on your website related to different countries of the world, you can create a interactive world countries map use a map software such as iMapBuilder. Use different color settings to differentiate continents, countries, or states. Users of your website will have an easier time identifying different areas in the world map with related information

Creating interactive maps requires skills and programming efforts. Even if you are a flash expert, you might not want to draw all the maps by hand, and then code all the actionscripts. A professional map building software such as iMapBuilder can be a valuable assistant to make the task a lot easier.

With available map softwares, you can use ready made map templates, or import common image files (such as JPG or GIF image) into the software, then add the elements, such as clickable dots, icons, mouseover tooltips, set different colors for countries, states and regions, etc. All it requires is few mouse clicks and you will find it fun to use.

Interactive map can be used for many purpose. Discover a world filled with possibilities and convert your old static image maps into interactive flash maps!

FAICO, web and flash software developer since 1996. His software including Flash Video Player, and Interactive Map Builder.