UMapper

UMap API Gets a New Home

andrei — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:59:58 +0000

Earlier this month we announced that our ActionScript 3.0 mapping API, UMap, will be moving to UMapper. Today we are pleased to say that the move has been completed and UMap now lives on the UMapper Developers page. A few helpful links:

UMap is the Universal ActionScript 3.0 (Flex 4) Mapping API. The scalable component model allows developers to create rich mapping applications with interactive data layers. Our API enables developers to build fully-customized solutions. The current version is integrated with map data from OpenStreetMap, Bing Maps, CloudMade, Yahoo, DigitalGlobe, MapQuest, ArcGIS and Zoomify.

UMapper Sells Advanced Flash Components: What’s Next?

andrei — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:01:29 +0000

Back in 2007 while working on interactive mapping APIs (Google’s GMap and UMap) at Advanced Flash Components, we saw an opportunity to simplify the process of creation, tracking and distribution of interactive maps and decided to peruse it by building UMapper. After UMapper’s launch in 2008, it quickly became apparent that there was a strong demand for UMapper’s services and we shifted all the companies resources to it.

Last week we announced the sale of Advanced Flash Components (here, here and here). The sale opens a new chapter in our company’s history as it solidifies our commitment to UMapper and makes it possible to focus 100% of our resources on the project. All and all, very exciting stuff!

The biggest change to come out of the sale will be the move of UMap from AFComponents to UMapper. Starting this week we will be moving the API to UMapper along with documentation, support and everything else. From the license standpoint there are no changes. We will continue all current licenses and service level agreements under UMapper’s brand. We will keep posting updates on this blog as we introduce new changes. Stay tuned.

Mobile Maps: Android Loves UMapper

andrei — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:18:43 +0000

Earlier this week Google pushed out a new version of Android OS 2.1 to selected Verizon devices, and it includes a Flash-enabled browser! Based on our tests, UMapper maps look and work excellent. Best of all, things are going to get even better. Today Google unveiled a new version of Andriod OS - Froyo, which is a lot faster and more robust. We will keep updating UMapper to ensure our maps are fully compatible and take advantage of Android’s functionality.

In the Press: Making Maps to Challenge Readers with UMapper

andrei — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:32:57 +0000

Few days ago we came across an excellent post on Headlines and Deadlines by Alison Gow on Making Maps to Challenge Readers with UMapper. Alison describes the process of creating a GeoDart game in great detail and provides tips on how to make GeoDart games engaging. Here is a quick quote:

I’m not normally a big fan of verbing words but today I’ve been Umapping. Or, to be more specific, I discovered a mapping tool that has a neat little online game you can make,to send users clicking against the clock, trying to answer questions on a global or local scale.

My UMapper map - imaginatively titled How Well Do You Know Liverpool? poses questions such as ‘Where was John Lennon born’, ‘Can you find Paddy’s Wigwam’ and - of course - where Liverpool FC and Everton FC play their home games.

The GeoDart game produced by UMapper can be as big and as clever as you want it to be. I signed up for the free basic account, and selected theGeoDart game option, using Bing Maps (which I opted for - I could also have used Google, Yahoo, or OpenStreet Maps among others)…

Please visit Alison’s blog to read the entire article.

Mapping Volcanic #ashtag Tweets

andrei — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:00:03 +0000

As Europe’s air travel restrictions get slowly lifted, the consequences of Icelandic Volcano eruption is still a hot topic on Twitter. German media publisher Financial Times Deutchland is tracking German #ashtag tweets with UMapper. Take a look at the original article (in German) for details or explore the map below:

In the Press: Video Interview with UMapper CEO

andrei — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:48:00 +0000

If you want proof that UMapper is run by real people and not robots, watch the UMapper founder and CEO Andrei Taraschuk chat with folks from GISCafe at Where2.0.

In case you missed Where 2.0 this year, here are few hightlights from the geo world:

Blaise Aguera [Bing Maps] - The Map as an Information Ecology
Michael Jones [Google] on The New Meaning of Mapping
Jeffrey Johnson, John Crowley and Schuyler Erle on Haiti Crisis Mapping
Mikel Maron on Mapping African Slums with OpenStreetMap
Dennis Crowley on Adventures in Mobile Social 2.0: Twelve Months of foursquare
Walter Scott [DigitalGlobe] - Seconds to Anywhere
Othman Laraki [Twitter] on Geostreams

Check out the O’Reilly YouTube channel for the complete list of Where 2.0 talks.

The Sacramento Bee: Mapping California Taxes

andrei — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:00:29 +0000

It is well known that maps are great for visualizing complex data sets. A simple map visualization can convey complex information better than any other medium. UMapper publisher The Sacremento Bee has utilized the power of maps to show which areas of California carry the highest tax burden. Check out the map below or see it in California taxes: Who’s paying the most? article on The Sacramento Bee.

Aftershocks of Southern California Earthquake

andrei — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:43:25 +0000

As Southern California is recovering from the biggest earthquake to hit the region in nearly 20 years, dozens of minor aftershocks continue to rattle the area. SignOnSanDiego is using UMapper to create a real-time map of earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater. The map embedded below uses a real-time earthquake feed from USGS (United States Geological Survey). Please visit SignOnSanDiego for more information.

UMapper at Where2.0

andrei — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:20:33 +0000

It is less than a week until the Where2.0 conference kicks off in San Jose, and we can hardly wait. Take a look at this year’s keynotes to see why we are excited. If you are have never heard about Where2.0, here is a quick description:

Happening March 30-April 1, 2010 at the San Jose Marriott in San Jose, California, Where 2.0 brings together the people, projects, and issues building the new technological foundations and creating value in the location industry. Join with developers, technologists, CTOs, researchers, geographers, academics, business developers, and entrepreneurs to debate what’s viable now, and what’s lurking just below the radar. Learn more about Where 2.0.

UMapper team is going to be represented at Where2.0 by UMapper founder and CEO Andrei Taraschuk. Connect with Andrei on Twitter, LinkedIn or Where 2.0 attendee directory.

Here is a Where20 twitter search map.

2010 Red River Flood Maps

andrei — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:17:47 +0000

A year ago we wrote about innovative mapping techniques employed by The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead to map the Red River floods. This year the floods are back and INFORUM continues to innovate. In addition to Red River flood map wiki that allows users to contribute flood locations, they’ve added live flood cams, and a very cool neighborhood flood beat project. Here is how flood beat works:

To give our readers the most local and comprehensive information in this spring’s flood fight, we’ve created neighborhood flood beats this year. Using the vast newsgathering force of our newspaper, each reporter is assigned to neighborhoods or specific rural areas in which flooding is most likely to occur. People living within the area are also encouraged to contribute to the reporting or photography (go to our Flood Bloggers page for more information). Think of it as having your very own neighborhood Web site. That’s the concept.

Here is the map of flood beats areas:

INFORUM is not the only media company who is using UMapper to map the Red River flood. KCRG and GazetteOnline are among many others who use the power of maps to share important information.