A major new feature has been added today that integrates a worldwide map into the forum for enabled categories, topics and users.
We’ve always had the Bikers Map that offers recommended places to visit but it’s an external feature using Google Maps and requiring manual updating by the admin. With the new Location Map, anyone can add pins by providing a searchable location address.
Adding Topics to the Location Map
For enabled categories/sub-categories it’s possible to add geo-location data. That’s particularly useful for the Places to Go subcategory and it’s been enabled there first. It’'s simple to use:
When you create a new topic you’ll see a button for adding a location.
Add some address information and click Find Address. You don’t have to fill in all the boxes but the more you add the narrower the search results become.
Select the correct search result, add a name if you want to, then click Done.
You’ll see the geo-location added to the new topic.
When you’ve created your new topic it will look something like this:
Click the Show/Hide map button to see a mini-map with your shiny new pin!
The Category Map
Enabled categories will have a new way to view posts, by selecting pins on the map.
Choosing that view will display a larger map with all the pins that have been added for topics. Click a pin to go directly to that topic. It’s never been easier to find somewhere to go on your bike!
Users Map
Although we have a British focus with Triumph, the forum is available worldwide. It’s now easy to see where our members hail from with the user version of the location map.
This is an opt-in function. You put your pin on the map by adding a Map Location to your user profile. Note: The field you need to use is at the bottom of your profile page!
It’s not recommended that you put your exact address, just your town or general area. As you type, the forum will start searching and bringing back results for you to choose from. Don’t forget to hit Save Changes
Your location will appear on your user card that other members can see by clicking on your avatar. More interestingly, there’s a new option in the sidebar that will open a large map showing you where your fellow members are posting from.
Additional Notes
There are a few areas still being looked in to:
While you can zoom in and out with the buttons on the map, the full-screen expansion doesn’t behave very well at the moment.
The map feature is highly configurable so if anyone has any suggestions please post them as it may well be something we can tweak.
There are other base maps available so this may be changed if a preferable one is found. The functionality will be the same but it may look slightly different.
The geodata provider is also configurable. There’s still some exploration being done to see if any of them offer a better user experience.
Places on the Bikers Map will be migrated in to the forum with the intention of retiring the old map in the future.
Feedback and questions welcome, as always.