Google Maps API Library for GWT

Hello everybody,

2009 starts with a very good news for Java web developers interested in Google Maps services. This week, the Google Geo Developers Blog published about the announcement of  the Google API Libraries for Google Web Toolkit. They’re a collection of libraries that provide Java language bindings for popular Google JavaScript APIs, facilitating its use with GWT, which translates your Java code into JavaScript for deployment to end users.

In short, this library provides a way to access the Google Maps API from a GWT project without having to write additional JavaScript code. Here is how it happens:

public class SimpleMaps implements EntryPoint {
  private MapWidget map;

  // GWT module entry point method.
  public void onModuleLoad() {
    LatLng cawkerCity = LatLng.newInstance(39.509,-98.434);
    // Open a map centered on Cawker City, KS USA

    map = new MapWidget(cawkerCity, 2);
    map.setSize("500px", "300px");

    // Add some controls for the zoom level
    map.addControl(new LargeMapControl());

    // Add a marker
    map.addOverlay(new Marker(cawkerCity));

    // Add an info window to highlight a point of interest
    map.getInfoWindow().open(map.getCenter(),
        new InfoWindowContent("World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine"));

    // Add the map to the HTML host page
    RootPanel.get("mapsTutorial").add(map);
  }
}

For more informations, the library comes with online examples and a straitforward tutorial.

See you.

–
Fernando

Omnibus – Finding Public Transport Route

Hi,

here in Recife was released a new service which provides public transport routes. Developed by Inove Informatica, users can use Omnibus to find a way to achieve some destination using buses and subways. The result is both a textual and visual description, providing an easy google map iteraction.

The same kind of service is provided in EUA, Canada, Europe by Google Transit, but in Brazil and in Recife, where I live now, there wasn’t nothing similiar to that. So, if you are in Recife and don’t now how to go to somewhere, go by bus using Omnibus.

See you,

–
Fernando

Jimmy Wales Interview

Hi,

this week, Wikipedia co-founder, Jimmy Wales, went to Brazil to participate in a collaboration event stated in Sao Paulo between November 10th and 12th. Besides of the event, he made a lot of interviews talking about the encyclopedia he created, the collaboration perspective, his future works and the future of the Internet.

So, I selected a very interesting interview promoted by UOL in which he explains this topics and answer some questions sent by brazillians to the program. I hope you enjoy.

I couldn’t embeed inside the post, but here is the link:

http://tecnologia.uol.com.br/ultnot/multi/2008/11/14/04023766E4913326.jhtm?fundador-da-wikipedia-diz-que-nao-acredita-na-web-semantica-04023766E4913326

See you,

–
Fernando

Secure Gmail

Hi,

few weeks ago, I told you about Gmail and Remote Sign Out.

Today, the good news is for those who worries about secure navigation. If you are one of them, it’s time to change some gmail default options. Now, you are able to configure your gmail account to use always HTTPS  protocol.

Using an https: URL indicates that HTTP is used with a different default TCP port (443) and an additional encryption/authentication layer between the HTTP and TCP. This system provides authentication and encrypted communication and is widely used on the World Wide Web for security-sensitive communication such as payment transactions and corporate logons.

To get a secure gmail experience, you just need to click on Settings and mark the option Always use https, as shown in the picture below.

It’s done!

–
Fernando

Walking Routes on Google Maps

Hi,

this week Google announced a new feature in the most famous web mapping service throughout the world. Until now, google maps enabled just car routes tracing, but at this moment you will be able to trace walking directions also. For that, you will need just to select the option in the search result box: By Car -  Public Transit – Walking.

Notice that there is another option here: Public Transport. Brazilians maybe are now asking what it means? Well, this is another google service called Google Transit, which plans a trip using public transportation. This service calculates route, transit time and cost, and can compare the trip to one using a car. Unfortunately, Google Transit are not available for brazilians, just for americans, canadians and europeans.

Below, is an example of the directions made by google maps using this three options said.

• By Car

• Public Transport

• Walking

–
Fernando

Gmail and Remote Sign Out

Hi,

the official Gmail’s blog announced a new feature in gmail account. They’re adding a new layer of information and control which provides the possibility of tracking your recent sessions and also sign yourself out remotely.

Who never forget a gmail session opened in somewhere?? It’s commun to leave gmail logged in with your most important emails and stuff, and this feature will prevent you from that unpredicted jokes, emails and gtalk conversations that was not made for you.

At the bottom of your inbox, you’ll see information about whether your account is open in another location:

Next, after clicking on Details link, you will be able to see informations about where your account is still open, by viewing the source ip addres, and its recent activity time:

With this information, you may decide between maintain the session opened or sign out from it. For that, just  click on “Sign out all other sessions”. It’s done.

I’m sure will you need to use this feature someday, just like me

–
Fernando