What did you do
to our Mapping program?by David Foster
CBR Systems Analyst
We have received many questions and comments from members regarding our new MarketLinx mapping program.
In an effort to address your concerns, we offer the following responses to some of your comments...
“Why did we change the mapping module?”
Shortly after conversion, our original third party mapping site, MapBlast, became a registered site requiring members to register/login to access the program. This distraction broke the flow of your search by adding extra steps to get to your information. At this point, we determined that we would purchase the MarketLinx mapping module. However, it wasn't quite ready. So the switch to another third party mapping site, MapQuest, was a temporary solution (to get away from the registration/login issue above). Purchasing our own module would provide significantly greater control over map content and get us out from underneath the control of any third party vendor.
Other concerns in using a third party mapping site include:
• MapQuest only mapped one property at a time
• Obtrusive advertisements
• No control over map appearance, content, etc.
• Every time MapQuest made an upgrade to their servers, Marketlinx had to do some programming to Tempo to adjust (causing downtime on the mapping link until completed)
• There are no guarantees that a site would not do what MapBlast did, or worse become a “pay for access” site
“This new mapping product doesn't work as well as the old one.”
Oh, but it will! Our current mapping program is a ‘work in progress'. New features and moduels will be added as it develops. Once the smoke has cleared, it should be a very powerful tool.
“So what's so great about this new mapping module?”
Owning our own module provides much greater control and flexibility over map design, content, etc. We can make the streets green and the rivers blue or vice versa. For example, we can add features such as having the address appear at the bottom of the screen when you ‘mouseover' its icon on the map. In addition, other Boards across the country are using the module so any good ideas/functionality that another Board may implement, we will likely be able to take advantage of also.
If you can bear with us over the next few months while we tweak and tailor the module, we guarantee that the result will be a much better, easier and more effective tool when finished.
Additional benefits of Marketlinx mapping:
• Maps multiple properties at one time (see Diag. 01)
• Allows users to run searches by making a selection on the
map (see Diag. 02 and 03)
• Geo-coding is updated quarterly, new streets are added annually
• We have control over the site
• No advertisements
Diag. 01 – Marketlinx Mapping allows multiple properties to be displayed on the same map. Listings appear as colored
|
 Diag. 02 – Using the Query Tool, a user can highlight an area on the map and run a search based upon criteria they enter after making the selection on the map.
(See Diag. 03) |
 Diag. 03 –By dragging a box(green) around an area on the map, you will be taken directly to the Search screen to input specific criteria to be applied to the geographical area selected using the Query Tool in Diag. 02. |
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