Vidar Networks

Vidar Networks

News. Learn what's new at Vidar Networks.

Dec 31, 69

Need a good starting point when developing APIs? We like this Wikipedia article on REST based web services. You may also like this Particle tree article on subject, too (via TRYNT).

Since the Vidar team has decided to bring online two APIs for public consumption we have a new found respect for the Yahoo Developer, Alexa Web Developer and TRYNT development teams for creating robust public web services.

We plan on launching:

• A US Geocoder
• Lon/Lat to Lon/Lat Distance Calculator

Both of these functions mesh nicely with the Vidar business strategy.

Now here is an interesting web service, USPS Address Standardization, from TRYNT Technologies. (The TRYNT guys are something else - very prolific to say the least)

And at last our (very rough around the edges) geocoding solution is online. Since we opted to utilize the CPAN geocoding engine we still need to enable a friendlier interface prior to going public.

So after downloading (for hours) and importing (for hours) we've realized a key element for any successful geocoding setup is patience.

Interestingly enough the largest problem we've identified yet is going to be large scale geocoding. Our first run solution is essentially a large scale proxy system that blends together various free geocoding solutions but with an estimated 25 million records we're going to need a bit more speed then that.

Where to next you may be asking? We plan on building our own geocoding system based on the 2005 TIGER/Line data.

We've decided to attempt to create a value-add business phone book using a combination of in-house databases, various third party databases and web services. Our goal will be to prove you don't have to be a "major" to run your own "yellow pages."

So now the important question - "What do you expect from your Yellow Pages?"

We're already planning to offer search by business name, location, type (or category) and reverse phone lookup. We are considering reverse address lookups. What are your thoughts?

Our recently launched Radio California website has been recently mentioned at Programmable Web.

While they have some capitalization issues AboutUs.org has an interesting profile on Vidar Networks. If you like our stuff we'd apprecite a rating :).

Quick and easy marker clustering? Marker clustering - What that? Marker clustering is the process of grouping sets of markers together to form new more generalized markers based on geographic proximity and relative zoom levels.

Thanks to some very handy JS code from acme.com market clustering has never been easier. Want to see a real world example? We've implemented "Clusterer" based marker clustering in Radio California. (You can get a real feel for "Clusterer" by zooming in and out.)

Introducing Radio California, a brand new Vidar Networks mash-up. Radio California is an index of California based radio stations that provide free streaming simulcasts. Thanks to Radio California you can easily find and listen to your favorite California based radio stations.

Radio California is made possible by combining data and services from GeoFeed, Google, TRYNT and Yahoo.

We've decided to revisit our local area classified ad property, CityRati. As new web services and apis are released interesting new ideas arise. With the introduction of so many new classified ad oriented apis CityRati is primed for a revamp.

We just recently touched on the TRYNT JavaScript Compression API because of its value to any developer who uses JavaScript.

Here is another interesting thread from Joseph Scott's Blog where they cover using gzip to deflate the JavaScript and use the browser to decompress the file in real-time.

My first thought - How can these two concepts be tied together to maximize effectiveness?

Here's something very cool (via Digg) for anyone who develops applications that leverage JavaScript, the TRYNT JavaScript Compression API.

While Vidar is focused on local search and thus map based interfaces we, like most Web 2.0 development groups, use more then a little JavaScript to "make the magic happen." We're still playing with it but our in our next application you will definitely be seeing this technology in action.

To give you an idea of the value of this API we compressed the XHConn which started at a trim 1336 bytes. After compression we shrunk XHConn to 902 bytes which 67.51% of the scripts original size. In the real world I expect this should translate to faster loading scripts and bandwidth saving.

While mapping mash-ups have become oh-so-common it seems like more fuel for the fire keeps being added from all directions. Here are two new mapping oriented APIs that I found via Programmable Web.

• GlobeXplorer - "We offer instant metered Internet access to the world's largest aerial, satellite, and map image database, available in a range of customizable subscription packages."
  
• OpenLayers - "OpenLayers is a pure JavaScript library for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no server-side dependencies."

New ways to map and new imagery to leverage through your maps.

I know it seems like its been pretty quiet at Vidar Networks but that's only because the entire team has been involved in our latest project. All I can say for now is it combines history, sightseeing and the latest mapping API available from Microsoft. I hope that wets your taste buds!

Lots of cool developments have been occuring in the world of mapping. Here are some of the major events IMHO:

• Mapstraction now offers a common mapping API that allows simple development for Microsoft, Google and Yahoo Map applications.
• ProgrammableWeb lists 23 Mapping APIs (hey guys if you counted our GeoFeed API you'd have at least one more - what gives?)
• Phil Wainewright over at ZDNet talks mapping mashups (via PW)
  

If you haven't seen this yet, it's more then a little interesting - Google Maps in Flash. No this isn't from Google but rather an independent development group. Looks like a lot of reverse engineering would be involved to understand their tile system. Very cool.

Places and Spaces, launched late June 2006, helps you find new and exciting things to do close to home or in any US city of your choice. Places and Spaces is made possible through data and services from Yahoo (Maps, Search and Travel) and TRYNT (TRYNT Contextual Term Extraction).

• Los Angeles, California Places and Spaces
• Miami, Florida Places and Spaces
• New York, New York Places and Spaces
  

A unique feature of Places and Spaces is its open ended location inputs; no matter if you use "Santa Monica Ca," "Santa Moncia," or "90403" Places and Spaces successfully identifies the correct geographic location.

Performance issues are currently being addressed.

CityRati, launched late June 2006, gives easy access to state wide classified ads. CityRati works by blending together Windows Live Expo Beta API with the latest Yahoo! Flash Maps v3 and a dash of AJAX.

• CityRati Autos
• CityRati Events
• CityRati Housing
• CityRati Jobs
• CityRati Merchandise
• CityRati People
• CityRati Pets
• CityRati Services
  

CityRati features mapping from Yahoo.

Near Home, launched in mid June, provides local area search verticals for a broad base of businesses and services. Near Home is a constant "work in progress" for the Vidar team and is the recipient of regular updates and enhancements.

• Furniture Stores Near Home
• Insurance Agents Near Home
• Temporary Office Spaces Near Home
• VOIP Services Near Home
• Web Site Design Near Home

Near Home is the first Vidar Networks property to take advantage of the Backlinkr and Trackbackr cut and paste services.

Near Home features mapping by Google.

NewsMapr, a third party application was launched in mid June using the GeoFeed Geographical Identification APIs.

In mid June Vidar Networks partnered with Alternate URL Ads to improve network Google AdSense revenues. If you use Google AdSense, Chitika or any advertising program that supports alternate urls then you owe yourself a look at Alternate URL Ads.