Paperbacking Portland geogeeking: Adam DuVander releases Map Scripting 101

Yes, I realize “paperbacking” isn’t a word. But you hip kids Google and Skype and whatnot. I thought you would give me a little leeway. Or something. What’s that? Whoa whoa whoa. “Geogeeking” is so a word. Is so. Is so!

I think we’re just going to have to agree to disagree. (Is SO!) Because I’ve got more important fish to fry here. You see, one of our favorite Portland tech types—Adam DuVander—has finished his tome to geogeeking (is SO!), Map Scripting 101: An Example-Driven Guide to Building Interactive Maps with Bing, Yahoo!, and Google Maps. And we’re not talking any eBook here. We’re talking real dead tree stuff. And that, my friends, deserves a Map Scripting 101 launch party.

What does Adam’s book cover? Well, I’m glad you asked.

In Map Scripting 101, author Adam DuVander delivers 73 immediately useful scripts that will show you how to create interactive maps and mashups. You’ll build tools like a local concert tracker, a real-time weather map, a Twitter friend-finder, an annotated map of Central Park, and much more. And because the book is based on the cross-platform Mapstraction JavaScript library, everything you create will be able to use nearly any mapping service, including OpenStreetMap, MapQuest, Google, Yahoo , and Bing.

You’ll also learn how to: Create, embed, and manipulate basic maps by setting zoom levels and map boundaries Show, hide, and filter location markers and info-bubbles Customize your maps for visitors based on their location Use common data formats like GPS XML, Google Earth’s KML, and GeoRSS Create graphical overlays on maps to better analyze data and trends Use freely available geodata from websites like Yelp and Upcoming–and public domain geodata from the US government.

Sounds cool doesn’t it? Of course it does. And informative. Now, if only there were some way to meet the author to thank him for all of his work on this brilliant piece of work.

Well, ask and you shall receive.

There will be a launch party for Map Scripting 101, this Thursday, held—appropriately enough—at La Bonita, where a great deal of the book was penned. Or typed. Or whatever they do with books these days.

And word around the campfire is that you might score an awesome compass. Just by showing up.

For more, visit the site dedicated to the book, Map Scripting. Sold? Grab your copy of Map Scripting at Powell’s. And then consider swinging by the launch party on Thursday to get it signed.

Published by Rick Turoczy

More than mildly obsessed with the Portland startup community. Founder and editor at Silicon Florist. Cofounder and general manager at PIE. Follow me on Twitter: @turoczy View all posts by Rick Turoczy