Wiki-Map is finally in some shape. Those who are wondering about wiki-map, let me tell about it briefly.

Wiki-map is a free software development project taken up me alongwith a few of friends under the umbrella of Linux Users Group, Kolkata. It will enable public participation in map making, so that you can contribute in sharing geographical information with all. I was inspired by wikipedia and wanted to build some thing for sharing geographical information. Like the sketch you may draw, when you want to explain your friend to reach your house.

In big cities of developed country detailed city maps are in place making life easy (?) for all. But the cost involved does not justify the investment for economically under developed parts of the world. Wiki-Map in that way be an enabler to build knowledge irrespective from the economy.

Initially we started off with a map server as base. We soon realized the hurdle in getting access to good quality maps. The map needed to be in public domain that can be freely published in a website. Then there was other legal issues related to creating map and displaying it in a site. Like in India, every map needs to be approved by Govt. agency before it can be displayed. This is an administrative headache that few wanted to venture.

We needed good quality base map data, which is to used as reference by all to build further information like, name of roads, house number, location of important house etc. Once we have digital coordinate in our system, it can be further used to get information like shortest path, delivery route, best location and so many other ways. But basic data on street name, house numbering etc. can not come on its own.

Due to lack of base map project was shelved for almost a year, till Google released high quality satellite images for almost every area, along with an excellent set of API to manipulate the map. Thanks to Google, the project is now back in its path.

I spend a night to get the site in shape with Google Maps. It is not in any shape, I would call it in pre-alpha state. I am not really satisfied with the first look, for one the logo can be better. We need to build wiki-like feature of viewing versions of correction and roll back if some one does some mischief. There need to be a discussion page, like wiki. Right now, I have put stubs for this. Biggest I need an user friendly way to capture the geo-locations. My very hazy idea is to make user will click on part of the map to identify path, building etc. and take it into a database. Additional information then can be generated as overlays using Google API driven from the data base and PHP/Perl codes.

Source forge, which is the biggest repository of free software has agreed to host the site and provide infrastructure for development. All development activity happens in souce forge site and you can visit wiki-map in http://wiki-map.sourceforge.net

I need your feed back in making the interface better, if some one wants to join the development group that will great. We also need support in making the site look better as well as with the PHP coding.