With the battle between Microsoft (http://www.bing.com/maps/) and Google (http://maps.google.co.uk/), we easily forget that the web has a growing number of new products and project to support web mapping solution. This recent post (http://www.spatiallyadjusted.com/2009/12/14/openscales-an-open-source-mapping-framework-based-on-actionscript-3-and-flex/) from James Fee prompted me to start looking around for alternatives or different use of Web Mapping API.

Wiki Based Projects

OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – http://www.openstreetmap.org/- is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. The maps are created using data from portable GPS devices, aerial photography, other free sources or simply from local knowledge. Both rendered images and the vector graphics are available for download under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 licence. OpenStreetMap was inspired by sites such as Wikipedia — the map display features a prominent ‘Edit’ tab and a full revision history is maintained. Registered users can upload GPS track logs and edit the vector data using the given editing tools.

This concept has allowed the development of a number of alternative projects has Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap records:

Theme

Area
OpenStreetMap general, cyclists, debugging Worldwide
Information Freeway general, almost realtime Worldwide
OSM WMS Servers general, Web Map Services Worldwide
OpenSeaMap nautical map seas, oceans and waterways
OpenStreetBrowser features highlighting Europe
FreeMap walkers parts of the UK
Topo walkers and riders Austria, Germany, Switzerland
OpenCycleMap cyclists Worldwide
YourNavigation routing Worldwide
OpenRouteService routing Europe
OpenPisteMap skiing some European and USA resorts[20]
CloudMade general, mobile and various other custom styles Worldwide
ÖPNV-Karte public transport Europe
OSM Mapper Debugging maps by Ito World

WikiMapia

WikiMapia – http://wikimapia.org/#lat=51.45&lon=-2.5833&z=10&l=0&m=b – is an online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth. Inspired by the success of Google Maps and Wikipedia, two Russian Internet entrepreneurs Alexandre Koriakine and Evgeniy Saveliev launched the website on May 24, 2006. Its aim is to describe the whole world. It now has over 11,350,000 places marked. Although registration is not required to edit or add to WikiMapia, over 592,200 users from around the world currently are registered. All content uploaded by users becomes the intellectual property of WikiMapia.

Web GIS API

ESRI ArcGIS Server API

With the launch of ArcGIS Server 9.3, ESRI has made available a number of APIs for developing GIS application over the web: http://www.esri.com/software/mapping_for_everyone/api/index.html. But on that topic, for those who have already read my blog knows that I have already written few article the JavaScript API version.

OpenScale

OpenScales is a Open Source (LGPL) mapping framework based on ActionScript 3 and Flex. It has been designed for building Rich Internet Mapping Applications easily.

Their goal is “to implement some of OpenLayers functionalities, on an OpenSource and modular ActionScript3 map client, with great vector performances. Middle/Long term vision is to have a single solution for Web/mobile/3D/Rich clients”, http://openscales.org/index.php/p/openscales/page/Roadmap/.

But watch this space, I will carry on looking around and keep updating the list.