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Comparison GeoVis tools

WrongEntertainment edited this page Apr 21, 2012 · 8 revisions

Good brief crits of and comparison between various libraries

Toolkits & Libraries

Unfolding

Unfolding is a Processing/Java library to create interactive thematic maps and geovisualizations.

  • Technical background: Java/Processing, Tile based, Stand-alone applications.
  • Tutorials / Documentation: Only one presentation on Slideshare.
  • Examples: Few in distribution, but lots in SVN.
  • Community: Some contributors, some posts in Processing forum, a few posts and tutorials on external sites.
  • Alive: Yes. Slow release cycle.
  • URL: unfoldingmaps.org

PolyMaps

Polymaps is a free JavaScript library for making dynamic, interactive maps in modern web browsers.

  • Technical background: JavaScript, SVG, web.
  • Tutorials / Documentation: Examples, and method Documentation
  • Examples: 17 Examples
  • Community: 4 contributors, 731 watchers, 63 forks. last update 10 Month ago, gitHub
  • Alive: Yes.
  • URL: polymaps.org

Modest Maps

Various languages (JavaScript, Flash, Python, ...) http://modestmaps.com/
javascript --> Contributors: 4 --> Forks: 24 --> Watchers: 189

Other implementations:
modestmaps Python --> Contributors: 1, Forks: 5, Watchers: 14
modestmaps ActionScript 3 --> Contributors: 0, Forks: 3, Watchers: 18
modestmaps Processing --> Contributors: 2, Forks: 3, Watchers: 13
modestmaps PHP --> Contributors: 0, Forks: 2, Watchers: 8
modestmaps cinder --> Contributors: 1, Forks: 3, Watchers: 7
modestmaps openFrameworks --> Contributors: 1, Forks: 1, Watchers: 7

d3

JavaScript, canvas http://mbostock.github.com/d3/

Kartograph

JavaScript, SVG http://kartograph.org/

Google Maps API

https://developers.google.com/maps/

Open Layers

http://openlayers.org/

Leaflet

http://leaflet.cloudmade.com

Tools

http://geocommons.com/ http://indiemapper.com/ http://www.worldmapper.org/ http://www.tableausoftware.com/solutions/mapping http://www.tile5.org/ http://cartagen.org/