FRC Teams Google Maps Directory

[naruto137]

I have just created a map in hopes of facilitating collaboration between neighboring FRC teams. I envision this map to become the standard FIRST directory just as Chief Delphi has become the standard FIRST forum.

Please add your team's location to the map and include your team number and team name in the title as well as your school’s name, address, contact information, and anything else that you want to add. Also, if you’re up for it, you can add the regional events list, kickoff locations, team seminar locations, etc. In addition to searching for other teams by location, you can search the panel on the left for team number, team name, or anything else a team has added to their by using your browser’s search feature (please note that Google shortens your description so be sure to put all key phrases either in the title or at the very beginning of your description). And please, observe GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM while editing this map!

How To Note: You must have a Google Account in order to add something to this map. To add something, click on the link below and then click "Save to My Maps" and enter in your Google user name and password. Find the desired location and then click "Save To My Maps" on the pop-up bubble and then select FRC Team Map.

Here is the link:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=105460526772026800183.00045cebef5a22bc2adb5

Thanks! – Jonathan Leung 1656

P.S. Just drop in some feedback on this thread and NOT on the Google Maps comments area to keep it all in one place.

[NorviewsVeteran]

You can even add you team's logo as a placemark

[Boydean]

Good idea.

Although I have some a thought. I think there should be a standardization of the color of the marking pins. I came up with a little something below to begin with.

Teams = blue marker
Kick Offs = blue pin*
Regionals = red marker
Team hosted events = green marker
training sessions = yellow marker
FTC teams/events = pink marker
FLL events = lite blue marker

and then maybe when regionals start kicking in, you can have the campfire marker for hotels around that area. And have a list of teams that are staying at that hotel.

When mark a regional. It might be nice to put a link to the team list, and date of the regional.

Also, I don't think that pictures need to be markers, to make sure people know whats going on at just a glance. Markers enable this, pictures take up more space, you really have to zoom in to see what the picture is. Just a thought though.

Again I think that this is a great idea for it to be open for others to edit.

[NoahTheBoa]

I agree with boydean, standardization would make this map incredibly useful, moreso than it already is. I also think that although using your team logo as a marker is pretty cool, it takes up a lot of space and covers other markers when you are zoomed out.

For kickoff events we should use the purple marker

[Vikesrock]

I agree with boydean, standardization would make this map incredibly useful, moreso than it already is. I also think that although using your team logo as a marker is pretty cool, it takes up a lot of space and covers other markers when you are zoomed out.

I also agree. I changed the colors for the markers according to the scheme posted (didn't really know what to do with the MN Kickoff), but left the picture for now.

[joshsmithers]

OK, would be adding teams left and right right now, but I can't figure out how to do it. Help?

:confused: <- stupid face

[NoahTheBoa]

I had to log into my gmail account before I could edit the map, try creating a gmail account and then you should be able to see an edit button near the map title.

[joshsmithers]

I had to log into my gmail account before I could edit the map, try creating a gmail account and then you should be able to see an edit button near the map title.

DUH! i never thought to click the edit button! crap, i wasted half an hour friday night tryin to figure it out. thanks!

[NoahTheBoa]

Good idea.

Teams = blue marker
Kick Offs = Blue pin*
Regionals = red marker
Team hosted events = green marker
training sessions = yellow marker
FTC teams/events = pink marker
FLL events = lite blue marker

and then maybe when regionals start kicking in, you can have the campfire marker for hotels around that area. And have a list of teams that are staying at that hotel.


Should we change teams that have pictures to the blue marker?

And I think adding the hotel markers is a great idea, perhaps even marking places to eat would be a good idea.

[Boydean]

Should we change teams that have pictures to the blue marker?

And I think adding the hotel markers is a great idea, perhaps even marking places to eat would be a good idea.

Yeah, I took care of that. Also I changed the Championships to the volcano looking thing, thought it was appropriate.:D

[NorviewsVeteran]

Maybe instead of listing all the teams in a regional on the marker, could you have a link to its web page on usfirst.org?

[NoahTheBoa]

Maybe instead of listing all the teams in a regional on the marker, could you have a link to its web page on usfirst.org?

I've started doing that to the ones that don't already have a link to the team list.

[surferacf]

I went ahead and posted all the Michigan District Events as well as my team. Now we just need some more Michigan teams to post and fill out the state!

[Boydean]

Hmmm...now just to make sure people read the standards before posting something. I'll add it the description, if you don't mind

Edit: hmmm it appears that the description is at its max character length. To bad.

[NorviewsVeteran]

can someone tell me the way to add a hyperlink to HTML? I'm trying to add link to our team's website

EDIT: nevermind, I found instructions

[Vikesrock]

can someone tell me the way to add a hyperlink to HTML? I'm trying to add link to our team's website

My HTML is pretty rusty but I believe it should be

<a href="link">Link text</a>

[Boydean]

I have been thinking about the idea of having places to eat around regionals. It might be a good to make a new layer(different map) that way it wouldn't over populate the real map. Might also want to put the hotel thing in there(the food layer) as well.

[NoahTheBoa]

That's a great idea... The map is already getting pretty crowded in some areas, no need to make too much more crowded.
My only question is how would we go about doing that?

[rogerlsmith]

I have a website that targets new schools and new students and I promote FIRST by using lots of videos. I have some competition videos, but I try to focus on promo-videos and why more schools should get involved in FIRST.

I put a Google map on my site so that if students were looking for a team to work with (if there school doesn't have a team) they could find who is in their area and where they might be able to get involved. Teams can add markers and so can individuals looking for a team.

Check out my site: www.firstobjective.org (http://www.firstobjective.org) - the map is under the "Home" drop down menu. You do need to join (it's free, no spam or advertising) in order to place a marker.

Also, users can add their own videos, join specific groups and participate in our forums.

[keen101]

Awesome! I was wondering wondering when someone would do this. I've liked this, but alas it's not made for FRC teams, and focused on Ubuntu Linux users. http://www.flippinsweetdude.com/maps/index.php But, i alway's thought the idea was good. Thanks.

I like the flippin sweet dudes idea that you create accounts with your logitude and latitude. You should implement that.

This map would also be better if it were officially adopted by FIRST and put into the TIMS. I think you should send an email to frcteams [at] usfirst [dot] org, and try to get this official.

[Mark McLeod]

How does this differ from the Google map that FIRST provides at:
http://www.usfirst.org/whatsgoingon.aspx ?

[joshsmithers]

How does this differ from the Google map that FIRST provides at:
http://www.usfirst.org/whatsgoingon.aspx ?

The most obvious benefit is that you can more easily get directions from place to place. (team to team, team to regional, etc.)

[Tom Line]

Excellent Idea! I added our build site to the map.

Can I also suggest that folks include a contact in the description? For instance, if I want to contact local teams, it's much easier to click on their icon and grab their contact info than to try to find it elsewhere - even if it's just an email address.

[ETGrant1649]

This was such a good Idea, we did it over a year ago. Check out http://team1649.com/witwif

Where In The World Is FIRST? (WITWIF?) is an interactive map with every FRC, FTC Team and Event in the world. It also has FLL Events. FLL teams are not available from FIRST but could be added.

[cbudrecki]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115558

I started one of these as well, and Team 385 maintains a fantastic one.