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Help |
ZeeMaps, a service provided by Zee Source, gives users a fast and simple way to create and share interactive world maps. With ZeeMaps, you can construct dynamic visualizations of geographic information, producing intuitive and graphical maps that allow you to easily view and analyze the locations of any group of people or places. For example, you can generate a map of places you have visited, or maps that mark the addresses of your customers, friends, and relatives. You can even create maps that indicate member locations for email group discussion lists and Web message boards or chat forums. All maps are stored on Zee Source servers, and can be instantly accessed any time, anywhere, from any standard Web browser.
The ZeeMaps service is free for all users. There is absolutely no charge for creating, customizing, and publishing your maps.
Zee Source professionals are available to answer your questions and provide assistance and support. Contact us via email at support@zeesource.net, or by telephone at 408-914-2955 or 408-373-4027.
We encourage and welcome input from our users. To send us your suggestions and feedback, click on Suggestion Box at the top of any page on our Web site.
If you are the map moderator, and you have added your email address through the "Customize" link on your map, you will automatically receive updates and news from ZeeMaps.
If you do not wish to receive news and updates from ZeeMaps, click on "Customize" at the top of your map, select "News" in the pop-up window, and check the "Do not send me news about ZeeMaps" box. This will remove you from our email lists.
The ZeeMaps service uses Google maps to display maps. Zee Source is not related to Google in any way.
Yes, we'd be happy to undertake any custom application development project that is based on mapping technology.
We are constantly working to improve existing user functions and add new ones. Currently, our priority is to improve the user experience by making the interface more intuitive and simple, and provide better customization options. If there is a feature you would like to see, please submit it to us through our suggestion box (see How do I submit suggestions or feedback?).
You can create a new map simply by clicking on "Create Map", "Create Housing Map", or "Create IP Map" from any page on our Web site. This will allow you to construct your map, give it a name, designate a map moderator with a primary contact email, add markers and entries, and more (see "Customizing a Map").
You can create and store an unlimited number of maps with ZeeMaps. These maps can be accessed any time, anywhere using nothing more than a standard Web browser.
A marker is an icon that indicates the place or location of a specific entry on your map.
An entry identifies a specific person or place on your map, and contains relevant contact information, such as name, address, and phone number. Each entry's location is highlighted on your map with a marker (see What is a marker?, above). To view entry information, place your mouse over the marker and left-click.
Entries can be added manually, or automatically by uploading a CSV file (see "Can I import entries from MS Outlook, Excel, Access, ACT, and other programs?"). To manually enter a marker or an entry, select "Add Marker" at the top of your map, then enter the information into the pop-up form and click "Submit". You can specify the location of your marker by either entering the address information, or clicking on a location on the map.
Yes, we support the ability to add entries in the UK and US with postal codes. Other countries support is coming soon.
The minimum information you need is a city and country to create an entry.
Contact files from other programs can be easily imported into your ZeeMap. Generate a CSV file for the records contained in Outlook, Excel, Access, ACT, or other popular contact management programs. Next, click "Import CSV" at the top of your map to add those contacts as map entries. In order to successfully import a CSV file, it must contain two sets of properties:
Imported CSV files can contain street address, city, and state. If you do not have exact addresses for your entries, you can specify "Latitude" and "Longitude" columns. Additional entry properties, such as status, telephone number, and email address, can also be stored within your map.
Yes, you can make changes to your entries in bulk. Do an export of your entries to a CSV file. Make changes to the entries. Do not change anything in the latitude, longitude and name columns. Once you have made the changes, import the CSV file back into ZeeMaps. Make sure you select the "Overwrite existing entries" checkbox in the confirmation dialog when you import your changed file.
There is no limit to the number of entries that you can add to your map. The marker display will change depending on the number of entries in your map:
Select the marker that represents the entry you would like to revise, and click on the entry name in the information bubble. This will take you to a Web page where you can change the entry properties.
Sign on to your map using your moderator password. Select the marker you wish to move, then click on the "Relocate" link within the information bubble. Follow the instructions in the pop-up box.
Markers and entries can be deleted by selecting "Remove Markers" at the top of your map, then checking the appropriate boxes from the list in the pop-up window.
Note: If you have more than 1500 entries in your map then you cannot delete the entries.
Photos and pictures can be included while you are creating an entry by uploading the file at the bottom of the "Add Marker" pop-up box. Or, you can add a photo after an entry has been created by selecting the marker on your map, then clicking on the name of the entry in the information bubble. This will take you to a Web page where you can edit the entry properties. Upload your photo or picture file at the bottom of the page.
Audio files (or links) can be included while you are creating an entry by uploading the file at the bottom of the "Add Marker" pop-up box. Or, you can add an audio file fter an entry has been created by selecting the marker on your map, then clicking on the name of the entry in the information bubble. This will take you to a Web page where you can edit the entry properties. Upload your audio file at the bottom of the page.
You can get the URL link for your map by clicking "Link" at the top of your map.
Maps you create with ZeeMaps are automatically saved to our servers.
Complete maps cannot be deleted. In order to erase your map, you must remove all its entries and markers.
A housing map is designed to help brokers, agents, and other real estate professionals visually display the locations of properties for rent or sale. These maps can be printed and shared with clients, or published to a Web site. Special search facilities allow users to instantly find a specific location or property. Entries can be added to housing maps using MLS numbers.
Yes, you can add entries to your housing map using just MLS numbers. This capability is currently integrated with the Vermont IDX. Please contact us for integration with the IDX in your area.
Yes, housing maps contain a special search box tailored to the real estate industry. So, your users can use housing maps to search for properties using real estate-specific criteria such as number of bedrooms, price range, lot size, etc.
Absolutely. Housing maps are ideally suited for creating maps of properties you want to show a client. Simply add entries to the map, and send the map URL to your client. Give a member password to the client, so she can make changes to the map as well.
An IP map is a map that contains entries based on the estimated locations of specific IP addresses. We use an effective and accurate commercial service to determine the location of IP addresses.
You can dynamically add Web page visitors to your map by including the following HTML line on your Web pages: <img width=1 height=1 src="http://www.zeemaps.com/locate?group=<number>".
Next, substitute <number> with your map number. Each time a visitor comes to your site, a request will be sent to our server to automatically determine the visitor's IP address and add that location to your map. As per our privacy guidelines, we do not store any information about your visitors, except data about the Web browser they are using.
Lists of IP addresses contained in other programs can be easily imported into your ZeeMap. Generate a CSV file for the records contained in Outlook, Excel, Access, or other programs, then click "Import CSV" at the top of your map to add those IP addresses as map entries. The location is determined by an "IP address" or "Hostname" column. All other columns are treated in the same way as an import of entries to a regular map (see Can I import entries from MS Outlook, Excel, Access, ACT and other programs?).
ZeeMaps allows you to customize several default properties on your map, including map type (satellite, hybrid, or regular), and which map controls are displayed (pan-zoom, small zoom, or scale). You can also edit basic map information such as name, passwords, and primary contact email address, and add new entry attributes. The "Advanced" link at the top of your map enables you to change its properties.
Each map can be given a name by clicking "Advanced" at the top of the map, then choosing "Map Name & Contact Email" in the pop-up window, and entering the name into the "Map Name" field.
Clicking on the "Advanced" link at the top of your map, then select the "Map Display" menu item. Within the display menu, "Map Width & Height" will enable you to set a default width and height in pixels. You can also have ZeeMaps automatically adjust the map according to your browser's window size by checking the "Automatic" box.
Yes, you can easily change the default view of your map. Click on "Advanced" at the top of your map, then select "Map Display" in the pop-up window. Use the drop-down menu to change the map type.
ZeeMaps provides map controls that enable you to set and change the center coordinate and zoom level of your map. These controls can be found on the left side of your map. You can also re-position your map by pressing and holding the left mouse button while moving the mouse around. ZeeMaps automatically saves all map positions, so the center coordinates and zoom level you define will appear when you return to the map.
Information bubbles can be altered by clicking "Advanced" at the top of your map, then selecting "Info Bubble". This allows you to define what appears within each bubble, and change the size of entry photos or pictures.
Marker colors can be defined while adding entries to your map by selecting a color from the drop-down list. Once your entry has been added, you can change the color by clicking on the marker. This will take you to a page that allows you to change the entry properties. Simply select a new marker color from the drop-down list, and click "Submit".
You can adjust the width, number of columns, and sort order of your list by clicking on "Advanced" at the top of your map, then selecting "List".
Your entry list is set to automatically appear to the right of your map. If you would like to move it to the area underneath your map, click on "Advanced" at the top of your map, select "List", then check the "Put list below map" box.
You can filter map entries by country, state, or other attributes such as phone number, email address, or Website URL by clicking on the "Filter" link in the top right corner of your map.
You can view a list of your map entries by clicking on the "Show List" link in the top right corner of your map. Once your list has appeared in the pop-up box, you can select any entry to view its details.
Click the "Search" link in the top right corner of your map to search for entries based on any attribute, including name, address, city, state, zip code, and phone number. You can even search for entries by distance, or by date (simply enter values as dates).
You can export your entries to a CSV file, which can then be opened in a wide range of programs including Excel, Outlook, Access, ACT, and other contact management packages. Simply click on "Export CSV" at the top of your map to create your CSV file.
You can explore thousands of maps created by ZeeMaps users by entering a map name or location on our home page, or by clicking on "Explore" or using the "Find Map" search facility at the top of any page on our Web site.
ZeeMaps makes it convenient for you to generate a PDF to print your map. Use the "Paper Copy" link above your map to generate a PDF, in different page sizes and orientations (portrait or landscape). We allow for various custom page sizes, e.g, A4, Letter, Foolscap, Executive, Half Letter, and so forth. Contact us for other special page sizes.
If you would like to print a list of entries, you can click on the "List" link to the right of your map, then click on "Details" in the pop-up box. This will open up a window with the details of those entries, which can be sent to your printer. To print only specific entries, use the "Filter" or "Search" link to restrict the entries. Then, create a list and print it.
ZeeMaps makes it easy to share your maps with friends, relatives, co-workers, customers, and other people. After your map has been completed, you can publish it to any Web site, blog, or message board.
Yes, you can publish your map from ZeeMaps to MySpace. Click on the "Publish" link above your map. Then, follow directions for publishing the map on MySpace.
To publish your ZeeMap map on your own Web site, click on "Publish" at the top of your map. This will allow you to customize the way your map is published, and provide you with HTML code that can be copied and pasted onto your site.
Yes, you can hide markers by clicking on "Publish" at the top of your map. This will take you to a page that allows you to customize your published map. Check the colors you would like to hide in the "Hide Colors" section.
Lists can be displayed to the right of published maps by clicking on "Publish" at the top of your map, then checking the "With list on the right" button.
Click on "Publish" at the top of your map, then check the "Open default marker" box to make a default marker open in your published map.
You can enable other users to add new entries to maps through your Web site by clicking on "Publish" at the top of your map, then checking the "Allow additions" box.
Changes you make to your ZeeMap are automatically reflected in your published map, so you do not need to re-publish it when you make additions or modifications.
Zee Source respects user privacy, and will not trade, sell or rent your personal information without your express approval. However, we may collect and/or provide aggregate statistics about its Web site and users to other parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
ZeeMaps offers several levels of password protection, so you have complete control over who can access, view, and modify your maps. All passwords are automatically empty, and must be set during map creation.
The "Revisit your maps" link on the ZeeMaps home page will take you to a list of all maps that have been viewed with your browser. Additionally, a "Find Map" search facility can be found at the top of each page of our Web site. Simply enter your map name or number to locate your map.
Make sure that the email address you registered with the map is valid and correct. Then, double-check your CSV file to be sure it contains the columns ZeeMaps needs to determine the locations of your entries. Also, make sure your CSV file does not contain any errors, such as blank lines and unnecessary commas. If everything is okay, then please contact us and we'll be happy to help you resolve any issues.
Make sure that the email address you registered with the map is valid and correct. Then, double-check your CSV file to be sure it contains the columns ZeeMaps needs to determine the locations of your entries. Also, make sure your CSV file does not contain any errors, such as blank lines and unnecessary commas. If everything is okay, then please contact us and we'll be happy to help you resolve any issues.
You can add double quotation marks around your zipcode entries to prevent Excel from stripping leading zeros. Alternatively, manually edit the CSV file to add the leading zeros.
If you forget your password, please contact your map moderator. If you are the map moderator, you can click on the "Forgot password" link in the "Login" area to have the map passwords sent to the email address associated with the map.
ZeeMaps offers an international geo-coding web service. The service will return a set of latitude and longitude coordinates for any given city, state (optional), and country combination. When you provide only a country name, the service will return the location at the center of that country. You can find more information about our geo-coding service here.
We provide international geo-coding as a free trial service. It should not be used for commercial use, as the service is subject is to change, although there are no changes planned for the foreseeable future.