Our company developed a new T-MapServer map client that we present under the AJAX Client name. The client is based on a set of technologies (referred to as AJAX) that are used to create interactive web applications. These technologies enable updating the content of a web page in the background without reloading it.

The Information Map of Prague is a component of the WebGIS Prague system and the brand new graphics of the client is one of the innovations. However, the major innovation consists in the loading of the map using raster tiles in discrete scale that can be loaded much faster per the current viewport and without the annoying redrawing (blinking) of the map. One can now conveniently view, for instance, the 1953 Orthophoto of Prague in the half-meter resolution.

Map

The map project contains three basic map sources: the basic map and two Orthophoto sets (taken in 2005/2006 and black and white images taken in 1953). The basic maps are complimented with semi-transparent layer of street network showing the street names and also with a thematic layer of landmarks displayed as icons. After clicking on the icon of a landmark, a bubble with more information pops up linking the customer with the Prague Information Service server. Each corner of the map features one graphic element: a new, closable, quick-overview map; copyright information; graphic scale; and the map’s zoombar.

Side panel

There are several tabs in the new, closable side panel. The Map tab controls the map layers, conveys the application news to the users (the GIS administrators will certainly appreciate this function), and also serves as quick help. Another tab displays the search results. The returned results of the query are neatly batched into pages and each return is interactive with the map (blinking or enlarged icon). The third tab displays a synoptic legend.

More tools

More tools and functions are available, such as Print the map or Reference to a map. The whole client can be switched to a foreign language version. More tools will be implemented in the upcoming stages of the project.
You can test the application for yourself at http://wgp.praha-mesto.cz/tms/wgp_imp/ajax/.