gVisit

[David]

If you'd like a graphical output of your website visitor locations, see gVisit (http://www.gvisit.com/). Basically, they are using Google maps to plot your visitors. Simple, free and a bonus for your site.

[francis]

Weird, I just discovered that the other day on Andy Clarke's site (http://www.stuffandnonsense.co.uk/archives/css_specificity_wars.html) that I linked to about CSS specifity (the gvisit link is at the bottom of the page). Obviously nothing to do with that other similarly named site... (http://www.gardenvisit.com/)

[David]

Originally posted by francis@Oct 10 2005, 11:36 pm
Weird, I just discovered that the other day on Andy Clarke's site (http://www.stuffandnonsense.co.uk/archives/css_specificity_wars.html) that I linked to about CSS specifity (the gvisit link is at the bottom of the page). [/URL]
Not so weird. I followed your link and found gVisit just as you did. I think it's a great use of Googles open architecture offerings. I'm sure we'll see more good ideas based on Google stuff in the near future.

[francis]

Useful? I guess it depends on what you believe, but there's UFOmaps.com (http://www.ufomaps.com/). Incidentally, I read somewhere that the term UFO is fundamentally wrong: it's not an Unidentified Flying Object, but rather an Incorrectly Identified Flying Object. Pedants rejoice!

[francis]

Frapper is quite cool (http://www.risingconcepts.com/frapper/) - it allows you to create maps for groups - for instance David could create a frapper map for cadtutor that people could add themselves to so that site users can see where everyone is from. Here's the newly formed frapper map (http://www.risingconcepts.com/frapper/metafilter) for Metafilter (http://www.metafilter.com)

[David]

Hey, I like that idea. It gives a more tangible feeling that a website can be a node for bringing individuals together from across the globe. I'll be looking into this. Thanks.

[David]

I just signed up for gVisit - actually, "signed up" is overstating it, they don't even require an email address.

Extremely simple to set up. All I did was paste a line of JavaScript into the head php include of the phpBB forum and "hey presto!" a world map of users.

Have a look (http://www.gvisit.com/map.php?sid=b4552ac2e0610b0161f6ea56c62e9384) and see what you think. At the moment I'm just using the free version but I may make a small donation and upgrade.

I posted a link on the forum and the users think it's "really cool".

I'm not sure how useful it is since the stats are available anyway but it is a point of interest and it allows the users to see where everyone is located. It's looks like a simple and cheap way to add interest to a website.

[Tom]

I really like it!

[David]

Out of interest, I just made a $10 donation to gVisit for an upgrade of the service. The upgraded service tracks the last 100 visitors rather than 20 and removes all ads and the donation button from the page. I'll let you know how it goes.

[David]

ClustrMaps (http://clustermaps.com/) is another similar service although I don't think it's as nicely realised as gVisit but it's worth having a look.

Having had a quick look round the web, gVisit seems to get the "thumbs up" from those who are using it. When I signed up, they said they were developing an advanced version. I would hope that this would allow you to style the page with at least a header and footer of your own or, better still, allow the map to be embedded in your site as an include.

[David]

:D My upgraded gVisit map just came through.

http://www.websitearchitecture.co.uk/watson/postimages/gvisit.gif

I just love the thought that there is someone in Tierra del Fuego sitting and looking at my website. You just can't beat that as a "feel-good" factor as far as a website is concerned.

Note: Not sure why the map says "Tierra de Fuego" - just a mistake?

[Tom]

How does it work? Does the javascript send data to gvisit? Or does it let you incorporate the gvisit map on your website? If it is supposed to do the latter then I can't get it work!

[David]

Tom, you should paste the line of JavaScript code into the <head> section of one (or more) pages on your site. Each time someone looks at the page, the data on their location (if available) is sent to gVisit. You then need to go to the address given to you when you signed up in order to see the results.

I don't see the code on your home page, so I assume you've put it somewhere else.