ARTICLES

Linking to Weather Data From MapPoint

Chris Gebhardt shows how to link to web-based geographical data from within MapPoint

Description:
In some circumstances, users will want to access a website that is based on Zip code information or maybe City information. For example, you could write an application that allows a user to select a place on the map using their mouse and then click a button to find out information about that City in a web browser. For this example, we will use weather forecasts. The problem statement is easy, "What is the weather at zip code XXXXX?"

Create a new Standard EXE application in Visual Basic. On Form1, add a MapPoint Control called MPC1, a Web Browser control called WB1, and a command button called cmdWeather. (The Web Browser control is "hidden" inside the Microsoft Internet Controls components!) Now, add the following code:

As you can see, this code is very simplistic and only represents one way to achieve a solution to the problem statement of "What is the weather at ZIP code XXXXX?" You could create a COM add-in that will appear on the MapPoint pop-up menu or even replace the default MapPoint pop-up window when a user clicks on the map.

A word of caution: You will want to make sure the URL use is safe and you are not violating any copyright or licensing laws.

Chris is a former Lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. where he was the Commander of the Tactical Crime Analysis Unit responsible for crime analysis and crime mapping. This job is the basis for the TV show "The District."

In his spare time, Chris is the Technical Advisor to the California Crime and Intelligence Analysts Association (www.CrimeAnalyst.org).

Chris can be reached at chris@crimeanalysis.net.

	MP2Kmag Internet