Map Weasel Tutorial
Glossary
(Copyright 1999-2002 Interactive Information Ltd)

Some Definitions

Some words are used with special meanings when talking about the Map Weasel:

Developer or `you'

When we refer to the developer or `you' we mean the person who will be using Map Weasel to develop web based mapping applications.

User

When we refer to the `user' we mean the end user of a mapping application. For the tutorials this will be you, but for the applications you develop it will be your customers or colleagues.

Atlas

An atlas is a package of maps coverring some part of the world, suitable for use in an application. For instance an atlas might have maps of Scotland with more detailed coverage of major cities.

Mapset

A mapset is a division within an atlas. A mapset is the set of maps which cover a specific area. A simple atlas might just be one mapset, the more complex example of Scotland above would have one mapset for the whole of Scotland and additional ones giving the increased detail for the urban areas.

Applet

An applet is a small program which can be placed in a web page to support a form of interaction not possible with normal HTML. In this tutorial the only applet discussed is the Easel.

Marker

A marker is a small drawn shape or image which can be placed on a map to indicate a position.

Hotspot

A hotspot is an area on a map which can react to a user's action, such as moving the mouse or clicking a button.

Callback

A callback is a function you write which is called automatically by the system when some event occurs. The Map Weasel can handle two kinds of callbacks:

Applet Callbacks

are called when an event occurs inside the applet, such as when the user clicks over the map.

Library Callbacks

are called by the library JavaScript when events occur, for instance when the library decides to display a different map or move to another level of zoom.

The only difference from a developer point of view is that applet callbacks need to be turned on by setting a parameter in the <applet> tag.

A list of all of the callbacks supported by the system is given in the detailed documentation, but for the tutorials, callbacks are described as they are used.