How do I get started as a mapmaker?
You can create your account on the Register page. You may need to check your Spam folder for the confirmation email.
In order to start creating maps, you first need to create a team that will own that map. To make a new team, click on + in the menu bar and choose Team, then fill in the fields.
After a team has been set up, you can create a map. To get to the map creation page, use the same + button and choose Map. We suggest reviewing the tutorials available on Greenmap's instance of the platform.
What is a feature?
Features on the map include points (sites), lines (routes) and
polygons (areas).
Each Feature has a title, description and icons, and you can select
multiple maps on which it can appear.
Once published, Features are public on the global map and on your own
map (on our platform, or when embedded in other websites).
How do I make a map or feature public?
You will notice that the sites, maps, and teams added on the
platform are by default private. In order to make them visible for users
who are not logged in or not in your team, you publish them by making
them public. Here's how:
Features
- While browsing a site, you can use the Make public button on the site's page.
- While editing the site, you can use the is public toggle in the right pane.
- If you want to make more sites public at once, you can
use the list view on the Browse Sites page. Select the
sites you want to make public using the checkbox, and then you can
publish them with the publish button from the bottom bar.
Maps
Go on the Edit page of the map, and use the is public
toggle in the right pane.
To find the Edit page, start at Browse and click the 3 dots by your map,
then Edit the Map. View Features to see and edit all the sites.
How do I make it open to public participation?
If a map is public, the public can propose sites for it by contributing to Campaigns or using the Propose a site option in the menu, or by right-clicking somewhere on the map view and selecting Propose a site.
These sites will be by default private, so that they can be reviewed by
the map's team before appearing on the map publicly. The Map Team will
receive an email when a site has been suggested.
For mapping events and team members using mobile phones, we suggest adding the map to your home screen for handy access.
What levels of access are there within the same mapping project?
Access levels are defined per team and apply to all maps and icon sets owned by the team. Within a team, a user can be a guest (can contribute to a map before publication, a member (can edit their own sites), a leader (can add + edit any site or map) or owner (this is the Mapmaker who can edit everything, and manages team + map + can add icon sets). We maintain a mapping of the rights based on these roles here. All sites include the author’s name.
Is it possible to search and filter by icon?
Yes! On the main page, you can use the funnel icon to the right of the search field to filter by one or more icons.
How are pictures stored?
Pictures added to sites, maps, teams, and icons need to be
uploaded on the platform, and are stored in the platform's database.
They are deleted once the record associated to them is removed, or when
removing the picture with the delete functionality of the app.
How are the icons defined?
Icons are grouped in icon sets. On your own set, you can:
- add an icon to an existing icon set by editing it, from Manage -> Icons
- or create a new icon set for the icon, from the + menu item, and then selecting Icon set.
What basemaps are used on the platform?
We currently offer the Open Street Map and Stamen basemaps.
Can I use custom basemaps?
Yes, setting custom basemaps is available. After you log in, you need to go to Manage > BaseMaps to add your own basemap.
How can I import and export data via CSVs?
You can find here a tutorial on import and export: https://gitlab.com/GISCollective/frontend/docs/-/blob/master/en/manage/maps.md
How do I get the answer to a question not listed here?
If you have other questions, please contact us at hello@giscollective.com, we would be happy to answer them!
Alternatively, if you have an issue with the app, you can raise it on our Gitlab issues list.