Linking data to a graphical model that's updated in real time?
hi guys
I've had an idea, but have no idea what it's called or where to look into implementing it.
Let's say that you have a customer register online on your website, how would one go about linking that data to a live country map on your website so that everytime those registrations go through, they end up showing up on a specific area of your map?
I'm obviously being very vague here regarding the platform being used, but in case you know what I'm referring to, would be great to get some insight or tips?
Thanks
Yashy
I've had an idea, but have no idea what it's called or where to look into implementing it.
Let's say that you have a customer register online on your website, how would one go about linking that data to a live country map on your website so that everytime those registrations go through, they end up showing up on a specific area of your map?
I'm obviously being very vague here regarding the platform being used, but in case you know what I'm referring to, would be great to get some insight or tips?
Thanks
Yashy
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If you're choosing one path or another, I think the GEOIO web service may be a better choice than doing your own lookup with the Maxmind data. Geoio did not exist when I wrote the article. Here are the tradeoffs.
With your own MaxMind data you control the lookup. With Geoio, you have to call an external service. There is a risk, however slight, that the remote service could fail, and you will need to program around that eventuality. In my own scripts I do not need contemporaneous results from Geoio, so I start a separate process with a POST request, and this process calls Geoio. If the process completes successfully my data base gets updated. If it fails, I have an error handler that runs asynchronously. In any case, my web clients are not delayed by the remote service.
Using Geoio has the advantage that you do not have to reload a data base from Maxmind every month. It's not life-changing but it is a PITA. Geoio takes care of all that for you.
HTH, ~Ray
With your own MaxMind data you control the lookup. With Geoio, you have to call an external service. There is a risk, however slight, that the remote service could fail, and you will need to program around that eventuality. In my own scripts I do not need contemporaneous results from Geoio, so I start a separate process with a POST request, and this process calls Geoio. If the process completes successfully my data base gets updated. If it fails, I have an error handler that runs asynchronously. In any case, my web clients are not delayed by the remote service.
Using Geoio has the advantage that you do not have to reload a data base from Maxmind every month. It's not life-changing but it is a PITA. Geoio takes care of all that for you.
HTH, ~Ray
ASKER
You have been very helpful ray. Thanks.
Thanks for the points - it's a really great question! ~Ray
ASKER
All I will have to do is figure out how data in SQL (such as the amount the registering person spent on a transaction) and their location will link into something like this:). I'm sure I'll figure it out....somehow:).