MapChat is an open source tool for integrating maps with real-time (as well as asynchronous) discussions between multiple users. Expression of local knowledge is enabled through text-based, threaded chat conversations, which can be implicitly and/or explicitly integrated with references to map-based geographic locations or features. MapChat is currently in its second version of development (a.k.a. MapChat2). Its purpose is to take the proof of concept embodied by the first version, and implement it more effectively by building on the experience and insight that has been gained through the course of its development.
As with the first version, MapChat2 makes use of MapServer technology and related mapping tools by DM Solutions. However, the mapping interface no longer uses the Chameleon environment. Instead, this version has been designed to use ka-Map as the client-side mapping interface. Apart from the programming specific to ka-Map's API, all other client-side code now makes use of the jQuery JavaScript library and related plugins/resources. The server-side programming is still being done in the PHP language. However, the Zend Framework has been adopted to provide a variety of enhanced resources for the server-side development. MapChat2 continues to use PostgreSQL/PostGIS as the database backend.
MapChat2 features better integration of resources and file structure, and makes better use of class objects in PHP/JavaScript. The majority of communication between the server and client is now accomplished using AJAX calls to a single API controller - different functions/data can be accessed via this controller. Other improvements include dynamic loading of resources (e.g., JavaScript code is only loaded when needed), minification of JavaScript/CSS code (using Minify libraries), and gzip compression of all text-based server responses. This has minimized the bandwidth requirements of the application, which has enabled its use over dial-up connections in some cases.
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