The areas of geo-coding and data-representation on maps have developped rapidly within the last few years. Where getting data represented on maps was quite a task years ago, it is now possible to have your data displayed virtually within minutes! There are lots of free services on the internet which helps you with geo-coding of data and map-display of data. The services described below are but a small selection the total, albeit among the more well-known and easy-to-use.
This online software enables you to bulk geo-code data stored in spreadsheets and the like. The process takes only four steps: First, copy the spreadsheet data into the online form; second, validate the data and set the options for data display and visualisation; third, automatic geo-coding of data online; fourth, checking the locations are placed correctly and on save your map is generated for use. Data is exported in KML-format.
This is a web service provided by Google for geo-data management. It is possible to upload one's own data tables or KML-files through one's Google account and Google Docs. Data is stored in multiple tables that Internet users can view and download. The data has to be geo-coded in the outset, either as KML-files or georeferenced with latitude and longitude. The Web service is great for visualising one's data with scatterplots, timelines, geographical maps and much else. Data is exported in a comma-separated values file format.
This well-known web mapping service application provided by Google, free (for non-commercial use) and powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website. It is possible to embed maps on third-party websites via the Google Maps API, primarily by means of the so-called I-Frame technology. Data is exported in KML-format.
MangoMap is a relatively new player among the ever-growing number of online GIS systems. This online GIS is quite easy to use and has both free and premium features. The free features are sufficient for most publishers of geo-referenced onomastic material. Data is imported in ArcGIS-format (.shp).
CartoDB is also relatively new among the online GIS systems. As with MangoMap, the online CartoDB GIS system is quite easy to use and has both free and premium features. The free features are sufficient for most publishers of geo-referenced onomastic material. Data is imported in a number of formats, including Text (.txt), Excel (.xls), KML (.kml/.kmz), ArcGIS-format (.shp) and others.
This is the technical term for assigning information with co-ordinate information, such as latitude and longitude or x and y coordinates.
Online mapping software firms tend to prefer latitude and longitude data, whereas GIS-software normally operate with x-y co-ordinates.