Need technical computer help

[Maceman]

I have a project where I'm compiling a list of experts in various fields by discipline and geographic region. The client is going to have to have easy access to this information over a lengthy period of time.

I imagine a computer screen showing a map of the U.S. filled with citations, preferably hyperlinks, to each expert. The references would also contain ancillary information, such as discipline or affiliation, much like airplane identifiers on radar scopes at FAA control centers. Anyway, that's what I imagine. have a lot to do in life.)

My question is, is this possible? Can this be done using any of the programs in Microsoft Office? If not, are any of you aware of any other software program that would permit the execution of such a vision?

[Daus]

Microsoft MapPoint 2002 is pretty cool. It's extra $$ unless you happen to have the premium version of Office.

[Glenn]

I'm not sure I like the map metaphor. It seems messy unless you have a real small set of data. Do you?

[TomGuy]

If your project is a standalone, you could possibly use MS Powerpoint. Other programs that create standalones are multimedia development programs. Low end programs include Neobook (about $200) and Multimedia Builder (about $50).

[ijcr]

Take a Cray 1..............

[Woodman]

It's expensive, but you could try something like Thinkmap

[databoss]

The possiblilites are only limited by the size of your checkbook.

[Hugh Akston]

I would suggest a web page with javascript to pop up windows over a map gif when the user puts their cursor over an area where there are references. The windows could have some information, and hyperlinks to more information.

If you wanted the information to be dynamic, you could write a small database and use java to interface with it and present the html content, and then probably you would need nothing except for the coding you would do in java and in javascript, your operating system (assuming it allows you to serve web pages), and a java development kit and JDBC driver (available from sun.com).

[Daus]

MapPoint Link

[frozenlogger]

You could keep it more simple with just an image map and flat text files. It would be close to Post #8.

[American Preservative]

Maceman, I like your title...can I ask a question, too? Thanks...

Someone I know was doing a computer defragmentation maintenance on Windows 98. During the process, the computer just clicked off. When it was restarted the screen area was smaller, leaving a black border of 1/2." Is there any way to fix this? Very simple, thorough instructions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Texaggie79]

If you want to make it super simple. Just use HTML and create a map image with links to the data html pages.

[Hugh Akston]

Yep. All depends on how fancy he wants to make it.

[Texaggie79]

First, check connection. Second check the display setting (easy way to get there is to right click desktop and select properties) go to settings and make sure the resolution is correct, you may have to reinstall your video card's drivers. If all else fails, you can just use the monitor setting to stretch the display wider.

[billybudd]

It really depends how much data you have and how technical you want to get. You could probably do it with Powerpoint - just get an image of the US and make hotspots over each location and label them. If I were designing your program, I would probably use HTML and javascript because they allow more flexibility and functionality than Powerpoint.

[Texaggie79]

Blonde method of "Print Screen".

[American Preservative]

THANK YOU, Texaggie79!

I'll "Remember The Menu!" : )

_________

C.G., J.R., Yo. - unpinged. : )

[bootyist-monk]

Perfect! LOL

[JenB]

Yeah, HTML is probably the best way to go if you don't have much experience. If you aren't dead set on the map interface, you can just do an Access database and set up a 'region' key - I.E., "Southwest" "Northeast", etc. Then you could search the database by region, and if you also have the last name as a key, you can search by name as well. Access is a little tricky the first time, but well worth the effort.