.. _everyblock_study:

EveryBlock
==========

.. include:: everyblock_about.inc

|everyblock-intro|

EveryBlock considered other existing Javascript APIs for their site, like the
Google Maps Javascript API. However,  EveryBlock wanted maps that looked like
the rest of their site, using the same color scheme, style, and more. Paul
Smith, co-founder of EveryBlock, in describing EveryBlock's decision, explained
that with Google Maps, "the core component—the map itself—is out of your
hands." 

.. image:: _static/everyblock_sm.png
   :align: right 

With OpenLayers, on the other hand, EveryBlock gets complete control: over
styling, data, restrictions on usage, and more. Using OpenLayers, EveryBlock
was able to create maps for their website that were in their control, rather
than the control of the API provider.

Starting with the US Census bureau's TIGER/Line dataset, EveryBlock used Mapnik
to create attractive tiles -- originally using TileCache, and moving to a
custom tile generation/serving routine later on. OpenLayers was able to
accomodate both of these needs, providing the support needed to create custom
layer classes to load EveryBlock's tiles from where they needed to be loaded
from.

Another benefit of using the OpenLayers library was the ability to quickly and
easily create customized controls that had the functionality that made sense
for the application. By using CSS and easy to use map creation options,
EveryBlock was able to create a minimal set of UI controls that allow quick and
easy navigation of the map, with items styled in line with the rest of the
site.

.. image:: _static/eb-charlotte.png
   :align: left

In addition to using built in functionality in OpenLayers, EveryBlock has been
able to extend OpenLayers for displaying large quantities of data, using custom
server side tools to create clusters of data. Using OpenLayers vector styling,
they are then able to create automatically resizing features -- using
in-browser vector drawing support -- to represent various items -- news
stories, photos, and more. By using the functionality in OpenLayers, EveryBlock
is able to create compelling maps that tell stories, within the limited
framework of the browser.

As EveryBlock has grown, its use of OpenLayers has changed. Paul Smith
continues to support the use of OpenLayers for EveryBlock, saying that
"OpenLayers is sophisticated enough by default for many applications, but its
true power is in its design, which allows you to easily build customized
solutions; it doesn't fight with or hide JavaScript's nature -- an underrated
but powerful language -- allowing you to code new functionality with great
economy."

Using OpenLayers provided EveryBlock the functionality they needed in order to
get their website up and running. Rather than using Google Maps, like so many
other sites out there, EveryBlock was able to use open source components like
OpenLayers and Mapnik with open data from the US Government to build a
compelling mapping base layer. The ability to extend OpenLayers for support of
new datasources, and use advanced OpenLayers functionality like vector drawing
to save on server side image generation, and more, is a key aspect of the
usability of the EveryBlock mapping interface.

For more information contact:

  Paul Smith

.. _`Paul Smith`: http://www.pauladamsmith.com/
.. _`Election Day Advent Calendar`: http://www.electiondayadventcalendar.com/
.. _`Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail`: http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/
  
  `Paul Smith`_ is a co-founder and developer at `EveryBlock`_. He has been
  creating sites and applications on the Web since 1994. He’s also co-creator
  of the `Election Day Advent Calendar`_, and a founding member of `Friends of
  the Bloomingdale Trail`_. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.