What is ORACLE MAPS ?
ORACLE MAPS is a newly developed Javascript library (as part of the Mapviewer.ear) with a lot of nice functions very similar to those we know from Google Maps.
This puts us developers in the comfortable position to develop Web2.0 applications with the "location" and "maps" in the focus - and this very productive (means: quick and smart).

The most important functions available for the maps: Move the map in the map-region by means of left-mouse-click down and moving mouse Overview Window - inside map, collapsible - outside map - 2 styles Legend Window - inside map, collabsible Navigation Panel, small, medium, large - position west, East, 2 styles - Slider or +/- or Mouse wheel Scale Bar - miles or km, Static text at border of map like copyright Info Window for FOI, 2 Layouts, adjustable, content/columns may be defined (in Mapbuilder) FOI based on "Theme" (Query on table) dynamic FOI thru JDBC theme (an SQL query drives the FOI objects) Show/Hide - Add Remove FOI Marquee Zoom - zoom to a draw rectangular area (2 styles) Dynamic change of Marker styles Pie, Bar chart inside map (BI function) - circles (FOI) in map, size depending on FOI data (e.g. big circle: high revenue, small circle: low revenue) Bounding Theme --> all FOI's - zoom-out Move an FOI (e.g. where a vehicle has moved...) Mapcache may be defined External Cache may be used to access/integrate WMS (Web Map Services) Mixture of XML, CSV and Spatial data for objects in map is possible Zoomlevels may be defined as per Mapcache Event Listener (Mouseclick in map--> Trigger event) and a lot more.

ORACLE MAPS comes with
- a well documented Javascript API and
- 55 (42) Tutorials which guide you thru the development process.

How to start with ORACLE MAPS?

1. Download the Quickstart Kit, unzip, copy to ur machine (JDK 1.4 needed)
2. Download the MVDEMO Dataset and install it (the demos do use this example data)
3. start the the mapviewer like: http://localhost:8888/mapviewer .....

In the Tutorial you will have to follow a view steps concerning the setup and you are set !

I have compiled a short version "How To Install Mapviewer - and integrated with APEX" in my BLOG. (in German)

You may consult the OTN Discussion Forum on Spatial, if you have questions.

Give it a try ! Good Luck ! You will be overwhelmed ! Promised !!!
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Useful Links around ORACLE MAPS:

Oracle AS Mapviewer (with Oracle Maps) Index Page:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/mapviewer/index.html

Oracle Spatial (Option) Index Page: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/spatial/index.html

Quickstart Kit: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/mapviewer/index.html (download & ready-to-go)

NAVTEQ / MVDEMO Demodataset on OTN: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/mapviewer/index.html

10 Spatial Demos - Flash: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/spatial/viewlet_demo_idx.html

Oracle AS Mapviewer Sample Screenshots: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/mapviewer/htdocs/screenshots/index.html

Oracle Fusion Middleware MapViewer 11g R1 Preview 1: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/mapviewer/htdocs/winsoft.html

More Interesting Material:

Pro Oracle Spatial Book:
http://www.dbazine.com/olc/olc-articles/kothuri1 (the new one on 11g is out since October 2007)

Integration of Discoverer and Mapviewer: http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/lokitz_location.html

How To JDeveloper and Mapviewer:http://www.oracle.com/technology/oramag/oracle/05-may/o35map.html