Google:maps - a freeware, open-source project to provide a 100% Java front-end to the GoogleMaps API - is a JSP taglibrary that provides cross-browser and clean GoogleMaps output, every time, according to the enthusiasts behind the project.

Led by Tom E. Cole, whose day job is as general manager of Lamatek, Inc., the group says that the Tag Library provides JSP developers with the ability to create fully functional Google Maps with absolutely no JavaScript or AJAX programming.

"I like JSP technology," Cole explains, "and I like GoogleMaps. To me it was a perfect match, creating an industry standard front-end to a leading edge technology, making it available to many developers without the burden of learning a whole new API or to many even a whole new programming language."

"It goes beyond the standard API by providing complete 100% Java event handling, either synchronously or asynchronously, includes advanced overlays like circles, polygons, boxes and the ability to hook the mousewheel into the zoom function," notes Cole.

He adds: "The taglibrary has been fully tested on all IE, Firefox, Netscape and Opera browsers supported by GoogleMaps to ensure consistent, cross-browser functionality. Using the Google Maps JSP Taglibrary you'll never see that 'it works in Firefox, but not IE' problem ever again."

Cole is quick to offer full credit two fellow developers: "Joaquin Cuenca Abela was kind enough to offer the Javascript code that maps the mousewheel to the zoom function; Kapil at tripmojo.com provided the Javascript function for drawing circles." 

Developers can incorporate Google Maps JSP Taglibrary with JSTL and its own built in event handling capabilities to create fully interactive 2-way mapping applications, Cole explains. Anyone interested, says Cole, can visit http://www.lamatek.com/GoogleMaps/ for examples, documentation and downloads.