Been a while hasn’t it?

Hello everyone this is map guy. Well I am going to put it bluntly, I have been busy. My job search is taking much longer then I had anticipated and people who were on board to take the site to the next level simply lost interest. I am unable to carry all the changes and edits on my own anymore. So I have opened the map for everyone to edit again and all updates and new features are frozen until further notice. Again sorry I did not keep you all in the loop, but I hope that if you are reading this and are willing to help out that making the map open will be a golden opportunity for you to contribute. Thank you all again and I hope to be back soon.

Where have I been?

Hello everyone this is map guy again and wanted to post a quick update as to what has been going on with the map. Right now I am currently working on the map and the functionality of it. I have been getting a lot of suggestions on how to make the map better, from simple things like making it bigger, to a bit more difficult of finding stores within X miles from your house. I am working on these things for the map and they are coming…very slowly.

I am at the point in order to make these features available in the near future to ask if anyone would like to help me in this endeavor. I have most of the information done, still some checking and tweaking has to be done, but the overall features that you want is something I could use some help on as I am finishing up the remaining documents. You can help me get everything in order so that it can be integrated with no issue. If you are interested, please contact me at retrogamemap at gmail dot com.

In other news the store additions have been slowly trickling in due to the fact no one is suggesting any stores to go to. If you have a store, please suggest it so that I can add it to the map for all to see. I have been a little busy with working to do some store research, so I am in need of the people of the internet to help me with finding stores.

That is all for the moment, until next time use the map and tell a friend about it too.

We got a domain!

Yes it is true, and official! Change your bookmarks to http://retromap.net on here you will find…the exact same page. However it will be updated automatically and when I can get a better design it will be shown here.

Also if you click on The Map, it is now showing every single pin location on a google map hack, not exactly what I wanted to do, but in the mean time it is better then nothing.

Also went through the comments and updated the map to include a SECOND location in Alaska as well as one Atlantic City. Check out the new locations when you can, that is all for now.

Ah, I got sunburnt!

Hello all just wanted to check in with you with an update about what has been going on.

1) I got back from vacation! Nice time at the beach in Wildwood, hit up the arcades down there….no retro stores to report back on.

2) I am working on Map 2.0 as we speak and have good news! I figured out an issue with the map! It is the xml file. Since there is no validation tool to help me debug the entire file, it is back to me rewriting the whole thing. <sarcasm>Oh the joy of XML editing on over 500 entries!</scarcasm>

3) I will be at the next NAVA, and so will the cast of Captain S, Life in a Game, and the AVGN. Come by and check it out if you can, maybe get something signed or something…

4) This song is catchy and wanted to share.

That’s all for now.

Map update

Hello everyone, just wanted to give you all a quick update on the map status.  First the list of stores is organized in one giant, huge, and boring to look at xml file.  That took a while since there is no real good way to automate organization of the items.  At times like this cut and paste is your friend.  The API is growing…slowly.  Map 2.0 will not have a lot of features, just your basic zoom, navigation, directions and the points on the map.  Yes I would like to add more onto the map to make it just better, but the goal the moment is to get the map up and running on a dedicated web page.  Once I get it working locally you will see the beta of it somewhere on the web.  Stay tuned.

Also I will be going to NAVA this Saturday at Digital Press, if you are in the area come by and say hi.  That is all for now, more is coming soon.

The BIG announcement

Hello everyone, this is Map guy and I am here with a special announcement for you all. I have….

*we interrupt this announcement with some minor news*

1) The link issue is done, apparently it is in the show notes of Retro Gaming Radio, I am listening to the show now to catch the plug.

2) We have invaded Alaska! Which was a lot harder to crack then I thought it would be, apparently “game” in Alaska is more hunting then of the child variety, there are a few other stores up there that I can not confirm that they are retro, so to those gamers up in the north (not that north, more north then you) to fill in the area.

3) 49 states have a retro store, only one more to go!

*thank you for the interruption of the minor news, we now take you back to the regularly scheduled announcement*

Alright now the announcement we have all been waiting for…

The Map is going 2.0

That’s right I am going to overhaul the map. I am not talking about just more stores or a reorganization, no no. I am going to modify the API so that the most up to date information will be housed outside of maps.google.com. Therefore all those little organizing things you have been suggesting me to do, will eventually be included. For now the goal is to create a master map with all the stores on the map in the API outside of the default site. Once I get that going, the possibilities open up to your design suggestions. So if you send a site in to be added, please keep in mind that it will not go up as quickly as it normally would, however once the new map is up….prepare to be amazed.

That is the big news, I would like to thank all of those who have helped in any way to make this little idea and make it something more then a hobby. Words can not describe how I am happy to know every single store addition, site suggestion, conversation started, or even just emailing the link to someone you might think it is worth a look, the site can not go forward without you. This map upgrade is a little thank you to you all.

Until next time, I am going to be stuck under more XML coding, while you be walking around in Funkertown.

A tad confused…

Hello all this is Map guy again with a quick question.  I tend to check out the blog every now and then to see how well it is doing and how many people visit it.  One nice feature is I can see where people find the blog at and what they clicked on.  Now recently I have this one link that is driving me crazy because I do not know what it is.  Here is the link;

retrogamingradio.com/adcon/links.php

When I click on it, I do not get anything, it wants me to log in somewhere, and then gives me an error.  Apparently it is actually a web radio show on OLD games (no big deal), however when I look for the page or mention of the site on there, I come up blank.  Anyone know about this?

Its a small world after all

Hello again, map guy here with some updates.  If you haven’t checked the map out in a while I suggest you should.  With the help of Spooky and Nicola we have circled the world some more on the retro gaming scene.  I have a nice batch of UK stores for you to go visit as well as some French and Italian cuisine as well.  So check those stores out and get those reviews in, any information is greatly needed for the map.

Now I had a suggestion for the site that I wanted to share with all of you and ask for your suggestion on.  “Hey wouldn’t it be neat to have all the goodwill/salvation army/(insert donation center) on the map?”  Well I did think about this, some of us want to know where these locations are as another check and other people think it is a waste of space due to the fact it is really hit and miss if you are going to find something in a second hand shop.  Sure you could find a gold mine down there, but who really knows?  I mean it is not like various charitable organizations have their own websites with a listing of stores for you to use.  I see both sides on this one, yes I could put it on the map because yes retro games do go to these shops, and you could get them for a steal.  However they are not really “retro stores” so to put them on the map is somewhat misleading…what do you all think?

That’s it for now, I might have some REALLY big news in the future, however I do not want to tip my hand until I get some details squared away, so stay tuned.

Aussie Aussie Aussie…

Whew…what a week. A lot of stuff going on, and map guy is back with a major update!

1) Australia, welcome to the map! I found out about the gametraders chain of stores and added all the locations. Northern Territory is lonely though….sorry.

2) We’ve hit over 500 stores! Awesome everyone keep those suggestions coming in, I will randomly add things as I see them in your comments, however if you do not see your store on the map, please be patient I am running a tight shift with a bunch of other things.

3) ITS OVER 14,000 (views)! Wow, I didn’t see if someone linked to the map from another location but I just saw a huge surge in views as of late, so if anyone knows why, let me know.

4) Other is now designated as Purple/Magenta Pins on the google map, thought to let you all know that.

5) ITS MOTHER’S DAY! Remember to call your Mom sometime today, its not like you normally would do it, but surprise her today.

That’s it for now, have a good day and remember that this is a knife! (What? You wanted to make some Outback steakhouse reference instead? I thought Ben Hogan would be funnier)

Grand Opening and other news

Hi all, yes it has been a while but I have good news to report! Tomorrow is the grand opening of a retro game store! Amazing isn’t it? Here is the address for all of you to check it out.

People Play Games
3264 1/2 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
773-883-8813

So if anyone is near by Wrigley Field, check it out and review it.

Now for the sad news, my schooling has been delayed. Basically remember how Sony felt when the release of MGS4 was delayed, I have that same feeling with graduating. It is so close only to be yanked away from me and having someone go “Hey you know your schooling? We are going to force you to do a long ass project for another month hahahahahaha!”

As you might expect things are going to be delayed due to this, at this junction I wanted to tell you all that I had an awesome time at toomanygames and share some kickass vendor info, however due to personal life issues mentioned about I had to skip the event. :(

So the great reorganization will not occur until I am done with school so expect that in June/July range. I am still adding stores to the map as you see above, however things did slow down on that end, I don’t know if this was due to everyone already shared their stores or if that there is no more to add (please be the first one), so I am asking all of you if you have any stores to share let me know so I can add them, if not then pass the link around to people who have not seen it so we can blow it up. There are still no stores in New Hampshire and Alaska, cmon people we almost found a store in every state, including New Mexico!

One more thing, the map is OVER 9000 10000 11000 12000 views, sorry had to due that.