Jump to content

Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Map workshop/Archive/Apr 2024

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

User-editable maps for more countries

Can someone adapt the template for other countries too?

These SVG maps have user-editable sections (any text editor) to allow creation of more maps on more topics.

Version 2: Convert a US list/table to a state-by-state data map. With examples and step-by step instructions. Example:
Homicide rates per 100,000 by state. FBI.
Simple map below with state names and colored states. See its talk page.
Medicaid expansion map of US. Affordable Care Act

--Timeshifter (talk) 17:55, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

I tend to do that for the requested maps that I take, but to be honest, I'm becoming less and less convinced that it's worth the extra effort as I often find myself reverting the uploads (overwrites) that have been made with Inkscape. That said, do you have a specific country in mind? M.Bitton (talk) 23:40, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
That is one good thing about these SVG template maps. They are created or updated with any text editor. Inkscape should not be used. Feel free to pick any country. I am just to trying to get the word out about this easy method to create data maps. The more countries the better. Then more people will try out this method. People just don't know how easy it is. I suggested some more possible topics for US maps (with data sources) on the instructions page. --Timeshifter (talk) 00:09, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
Writing in support of @Timeshifter: I made this template using an idea pioneered by TilmannR. By opening the template in a text editor, deleting 5 characters and pasting in data in the appropriate format, saving it from a Web browser generates an SVG that can be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. Customization options (colors and fonts) available, and no programming necessary! cmɢʟeeτaʟκ 15:11, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
I agree that it's much easier, but I'm still not convinced that it's worth the extra effort (even if I tend to do it just in case). As an example, I uploaded this map and wrote an instruction page for it. From what I can tell, the only editors who used it (here and here) ignored the instructions on how to use it properly and used Inkscape instead. M.Bitton (talk) 23:35, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
M.Bitton. I don't see the data source for Commons:File:Indigenous Canadians by census division.svg. Looking at the instructions I don't see an easy way to paste in a list of names and values. It looks like each one has to be done individually. Along with a color. That is a lot of work. Maybe cmglee can create a separate version of your template using his (and TilmannR) method.
There are 9 US maps created so far from the first and second versions of the cmglee map template. I created them. See them here:
Commons:Category:English-language SVG maps of the United States made with templates.
The second version of the template is easier to use. So a new US map with a new topic is easier to create now. Can use any map created with the 2nd template. Just paste in a list, and type in titles. Colors have already been selected, but can be changed. Same for font sizes for the titles and legend. For updates of an existing US map nothing is needed other than pasting in a new list of state names and values. --Timeshifter (talk) 17:23, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
@Timeshifter: the map that you linked to is not the original map. The map in question doesn't account for either values or names as it was never intended for such purpose, but the colours are easily done. For instance, the above requested map can be created in seconds. It's just a matter of adding a single line (.p_13, .p_47{fill:#225ea8}) to the section. M.Bitton (talk) 17:36, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
@M.Bitton: Can you link to maps correctly created from your template? I need to see what is going on. --Timeshifter (talk) 02:20, 3 April 2024 (UTC)
As I explained previously, the only editors (that I'm aware of) who used it ignored the instructions and used Inkscape instead. M.Bitton (talk) 15:37, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

M.Bitton. Could you create an example map yourself? So I can look in the SVG, and clearly see the changes from your template map. --Timeshifter (talk) 15:46, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

@Timeshifter: I didn't do that because I want someone else (ideally, someone who doesn't know anything about SVG) to do it. Taking the above request as an example, all that's needed is the addition of .p_13, .p_47{fill:#225ea8} to where it says "add your custom CSS below this line". M.Bitton (talk) 15:51, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
OK. People learn in different ways. --Timeshifter (talk) 16:59, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
  • These kind of SVG maps/templates were for a while superseded by {{Graph:Map}}, but unfortunately that's been a victim of the Graph extension being disabled. With the future of that extension still up in the air, I don't know if it makes sense to spend time on SVG choropleths. – Joe (talk) 16:03, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
There are tens of thousands of SVG maps and SVG choropleth maps on the Commons. See: Commons:Category:SVG maps. Technically, any SVG map can be used as a template for another. One way is to dig in with a text editor, and figure it out enough to use it for another map. {{Graph:Map}} was just one more tool. Some people prefer some tools over other tools. --Timeshifter (talk) 16:57, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
I don't know if it was quite so even. Graph:Map had significant advantages in terms of usability, accessibility, and editability. If it comes back I would be in favour of deprecated SVG maps in favour of it, but it's a big if. – Joe (talk) 17:27, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
I don't remember what maps looked like with {{Graph:Map}}. In each case it depends on which map looks better. Same as for choosing a PNG, etc. map over an SVG map. --Timeshifter (talk) 17:51, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

Map showing Mozambique–United Kingdom

I just need a simple map displaying Mozambique and the United Kingdom for Mozambique–United Kingdom relations. StevoLaker (talk) 12:58, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

@StevoLaker: Have done this, uploaded at File:Mozambique United Kingdom Bilateral Locator.svg. After looking into the Bilateral infobox more, I have requested a rename that sounds like it should cause it to appear automatically. Best, CMD (talk) 05:41, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
Thank you! StevoLaker (talk) 12:13, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
It still wasn't appearing because you had "UK" instead of "United Kingdom" (now fixed). M.Bitton (talk) 12:43, 11 June 2024 (UTC)
Looks {{resolved}}. CMD (talk) 08:19, 12 June 2024 (UTC)