cisco wrote:cheers dude
just a quick question ? i think i read that this can only be printed poster size ? so what is the use of this map ? to go on a phone ? ie to make the most out of it .
Well done on your hard work by the way and this is no way a dig i would just like to know the practical use of your map ?
Thanks dude respect
No worries cisco
To answer your question, the map is a hobby that has progressively got out of control over the past 10 years or so. The very first map I made back then was simply a very small part of my graphic design portfolio involving an aspect of web design. I graduated in graphic design many years ago and after that, spent a while teaching myself web design in my spare time and after visiting Amsterdam and falling in love with the place, I wanted to map the city for the best places to see upon each visit.
Nowadays, I don't work in the graphic design industry directly and all this is nothing but a hobby and thought instead of keeping my creations to myself and folio, why not share it with others and I'm happy doing this, as far as the map is concerned. Apart from the map web site, I have another web site with my weird and wonderful general art and graphic design work displayed, but as I'm a bit of a creative, artistic and self-effacing person, I like to keep that site private and as a result, it really makes no odds to me if I display the Amsterdam map on it's own or not, if truth has it, as all my creations are on one particular site anyway.
I could have easily made a map in Adobe Photoshop but as I know how to use parts of Macromedia Flash, I decided to stick with that as you can do so much more interactive tricks with this software. I think we can all agree that Google maps is awesome, however it still doesn't display what we all want to see, at a quick glance as such. Not only that, I can finally walk/cycle the city with all the information I want without a paper map, all stored and viewable on a smartphone without incurring roaming charges, plus the map would look great framed behind glass, once completed.
Eventually, the map will have all sorts of other unusual things plotted on it, along with links to other forum members photos and even Youtube clips would be cool too I think, whatever they consist of. I wish I had more time to work on the map but way to busy with other work and I seriously can't stress enough to everyone, this is only a hobby that will take absolutely years to create, but happy to upload the coffeeshop section and update this when required, as most of us here are all interested in this part the most, but it will have top pubs, museums, sights, certain shops, cinemas, cafes, nightclubs, selective restaurants, etc, etc, etc, (eventually!)
I guess the map, in the very long run and end, would have a certain value to it when it's fully completed to some sort of organisation, group or individual, I really don't know and to be honest not bothered about at the moment. I'm just an arty guy who knows how to do all this Flash web stuff, in between being self employed doing other work.
im trying to get into art/design myself as i only work part time i could do a course during the day , and i think some kind of art/design/photography course would help in my hobby too , ie the understanding of colour etc 
