How2 Master Computer & Internet Maps

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Website Maps: A Tutorial

or: What do you do when there are no instructions because its supposed to be 'intuitive'.

Whether you use MapQuest, Google Maps, Google Earth or some other mapping software the fundamentals are basically the same. Google Earth is a great personal mapping program but has a slightly harder learning curve due to its added features and power. The samples used here and on my website are from CommunityWalk's website which uses Google Maps. Remember that all mapping software may not use the same terminology as we use here and all map elements may not always appear on all maps, but the basics are here as well as features that may not standout on basic maps. Just use a little imagination when you encounter a term or element that doesn't match up to one of our examples and above all else click it and see what happens. You can always start over.

GoTo Tutorial.

What Our Symbols Mean:

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Walking Trails: are usually flat or rolling terrain, paved or graveled (chert). More suited to timed/fast pace walking. No or very few barriers on path (logs, ditches, intersections). These icons are also how we rate the trails from 1-5 with 5 being 'Most Favorable".	Hiking Trails: are usually rougher terrain, probably hilly, rocky, dirt trail or unpaved. Several barriers. Some trails or areas will have branches or separate trails that might vary from walking to hiking so they may have both icons associated with them as well as more than one rating.	Coming Soon Street Trails: For those who can't always make it to the Walking or Hiking Trails from the downtown areas, or who walk on their lunch, or for out of townies staying in downtown hotels. We've mapped out varied lengths for walking or jogging the downtown area based on past walking events.	Trail Junctions: This is were trails may meet, cross or are connected by a short path or walk. Connecting paths are usually shown on maps as a white line/path.
Possible Parking: Are parking lots adjacent to a trail that are not designated for that trail. These may be business lots, street parking, vacant lots, etc. As always reasonable observations and common sense should be used.	Trail Side Parking: Are parking lots adjacent to a trail that are either designated for that trail or are public parking. As always reasonable observations and common sense should be used.	Photo Ops: Adjacent to some trails/paths you can view some very scenic locations as part of your walk or as a 'break'. In cases where these opportunities are significant these 'Photo Ops" are presented in their own full-sized slide-shows.	Whenever these Icons/Markers appear on a map 'click them' to open an information box about that marker. Whenever they appear in the 'legend' or on a 'tab' in a map click the checkbox next to them to show or hide all locations associated with that type of Icon.
Trails that are maintained by the Indianapolis Parks Department will be designated by thie Parks Department Logo. Clicking this logo will open the Parks Departments website page for that trail or park.	National Recreation Trail: Several trails in the Indianapolis area are designated as NRT's. Clicking their logo will open the NRT national website.	Indianapolis Greenways: Several trails are designated as Greenways and clicking on the trails logo will open the Indianapolis Greenways website page for that trail.	Walking Around INDY Map: Whenever this icon appears on clicking the Icon will result in the interactive map to the 'Indianapolis' view.*

*Be sure to review our 'Map Tutorial' to get the most out of the WAI Map. You will find tips and instructions that are relevant to virtually all mapping software but especially for getting the most out of the Walking Around INDY experience: get driving instructions to trail locations, find parking, break down specific trails to map a route with mileage, view the actual terrain, etc.