@mappingtools
The Bing Maps name is used by Microsoft to cover their online map services. These are primarily based on the original Virtual Earth toolkits. The Bing Maps toolkits also include a JavaScript (‘AJAX’) toolkit, a 3D ActiveX control, a Silverlight control, and a set of enterprise web services.
The JavaScript control is the most mature of these products. It has a rich JavaScript API, and has a map coverage which increases most months. Maps can be road vector maps, satellite/aerial imagery, or “bird’s eye view” (a slanted aerial view).We have also used the Bing Maps JavaScript control for some of the interactive maps in the EcoMap Costa Rica project and for the Univ. of Dallas Biology Department Field Ecology class. Most business applications of the JavaScript control require subscription licensing with Microsoft.
The Bing Maps 3D Control (Virtual Earth 3D Control) is an ActiveX control that interfaces with the JavaScript control. End-users can access it by selecting “3D” in the control panel. The 3D Control features digital elevation data and increasingly-complex building models. Enterprising developers have already created flight simulators that use the 3D control’s API.
Bing Maps for Enterprise (Virtual Earth Web Service – VEWS) is a relatively new component of the original Virtual Earth suite, and replaces the old MapPoint Web Service (MWS).
Finally, the Bing Maps Silverlight Control combines Silverlight’s visual richness with Bing Maps imagery to produce a platform that is capable of delivering some impressive web applications.
