User talk:MapMaster

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Contents 1 Thank you 2 Translations 3 Giudicati 4 Thank you 5 this map 6 Atlanten 7 Courland 8 Huge task 9 Map request... 10 Map questions 11 30 Years and Italian maps 12 One more little thingie 13 Italy circa 1000 map 14 Algeria map 15 Help in edit war 16 Bohemund --> Bohemond 17 Image:Kurzemes un Zemgales Hercogiste 1740.svg 18 Crusader states map 19 La Serenissima nel 1050-1100 20 An appropriate username... 21 Re: Battle of Garigliano 1503 2.PNG 22 Domenico Selvo peer review 23 Agugliastra 24 Eastern Mediterranean 1450 25 Battle of Seminara, Part II 26 Image:Ancient_Greek_Colonies_of_N_Black_Sea.png 27 Inaccuracies in the map of Livonian Confederation 28 Map Request 29 Nice work! 30 Thunder Bay Wards map 31 Cheeky map request 32 Standard map colours 33 Tricky map request: Covering of the Senne 33.1 Getting close 33.2 Yes we are 33.3 Other Langages 33.4 Good article 34 Battle of the Gebora FA 35 The "Gallo Roman" Shield Boss 36 Barnstar! 37 Dahlak Archipelago 38 Seljuk Sultanate of Rum 39 Image:Baltic Tribes c 1200.svg for Polish wikipedia 40 Thanks ! 41 FYI 42 Maps of the Ancient Near East 43 crude map 44 Balts 45 Request 46 Map of the Second Punic War 47 Bangladesh Linguistic map 48 Map sizes (and article sizes)

[edit] Thank you

Great job on the maps. They are very accurate and illustrating. Thanks again! Omegastar (talk) 13:36, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Thank you, Omega, for your kind words. MapMaster (talk) 20:14, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Translations

If you want a translation for one of your maps, in French, German, or Arabic, contact me, I would love to help you! --Escondites talk 12:06, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Giudicati

Thanks!! Good work as usual. I was in my sea house in the Christmas days, so sorry for late reply. Well, my grandaunt has an Italian old encyclopedia with a VERY detailed map of Italian states during the Middle Ages (the best one is truly a puzzle with even the minorest seignories, it's stunning - it is about around 13th-14th centuries however). I'll provide you, if you want, as soon as I'll be able to scan it. Bye and thanks again. --Attilios 11:34, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Thank you

Thank you for the skill and care you are putting into these goodlooking maps. They enrich every article in which they appear. --Wetman 12:47, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] this map

Can I ask you help for a map full of mistakes? The map is here. Mistakes are:

• Trajetto --> Traetto
• no "Garigliano" city exists, I think you can remove it abruptly without problem
• Garigliana --> Garigliano
• Castleforte --> Castelforte
• de Corba --> de Cordoba

Bye and thanks and advance. --Attilios 12:03, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Atlanten

Haben Sie diese Historischer Atlanten aus Lettland (Verlag Jana seta) und Estland (Verlag Avita) ? - Urmas 10:42, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Courland

Hello, as I guess you have seen, I added Lithuanian translation to the Baltic tribes map. I also added the Lithuanian version to related articles on LT wiki. So I think it's done. Yoohoo! :) Now I have to write good articles for all those tribes... ;)

It was a very interesting job, and I really enjoyed it -- and it turned out to be one of my best maps. It also turned out to be my most useful map in English Wikipedia. It is now used in 17 (!!) separate English articles, with several editors finding uses I had not considered. So, thanks for bringing this to my attention, Renata! MapMaster 04:50, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

I have noticed one mistake in the Courland map. Where it says "Kingdom of Poland" should be "Grand Duchy of Lithuania" (Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania were parts of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth). Thanks again! Renata 04:11, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

Hey MapMaster I too wanted to point this inaccuracy in particular map, but Renta is faster as I see. Nevertheless very nice maps, could you say with which program you making them? Cheers, M.K. 20:58, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, folks, for the "catch" on my map of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The error stems from Shepherd's original map, which shows what Wikipedia calls the "Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth" as the "Kingdom of Poland". This is, as you may realize, pretty much the (layman's) default position here in the States (e.g. "Partitions of Poland" and not "Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth").

In any case, I have an idea on how to differentiate these various areas (e.g. Polish Livonia, etc) while still showing that they all were a part of the Commonwealth. I should get the change(s) up within the next day or so. It would be faster, but my day job keeps interfering (drat!!). Thanks again, MapMaster 04:50, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

As of "Kingdom of Poland" referring to the whole Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth I think you're not right - if you'd read recent publications on the subject, you might find out that both subjects of the federation [e.g. PC and GDL] did have quite separate armies, treasury and law, and you won't find any contemporary map that would state that, the joined state was collectively called "Kingdom of Poland" - "Polish Crown" was one of two subjects of the federation. Yes for some time it was thought, that after joining PLC Grand duchy of Lithuania ceased to exist, although modern historians, including renowned Polish historian of law Juliusz Bardach agree, that it was other way.--Lokyz 09:04, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

I have updated the map, which not only shows the Duchy of Courland & Semigallia, but the local extent of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Let me know if you see any other errors. MapMaster 02:02, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Looks cool! Thank you. Renata 13:48, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Hello again! I was concentrating on this map and I thinking that to place name "Poles" on the light yellow color, could imply that poles lived in whole area, which is marked as light yellow (even near Gulf of Riga!), and this is not good. What do you think? M.K. 11:05, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Since there is a similarly formatted "Livonians" at the top of the map, and since the words "Poles" and "Livonians" are in a different color and spaced differently from the Baltic tribal names, I would not think that a reader would assume that the pale yellow area belonged to either group. MapMaster 05:11, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Probably you right on this issue. Take care, M.K. 15:37, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Huge task

Ciao! How are you? I'd have a huge task (VERY huge) for you, if you've time. I've just scanned this map from my historical Atlas. It's about Germany in 1648. Do you think you'd able to wikify it in your usual enjoyable format? Is it too much complicate or bad visible. Let me know and good work. --Attilios 18:17, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Map request...

Hi, I see that you can make great maps, so I want to ask you if you can make a better version of this map? It would be usefull to some articles here at Wikipedia --escondites 19:29, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Map questions

Hello there - and thanks for your excellent maps. I made some maps myself (this and this being the most representative to the series) and thought of converting them to svg format. However, I have very little experience with Inkscape and have no idea how to do it other than by brutal border detection (which is not what the svg was designed for I guess). Would you have any suggestions how to do that? The maps are in a multi-layered format, so it should be easier, but I'm not sure where to start.

Besides, a couple of questions: what is the font you use for your placenames? Also, if Shift+Ctrl+C is the only method to convert the maps, then what is the way to make Inkscape combine all the newly-created nodes into one contour so that I could fill it with background colour? Thanks in advance. //Halibutt 05:17, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for a quick reply - and for your kind words. In fact above I described all of my how tos and how do Is, but failed to mention the what for. Basically, I know that conversion is not an easy task and without some sort of an artificial mind there is no chance for a "fire and forget" procedure. However, none of my map series is so far complete and I planned to add a number of other maps based on the ones I already have (for instance a map showing both the pre-war and post-war borders of Poland, a map showing the evolution of Poland's borders throughout the ages - all in one, and so on). I noticed that with svg such a task is much, much easier, as it takes only a click or two to change the shape of a border. In GIMP I have to constantly switch between numerous layers, as otherwise any mistake would be quite a problem to correct. It takes ages and I thought that perhaps conversion to svg would fix that problem. I thought that there might be an easier way, but since there seems to be none - I'll think I'll try to re-create the map using one I already have as a back-up layer.

Speaking of which, it seems to me that the Inkshape's layer management is somehow flawed. The tiny field on the bottom of the screen is supposed to show the current layer, but it seems that my objects and paths do constantly change the layer they're in regardless of what I do. Do you know of any way to make the menu do what it should - preferably in the GIMP-stylish way? Also, if Inkscape is not the way, perhaps you know some program that does the task in a more user-friendly way? Regards, //Halibutt 16:54, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 30 Years and Italian maps

Ciao! Thanks for the reply. Let me know if you'll really begin the big work. As for the map at Duchy of Amalfi, it's good as usual. I seem only that "hungary" is written without capital. I've also other Italian maps which shows in VERY detail ALL Italian states around 1000 and 1400, I mean ALL (even territories of single independent communes). I think, in your format, the sole solution could be to split it in various sub-maps, maybe one for each entiry (ie. "Territory of Malaspina" around 1400, "Duchy of Mirandola" in 1100 etc.). Let me know if you're interested. The 1648 is from Atlante Storico De Agostini, 1999. Bye and thanks as usual. --Attilios 14:04, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

OK. then, if you want, I cand send you a detailed map of Italian around 1300. It IS detailed. Similar to 1648 German one, but with ALL minor states visualized. Bye. --Attilios 19:16, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] One more little thingie

Hello, I feel like I am bugging you too many times, but the Balts map has one mistake: it's not Dnieper, but Berezina River. Same spelling in Lithuanian. At the same time, could you move Aukstaitians label a bit to the west. Now it's way too far to the east. Thanks! Renata 13:13, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

Ok, I think it's good. I am actually reading the Gimbutas book and other I got from Amazon, so when I am finished I might bug you further :) But what I ment is that Aukstaitians should be closer to the shores of Baltic Sea (or Samogitians). Thanks again! Renata 03:08, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Italy circa 1000 map

Odd as it sounds, there is only one map that had never appeared on my browser and that is the c.1000 map. All the others appear. Do you have any idea why this could be? Srnec 04:36, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Algeria map

Hi! So, for the locator maps, I created them so I could put them in an infobox I made for articles about Algerian cities, but it (the template) doesn't really work, so I'm playing around with it for a while... And for the map request, it is a map of départements of French Algeria at that time (1958), there where 15, now (1983) they're 48... and I would love to only have the map boundaries, I know the text is a bit bad on the image, thanks! --escondites 06:12, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Help in edit war

Can I ask your help in the poll to dirime this edit war at Castelseprio (see talk:Castelseprio)? I've stumbled in somebody with awful style layout, nad probably one of those guys getting stuck like children in their version of any article. Bye and good work. --Attilios 09:31, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bohemund --> Bohemond

Please note that this is the English language-Wikipedia, and as such we utilize the English spelling in article titles. Bohemond is the French and Italian spelling for Bohemund. Please keep in line with the guidelines of Wikipedia.—Ryūlóng (竜龍) 01:53, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Ciao! I verified on my Britannica, it seems that it is spelled Bohemond... so, if that is the most authoritative English encyclopedia, you're right. Bye and good work. --Attilios 21:44, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Image:Kurzemes un Zemgales Hercogiste 1740.svg

Nemuna river is Nemuna not Nemūna in Latvian, everything else seems more or less correct -- Xil/talk 19:04, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Apparently 'Nemūna" is a very rare spelling variation - when I asked about that another user moved the page ---- Xil/talk 21:21, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Hello, MapMaster! I have just dicovered this wonderful map of yours! Thank you very much for it! I just wanted to let you know that the map contains a word which has not been translated into Latvian - Inflanty (the Latvian word for it is "Inflantija").

As both of my parents are historians (and I have studied History myself too), I wanted to say that I would be very interested in having this map also fully in Latvian (that is, also with city names in Latvian). My mother could be then using it for presentations at school! ;) I would very much appreciate, if you would find time for making an alternative version fully in Latvian! Besides, I have quite a lot of historical books with maps at home (mostly about the Baltic sea region), so if you are interested in creating something new, just let me know here: [1] ! Thanks a lot in advance and greetings from Latvia!--Zummis (talk) 14:41, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

So the proper Latvian names would be: Memel – Klaipēda; Libau – Liepāja; Mitau – Jelgava; Goldingen – Kuldīga; Pilten – Piltene; Windau – Ventspils; Riga – Rīga; Jakobstadt – Jēkabpils; Dünaburg – Daugavpils; Inflanty - Inflantija and you would have to erase "(Düna)". I very much appreciate your work! Keep it up! :) --Zummis (talk) 12:39, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for the map!!! Everything seems to be ok (only the Nemuna river once again has the "ū" sign where it shouldn't be). In this thread Xil told you about this already (pls see above). ;) --Zummis (talk) 23:47, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Crusader states map

Thanks! The maps look good, much better than the old maps we were using before. There is always a problem with representing all the crusader states at the greatest extents all at once...the Kingdom of Jerusalem, for example, is depicted with its borders c. 1160, which is long after the collapse of Edessa. But that's a minor point, I suppose. Adam Bishop 22:56, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

If you think that the K of Jerusalem borders (as of 1135) are the misplaced, let me know where and I can change them. I based the borders on the two maps here, c. 1140 and here, c. 1100 with cross-referencng to Historical Atlas of the World, SBN: 389-00253-4. Of course, I had to make some decisions when these 3 maps showed different borders, and perhaps I made the wrong decisions, or perhaps these maps were wrong. In any case, I am open to suggestions. Thanks again, MapMaster 23:06, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Want to add an additional thanks for the Crusades map - it was on my maybe "to do" list, but was going to suggest it as a subject that would benefit from your treatment. Kmusser 18:17, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, ol' buddy. I do like detailed maps of little-known areas. MapMaster 18:40, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] La Serenissima nel 1050-1100

Hey, MapMaster! I came here because I noticed your very useful Map of Italy in 1000 AD. I am currently writing a heavy duty article on Domenico Selvo, Doge of Venice from 1071-1084. I was wondering if you could help me figure out exactly what major changes happened between 1000 AD and 1084 AD (the year I'm looking to set the map in) with regards to the Venetian Republic and the surrounding states. I've been looking around for some information on relevant maps, but it's hard to find, exactly. Whenever you get a chance, please write me back on my talk page. Thanks a million!! Edit: Just to help you out, I found this map here that you might find helpful if you don't already know about it. Thanks again! JHMM13 (T | C) 01:37, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks a million for writing me back so quickly, MapMaster!! I think for the article I'm just going to use one of your maps of the period and describe in detail what happened (Durazzo was lost to the Italo-Normans, for instance). Thanks again, and be sure to check out the article in a few week's time! :-D JHMM13 (T | C) 19:43, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

You are far too kind :-D. I was interested in a map similar to the one you made for Italy 1000 CE but at around 1085 after Robert Guiscard rose to prominence as the Duke of Apulia. One of the crucial points of my article will be that the reason Domenico Selvo was overthrown is because of the loss of the Greeks to Guiscard at Durazzo in 1081, but because of the massive loss of the Venetian naval fleet to Guiscard and the Normans in 1084 in defense of Corfu. I don't think there were any major losses to Venetian territory, but the expansion of the Normans in Apulia is important to the overall theme of my article. Thanks a lot, JHMM13 (T | C) 21:36, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

Hey, MapMaster! I was wondering if you needed some help with the political conditions of Italy in 1071-1084. Please let me know if I can help you in any way! You are beyond amazing for helping me out with this. JHMM13  08:37, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

Thank you a million times!! The map looks magnificent! I know it seems like I've neglected the article, but I've hit a rather rough patch with Italian and Monetary Theory exams coming up. I'll probably be back on it Wednesday afternoon!! JHMM13  05:23, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] An appropriate username...

I don't think there's much I can say about your work that hasn't already been said (try Ctrl+F 'amazing', just for fun ;). So, I'm helping out a WikiProject for historical maps and thought we could use some advice from an expert cartographer, though we don't have much for you to comment on, at the moment. I suppose it's just a small group of folks who want to develop more animated maps for Wikipedia, though with a programmable generator based on an openly editable database of events. We're firmly in the development phase, I think pre-alpha might be an accurate label. To be honest, I foresee using map collections such as yours to build such a database with an image deconstructor I'm currently coding as a backend to an animated image constructor. Anyways, keep us on your watch list maybe, or just inject some ideas you think would be beneficial, and I'd like to thank you for all the beautiful work you've already done. Xaxafrad 05:56, 10 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Re: Battle of Garigliano 1503 2.PNG

Thanks for your help. I think it will be enough to refine my rough translation attempts. Just a few sentences:

• 1. "Alviano and Córdoba: Night march; river crossing and surprise attack at sunrise on day 28." (right upper corner tag)
• 2. "Day 29: Spanish troops find out French camp empty. Pursuit begins."
• 3. "Day 29: Andrade and Mendoza cross the river and form the left wing attack."
• 4. "Alviano envelopes? French troops by the north."

---

Apart from that, I'm looking for a political map of the Eastern Mediterranean (from Crete to Palestine) in circa 1450, just before the Fall of Constantinople. I know this one, but after cropping the area at issue the resolution is too low. Do you know if there is a political map of that zone nearly 1450? Thanks. Regards, --Zaqarbal 13:50, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much again. Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean map, it's about Bernat I de Vilamarí, a Catalan–Aragonese pirate and privateer who established an operative base in Kastelorizo for four years (1450-1454). I would like to show his raids on the coasts of Anatolia, Palestine, Siria and the Nile Delta. I just wanted to draw arrows in a base map, preferentially a political map, to show who were his "victims". But I think I'm able to draw some boundaries (mainly Karaman) in a blank map. Anyway, if you think that an Eastern Mediterranean political map (circa 1450 AD) can be useful for more articles, and if it's easy for you to make it, go ahead with it. Thanks for all your work at Commons. --Zaqarbal 23:39, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Domenico Selvo peer review

Hey, MapMaster. I'm just letting you know that I've finished this article that you helped me with and I've submitted it for peer review here. If you have any extra time and are interested in helping out, I would very much appreciate any input you have to improve this article that, though I would like to call it mine ;-), is ultimately Wikipedia's to improve beyond what I have done. To help guide the peer reviewers, I've posted a list of concerns I have with the article at this point. Helping on any one of these or suggesting anything on top of that would be a great help! Thanks a lot, JHMM13 07:37, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Agugliastra

From all the sources I have been able to investigate thus far, there are only those five giudicati known, though there were surely more at one point. By the twelfth century, there were only four. Agugliastra was swallowed up by Cagliari. There are two assumptions, both original research, which I think can be made: Agugliastra approximated the modern province of Ogliastra more or less and it was approximately the region (third) of Cagliari which went to Gallura in 1258. I don't think that that's enough for a map, especially considering it's original research, but if I find out more, I'd be happy to tell you; and if this prompts your own research into it, great. Thanks for the offer. Srnec 03:54, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Eastern Mediterranean 1450

Very good work. Me gusta mucho el mapa. Choose the colors you prefer accordind to the Commons "standard". I think someone else could use the map as a base in various topics (e.g. Ottoman wars in Near East, the final years of the conquest of the Byzantine Empire, commercial routes in the area, expeditions of the Knights of Rhodes, etc.). Muchas gracias por todo. Saludos. --Zaqarbal 22:46, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

It's perfect. Thank you. Now I'm able to draw some arrows myself. If someday I get more information about Vilamarí, maybe I try to draw more specific routes, places, dates, etc. If I need help I will ask you :). I can also make an "overwritten" Spanish version map, but if you keep a base map, I can give you the Spanish names to write them. For example: Ottoman Empire --> Imperio Otomano, Knights of St. John --> Caballeros de San Juan, etc. As you want. Regards, --Zaqarbal 07:31, 15 April 2007 (UTC)

O.K. Here you are:

• Eastern Mediterranean 1450 AD --> Mediterráneo Oriental 1450 d.C.
• Ottoman Empire --> Imperio Otomano
• Black Sea --> Mar Negro
• Karamanid Emirate --> Emirato de Karaman
• Small States --> Pequeños estados
• Mediterranean Sea --> Mar Mediterráneo
• Egyptian Mamluk Sultanate --> Sultanato Mameluco de Egipto
• Venetian Territories --> Territorios venecianos
• Genoese Territories --> Territorios genoveses
• Duchy of Naxos --> Ducado de Naxos
• Knights of St. John --> Caballeros de San Juan
• Byzantine Empire --> Imperio Bizantino

--Zaqarbal 06:54, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Battle of Seminara, Part II

Hi MapMaster, are you up for another map for the Battle of Seminara? You created the operational map, but I'd like to put a tactical map in as well. This would represent the units engaged as rectangles, with some arrows to show how they maneuvered in the battle. Interested? If so I would provide you with a handmade sketch of a possible restoration -- how could I get that to you? Larry Dunn 21:59, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

Certainly! I'd move to, Larry. I would suggest that you scan the map (is that possible?) and then either email it to me or load it up to Commons. MapMaster 22:51, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Image:Ancient_Greek_Colonies_of_N_Black_Sea.png

I finally got around to fixing the SVG file, and I've got a working version (I think). It might not be exactly the way you originally had it, and I had to get rid of the locater in the lower-left corner (which if kept would be unscalable anyway), but it's better than an unscalable PNG file. Here it is: --CommKing 22:24, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Inaccuracies in the map of Livonian Confederation

Hello! There are some inaccuracies in this map. The point labelled as Ascheraden is actually Turaida (Treiden). Ascheraden (Aizkraukle) is located 56°39′20″N, 25°15′80″E, i.e. 15 km west of Kukenhusen (Koknese). Could you please fix it? Quercus schnobur 14:05, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

I think I fixed it... :) Renata 16:25, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for fixing it, Renata. It was entirely my error. Nice to know there's support out there when I'm away. MapMaster 00:42, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

No problem (I just hope I did it the right way - I am just so totally new to all this svg thing...), and nice to see you back :) I hope you enjoyed your vacations :) Renata 02:53, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Map Request

Hello MapMaster,

On your userpage you stated that you are open to map requests. If it's possible, I'd like to request a map of the Habsburg Monarchy from 1713-1740. There are a few maps around showing Austria-Hungary but none of the monachy before that time. It would greatly enhance an artikel dealing with that subject. I hope you'd like to help me with it.

Regards, nl:Gebruiker:Sir Iain 213.10.202.180 21:56, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Nice work!

Your maps are beutiful, informative, indicate hours of hard work, and show expertise in conveying information visually. I just had to give you this:

		The Barnstar of Diligence
		For creating beautiful and informative maps with attention to detail, quality, and practical value. Fishal 20:56, 7 September 2007 (UTC)

Wow, I am speechless. Thank you very much. I love doing this work here and in particular adding some non-text information and snazz to Wikipedia. The work is not all that hard, but yes I do try hard to be precise. For that, I have to thank all the many folks (indeed, experts) who've written back with corrections, suggestions, and information for me.

Quite a boost!! Thanks again! MapMaster 03:45, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

You're welcome! I had just encountered some of them at Byzantine Empire, took a look at the others on your user page, and realized you needed another one. They are definitely a notch or two better than any other maps I've seen on Wikipedia. Fishal 16:05, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Thunder Bay Wards map

Thanks for the tips, I'll fix it in a bit. :)

Now, what's your next map?? MapMaster 03:44, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

I've been looking for info to replace raster Map of Ontario with an SVG one. I've found some places with clear data but they're always copyrighted. I thought about tracing the current map, but it isn't detailed enough. Do you have any suggestions on how I can find that info? Vidioman 10:58, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Since I'm lurking here I'll go ahead and answer. You're going to run into that problem a lot as almost everything for Canada is copyrighted, but if you're talking about this map (which really does need to be replaced as it's a rather obvious copyright violation) then I think everything you need is available provided you have GIS software to import it into. Province borders, cities, rivers, and lakes can all be gotten from DCW, Great Lakes boundaries can be gotten from there too, but you might get a better layer from the National Atlas. The background relief can be gotten from USGS, I can probably hook you up with that if you want it as I already have relief for North America downloaded and pre-processed for my own use. Kmusser 13:21, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

I don't have GIS software. I was referring to the black white and red locater maps, but if the relief map should be re-done, I'll try it in the future. I'll take a look at those places. As for the Thunder Bay map, I don't think a locater thumb map is necessary. The Thunder Bay article already has a locater (which I want to replace), and the other page it's on is related to the Thunder Bay article. I have another version I am tweaking for the articles about highways in the area, however, and that map would have a thumb map, once I have made it. (for Ontario) Vidioman 14:56, 25 September 2007 (UTC) Ok, I took a look at DCW, and I think the map is 'squished'? (I had this problem with another source I found the other day). The projection it uses isn't appropriate for an Ontario map.Vidioman 14:58, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Ah, for that you should be able to take one of the existing maps from the commons and make locater maps out of it. Kmusser 15:05, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

It doesn't have outlines of the census divisions, however. Aside from city locaters, I was going to make CD and region locaters (Park locaters, etc.). Where would I get that data?Vidioman 15:08, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

You can't, at least not legally, census division boundaries are copyrighted by Statistics Canada, though I suppose you could trace them off a paper map that was older than 50 years.Kmusser 15:32, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

There is no map of CDs older than 50 years, they were redrawn less than a decade ago. But if that's so, then aren't all of the Ontario maps violating a copyright?Vidioman 15:53, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, unless someone got permission from StatsCan, which I doubt but might be possible. Kmusser 16:49, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

By CD I mean the districts, regional and single tier municipalities and counties of Ontario. I don't see how StatsCan could hold a copyright on that? [2] Vidioman 17:13, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

They don't for the others, just for the Census Divisions, which usually follow municipal and county boundaries, but not always (and technically it's for their maps of the boundaries, not the boundaries themselves, but since they're the only source . . .). I don't know of another source for administrative boundaries - and anything produced by any Canadian government agency is still going to be copyrighted (they each have their own terms though and some might be loose enough to allow use on wikipedia), also if you found a U.S. government produced map showing Canadian administrative boundaries that would be legal, but I've never seen one. Kmusser 17:55, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Would it be possible to use the written descriptions (these are usually posted on elections Canada websites) which describe, in detail, the path the boundary takes, and then use that? It would be extremely time consuming but possible. You could also ask Earl Andrew where he got the data in the first place. Vidioman 18:07, 25 September 2007 (UTC) Also, census divisions ARE county boundaries. Census division is the blanket term for all districts, counties, regions, single-tiered municipalities, etc., in Canada. The level of division immediately below Provincial and Territorial is a Census Division.Vidioman 18:09, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Using written descriptions would definitely be ok (though tedious), Earl Andrew and Qyd's maps are both from StatsCan maps and thus probably not legal, I'm not about to spend a bunch of time playing policeman though. Kmusser 18:29, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Ok.. I created a map on Ontario by modifying Canada geolocalisation, BUT, going through the licensing, I noticed that Canada geolocalisation came from Carte administrative du Canada.svg, which came from Carte administrative du Canada.png, which came from this government website. So, wouldn't that mean that, by default, this is a violation of copyright? this map is from the same source. Vidioman 17:18, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Atlas of Canada stuff is copyrighted, but this map, while using the Atlas of Canada as a reference, does not look like a direct copy of their map, so it might be ok. How much tracing stuff off another map constitutes a violation is a legal grey area - the derivatives especially are different enough from the original that they're probably ok. The relief map, on the other hand, is a direct copy (and still has the original copyright notice on it even). Kmusser 18:09, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

does not look like a direct copy of their map, so it might be ok.

If you look at both of them superimposed, (image) not only does it become almost impossible to tell them apart, but you can clearly see that the grey used for international territory is identical. The map of Ontario's divisions (image) superimposed on it's source (Environment Canada's GeoSearch2006) shows it not only had to be scaled up considerable but is also fairly inaccurate, and looking at their copyright information, (source) it appears that it would be OK to use it here, so long as the link to StatsCan's website is included with mention that that is the source of the image's data. Vidioman 12:52, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Vidioman, I really don't see a problem with using the graphic data (e.g. boundaries) on a copyrighted map to create your own map. The copyright applies to the way the data is presented and not the data itself. As long as your new map is not a direct copy of the copyrighted map, as long as you're not trying to make money off the new map, I just don't see a problem developing. To keep from making an exact copy, do not show exactly the same area, do not use the same colours, and do not copy the copyrighted map by mechanical means. By adding your own design decisions, I firmly believe you will be making a new work (of art!!). Hope this helps, MapMaster 13:05, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Well Wikipedia is a commercial use, otherwise we could use the StatCan stuff directly, but anyway, yeah, as long as yours isn't a direct copy and you cite your sources you should be fine. Also if you want you could ask StatCan permission, for all I know they might be happy to grant it, I've never asked.Kmusser 14:11, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

I created this. I traced the boundaries from Image:Ontario subdivisions.PNG but because of the low resolution (of both maps) the borders are really jagged and approximate. I wanted to avoid that, but it would be too hard to do so. Vidioman 01:49, 28 September 2007 (UTC) I re-did the map, tracing things and building it like I did the Thunder Bay map, instead of the weird fractured way the original was made. (new map) Vidioman 18:13, 28 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cheeky map request

Hello there - you don't know me, I think, but I stumbled across your name at a MilHist peer review as a possible good source for maps. I've recently uploaded this map: Image:Gebora_and_1_Badajoz.jpg, but I'm concerned that it's very borderline for copyright purposes. Therefore, if you're still active, aren't too busy, and feel inclined, would it be OK for me to humbly, on bended knee, request an equivalent from your good self? I've tried to use InkScape myself to make maps, but my artistic skills are frankly non-existent! Thanks very much if you can help out... hell, thanks very much even if you can't! Carre 18:10, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

I'd love to. This may take me a couple of weeks since I promised to work on a Muslim history map first. I myself like miliary history and would welcome the opportunity. I was very disappointed to find that the most recent military history Featured Article (forget the name -- it was concerning a 19th century battle on the Afghan frontier) did not have a single good map. What's up with that, anyway?!?!? Thanks, MapMaster 21:23, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

That's wonderful! I've written a few 19th century MilHist articles, including an FA (Battle of Barrosa), and finding maps that aren't in copyright is very difficult for that time period. Unfortunately, contributors with your map making skills are few and far between, and most of us aren't even aware of your existence (writing Barrosa, I had a comment that it needed a map and it took me weeks to find a PD one I could use). The couple of weeks time scale isn't a problem for me, since I need to get the relevant article (Battle of the Gebora) through LoCE, GA review and MilHist A-class review before I take it to FAC... but it will be there eventually, and hopefully with your map adorning it! Carre 21:34, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

Hello again. Yes, your suggestion sounds good to me. 350px shouldn't be a problem (I may have to shift the image of Mortier to make room for the larger size), and colours would certainly be nice . I'm afraid I don't know the scale on that version of the map. Look forward to seeing your work in the article! Carre 10:26, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

That's a great map, and I can't really criticise it at all! The colours are fine for the Spanish troops, so no problems there. The boundary you've chosen means that a couple of the outlying forts around Badajoz are dropped off, but that doesn't matter too much for this article. When I get to the 1st (and 2nd, for that matter) sieges of Badajoz, I will probably be able to find a more detailed map of the fortress that you could possibly use then to complete it. (Most military maps of Badajoz are concerned with 3rd Badajoz siege, so no use for 1st or 2nd). Elvas and Campo Maior are really too far away from the area of the map to include, so not fitting those in is fine too.

By campaign map, do you mean a kind of higher level one, showing the important places (such as Elvas etc)? Something showing the lines of march for both the Spanish and the French? That sort of thing would fit in well in Prelude to battle, I agree (I used one for Battle of Barrosa), but I don't have anything to use as an original source. Of course, if you can come up with one with nothing to work from, it'd fit in very nicely.

Anyway, I love the new map, so thanks very much for putting in the effort! Carre 08:59, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Standard map colours

I have considered using standards. I tried the one at en:Wikiproject:Maps, I found it too garish. I tried the fr:Wikipedia colours, and they were a bit too dull for my tastes, though I do prefer them. My main problem with the fr:Wikipedia standard is that when viewed greyscale, the shades for land and water are too similar. Taking into account the colour blind and LCD monitors which tend to have a "washed out" display, and my design is much more appropriate in terms of accessibility.

Additionally, those maps don't account for certain things maps might be used for. There is no option for roads, which some of my maps require. When pointing out different cities and requiring different colours to do so, the "standard" colours were, in my opinion, to garish for the job, and lacked a darker colour for border areas. so I created my own standards for that as well.

The colours I chose came after about a week of browsing maps on both the French and English Wikipedias (I'm a member at both though not very active at the French one) and finding averages, or seeing what other people has used, as well as consulting traditional paper maps to see how various professionals have dealt with the issues of dealing with displaying their information. The colours for borders and territories are based on various maps displayed on en:Wikiproject:Maps and the French standard, as are colours for water bodies, roads, and primary selections. Parks (which I also use as secondary selections as I like that particular shade of green) is based on the old colour for infoboxes of National parks. The yellow and purple are my own choice, I decided on those colours after browsing other maps and seeing which colours were used when displaying many colours and ensuring that they wouldn't be similar in grey scale or close enough to cause confusion. The topographic map scale is from the various topographic maps posted on the French Wikipedia, unaltered though I left the scale with single digit numbers so that I could alter it to suit my own needs. (That is an old version of the map, I don't have a raster of the current one.) The subway map colours were created for a project outside of Wikipedia entirely, I simply needed a more organized way to access the colours. I went through a couple dozen different mass transit maps 'harvesting' colours and trying to find the best ones. Those colours can also be used on future maps, if needed.

Most of my interests in map making are in small scale urban maps, (a work in progress) so I have created colours to help me with that, and will expand the colour list in the future.

Simply put: I don't think the colours chosen for the "standard" are good enough, and I have chosen my own colours, but I have also taken the standard into consideration and tried to stay as close to it as possible while also satisfying my own perfectionist desires. To be honest, I find those Ontario maps hideous (That resolution is shit for an SVG map, the shores lines are much too jagged) and should I ever come across free data that I can actually use I will replace all of those maps. The hockey team maps will also be replaced when I find that source, and I am currently working on a cleaner version of the Thunder Bay map, which will be versatile and can be used in multiple articles. I have continuously postponed articles relating to local expressways.

I think I've covered everything? :P vıdıoman (talk • contribs) 02:39, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tricky map request: Covering of the Senne

OK, I think this might be fairly tricky, but I'll ask anyways. Can you superimpose a map of the former route of the Senne river on a map of the modern downtown or that of 1887, such that the Central Halls would be visible? Please also include the Brussels Stock Exchange and Greater and Lesser sluice gates, and the Central Halls... if possible, the Brussels Stock Exchange being the most important. I think all the base maps you would need either are already in the article covering of the Senne, or are linked to at the bottom. I don't really mind whether the new things are superimposed on the old, or the old superimposed on the new.

Sorry that request wasn't really that coherent, but I was trying to get out a lot of stuff at once. Let me know what you think or if you need any help at all, and if you'll be able to do it. Thanks! -Oreo Priest 16:15, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

Also, because the maps in the article are in the public domain, you wouldn't really have to start from scratch if you don't want to.-Oreo Priest 16:17, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

I would be interested in trying to make a map for this article. I am always up for a challenge. Let me do some research this weekend and then get back to you with some ideas.

Thanks for thinking of me, MapMaster (talk) 03:54, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

I just realized now that it would also be nice if you were able to do a French version to place on the corresponding article on their WP, from which the English one comes. Would that be OK? -Oreo Priest 09:37, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Please include:

• The series of boulevards consisting of Hainaut Boulevard (now Maurice Lemonnier Boulevard), Central Boulevard (now Anspach Boulevard), North Boulevard (now Adolphe Max Boulevard) and Senne Boulevard (now Émile Jacqmain Boulevard)
• The Greater and Lesser sluice gates' locations can be inferred from where the Senne entered the pentagon, it may not be necessary to include them
• The Stock Exchange
• The Halles Centrales (Central Halls), visible on the 1883 map at the bottom of the page
• Place De Brouckere for sure and perhaps Place Rogier
• Maybe the former fountain at place De Brouckere
• The Augustinian convent, which was in between the two branches of the "Y"
• The modern (post 1955) course of the Senne, under the left half of the Small Ring, I think that should be clear enough.
• Maybe the fr:Palais du Midi
• Maybe the north and south railway stations to provide context

Please remember to use a neutral language in labelling; either English or BOTH French and Dutch, this sort of thing is very sensitive in Belgium. For the French map, if you choose to do one, just French will do. Thanks a bunch, and keep the questions coming! -Oreo Priest 10:54, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

That map in its basic form is good, though you're right it lacks wow factor. (Which doesn't really bother me.) One issue I have is that I think the Senne is a bit too far to the northwest. While map here is obviously low quality, the course of the Senne corresponds roughly to the official maps I've seen. Also, the small ring was strictly within the bend of the canal at the top left. Also, please include The modern (post 1955) course of the Senne, under the left half of the Small Ring, and Adolphe Max Boulevard as part of the "Y". Thanks, Oreo Priest 10:19, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

That map is great! All three of your suggestions would definitely be good to implement. I think widening the Senne would be a good start, as I think on that scale that the line is actually thinner than the river itself. If you're looking for wow factor, maybe also change the colour of the background... perhaps to a light yellow... that may zest it up (although the suggestion is purely stylistic). Look forward to hearing from you again! -Oreo Priest 05:36, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

The streets in the upper town (bottom right) you added are not really as useful as the ones in the lower town (top left). At any rate, the most useful streets to add would be those mentioned in the article, especially Adolphe Max Boulevard, the right hand part of the "Y".

The 1883 map linked to at the bottom of the article has most of what I requested, mostly along the central boulevards. The Stadhuis is not really relevant to the context of the article. More or less everything else in the checklist above is there, but only the Stock Exchange and the Halles Centrales [and the modern course of the Senne] are really important; you can choose to include or reject everything else based on what you think would look best. Thanks! -Oreo Priest 12:28, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Getting close

Beautiful!! I think it's almost ready. I do, however have a handful of nitpicky changes that should be made:

• Bourse and Halles Centrales MUST be either a calque (Stock Exchange and Central Halls) or bilingual French/Dutch, as this sort of thing is very sensitive. I like the way you put only the names of the central boulevards and not rue ... straat, it's much tidier that way.
• I'm pretty sure the 1837 (not 1833) course of the Senne is what's superimposed
• I think there should be an arrow pointing towards Bourse like there is to the Halles Centrales for clarity
• I think the Halles Centrales should be labelled as demolished 1958 to avoid confusion
• I think you should delete all of the street names that aren't the central boulevards (Lemonnier, Anspach, Adolphe Max, Jacqmain); they aren't mentioned in the article and I think they detract from the focus a bit in addition to their two-languaged names (unlike the central boulevards) creating another thorny linguistic issue
• Similarly, I think you should delete the Stadhuis; it isn't really relevant, distracts, and would need to be calqued or bilingual
• Could you please label the Lesser Senne (the wobbly bit outside of the pentagon) and/or the Charleroi Canal (the straight section in the top left just outside the pentagon) and/or the modern course of the Senne which is under the left arm of the pentagon? I doubt you'll be able to do all of them so I'll leave it to your judgement what to do
• It would be nice if you could say Senne (Zenne) or Senne/Zenne instead of just Senne, again for neutrality, but if this doesn't work stylistically, don't worry about it too much

Sorry for being so picky and thanks a million! I can almost taste it it's so close... In fact, I've already put it in the article. -Oreo Priest 21:34, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

All of that is ok. You're the experienced cartographer after all. Re-add the Stadhuis (as Town Hall) then. As for the peripheral streets, try to remove Schlachthuis, replacing it with Poincaré, solely for ease of rendering. Niewpoort is ok now that I think about it, but change Lakense to Laeken (only per name of the article in WP).

Neither of the two stations would be visible on the map, but they would be good to include. The only way I can see this being done (which shows where they are anyways) is putting an arrow pointing south along Lemmonier (to South Station) and one north along Adolphe Max (to North Station). I hope I explained that clearly enough... I'm sure you'll think of something.

To be honest, now that I think about it, I'm not sure enough about exactly where the Senne goes now to indicate it on the map. It's in the prose and the readers should be able to infer it.

Once you're done the English map, I'll just write up a list of what needs to be substituted for French and Dutch versions. Thanks. -Oreo Priest 11:21, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

And as for the edit summary "Wordsmithing", take a look at this for a laugh. -Oreo Priest 11:37, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

How's this: "He wanted to attract the middle class, most of whom had left the dingy downtown for the cleaner suburbs, including the Leopold quarter (now often called the European quarter) and Louise Avenue, causing a large loss in tax revenue for the city."

As for Antwerp gate: The reason it's there is before I had your map, I needed some frame of reference to explain where the river left the city. It is located where Laeken meets the pentagon. It is mostly a historic name because it used to be a gate to the city through its old walls; a standalone gate only existed for less than 20 years (one of them being 1837), being destroyed in 1838. There still is an Antwerp gate, but it's just a name given to an intersection. I don't know how good your French is, but the fr:wp has a good article on it: fr:Porte d'Anvers. In short, you can include the building or the intersection if you want, but the main reason it was mentioned at all was to help with localization before there was a good map. -Oreo Priest 15:13, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Yes we are

She's a beauty! I think that does it! I'll let you know when I have the French and Dutch translation requests ready, which shouldn't be too long. Well done! -Oreo Priest 18:46, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Other Langages

To save space, I'm going to write EN:FR:NL for each caption which needs to be changed. What I haven't listed does not need to be changed.

• Yellow box:Parcours urbain de la Senne en 1837 [br] en surimpression sur la actuelle ville de Bruxelles:De Zenne [br] Loop in 1837 [br] Getekend doorheen hedendaags Brussel-stad
• Lesser Senne:Petite Senne:Kleine Zenne
• Charleroi Canal:Canal Charleroi:Kanaal Brussel-Willebroek
• Nieuwpoort:Nieuport:Nieuwpoort
• Laeken:Laeken:Laken
• Antwerp Gate:Porte d'Anvers:Antwerpsepoort
• Augustinian Church, demolished 1893:Église des Augustins (démolie en 1893):Augustijnenkerk (afgebroken in 1893)
• Central Halls (demolished 1958):Halles Centrales (démolies en 1958):Centrale Hallen (afgebroken in 1958)
• Stock Exchange:Bourse:Beurs
• South Station:Gare du Midi:Zuidstation
• North Station:Gare du Nord:Noordstation
• I would remove the scale in yards, as the unit is only used by English speakers
• I would name the files voutement de la Senne and overwelving van de Zenne or some variant, but this is merely a suggestion

I think that should be enough. Any questions, let me know, and let me know where I can find them when they're done. Thanks! -Oreo Priest 12:46, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

Good job adding the French map. Apparently I made a few translation errors, as pointed out by the original writer of the article. Here they are verbatim (If you don't understand the French, just let me know).

Merci beaucoup pour la version française du plan. [I've since told him it was your work] Il y aurait cependant quelques corrections à demander au graphiste:

• dans le cadre: remplacer en surimpression sur la actuelle Ville de Brussels par: en surimpression sur le plan actuel de la Ville de Bruxelles (meilleure formulation et nom de la ville en français)
• dans le plan: remplacer Antoine Daesaert par :Antoine Dansaert, Canal Charleroi par Canal de Charleroi et Artevelde par Van Artevelde (puisque il s'agit du nom d'une personne, Jacob Van Artevelde)

Thanks, Oreo Priest 13:50, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

I have made the changes suggested on the French map and I also changed the street names on the English map.

Could you go to the French map and write a description in French? That would help, I think. MapMaster (talk) 23:55, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Good article

So the article just passed its GA nomination, and your map was a big help. I think I might shoot the moon and try to get the article to FA, but I also might not. Thanks again for the wonderful map! -Oreo Priest 17:50, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Battle of the Gebora FA

Hi MapMaster,

Just a quick note to let you know the Battle of the Gebora article got to FA with no problems, so if you're into userboxes, I guess you deserve this:

The wonderful map you made for the article helped immensely :) Carre (talk) 14:02, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The "Gallo Roman" Shield Boss

Why is it claimed that this shield boss is Gallo-Roman and from 400 AD?? This artifact is located at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, and its I-Net site states that its a Longobardic Shield Boss from the 7th Cen. AD northern italy. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/06/eust/ho_1984.184.1,2.htm Daufer

It is exactly the same image as that photo which you have uploaded. Wandalstouring (talk) 16:55, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

I went back and checked my notes and I have an actual photo of the display card with the "Gallo-Roman" stuff that I wrote. However, I do see that the Met webpage says that this shield is Lombard/Langobard. I ended up researching the 400 AD Vermand treasure and I found the following description of the shield boss found in that trove:

"The umbo, or shield boss, has a tall, sharply pointed cone set on a circular rim decorated with four round paste cabochons imitating chalcedony". in their Bulletin

That certainly does not describe this shield boss. So I can only suppose that the display card I photographed referred to another shield boss also in the case. I have uploaded a new version: Image:Langobard Shield Boss 7th Century.jpg. I will substitute this for the misnamed one when the Usage link works.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, MapMaster (talk) 02:56, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Barnstar!

This seems overdue. -Oreo Priest 11:03, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

Well, this is a wonderful surprise. Thank you very much for this. I love making maps and wish I could spend more time doing it. This certainly was a challenging one, trying to overlay data from two century-old maps with modern data.

Keep up the good work there, Oreo, and I would love to work with you on another project. MapMaster (talk) 17:07, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Dahlak Archipelago

MapMaster, thank you very much for taking the time to make a map for Dahlak Archipelago! I found the article after watching a PBS documentary related to it, and was disappointed to find no map - and I'm surprised (and delighted) that my request didn't take long to be fulfilled.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you make the map? (If you explained this before to someone else, feel free to link me to that discussion.)

Again, thanks a lot! --Iamunknown 06:46, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Hehe, I just noticed on your user page that you mention you generally use Inkscape (I hope you'll forgive me for jumping the gun and asking you anyways :). Do you load a rasterised map and use it as a reference? Again, thanks. Feel free to answer (or not answer) my questions - and sorry for all of them! I'm just excited right now.  :) --Iamunknown 06:50, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Seljuk Sultanate of Rum

Thank you very much for the map at Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm. That article has needed a legible map for quite some time. I do not wish to appear ungrateful but would you be able to make some minor adjustments? The Black Sea port of Sinop was not yet part of Seljuk territory in 1190; the conquest of Sinop in 1214 followed the acquisition of Antalya on the Mediterranean in 1207. In short, there was no time when the Seljuks possessed a port on the Black Sea without a port on the Mediterranean. Furthermore the eastern extension did not happen until the 1220s and 1230s. The most useful map would represent Seljuk territory at the death of its greatest ruler Kayqubad the Great in 1236. I have found some reasonably accurate maps online: Encyclopaedia Britannica and Eron Coins (click on “Seljuqs of Rum” below the coin). Once again, thank you for making a map for the Seljuks of Rum. I love your work and can recognize it instantly. Regards, Aramgar (talk) 14:26, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

• Thank you for your kind words. Based on its listing at Category:Former country articles requiring a map, I saw that the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm article, and similar articles in other languages, needed a locator map, so I put one together.
• I was very happy to make the adjustment for Sinop, which I have now uploaded. If this is still not correct, let me know.
• Regarding the eastern territories, I used William Shepherd's 1911 "Map of Europe and the Meditteraean Lands about 1190". If you have additional or conflicting information, I could review and incorporate that into my map.
• I could also look into making a 1236 map, if you felt that was desirable.
• Thanks for your own work here at Wikipedia! Sincerely, MapMaster (talk) 23:24, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for the modifications to [Image:Seljuk Sultanate of Rum 1190 Locator Map.svg]. If you have time for such in the coming weeks, I believe a locator-style map reflecting the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm at the time of the death of Kayqubad I would be an excellent addition to Wikipedia. The two links above are accurate. Thank you again. Regards, Aramgar (talk) 18:34, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Nice work with the Danishmend map. Aramgar (talk) 03:31, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Image:Baltic Tribes c 1200.svg for Polish wikipedia

Image:Baltic Tribes c 1200

English:	Polski (Polish):
Baltic Tribes	Ludy Bałtyjskie
c. 1200 N.E.	ok. 1200 n.e.
Baltic Sea	Morze Bałtyckie
Gulf of Riga	Zatoka Ryska
Lake Peipus	Jezioro Pejpus
Livonians	Liwowie
Latgalians	Łatgalowie
selonians	Zelowie
Semigallians	Zemgalowie
curonians	Kurowie
Lithuanians	Litwini
aukstatians	Auksztoci
Highland Lithuanians	dont write
samogitians	Żmudzini
Lowland Lithuanians	dont write
Daugava	Dźwina
berezina	Berezyna
Neris	Wilia
nemunas (neman)	Niemen
Yotvingas	Jaćwingowie
(sudovians)	(Sudowie)
narew	Narew
Bug	Bug
vistula	Wisła
poles	Polacy
Galindians	Galindowie
skalvians	Skalowowie
sambians	Sambowie
nadruvians	Nadrowowie
Bartians	Bartowie
Prussians	Prusowie
Warmians	Warmowie
Nantongius	Natangowie
Pogesanians	Pogezanowie
Pomesanians	Pomezanowie
kilometres	kilometry
miles	mile

Image:Near East 1135.svg

English:	Polski (Polish):
Sultanate of Rum	Sułtanat Ikonium
Principality of Armenian Cilicia	Księstwo Małej Armenii
County of Edessa	Hrabstwo Edessy
Principality of Antioch	Księstwo Antiochii
Byzantine Empire	Cesarstwo Bizantyjskie
County of Tripoli	Hrabstwo Trypolisu
Kingdom of Jeruzalem	Królestwo Jerozolimskie
Ascalon	Askalon
Acre	Akka
Emirate of Damascus	Państwa Seldżuków
Euphrathes	Eufrat
Mediterrean Sea	Morze Śródziemne
Assasins	Asasyni
Near East	Bliski Wschód
Fatimid Kalifate of Cairo	kalifat Fatymidów
kilometres	kilometry
miles	mile
betwen the firs and second crusade	pomiędzy pierwszą a drugą krucjatą
Tarsus	Tars
Sis	sis
Konya	Konya
Harran	Harran
Aleppo	Aleppo

• Greetings. MapMaster, please excuse my orthographic mistakes in English. I translate to Polish words from this map, two words you dont need write, like lowland and higlands lithuanians. In polish we always only use names Żmudzini (samogitians) and Auksztoci (aukstatians). In few days i send you rest of translations on Polish, from your maps.
• About your polish wiki user page- i want write translate, but Roo72 been faster ;p.
• About crusades map:Just translate your map to polish without look for this pl:Grafika:Panstwakrzyz.png, i dont know why i write city names ;p. thanks.

You're do a great job with this maps._{Killroyus| Talk} 11:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC) and 12:00, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

• Hello, sorry for silence from my side. I readed your messages today. Thanks for translated into polish Image:Panstwakrzyz 1135 PL.svg. I insert it into other articles.

Image-Panstwakrzyz.png (my unperfect translate) will be deleted. —Preceding _{Killroyus| Talk} 15:48, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

• Hey, i made a mistake in name -one of those countries- Fatimid Kalifate of Cairo. In Polish must be Kalifat Fatymidów not like now- kalifat FatymindówKillroyus| Talk 17:19, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Thanks !

I come to notice and thank you, the article Battle of the Gebora is the today feature article of the english wikipedia, your Gebora's battle maps is really great in this article and have probably help the article to be nominated. 210.203.61.15 (talk) 14:08, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for your kind words. The battle map was fun to make. MapMaster (talk) 21:10, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] FYI

Hello, I just wanted to let you know that apparently there was a mistake in Image:Baltic Tribes c 1200.svg‎ (Curonians should have been colored in green). So I fixed it, and while at it I tweaked some other colors. I also updated Lithuanian and Latvian versions of the map. Hope you are ok with that. Renata (talk) 16:59, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Renata3, the fix to the Baltic tribes map is fine with me. From what little information I saw this morning, yes, the Curonians were a West Baltic tribe and should be colored green. Thanks for the help, MapMaster (talk) 14:28, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Maps of the Ancient Near East

Thank you for the beautiful maps!

I would like to make a suggestion - a number of the cities that have "Babylon in the time of Hammurabi" maps were actually players in the previous millenium, i.e. the time of Sumer and Akkad. Could you make a map for this time period?

Is there any way to use a terrain background for the maps?

Sumerophile (talk) 18:58, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for your kind words.

I would be happy to make a map of the Sumer and Akkad time period. Let me see what references and sources I can find. Is there anything you had in mind??

Regarding the terrain background, I have never done this except with terrain elevation lines such as in the map of the Battle of the Gebora. I know that commons:user:Sting is quite successful at this, but I've never inquired as to his technique. Is there any particular feature you would like me to emphasize?? Regards, MapMaster (talk) 16:18, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Well the cities are listed on the Sumer page, and the articles have their coords. (Mari, Syria and Nagar, Syria are outside the core area and could probably just have arrows pointing off the map.)

Terrain maps are just my personal choice, like on the map on Sumer, or Google Maps[3], or Sting's maps as you mentioned. I do find it informative to see the geography of an area, because it shapes borders, trade routes, etc. But I don't know if there are terrain backgrounds available that are not copyrighted in some way.

Sumerophile (talk) 20:28, 5 March 2008 (UTC)

Some more thoughts: Elam, Sumer's neighbor to the east, should be shown as well, as there was a lot of contact (often war) between the two groups. Susa is near Sumer's core area, but Anshan (Persia) might be shown with an arrow.

The Elamite city Awan has not been located, but is thought to be near Sumer's core area as well. A few Sumerian cities have not been located either, but there are guesses for their general vicinity - I'm not sure how (if) that would be designated on a map. Sumerophile (talk) 00:40, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] crude map

I finished a crude map on the initial troop movement and battles here. Wandalstouring (talk) 10:17, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, Wandal! I enjoy maps like this. Let me queue this up behind a map of Bengal languages (see my Commons talk page). MapMaster (talk) 20:21, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Balts

Hey here-http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Baltic_Tribes_c_1200PL..svg you've a translated by me into polish, your map-Balts. I know u had a very much work, so i read wikibooks about Inkscape and do it self. Thanks. Ps. this is my first time with Inkscape so please, look for technical mistakes. _{Killroyus| Zagadaj}  14:05, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Good job, Killroyus. Sorry I was so tardy that you had to step in. MapMaster (talk) 16:49, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Request

Hi Mapmaster. I've seen your excellent work at Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm, among other places, and was hoping you might be able to help us at Mongol raids into Palestine. The concerns editors have with the current maps can be found on the talk page. Would you be willing to apply your expertise to the problem? Thanks, Kafka Liz (talk) 10:00, 10 April 2008 (UTC)

Well, yes, I would love to add/replace maps for the Mongol raids into Palestine. I am a bit backed up right now, Liz, and my non-Wikipedia life has become a bit busy but I hope to be able to address this in a week or so. Is that soon enough?? Thanks, MapMaster (talk) 00:53, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Excellent. Take whatever time you need -- real life comes first! :) And thank you! Kafka Liz (talk) 08:22, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Map of the Second Punic War

I intent to make a series (preferably 3) of maps for the Second Punic War. The request is here. Greetings Wandalstouring (talk) 08:00, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

Could you please use a map that goes as far east as Pergamon so with one basic map I can show all troop movements of the war. Thanks Wandalstouring (talk) 04:52, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I want maps of the whole war (I suggest 3 maps that fit nicely with the structure of the article), not a map showing only some of Hannibal's movements. Just take a look at the long list of generals and the many locations where fighting occurred. Wandalstouring (talk) 11:19, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

That's fine so far. Do you need any help for the map? Wandalstouring (talk) 16:07, 4 May 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, I didn't phrase it clearly. You do the maps, I do crude maps. Wandalstouring (talk) 07:50, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Do you make progress or can I help you in any way? Wandalstouring (talk) 07:57, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Bangladesh Linguistic map

First, thanks a lot for preparing the map.

I'm curious about this map. It shows various tribal languages covering many parts of Bangladesh. However, about 95-99% of Bangladeshis speak Bangla, so the map needs to represent the linguistic demographics proportionately. For example, what percentage of the people of Cox's Bazar (lower right corner of map) speak Arakanese such that the region is marked under the Arakanese color? Same goes for the Northwestern part of the country. Also, what percentage of the population of the inhabitants of centre-north are Garo language speakers? A very large portion of the area is marked under Garo language ... but is the percentage of Garo language speakers so high there? If the intention is to show the existence of Garo language speakers in the area, perhaps a proportionate blend would have worked better. I'm not an expert on map making, but as a casual reader, the map confuses me to think that all inhabitants of a particular region speak that language when the region is marked in solid colors (as in the region for Garo language). --Ragib (talk) 20:10, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Ragib, thanks for the feedback. You raise excellent points.

-- First, this map is based on information here at Ethnologue. I was asked to create this map by w:bn:User:Zaheen, and I have faithfully tried to use that information to create my map, although I simplified it somewhat. Based on the Ethnologue map, I would have to believe that Garo is the predominant language within that area (which, by my guesstimate, is about 2% of the area of Bangladesh). I don't believe that it is the only language spoken there, however.

-- Second, the figure of 95%-99% includes, I believe, anyone who speaks Bengali even as a second language. For example, according to Ethnologue,[4] Sylheti is spoken by 7 million, which is 5% or more of the population. I would like to see some comprehensive present-day statistics. Ethnologue, for example, gives a figure of 100 million Bengali speakers, as of 1994 (!).

-- Finally, I agree that the appearance of the map would lead any viewer to underestimate the pervasiveness of the Bengali language. I myself was surprised to hear the 98% figure. Judging from the areas on the map, I would have estimated a number closer to 75%.

I am certainly open to suggestions concerning this map. Perhaps a good caption would be something on the order of "Predominant languages areas in Bangladesh" or some such. MapMaster (talk) 04:12, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

The following was posted by w:bn:User:Zaheen on his talk page:

Ragib, the map doesn't intend to encode the number of the speakers of a particular language, but rather tries to show the approximate geographical extent of a particular language. The demographic data that you are talking about is not at our disposal, and even if we had such data, that would complicate the current map. The current map is basically a combination of the two Ethnologue maps that are out there. It is as reliable as Ethnologue's data are reliable. --অর্ণব (আলাপ | অবদান) ০৩:৩১, ১৫ মে ২০০৮ (UTC)

Thanks for your clarification. Actually, inside Bangladesh, as well as many other sources, Sylheti and Chittagonian are just considered dialects of Bengali [5]. That's why the figure is 98% (also see Languages_of_Bangladesh).

Also, to answer your other question, Bengali is the mother tongue of 98% of the population, per Britannica [6]. Now, that brings the question why Ethnologue gives a different figure ... apparently, Ethnologue calls Chittagonian and Sylheti dialects as different languages (while surprisingly considering all other dialects as Bengali).

Anyway, I understand the logic behind the map, just that it is somewhat confusing to a casual reader, and may be unexpected given that the 98% of the population has Bengali as their mother tongue. Thanks for taking the time to create the map. --Ragib (talk) 05:13, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Map sizes (and article sizes)

Your maps are excellent. When the dust settles (i.e. it's figured out whether the article will be split/moved) for Chronology of the ancient Near East I want to look into starting to add maps for the various dynasties.

The problem is, these maps add up to a lot of bytes. I had occasion the other day to use wikipedia on a dial-up line the other day and some articles were basically unusable because of all the image content that has been added. Sure, many people have high speed lines now, but there are still a LOT of people in the world on slow links and that will be true for some time to come. Big maps chew up a lot of frame real estate too.

So, I think we have to pay more attention to Real Article Size. The article size reported should be text + image size, for one. What does this all have to do with you? Well, I think we need to do map thumbnails that expand to full size if you click on them. For example, in Eshnunna.

Anyway, I didn't intend to rag on the Map guy to blame him for all the bandwidth hogging. All I said applied to pix too. :-) --Ploversegg (talk) 23:50, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

I certainly don't take offense. I have long thought of you as a solid and conscientious (rather than contentious) editor.

Regarding thumb sizes, my User Page lays out the need to have the map of a size that can be readily read from the article itself. Readers need to be able to read a sentence, consult the map, read the next sentence, etc. It's in more detail there.

By the way, I contribute using a dial-up line, so I understand your concern, but placing the map on another page at a larger resolution doesn't resolve the problem.

Thanks for thinking of me, MapMaster (talk) 00:37, 4 June 2008 (UTC)