Explore: a Global Nautical Chart
The "Explore" tab will show a global map of the World with markers published by BlooSee users. Those markers are called "infopoints", and are bits of information that the users contribute to the system. You can add an infopoint at any time (see Infopoints and Routes to learn how). If you simply want to explore, you can zoom, pan, and obtain information about a specific infopoint.
Moving Around
You can move around the World by directly dragging the map with your mouse, or by using the pan controls on the top left corner of the map. Similarly, you can zoom with your mouse wheel (if you have one), by clicking the "+" and "-" signs on the map controls, or the slider bar that will change the zoom level. Try and see what suits you best.
View Types
On the top right corner of the map you'll be able to change the view type. Choosing from "Map", "Satellite", "Hybrid", or "Terrain" will change the way the geographic information is displayed. Depending on what you're looking for, a certain type of view will be better than other.
A Note on Zoom Levels
Please be aware that the maximum zoom level you can get changes depending on the selected view type. If you're using "Terrain", for instance, and the system shows you as if you can't get any closer, try changing to "Satellite" or "Hybrid" and you'll be able to approach even more. This is useful when you're trying to pinpoint a very specific spot on land or water.
Tools
The chart has some tools that will help you navigate or interpret the information that it's being displayed. These tools are located on the white bar at the top of the map, and they are as follows:
Go to address
Use the Go to address tool to specify a written location ("Stockolm" or "Sydney" for instance, but also complete addresses like "199 Spinnaker drive, Sausalito"). When you click on "Take me there" the map will show the place you specified at its center.
Go to coordinates
Use the Go to coordinates tool to enter a specific location in the standard Lat/Lon form (for instance Lat: 37° 51.607' and Lon: 122° 28.792). Please note that, instead of specifying North or South, you must optionally use the minus (-) sign. Positive values mean North for latitude and East for longitude, while negative values mean South for latitude and West for longitude. When you click on "Take me there" the map will show the place you specified at its center.
Distance calculator
Use the distance calculator to have a virtual compass to mesure distances on the chart. When you activate it, a circle will show at the center of the map. By moving either the icon at its center or the one on the circumference, you'll be able to calculate distances from one point to another. You can hide it at any time by clicking "Hide distance calculator". The circumference will show all points placed at the same distance. Please take into account that, due to the Mercator projection used on the map, circles may appear distorted when plotted far away from the Equator. You can learn more about the Mercator projection on the Wikipedia.
Lat/Lon at cursor
The Lat/Lon at cursor tool, symbolized by a small earth icon, shows you the exact translation in coordinates of the place where the mouse cursor is on the chart as you move it. This is an informational tool.
Total number of infopoints
The total number of infopoints tool (Showing 'n' infopoints) indicates the number of visible infopoints on the current portion of the map. It takes into account the layers you have activated, so the total number may change depending on the visibility of the different infopoint category layers.
Infopoint Clusters
When you're viewing the map at a reduced zoom level (i.e. from "far away") you'll notice the infopoints are grouped (clustered) in white boxes that simply tell you the total number of infopoints they contain. This makes for faster navigation and a less cluttered view of the map (can you imagine thousands of infopoints piling one on top of another, completely hiding each other?). If you click one of those clusters, the view will zoom in one level. As you get closer to the infopoints, they'll appear as individual entities, being viewable and editable.
On the top right of the map you see a message that tells you the total number of infopoints the map contains at each specific zoom level and position. This includes individual and clustered infopoints.
Next: Infopoints and Routes