Maplet is a web-embeddable scrollable map applet, similar to Google Maps but using Java. An earlier version was written in JavaScript/SVG but was very slow and difficult to maintain. Java is a much better way of doing this. Written in 2006.
Another program was written to generated the maps using freely available SRTM, SWBD, VMAP and MODIS data.
The mid-level map quality is better than Google Maps, especially from a recreational flying point of view.
The advantage with maplet is the ability to draw anything on top of the background map. Google Maps are limited in what can be drawn on the map. Using the Java canvas you have full ability to draw whatever you want, where you want it and when you want it. You would also expect to be able to do more complex graphics by drawing directly on the Java canvas than using Google's JavaScript interface to ultimately create SVG which is then rendered on top of their map images.
Consequently the motion of objects on the maplet is better and much more flexible than Google's Map interface. Maplet was designed to work for the planOfile system and consequently had good functionality for scrolling moving objects over time.
This approach means that providing 3D functionality on top of the 2D map is easily achieved. Earth shows how easily 3D functionality can be added to a web page.
The applet was changed to interface with Google Maps which had the advantage of zooming and more detailed satellite images when you zoom in. Maplet is the origin of the planOfile Google Maps applet.
