Map Making!

[Former User 225 1]

anyone else enjoy redrawing borders on maps? creating alternate histories from them? example. a stalmate in WWII.

[Voar Tok 4]

Personally no, but I thought that I would inform you that there is something seriously wrong with your picture.  It only appears while the page is loading.

[choco1 4]

I can see the picture fine, and I think it looks cool! I've never done that before, although i've created a few brand new countries before.

[wbelac 0]

Originally posted by: Voar Tok

Personally no, but I thought that I would inform you that there is something seriously wrong with your picture.  It only appears while the page is loading.quote>

That's not a problem with his picture, it's a problem with your browser. Internet Explorer has some sort of bug with these forums and displays png files like this. The only solution I have found for this problem is to use a different browser.

And I've never thought of re-drawing borders. Sounds like an interseting hobby.

[vidioman 21]

I nredrew a map of Canada once with the provincial borders redrawn, according to geography and demographics. It included 16 provinces, 4 city-states, a federal district and 4 territories (the 4th was Turks and Caicos which I decided could be in my fictional Canada). I would have included Cuba, but couldn't find a scale enough map of it at the time, so didn't bother. It was quite similar to how the provinces/territories were arranged in the late 1800s.

[Skink000 0]

Good call wbelac,

After reading Microsofts microbable for the past half hour Microsoft acknowledges Internet Security Systems (ISS) as having helped discover the problem with .png files. ISS has a  Protection Advisory
dated June 14, 2005, entitled "Internet Explorer PNG Overflow"
at http://xforce.iss.net/xforce/alerts/id/196. Where it states "By crafting a PNG file in a malicious manner, an attacker is able to trigger a heap overflow within Internet Explorer, leading to arbitrary code execution and remote compromise."
From what I can gather from Microsoft is that if you keep your Windows updated (I do) the security issue is covered.
But (hehehe) good ol' Microsoft says nothing about being able to view .png files with Internet Explorer!
I would guess the best solution is to use a different file format other than .png such as jpeg which may be better for web use.

As for the maps, I like the idea, but then I am not as easy to offend as some. You may deed to don your armor for this one.
If I were to post a map showing Canada as a new extension of the U.S., and the Providence's as new states (or the states as Providences) , I would want a bomb shelter handy. (Just an example folks, lol)

O ya, If you use another browser make sure that you are aware of how they handle the securety issue with the .png files.

[Former User 225 1]

Originally posted by: Skink000 As for the maps, I like the idea, but then I am not as easy to offend as some. You may deed to don your armor for this one. If I were to post a map showing Canada as a new extension of the U.S., and the Providence's as new states (or the states as Providences) , I would want a bomb shelter handy. (Just an example folks, lol) O ya, If you use another browser make sure that you are aware of how they handle the securety issue with the .png files.quote>

or have all of Oregon Country part of canada, along with alaska. A even bigger Canada. I think Simtropolis is mature enough to handle a little Alternate History maps.

[thatmonkeysim 8]

wow that is awesome moonei!! i dont do it personally but its great to see that other people love maps!

[Skink000 0]

I agree moonwei, I was just trying to be light hearted about it. I live here in Florida where I am surrounded by "gray hairs" that would probably not care for your stalemate in WWII, after all they lived it and many died for the way the map looks today. I'm all for a bigger Canada, get some beaches that are warm year round and I'll move in a heartbeat, to many hurricanes down here, lol.  


Cant figure out why my text background looks wierd, orange for Florida I guess, or does it only look that way on my machine?

[rubberduck 3]

I love maps. I've never redrawn any borders on them, but I love drawing my own ficticious maps...I guess that's why I love SC4 so much...

[pickled_pig 7]

I don't like to draw or recreate maps of existing places but I have always enjoyed drawing road maps of who knows where.  I've not done one since last november though, and that one remains unfinished to this day.  I create the town lines, the route numbers, the exit numbers, I design the interchanges, create the transition from Urban to suburban to Rural... It's time-consuming (4+ hours during History of Asia class.  That class was a joke; we just watched whatever movies students brought in.  I drew this map while they were watching Bend it like Beckham and Mulan.) but the end result's pretty cool

Back in middle school (3-5 yrs. ago) I would draw in a more detailed scale - to the point where I obsessed about where the center lanw would go, for example -  and create 40 to 50 page series that would follow a road as it moved through a rural/ suburban/ etc... area.  I never was able to do urban areas at that scale.

Looking at your WWII map I know I'm going way off topic, but I thought I'd share my input on making maps.  Maybe a picture will follow this post later.  I remember about a half-year ago a thread of a similar nature; everyone was posting pictures of their maps.

[Former User 225 1]

here is another map for ya guys, its the world view of the first map shown

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Alternative histories are fun. vid, have you eveer read the book "The Nine Nations of North America"? It redraws boundaries based on geopolitical principles as well as by productivity.

I, of course, have always considered the United States would make about 12 nice provinces for Canada.

If you want to see a totally different political map, try H. Beam Piper's "Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen" and some of his other stories of interdimensional travel with the Paratime Police.

[AIX 270]

Originally posted by: moonei or have all of Oregon Country part of canada, along with alaska. A even bigger Canada. I think Simtropolis is mature enough to handle a little Alternate History maps.quote>

Canada is a beautiful country (I drive up to visit Vancouver all the time), but I wouldn't want to live there, so I wouldn't want the Oregon Country to be part of it hehe.

[Skink000 0]

Interesting  N_O_Body,

In all my reading I dont think I can remember any alternative histories let alone mapping them. A quick look to the web poped up this site that is dedicated to alternative histories.http://www.uchronia.net/intro.html
When I was a geography major we did not have time to think about fictional mapping or mapping of alternative histories. The closest we may have come migh have been to add temporal data to a GIS or thematic map to depict an evolution of a geographic area, such as changes in a river  channel or estuary (such as the Mississippi) over a period of time, or other real world changes, and we were naturaly bogged down in accuracy.
Would you consider a map of Piers Anthony's Xanth (shaped like Florida) to be a historical alternative or a fictional alternative?
Speaking of fictional, not meaning to get off topic, but do you know if anyone has tried to map Middle Earth or the Shire?

I whole heartedly agree that the United States would make about 12 nice new provinces for Canada, that is the only way we'll ever get socialized medicine here in the U.S.,  . . . seriously. (lol) Got any names for them yet? Like "Not So New New England" or "Oh Oh Ohio" or maybe just "Rust Belt". As far as the south goes you could just put a high tide line somewhere up around Houston, TX. Many more hurricane seasons like the last two and that is all that will be left.

Thanks for the post, always like new ideas for the next trip to the library.

[AIX 270]

I am glad to live in the US. It isn't perfect, and I didn't vote for Mr Bush. Like I said, Canada is a great country and their socialization may work great for them, but it just isn't my cup of tea. I feel I forfeit enough of my income in taxes and I pay enough money into programs that will probably never effect me. But while we are on the topic of fictional histories... I think we ought to have a new political party... Republicans and Democrats are both straying too far off in their respective directions.

[vidioman 21]

[Skink000 0]

Great post AIX

I like your idea for a new history: "But while we are on the topic of fictional histories... I think we ought to have a new political party... Republicans and Democrats are both straying too far off in their respective directions." lol (not laughing at you but hopefully with you)
I think we already tried that and called it the Independent party, lol.

As for the U.S. I think N_O_Body's sig "People who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." is true almost everytime we vote. That is not a flame against the U.S. I think it is global. Look at the last Palestinian election  Yup, I do have a cynical attitude towards our government and for good reason. I have numerous physical disabilities (more then I care to list) that all employers see as an insurance risk, I am currently going blind, have long been labled as seriously deaf and and can not afford any of my medications. I have serious constent chronic pain (thats why I'm sitting here at five in the morning and sleep for only an hour or so at a time) I am constantly denied those programs you mention and that I pray you never need. Seriously, thank you for paying those taxes, I payed for many years also and was glad to do it. I love the U.S. people and its geography, just think we are in a rut with the government.
Sorry about that, hope I didnt flame anyone or any of the rules for posting here. I believe in humor and that laughter is contagious and should be pandemic, so tell a joke, make someone smile and know that it can spread like ripples on a pond.