diff --git a/FAQ.md b/FAQ.md index 399e9037..0c8a7702 100644 --- a/FAQ.md +++ b/FAQ.md @@ -12,9 +12,10 @@ This is a collection of answers to the most frequently asked questions about Lea #### What map tiles can I use with Leaflet? Is it limited to OpenStreetMap? -Leaflet is provider-agnostic, meaning you can use any map provider as long as it doesn't contradict its terms of use, -or even roll your own tiles. -[OpenStreetMap](http://openstreetmap.org) is the most popular data source among different tile providers though. +Leaflet is provider-agnostic, meaning you can use any map provider as long as you conform to its terms of use. +You can roll your own tiles as well. +[OpenStreetMap](http://openstreetmap.org) is the most popular data source among different tile providers, +but there are providers that use other sources. Check out [this example](http://leaflet-extras.github.io/leaflet-providers/preview/) with half a hundred different layers to choose from. @@ -26,14 +27,14 @@ Popular commercial options, free up to a particular number of requests, include and [Nokia Here](http://developer.here.com/web-experiences). Notable exception is [MapQuest Open](http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/open/map), free for any number of requests. -Always be sure to read terms of use of a chosen tile provider, know its limitations, and attribute it properly in your app. +Always be sure to **read terms of use** of a chosen tile provider, **know its limitations**, and **attribute it properly** in your app. #### I'm looking for satellite imagery to use with my Leaflet map, any options? [MapBox](http://mapbox.com), [Bing Maps](http://www.microsoft.com/maps/choose-your-bing-maps-API.aspx), [ArcGIS](http://www.arcgis.com/features/maps/imagery.html) -and [MapQuest Open](http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/open/map) provide satellite imagery. +and [MapQuest Open](http://developer.mapquest.com/web/products/open/map) provide satellite imagery among others. #### I want to use Google Maps API tiles with Leaflet, can I do that? @@ -55,11 +56,13 @@ If you want to make tiles on your own, probably the easiest way is using [TileMi #### I have an app that gets lots of hits a day, and I want to switch from Google/Bing/whatever to Leaflet. Is there a fee for using it? -Leaflet, unlike all-in-one solutions like Google Maps, is just a JavaScript library. -It's free to use, but doesn't provide map imagery on its own — you have to choose a tile service to combine with it. +Leaflet, unlike Google Maps and other all-in-one solutions, is just a JavaScript library. +It's free to use, but doesn't provide map imagery on its own — +you have to choose a tile service to combine with it. -There are plenty of options for a tile service, each with their own terms of use, prices (some of them free), features, limitations, etc. -See the answer to first question of the FAQ for more info. +There are [plenty of options](#what-map-tiles-can-i-use-with-leaflet-is-it-limited-to-openstreetmap) for a tile service, +each with their own terms of use, prices (some of them free), features, limitations, etc. +Choice is yours. #### I'm building a commercial app that I plan to sell. Can I use Leaflet in it? @@ -75,10 +78,12 @@ Make sure you conform to the terms of use of a tile images provider that you cho #### Why is there still no feature X in Leaflet? -First of all, did you check out the [plugins page](http://leafletjs.com/plugins.html)? -It has about hundred plugins doing all kinds of crazy stuff, and there's a high possibility that is has what you're looking for. +First of all, did you check out the [Leaflet plugins page](http://leafletjs.com/plugins.html)? +It lists about hundred plugins doing all kinds of crazy stuff, +and there's a high possibility that is has what you're looking for. -Generally, we do our best to keep the Leaflet core small, lightweight and simple, focusing on _quality_ instead of _quantity_, and leaving all the rest to plugin authors. +Generally, we do our best to keep the Leaflet core small, lightweight and simple, +focusing on _quality_ instead of _quantity_, and leaving all the rest to plugin authors. Check out [this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P2SaCPbJ4w) of a talk by the Leaflet creator for more background on the story and philosophy behind Leaflet. Another essential read is [Advocating Simplicity in Open Source](http://blog.universalmind.com/advocating-simplicity-in-open-source/) by the same guy. @@ -92,12 +97,21 @@ Check out [Leaflet.markercluster](https://github.com/Leaflet/Leaflet.markerclust #### I have vector data with many thousands of points on my map. Any performance tips? -Leaflet generally does a pretty good job of handling heavy vector data with its real-time clipping and simplification algorithms, but browser technology still has its limits. -Try [switching from SVG to Canvas as default rendering back-end](http://leafletjs.com/reference.html#global), it may help considerably (depends on the app and the data). +Leaflet generally does a pretty good job of handling heavy vector data +with its real-time clipping and simplification algorithms, +but browser technology still has its limits. +Try [switching from SVG to Canvas as default rendering back-end](http://leafletjs.com/reference.html#global), +it may help considerably (depends on the app and the data). -If you still have too much data to render, you'll have to use some help of a server-side service like [MapBox](https://www.mapbox.com/), [CartoDB](http://cartodb.com/) and [GIS Cloud](http://www.giscloud.com/) (they all work great with Leaflet). -What they do under the hood is serving rendered data as image tiles, along with additional data to enable interactivity like hovering shapes -(e.g. done using [UTFGrid](https://www.mapbox.com/developers/utfgrid/) — Leaflet [has a nice plugin](https://github.com/danzel/Leaflet.utfgrid) for it). +If you still have too much data to render, you'll have to use some help of a server-side service +like [MapBox](https://www.mapbox.com/), +[CartoDB](http://cartodb.com/) +and [GIS Cloud](http://www.giscloud.com/) +(they all work great with Leaflet). +What they do under the hood is serving rendered data as image tiles, +along with additional data to enable interactivity like hovering shapes +(e.g. done using [UTFGrid](https://www.mapbox.com/developers/utfgrid/) — +Leaflet [has a nice plugin](https://github.com/danzel/Leaflet.utfgrid) for it). ## Misc @@ -105,7 +119,8 @@ What they do under the hood is serving rendered data as image tiles, along with #### I downloaded the Leaflet source but didn't find `leaflet.js` there. Why is that? You can download the built versions using links from the [download page](http://leafletjs.com/download.html). -It even includes the latest build of the development version (`master` branch), updated automatically on each commit to the repo. +It even includes the latest build of the development version (`master` branch), +updated automatically on each commit to the repo. We removed the built versions from the repository because it's a chore to build and commit them manually on each change, and it often complicates merging branches and managing contributions.