[udig-devel] loading browser-based map sites in udig as base/background

[Eric Jarvies <ej@xxxxxxxxxx>]

hello,

what would it take to be able to load sites like yahoo maps, et, al,  
into udig and being able to use them as backgrounds?  i am having to  
put together points/locations(POIs) that cover a fair amount of geo- 
space, and i am always having to open my browser(openmaps/yahoo maps/ 
google maps/etc) to take a look at the sat images for visual  
reference.  it would be wonderful if i could simply load the browser- 
based map sites into udig, easily set the x, y, and zoom level, have  
my vector shapefiles auto-adapt the same projection view/etc. as the  
base/background browser-based map, and essentially be able to move  
around my vector shapefiles, whilst also having the browser-based maps  
in the background move along/generate new views/tiles as-well.

the other option is loading 256x256 image tiles, but this would then  
require a fair amount of conversion work i assume.

if anyone has some good advice, i would appreciate it.

thank you,

eric