KML link on website works unexpected

[jetteroheller]

I want to put on my web site links to self produced KML files.

The first test showed unecpected results:

When I click on the link to the KML file,
MSIE 6 shows me the XML file on screen.

When I compress with Winzip the KML file and rename the ZIP file to ending with KMZ, a link on the web site to the KMZ file opens as expected Google Earth and shows the location.

Is it possible to make a web link to a KLM file working?

Otherwise, I have to implement the ZIP conversion for ever file.

[Robi]

according to Google Earth KML Tutorial, the mime types are

• application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml kml
  
• application/vnd.google-earth.kmz kmz
  

make sure you have entered them correctly.

[SaschaClaus]

Quote:

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I have the same problem. I don't have access to my webserver's configuration files. Any workaround available?

[SaschaClaus]

I found a way to make web browsers NOT to open the place marks I send as a text file.

I don't send KML-files anymore, but KMZ files instead. Since they are zipped, the browsers won't display them as text.

To create (zipped) KMZ files on the fly I use phpZIP. The Light version is free and it works - only with Firefox though :-(

IE asks me to open a file named filename.zip(!!) even though the file the webserver sends is named filename.kmz. :-(

[tekgergedan]

Can I ask why you dont open the kml files in GE when they are in your harddisk and then save them as kmz?

[SaschaClaus]

Because I don't have them on my harddisk. The placemarks are generated dynamically depending on the user's input.

Otherwise doing the conversion manually would be the better solution, you're right.

[SaschaClaus]

I generate the placemarks dynamically depending on the user's input.

You are right, if I had the data on my disk, it would be easier to compress them manually. But I want to make the placemark files on the fly.

[Jason_Birch]

If you're generating the placemarks dynamically, you could send a content-type header (using the above types) and then stream the KML to them directly...

What kind of server are you on? If you're on Apache and your host has allowed per-directory (.htaccess) configuration, then you may be able to set your own mime types.

Jason

[SaschaClaus]

How do I send content-type headers? I'm afraid I am not experienced enough to do this.

Yes, the site runs on Apache. I have to check whether they support directory-wise access control. Is this necessary for sending the content-type headers?

Do I have to use both methods or are they meant as alternatives?

[SaschaClaus]

Quote:

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If you're generating the placemarks dynamically, you could send a content-type header (using the above types) and then stream the KML to them directly...

What kind of server are you on? If you're on Apache and your host has allowed per-directory (.htaccess) configuration, then you may be able to set your own mime types.

Jason

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I'm using a php wrapper now, which sends the content-type header and prints the kml data as a string. Works like a champ and it also has the side effect that the browser won't ask anymore if I want to open or save the file.

Thanks Jason! Your helpful advice brought me on the right way. :-)

[kanossa]

Hello,

i'm new in google earth but u can send the content type in php through the use of the next code:

Code:

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<?php
    header("Content-type: application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml");
    (...)
?>
 

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it work's very well in firefox and ie...

[JuanC]

Hi!

Try adding this to the header... it works for me. It makes the browser to open the file in google
Content-Disposition: filename=test.kml
It works when opening the file from IE or firefox but GE has a problem with it and hangs... sorry... if I find a way around I will post again

I found the problem... I was using Asp.net and the Content-Length header was -1. Apparently GE has a problem with it
Juan C

[superperu]

Hi

I would like to know the PHP code you used in order to obtain the side effect of getting the browser don't ask anymore if I want to open or save the KML file.