"Campus maps" is one of the top five phrases sought after through MSU's search engine.

That's why an up-to-date map is necessary for MSU explorers, said Jeff Daniels, an Academic Computing and Network Services, or ACNS, information technologist.

In August, MSU plans to unveil a new and fun online interactive map that will feature many different options - such as labeled streets on campus satellite images and searchable categories that automatically pinpoint locations like residence halls - visitor parking lots, university apartments and athletic sites.

The site, currently in its beta test version, is similar to Spartylive.com - a Google Maps layout of MSU that electrical engineering senior Gugulethu Mabuza launched during the 2006-07 school year. MSU's beta version is functional for user-testing, but details for the site aren't set in stone.

"This is the first time we've really overhauled the look of our maps," Daniels said.

There are other schools with similar versions of what the ACNS team of technicians are working on, he said, adding that The Ohio State University's online campus map features the Google interface.

"What we're utilizing, though, is an overlay of what we're doing," Daniels said. "That's the big highlight. Lots of places are doing categories and putting pins on a virtual map, and what we're doing is taking the electronic format of a map and compiling it into a Google format.

"It gives us a better way to detail what we see, and it cleans up the map by doing this."

Virtual push-pins on MSU's interactive map will show places to check out, campus' sites of natural beauty or where to go when it's time to hit the books.

"The interactive map will allow you to view all of campus and give you an idea of where a building is on the entire campus," said Christine Joyau, who works with the special projects team at University Relations.

Access to the site is not available to the public as university stakeholders have yet to participate in the first phase of the testing process. Parents and students will test the site in a second phase of testing, and feedback will help complete the finalized version of the interactive map, which will then be available via MSU's homepage.

Google application programming interfaces, or API, are free programs that allow customization of certain services offered by the popular search engine - something a combined team of University Relations and ACNS members are using to create the new map, Daniels said. The team has been working on the Web site as a side-project to their full-time jobs for about six months.

Joyau said the current online maps are difficult to use, look outdated and lack significant elements like construction sites and detour routes.

She had a couple of people come up to her on campus two weeks ago and ask her how to battle the construction barriers to get back to Grand River Avenue.

"With this interactive map, what we would ultimately want to do is be able to have people pinpoint detours on a map and say, 'OK, yes, I'm still on the right path,'" Joyau said.

She said the goal is to get in line with industry standards and utilize interactive maps to their potential.

"We want the new map to be interactive where you can really refine your search," she said. "We want people to be able to zoom in and out so people who don't really know campus will become familiar with it. This way, they have this type of information and they can find out where to get food and how to get to the library."

University Relations graphic designer Alex Parsons, who is responsible for the print map versions, said he provided the outline of campus for the interactive map.

"The breakthrough we have working with the Web team is now the maps will look consistent and MSU maps will all look similar and up to date as soon as possible," he said.

Joyau said a long-term goal is to be able to have users pinpoint classrooms on campus to aid students in finding a classroom, especially during finals when students sometimes take exams in different rooms.

"We're trying to have something that looks fresh, stimulating and interesting," Joyau said. "When you see Yahoo! Maps and Google Maps, that's what people expect. We just want to be out there, and we are looking for usability and friendliness."