Finding your way on Google Maps
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Google maps are certainly pretty cool and everyday people are dreaming up of more creative ways to use them!
But do they help or hinder us when finding directions? If you wanted an office or store location map on your Web site, is a Google map the right option?
Well I think that depends. If you want to pack your location map with interactive features like zooming, panning, satellite and hybrid image modes, then a Google map is a pretty nifty option.
But if you want to help people find your office as easily as possible, then it might be better to invest in a well crafted map by a graphic designer.
An advantage of commissioning your own map is it provides an opportunity to include colour, graphic and typographic cues from other aspects of your branding. This helps to maintain a visual consistency between the map and your Web site.
A good location map shouldn’t be too detailed. It’s probably not necessary to show every side street in 4km radius. Likewise, it’s probably not much use for a visitor to know the colour of the rooftops on surrounding buildings (i.e. Google satellite maps).
The user is more likely wanting to know where you are situated in relation to major landmarks, what major streets you’re off, and where’s the best place to park. By focusing on key bits of information and removing irrelevant detail, you are enabling the user to orientate faster and hopefully reduce any frustration trying to locate your office or store.
Another good idea is to provide a printable version of your location map that fits nicely on an A4 printout.
Tim Fouhy, Managing Director Australia
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But do they help or hinder us when finding directions? If you wanted an office or store location map on your Web site, is a Google map the right option?
Well I think that depends. If you want to pack your location map with interactive features like zooming, panning, satellite and hybrid image modes, then a Google map is a pretty nifty option.
But if you want to help people find your office as easily as possible, then it might be better to invest in a well crafted map by a graphic designer.
An advantage of commissioning your own map is it provides an opportunity to include colour, graphic and typographic cues from other aspects of your branding. This helps to maintain a visual consistency between the map and your Web site.
A good location map shouldn’t be too detailed. It’s probably not necessary to show every side street in 4km radius. Likewise, it’s probably not much use for a visitor to know the colour of the rooftops on surrounding buildings (i.e. Google satellite maps).
The user is more likely wanting to know where you are situated in relation to major landmarks, what major streets you’re off, and where’s the best place to park. By focusing on key bits of information and removing irrelevant detail, you are enabling the user to orientate faster and hopefully reduce any frustration trying to locate your office or store.
Another good idea is to provide a printable version of your location map that fits nicely on an A4 printout.
Tim Fouhy, Managing Director Australia
Labels: Design and Usability, Technology
Internet Explorer 7 Push Imminent
Thursday, December 07, 2006
For those who aren't already aware Microsoft is about to "push" Internet Explorer 7 onto 10's of millions of desktops this month. The statistics are already showing that the developer community has started using it quite extensively in beta format, accounting for around 2-3% of current internet users (just short of IE5 usage).
There are two primary issues Reactive have come across so far. The first of these is that the often used CSS hacks to target IE rendering differences no longer work. Secondly a security change has meant formerly "safe" ActiveX controls are now deprecated, triggering a security alert when detecting QuickTime and Windows Media player.
To resolve the CSS issue Reactive have started using Conditional commenting
Unfortunately there is no complete resolution to the plug-in detection issues however if you would like to find out more you can read the Security brief from Microsoft
To find out more check out the following links:
* Release notes on the IEBlog
* Support notes on the Microsoft site
* 'Internet Explorer 7 looms — be prepared' , by Woody Leonhard
* 'IE7 Imminent: Plug-in detection woes', by Lewis Francis
Dan Oxnam, Interaction Director
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There are two primary issues Reactive have come across so far. The first of these is that the often used CSS hacks to target IE rendering differences no longer work. Secondly a security change has meant formerly "safe" ActiveX controls are now deprecated, triggering a security alert when detecting QuickTime and Windows Media player.
To resolve the CSS issue Reactive have started using Conditional commenting
Unfortunately there is no complete resolution to the plug-in detection issues however if you would like to find out more you can read the Security brief from Microsoft
To find out more check out the following links:
* Release notes on the IEBlog
* Support notes on the Microsoft site
* 'Internet Explorer 7 looms — be prepared' , by Woody Leonhard
* 'IE7 Imminent: Plug-in detection woes', by Lewis Francis
Dan Oxnam, Interaction Director
Labels: Technology, Web Culture and Trends
