1. Again, I think the key here is that we sell this as a package, and design it as such. That begins with a consistent design for each of the interfaces.
Really, our idea is quite involved, but giving each interface a consistent design is going to give it that “oh this is an easy package to adopt for my news site!” feel.
At the most basic level, the thing needs a border (again to give it that tidy package feel), and it needs to be smaller so that it doesn’t overwhelm the page. Remember, this may be embedded on a news site’s homepage – it isn’t going to BE the homepage.
Now Marjorie thinks its too sterile, but I really like the wapo local explorer design – which is quite similar to our idea – minus the user-submitted laters. In particular, I like how it’s got that complete package look. And personally, I like sterile. I think that after myspace became an orgy of poor taste, people have really retreated to the clean and simple (see: facebook).
Now, the design will be consistent, but that doesn’t mean we can’t allow for news site customization – adding a logo, changing color, changing name to localize. Perhaps that can be an option in the setup process or be controlled via the editing interface.
2. If we go with a flash presentation – which I think would give the thing a bit more sheen than a ppt – I think that we should really just photoshop the mockup. I don’t know though – Jeff and Phillip need to discuss what would be the best in flash. (Philip here is a Very rough version Jeff built in dreamweaver).
3. Concrete suggestions:
- add “enter your address” entry form to center the map on the individuals neighborhood
- powered by google not needed – google maps will automatically add this to any map you build
- I love the “get published!” line – right out of that wired article! However, I think it should be some sort of a cool looking button or something.
- border!
- shrink it!
- add a few markers and show an example of what the textbox might look like (headline, subhead or blurb, picture, link?)
- Arts and Cultural “Events” not “festivals”
- Maybe add a layer like “community announcements” that aren’t necessarily news.
- coordinate the design with editor interface and user submitted interface
- add editing tools to editor interface (like those on top of the box I’m typing into right now)
- in addition to “drag to new point” there should be an address input option
- in addition to headline – there should be a subhead or blurb line to clarify what info will be displayed in the gmap marker infobox
