So I am trying to find directions to an event that my wife and I are volunteering. So I first try Live.com, Google Maps, and finally MapQuest.
Live.com
So I type Paine Field, Seattle WA into Internet Explorer. I get three local listings which I click on the first since it is Paine Field Airport. But do I get a map which is what you would expect. No I get a web page with places for reviews, additional web results and a ultra high map i.e. 5 ft per inch. Click on driving directions, thank god but now I have a web page with the whole USA. What the f*(*k! Brilliant Live team don't you think the odds are the person is within a 100 miles not in NY or Houston.
Next I type in my starting point - gee can't you remember where I live - and hit get directions. I get a map with directions and traffic but due to all the traffic color coding I don't see my route. Finally I find a button to make the traffic go away and clearly see the route.
Google Maps
So out of frustration with not have a clear map and directions I try Google. Google also had Paine Field as a local listing. So I click the heading and get the website - oops. Now it probably should have been obvious that was going to occur as their was a web address next to the heading. But in front of the heading was the little pin point used by Google Maps. So after going back the Google I click the pin point thinking oh that would take me to the map. Nope I end up back at the website. What the f**&k!
So I click on driving directions and what the f*&k! I am on a page with a small map, links to reviews, and listing of websites from a web search. Come on Google I said map not more information. So after looking around the page I click on "Get directions To Here". Thank god I now have the actual page I wanted. A map with from and to boxes. Although the button said "change". Change what I haven't put a starting address. Oh well, I hit the button and get the directions.
MapQuest
My wife is laughing at me by now and says go to MapQuest. So I did. I get a some what uncluttered webpage. I type in Paine Field although I figure I should add Airport at the end. I get a list with Paine Field Airport at the top. I click get directions which takes me to a page asking for the starting address. This is looking pretty good and then I get get directions after typing in my home address.
The joy stopped as I get a web page with directions but no map. Ok later on I realize it is down below but geez I am in 1440x900 do I really need direction turns to go all the way across the page. And the really important thing the map with the route is hidden below. Well at least MapQuest did not have a review link amongst all the ads.
Conclusion
Maybe I am old fashion but I miss simple, clean web pages with
- the information I was looking for prominently displayed.
- intelligent defaults like showing the local area rather than the whole country or planet.
- Minimal and unobtrusive ads.
- less cluttered without a bunch of floating toolbars and gizmos
- clear menus that allow me to add in information as I want not what some programmer thinks I want
- Does everything have to have a place for user input?
Oh well, maybe someone will realize that simple, clean and relevent information is what people really want. If I want to socialize I will go to a social site not a search engine.
Comments