Seeing Forests

Off the O’Reilly Radar, Brady Forests notes that Platial Goes Local and Very Soon Mobile.  Looks like they’re getting nailed with some traffic issues but it is interesting in that they’re using the whole map as the interface, laying controls and filters on top.  Another one of those wish I’d have thought of it before things.  The use of iconic filtering seems problematic, though.  As I’ve been taught by esteemed colleagues filtering is best done by the user just searching.   Although I personally always liked little icons, it’s hard for a user to learn a whole new graphic language just for one site.  Granted, some “international” symbols like dining and lodging stand out but not sure what a little pink skull and bones is supposed to communicate.  Sure, you mouse over and realize that’s the “punk” symbol (I should have guessed).   I can respect that Platial’s experience has shown that people tag things beyond restaurants.  “Family and Kid Friendly” make a great tag but I’d question whether that’s on the same level as “Parks and Nature”.  Wouldn’t Parks qualify as Family Friendly?  Still, the map as interface warms the cockles of my heart. 

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