map: display different hints for the directions feature given the user interaction

[wkyoshida]

Terms

• I have searched open and closed design issues
• I agree to follow activist's Code of Conduct

Description

Currently, the following custom control is perpetually displayed on the map's bottom-left corner:

This could be confusing on an initial page load when there are no waypoints or directions initially displayed on the map.

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One alternative could be to display a different initial message on the custom control and later display the current message once waypoints/directions are added. For instance:

• When no waypoints:
  Click to add a waypoint for directions

• Once a waypoint is added:
  Clear directions [x]

Some notes:

• Additionally, since the proposed initial message is fairly long, a further idea could be to add a button to also hide the custom control - in the same vein as how the attribution control works.
• It also likely makes sense to not make the initial message clickable like how the current message is, which toggles clearing directions.

Contribution

Happy to support someone on this or get to it myself 😁

[andrewtavis]

Hey @wkyoshida 👋 Sounds good! The following makes the most sense to me:

• When no waypoints: Click for directions
  • So it's a bit more explicit for a person who doesn't understand waypoints
  • We should definitely display something as the purpose of it always being there is to note for the user that directions are possible
• I think that click for directions could be short enough, and as stated above a directions prompt should always be present
• Let's not make the initial message clickable – makes total sense :)

[wkyoshida]

So it's a bit more explicit for a person who doesn't understand waypoints

Yea.. I was wondering the same when writing up the issue.. What do you think of the term "starting point" perhaps? Would that be more immediately understandable to folks?
Just thinking here myself though that simply Click for directions might still seem like "click on this message for directions" as opposed to "click on the map to toggle the directions feature", if that makes sense?

Spitballing here some ideas, but I'm not for sure on one yet (suggestions definitely welcome):

• Click map to start directions
• Click map to add starting point
• For directions, click map to add starting point
• For directions, click map to start
• For directions, click map
• ...
• ?
• Click the map for a surprise

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I think that click for directions could be short enough

I'm also thinking here that we're likely fine with not worrying too much about length. I'm considering now that it's actually probably a good idea for us to implement the button to hide the message regardless. Having the option seems that it'd be nice for smaller screens and mobile users - so more screen space can be reclaimed if needed. What do you think?

[andrewtavis]

I'd say give your suggestions and another thought that maybe Click map for directions would be good? Explicit and still a bit short.

I'm not sure on the option to hid the directions clear button. If we put another square button on the screen to hide it, isn't it just one more things on the screen? Keeping the directions service controls in the bottom left also makes sense given that it's stylistically meant to match the attribution as well as possible :)

Let me know though! Maybe I'm not understanding your point 😊