How will we handle geolocating the user?

[jimsafley]

We could have a button on the map that, once pressed, pans/zooms to the user's location. (The user will have to agree to share the device's location first.)

[kimisgold]

Yup, agreed. Also, at least on mobile devices, I'd suggest prompting user geolocation upon opening the map. When opening any map app on my phone, it's rare that I don't want data appearing relative to my location.

[jimsafley]

I'd suggest prompting user geolocation upon opening the map

I thought of this and ruled it out. The map covers a limited geographical area. Automatically geolocating the user wouldn't make sense for anyone outside the National Mall, which I suspect would be most people viewing the map.

[kimisgold]

I thought that the majority of our users are people exploring the National Mall onsite, but I could be making a bad assumption. @sheilabrennan, any thoughts on this? I'm also wondering if there's a way to check the user's location and automatically zoom to it if they're within the Mall's coverage.

[jimsafley]

I'm also wondering if there's a way to check the user's location and automatically zoom to it if they're within the Mall's coverage.

I suppose it is possible to pan/zoom according to the device's coordinates, but only after the user agrees to share her location, which would happen every time the map is opened.

[sheilabrennan]

Many, if not most, users will be on the Mall, but there still will be some who will come across it when Googling for history and National Mall. I want users viewing at home, to be able to see the map layers and items located on it.

I think it would be very nice if the user's location is identifiable and usable, with their permission of course.

[kimisgold]

As I understand it, the browser prompt usually asks "allow or deny", and only prompts you again if you empty your cache.

[jimsafley]

As I understand it, the browser prompt usually asks "allow or deny", and only prompts you again if you empty your cache.

I stand corrected. But automatically asking for geolocation permission doesn't make sense for anyone outside the Mall. I mean, we could ask, but it would be a meaningless step before getting to the map. I'd prefer to have something like a "locate me" button.

[patrickmj]

If buttons work, maybe two buttons, one for on the mall and one for not:
"I'm on the Mall! Use my position!"
"I'm not on the Mall, center map there"

'Course I might be speaking out of school since I'm only following from afar. 😈

[kimisgold]

I think whether or not we prompt the user for their location upfront, having a "locate me" button is a good idea.

[sheilabrennan]

Yeah, it seems that the locate me button could prompt the using if current location. If your not on the mall, chances are you aren't going to locate yourself on the map.

On Mar 28, 2013, at 5:48 PM, Kim Nguyen notifications@github.com wrote:

I think whether or not we prompt the user for their location upfront, having a "locate me" button is a good idea.

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