Showing posts with label navigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label navigation. Show all posts

Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites Review

Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites
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Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites ReviewI had been looking around for a book like this for some time now: one that guides me through the crucial conceptual design phase of web site development. Most books on web site design are really about user interface design. This book offers a top-down planning approach to getting from the recognition of a need for a web site through to the final working design. It plugs up a lot of the gaping holes that topic-specific design texts leave open.
The over-riding concern and emphasis in the first section of the book is on how to organize the information on the web site in such a way that the target audience can readily get at it. To this end, the authors focus on three 'systems' that need to be developed, implemented and coordinated on a web site: a navigation system, a labeling system and a searching system. Once these systems are thought through and designed then the rest of the work becomes a matter of filling in the information content, functionalities and the bells and whistles.
Clear, concise and even a bit humorous, this book will definitely give you a peace of mind if you find yourself a bit overwhelmed at times when deciding on just how you will approach building a web site.Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites Overview

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TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator with Traffic Receiver Review

TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator with Traffic Receiver
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TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator with Traffic Receiver ReviewI purchased this over two weeks ago at Best Buy, here in Los Angeles for $599.99! Yes folks, thanks to Best Buy's notorious price difference on the web and in their infamous intranet, I made them honor what I saw at home on my computer! And yes, this was for the TomTom 920T!
It is slimmer, lighter, nicer and loaded with more features than any other portable GPS device in the market! Functions within the TomTom 920T are very similar to other models. I upgraded from the 910 and did notice some very good changes in its software, and in its ability to do a bit more configuration than on the TomTom 910.
One of the things that I like the most, aside from its new redesigned shape was its ability to search for different POI's (Points Of Interest) with better matching results while at the same time providing you a lot of additional information, such as distance, physical address, map overview, phone number (if available) and yes, the ability to dial it directly.
By the way, this is something that Garmin GPS devices have always been able to do, including searching restaurants by food type, e.g. Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc. With the exception of this last search feature, I do believe that the new TomTom takes it one step further, which is good.
This upgraded feature is very important, because as most TomTom users know, previous versions of TomTom POI search, would just result in a long list of POI's matching what ever you input and nothing more. For example, if you typed Best Buy, you would get a list of all Best Buy stores in the county, but without any distance information, map preview, address or phone number!
This would obviously force you to route each resulting POI one by one, until you finally obtained the one that you really wanted, which was a waste of time! Well, not any more and I am very glad that TomTom made this very necessary upgrade!
Here is a list of things that I noticed:
The light sensor gone from the top and now sitting very discreetly in the front.
The remote control has been improved and is now Bluetooth.
It seems to me that it is somewhat faster in performing any commands faster than its predecessor.
Accepting spoken directions is a plus and has worked well for me so far, no complaints.
The screen is huge and seems to have been improved, because I now can see everything much better than on the previous model in bright sunny days.
The speaker sounds fragile with the default voice, compared to the 910, but sounds much better with a human voice and the music sounds great!
You can now hear all instructions through your car speakers by tuning it to an empty radio station. I tried it, but did not like it at all, too much static and sound is extremely low, could be because I live in downtown Los Angeles.
The included RF transmitter is a winner, it is very accurate in obtaining traffic data and I notice that it does so upon turning it on and it updates itself periodically as I am driving. However, it would have been better if they would have built it into the unit in order to avoid another wire from hanging from the unit.
Phone integration is great and fast, the sound quality is very good and I have been told by people who I call that it sounds very good. I make and receive between 200 to 300 calls a day, so this is a plus! Unfortunately, it does not sync well with my Palm Treo 750, so I miss out on many other TomTom extra features that requre my cell phone in order to be able to obtain data, such as weather information, map downloads, gas prices, etc.
I also do notice that its ability not to lose signal is improved, which is good, since as I have already mentioned, I live in downtown LA.
The included software is also great and much better than previous versions of TomTom Home.
What's in the box? The TomTom 910, the RF transmitter, car charger, windshield cradle, desktop cradle, remote control, software and manuals.
All in all it is a great GPS unit, very nicely and intelligently designed and the only reason I do not give it a 5 is because of the use of an external RF transmitter, instead of a built in one and lack of important travelling tools, such as those found in several of the Garmin units.
I feel that TomTom, given their current market share and being so strong in Europe should include different measurement and currency conversion tools, as well as a different language translator and a virtual tour guide program similar to those found in several of the Garmin units.
This thing fits in the pocket of your shirt! If I were sightseeing in France, I would want to have access to these types of tools!
However, to be fair, the new TomTom 920T does include a several great features not found in other units, specifically the Help Me feature which, will assist you in many emergencies such as in letting you know where you are, instruct you where to walk to your closest emergency assistance point or even guide you in applying first aid!
I highly recommended to anyone and I do hope that TomTom will improve their already magnificent product with the suggestions that I have made, maybe one day TomTom will team up with Google and provide similar information as MSN does for the Garmin NUVI.TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator with Traffic Receiver OverviewGps, tomtom go 920t, box packaging

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TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
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TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review
The TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with U.S. Maps is one of many new updated GPS units available this fall. It is compact and well designed. And for those with more extensive foreign language needs than the standard "English or Spanish" options included with most beginner units, the two dozen included screen languages and even more spoken languages will blow you away.
Perhaps the overall best feature is the "map-share" updates that allow users to alert when a route has been closed or changed due to construction. Instead of having to pay and wait for next years update, if you subscribe to this you get it for free! Additionally, the TomTom's safety features are also head and shoulders above the competition. The included menu allows you be alerted with speed warnings, traffic cameras, and even directions to emergency services via the one touch "Help Me!" menu.
However, there are some basic features missing, including an SD memory card and text to speech directions. While I do not intend to outline all the features of competing products, I am going to compare this product where relevant to show users where they might need to consider other options. I personally have owned many Garmin models, one Magellan Maestro and a starter Navigon unit. There are even many more options on the market today, but I believe most users should be choosing from these four brands for a starter unit.
PROS:
+ Great compact starter GPS unit with convenient all-in-one form factor
+ The "map-share" updates are the killer app of the TomTom GPS line; bad routes are corrected by users like you, and you can get the updates with the application
+ Comes with a GPS, USB PC syncing cable, car power adapter and mounting disk
+ The included integrated mount is more convenient, though it mounts closer to the window than I would like
+ An updated map is provided free of charge if they come out within 30 days of purchase
+ Add-on applications and updates are not all free but still priced better than Garmin's
+ AWESOME safety feature extras to alert for driving breaks, speed limits and thresholds
+ Also warns you by default to remove the unit when you reach your destination
+ Cool safety camera alerts give you audio and video of cameras on your route
+ "Help Me!" emergency menu directs you to emergency services with one click
+ Status bar preferences also allow extra features (compass, next street, etc.)
+ Many more included car symbols than Garmin or Magellin
+ Includes a pedestrian mode comparable to Garmin's under "planning preferences"
+ Interface Includes icons to alert you when you are nearing POIs
+ Does seem to update route changes faster than other models
+ Gives you the option to automatically avoid delays with traffic updates (though receiver is sold separately and it's not clear if and where one can be connected to this model)
+ The TomTom Home application makes it VERY EASY to update settings and download software extras
+ Still displays info even without a connection, unlike the Garmin models which sometimes *hide maps* till they find the signal again
+ While it is equally poor at acquiring signals as other models, it does seem to hold signals better than others
+ Incredible spoken and display language options give you almost 25 language options!!!
CONS:
- No SD memory card slot!!! That means internal memory is your absolute limit; new maps may replace old ones, and you will have to update for each new map with a computer when travelling, while with the Garmin you could simply bring all your maps on cards
- The power / USB connection port is recessed into the bottom of the unit; this may make it hard to use some standard USB cables to connect to your computer in a pinch
- The standard USB connection cable has a connector that is at a right angle, which keeps it out of the way but also makes it harder to remove
- Dashboard mount disk must be stuck with adhesive to your dash; Garmin friction mount is better, though they do sell alternative mounts that are comparable for the TomTom
- Need an additional attachment for traffic service (though not great in all areas)
- Must hold on/off button for a long time when turning on
- Did not come pre-charged, like my Garmin did
- Software interface is not as slick as others like the Garmin and the Navigon
- Neither the 2D nor the 3D views are as attractive as any of the other brands
- Not the least expensive starter unit on the market
- Does not include text to speech to give you spoken street names
- No included Bluetooth connectivity to pair with your smart phone for hands free operation
- Traffic receiver is sold separately and it's not clear if and where one can be connected to this model
- Won't alert you to missed turns and will automatically recalculate, which may not always be ideal
- Equally poor at acquiring signals as other models
- Without a signal, the screen gives you much less device information (such as battery life)
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The product description notes this unit as "widescreen." It is not really widescreen. This is the standard 3.5 inch size that all starter units come in. In fact, though the body seems slightly more narrow than the Garmin 200 series, the screen is exactly the same size. The Garmin simply has a larger border area around the screen. It's adequate for me, but those with weak eyes often prefer the 4.3 inch widescreen models.
The description seems to indicate that this unit includes Bluetooth, which it doesn't as far as I can tell. Bluetooth has become an almost standard feature for GPS unit. If I can find a way to pair my BT phone with it, I will update this. But this seems like a typo to me.
FEATURES VERSUS THE COMPETITION
Garmin has been feverishly updating their lineup, and the entry level unit that compares most closely with the TTO125 is the Garmin nuvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator. It is one of several updated models in the 200 series. Like this unit, it has a similar size and form factor.
The Navigon 2200T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator includes the additional features of text-to-speech (for street names) and free traffic alerts. It's also much slicker and has a 3D reality view that is best among all manufacturers. Similarly the Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator adds a host of features, though the improved looks are still a notch below Navigon. It also includes maps of all of North America and Mexico standard. However, neither Magellan's nor Navigon's data updates are as good as TomTom's. Still, given all the extras, they are both strong competitors as well.
Some of the higher-end 4.3 inch wide Garmin versions like the Garmin Nuvi 205W and Garmin Nuvi 255W offer more features and a bigger screen.
Learning where to go in the menu to change settings also seemed less intuitive than the Garmin. One thing I may have to wait a year to learn is whether they are going to spam me with *map update* sales pitches like the Garmin does.
Like all GPS units, this one also has the dreaded delay in finding satellites, particularly when indoors. However, once you do find a satellite this unit seems to hold the signal well. While satellite acquisition seems about the same on all my units, holding the signal was better on the TomTom.
CONCLUSION
This is a GPS unit that covers the basics very well and has many more software options than entry level models from the competition. Thanks to map-share and TomTom Home, the data seems to be updated better than units from Garmin, Navigon or Magellan. So if you need a starter GPS, this gives the Garmin a run for its money.
But the included features, even for base models, are not nearly equivalent to competing units. The look and feel is also not nearly as slick, though that should matter less than features and functions to most people.
But of course, value is a concern. For the price of Garmin's maps, they have guaranteed I will probably never buy an update from them. With the TomTom, investing in extra apps or updates might actually be a little easier to swallow. But the prevailing prices for the Garmin units themselves, including the 205, 255, and 255W, make most of them a better value. The 205 sells for about 20% less than this model, and the wider screened 205W goes for around the same price. Even a few 600 and 700 series models are not too far off in price. And many models from Garmin, Navigon and Magellin also include Bluetooth connectivity and free traffic updates.
If you need the frequent updates and extra choices in languages, the TomTom One 125 wins hands down. Similarly, the safety features are really tops in this product category. Some may just want the TomTom because they prefer the simpler looking interface. But considering the greater number of features and lower costs of most comparable Garmins, many will opt for one of those models instead.
Enjoy.
TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator OverviewTomTom ONE125s distinctive design puts a full-size touchscreen and the power of GPS in a slim, lightweight device. Switch on and go right out of the box. The crystal-clear display, 3D graphics and turn-by-turn spoken instructions help you find your way to any address in the United States all with just a few taps of the screen. Foldable EasyPort mount makes it easy to take it with you from car to car. TomTom has the most accurate maps and with TomTom Map Share technology you can instantly modify street names, street direction, and POIs on your own device. And now, there are added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers. No activation, no monthly fees.

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Magellan RoadMate 1440 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Magellan RoadMate 1440 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
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Magellan RoadMate 1440 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator ReviewI am very happy with the Magellan RoadMate 1440, it's just such a good GPS Navigator with all the bells and whistles!
The 1440 is very accurate at saving you time during trips, you can set it up to give you the fastest route or the shortest distance to your destination, which in many cases, is not the same route.
The highway lane assist is one of those features that you might not think you need until you start dealing with lower end GPS units that don't offer such features. Take it from a guy who used to own a tomtom One 3rd edition! This feature helps you make sure that you are choosing the correct lane to exit during a freeway interchange. You'll be glad you have this feature, trust me!
Just in case you were wondering, this unit is also compatible with the "Magellan Traffic Link" (sold Separately) which gives you FREE real time traffic alerts in exchange for small banner ads such as "AM/PM too much good stuff!" displayed on the top of your screen. a small price to pay for such a great service! In case of a traffic jam, a small timer will appear right next to the traffic warning sign, which tells you how many minutes it estimates you will be stuck in there. Click on the warning sign and it will give you a second route to follow. It will compare both routes for you and give you an estimated arrival time for each one. At this point you can opt to avoid traffic or deal with it. This is one of the best features of this unit and a must have for people who have to deal with hours of traffic on a daily basis! (yes, I live in California and traffic jams are a part of my life)
I purposely "got lost" many times to test how accurate the unit was. I would assign a "point of interest" and make the wrong turns just to see how long it would take it to catch up to me, let me tell you it's fast! in most cases it will have a new route to follow before I even hit the next intersection.
It comes with TTS (text to speech) which means it actually tells you to "turn right on Magnolia" as opposed to "turn right in 30 feet", this is a nice feature to have, but it was a must have feature for me, since my previous unit didn't have it.
One odd thing about the 1440 is that when you save a new address to your address book, it automatically assigns it to "Home" in many cases I was trying to add a place of business and it didn't give me the option to do so, it has the "Business" space but you need to add a home address before it lets you add the business address, so everytime I click on "work" it shows me a little picture of a house as opposed to a picture of a building. Nothing big really, I'm sure they can fix that with a firmware update.1440 vs 1470
I also tested this unit against it's bigger brother, the Magellan RoadMate 1470 displaying a 4.7" screen. If you are like me and are looking at this item, you probably have been switching screens between this one and the 1470!
Looks: The 1440 seems to be a little thicker than the 1470, not a big difference, really. The 1470 feels smoother and it has rounded edges as opposed to the square look on the 1440. The back on the 1470 is silver, the back on the 1440 is black.Display: The 1470 screen has richer colors than the 1440, at their higher settings, the 1470 is just a little brighter than the 1440, still the 1440 screen is just as bright as you need a GPS screen to be.
Response time: I tested them in situations such turning them on/off, missing my turns to see how fast it would relocate, assigning destinations and looking up Points of Interests, The 1440 responded from 1-3 seconds faster than the 1470 model. Might not seem like much of a difference, but when you're on the road, just a few seconds might make you miss your exit!
Features: they both have the exact same features, nothing different here.
Sound: The 1440 has a slight louder speaker than the 1470. Both units are great, differences were very minimal. This choice is mostly determined on how big you want the screen and how much you are willing to pay for the difference.
I hope that this review helps you make a better buying choice!Magellan RoadMate 1440 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator OverviewThe Magellan RoadMate 1440 device boasts the acclaimed OneTouch menu, a 4.3-inch color touch screen, and an ultra-thin design. Preloaded maps and points of interest for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico make the RoadMate 1440 ideal for both business trips and vacations. Easy-to-use, premium features give you confidence on the road and deliver a powerful navigation experience.

The Magellan RoadMate 1440 includes many premier features, starting with Magellan's exclusive OneTouch favorites menu, QuickSpell with SmartCity search, and highway exit point of interest (POI) search, to name a few. Magellan's attention to detail delivers a superior user experience.
Intuitive and robust navigation The RoadMate 1440 lets you bookmark your favorite destinations and searches with the OneTouch favorites menu so you can access them anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
QuickSpell and Smart City search help you quickly enter addresses and narrow your address and city searches, making destination entry easy. Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, helping you save time and money.
Safety first on the road You can keep your eyes on the road as you drive because spoken street name guidance announces the street name along with audible turning cues. Highway lane assist offers visual aids to point you in the right direction and ensure that you'll choose the correct lane well before your next turn.
Should your vehicle unfortunately break down as you travel, the AAA locate screen provides your location so help will know where to find you. Get support fast with the AAA Member Roadside Assistance1 phone number and your location displayed on the RoadMate 1440 screen.
Ready to roll You're ready to travel with preloaded maps and points of interest for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico that make the Magellan RoadMate 1440 ideal for both business trips and vacations. (Mexico map activation available for purchase on www.magellangps.com).
With millions of points of interest at your command you can easily locate gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more. If you need more information or you want to save money, select the AAA search menu after your search entry. AAA TourBook provides ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.
When you're traveling down the Interstate and need to find gas, food, or lodging in a hurry, touch the highway exit POI icon to see which upcoming highway exits have the services you need.
Do you often find yourself tied up in traffic? The RoadMate 1440 is Traffic Link compatible, offering live onscreen traffic-incident reports. (The Traffic Link accessory is sold separately).
Turn it on and go! The Magellan RoadMate 1440 is loaded with premier features you'll need to get you where you want to go.

Magellan RoadMate 1440 Features
OneTouch favorites menu affords instant access to your personalized bookmarks of favorite places and searches anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
4.3-inch color touch screen provides powerful navigation that's easy to view and use.
AAA TourBook provides ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.
AAA Member Roadside Assistance gets you help fast with a toll-free member service number to assist you in finding an AAA approved tow truck or repair shop. The menu also shows your exact GPS location so you can provide precise information to your location.
Highway lane assist signs show highway signs to point you in the right direction when approaching interchanges and exits, and ensure that you'll choose the correct lane well before your next turn.
Spoken street names and directions so you can hear and see where you need to turn next.
QuickSpell with SmartCity search narrows your address and city searches, making destination entry easy.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, saving you time and money.
Preloaded maps give you information and directions as you travel the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. (Mexico map activation available for purchase on www.magellangps.com).
Millions of points of interest (POIs) help you easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more.
Highway exit POIs search shows you gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more near upcoming highway exits.
Branded POIs display your favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and more by their respective logos.
Traffic Link provides live, onscreen traffic notification updates. (This accessory is sold separately).
Customizable route method lets you select the shortest distance, fastest time, most use of freeways, or least use of freeways to customize your route.
Address book enables you to create and store contact information.
Auto night view adjusts your screen's color and contrast for easy night viewing.
Automatic re-route lets you quickly get back on track in case you missed a turn.
Plan route on map by simply touching a destination on the map screen and then directly routing to it.
Rechargeable battery gives you the freedom to drive wireless or plan your trip when your vehicle's engine is turned off.

What's in the Box RoadMate 1440 GPS receiver, Pre-loaded maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Windshield mount, Adhesive disc for dash mounting, Vehicle power adapter, User handbook, USB cable, User manual on CD-ROM


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