May 30, 2007 8:38 AM PDT
When Web 2.0 (Yahoo Maps) attacks
I'll start by confessing my curmudgeon-ness. I can't stand the new "broadband" Yahoo Maps interface. I find it totally clunky, hard to use, and overly graphical--the vast majority of the time I'm using a mapping site, it's to get driving directions that I plan to either print out or send to my phone, and it's usually just to double-check my GPS directions. I'm fine with simple text directions and a nice little map. So it's been fine for me to just click back to the Classic Yahoo Maps interface (since Yahoo frequently forgets my preferences and/or makes me log in half the time I visit anyway). But today, I clicked Classic, and Classic bit back. Witness:
I don't love that they've made the whole thing all big and clunky and more like the new interface, because I'm sure that it's just an attempt to get me to switch by introducing me, slowly, to parts of the interface. It's the boiling-a-frog approach. But wow. Yeah, I'm really enticed by your fancy new Web 2.0 interface. Especially the part where my saved and recently used addresses pop up all Ajax-awesome underneath your ad. Note: I'm using
Firefox, where Yahoo tools have a history of not working properly--which is, of course, even greater incentive to switch to Google. I know, I know, I work at CNET, and I shouldn't cast a lot of stones about interfaces and the like. But seriously, Yahoo. You don't have a lot of edge on Google these days, and free, beloved services like maps and e-mail (and fantasy football) are kind of your only foothold right now. Don't screw 'em up.
Yahoo Maps' Web 2.0 interface goes horribly wrong
(Credit: Yahoo.com)
As host of the Buzz Report video series, Molly provides a fresh and funny perspective on the latest consumer electronic products to hit the market, as well as commentary on the stories and development that she thinks are truly buzz-worthy. She is also co-host of Buzz Out Loud, CNET's "podcast of indeterminate length," which entertains listeners with a funny and skeptical take on the day's technology news. Her other podcast, Gadgettes, is proof that girls can be geeks too. 
%20attacks%20%7C%20Webware%20-%20CNET&srcUrl=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-9723737-2.html){kind=small}
But I've gotten used to the new. It's not so bad once you get used to it...
And you don't get errors like that. I think I had that once myself and was amazed that a company like yahoo would have that problem.
I can no longer enter addresses on my SBC/Yahoo home page either.
I have switched to a different map provider...but still miss the old Yahoo Maps.
Amen, Sister. When I clicked "POST A COMMENT" to write this it took me to a log-on screen. After logging in, it took me to the Webware home page and your rant was no where to be found. But I digress...
WELCOME BACK, MOLLY! And congrats on your status as a new MOM. I hope that you and yours are all happy and healthy. And still digressing...
I agree with Molly on this. What's the big deal about keeping the classic stuff available? Why does Yahoo! have to cram the new stuff down our throats? (ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NEW STUFF IS STILL IN BETA FOR CRISSAKES!) Yahoo! TV is another classic example of this. I gave up on it and now use TitanTV. HotJobs kinda gets on my nerves as well.
AJAX is a great technology, but like most new Web development technologies it's being over used and abused.
http://developer.yahoo.com/community/suggest.html
- The new look rocks!
- by June 1, 2007 11:01 AM PDT
- I've been using the various mapping sites for a lot of years and I have to say that the new Yahoo maps are the best I've ever seen. The site is very responsive, the user interface is incredibly intuitive and the overall experience is very pleasing. It seems as though the same group that worked on the webmail product worked on this one because they're both super slick. I'd been favouring (yes, that's the Canadian spelling) Google maps recently, but I'll be using Yahoo maps ... at least, until Google StreetView comes to my town ;-)
- Reply to this comment
-
(6 Comments)