Comments on: In Need of a Dancing Banana

By: Lurker

Lurker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:41:55 +0000

I don’t know how else to submit a new map to you, so I’ll post it here:

http://www.newpa.com/build-your-business/locate/why-pa/strategic-location/index.aspx

Pennsylvania is OK, but New Jersey and Delaware are HORRIBLY HORRIBLY WRONG. Also, click the “Rivers & Ports” option to see where the Delware River goes!

By: Andy Woodruff

Andy Woodruff — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:43:03 +0000

Thanks Mark, I do of course appreciate the more positive angle.

But if I always look at the sunny side, how can I ever expect to become a grumpy old cartographer? I just want to fit in at NACIS, you know…

By: Mark Harrower

Mark Harrower — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:25:24 +0000

Let me offer try and offer a different perspective:

What strikes me as truly remarkable about this map is that you made it a mere 3 weeks after the very first time you saw Flash. Within maybe 40 hours total of labor and instruction you were already able to make interactive maps that loaded data, provided basic interactivity, and did not crash. Are pre-med students performing surgery 40 hours into their program? Are law students defending court cases by October of the semester? To complain that the map–which was never intended to be seen by the public–lacks polish is like a a piano student complaining that scales and other skill-building exercises “lack a good melody”. Lab 2 was a skill-building exercise, nothing more, and these are skills you clearly now have.

What’s even more remarkable to me is that 3 years after making your first interactive map you’re now a widely respected paid professional – where are those pre-med and law students? Still in class I suspect.

By: Andy Woodruff

Andy Woodruff — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:22:22 +0000

Wow, yes I do see one word that I needed to cahnge. I probably never proofread it at all. And until you mentioned it, still didn’t notice it in spite of starting at the map forever while writing the post.

By: Mike Louwrens

Mike Louwrens — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:58:43 +0000

I notice you didn’t comment on what I think is one of the easiest to overcome issues with this map. My biggest annoyance with anything published (not necessarily maps) is spelling mistakes/typos (and I’m not innocent! and I’d better spell check this before posting!)