BlooSee updated
We’ve just updated our production server with a code refresh.
Changes include:
- Extended data panel for infopoints automatically opens when adding/editing infopoints. Also, more types of infopoints have extended fields than before.
- Photo albums have a clearer navigation, where you first see all pictures as thumbnails, and then choose which one you want to start with.
- Message when accepting friends invitations has been corrected, with no overlapping of buttons over text — it will, however, be improved in the future.
- Much better search results, organized by type.
- A meaningful “404 page not found” message — it was a shame to have kept the old one for so long (ouch!).
- Long user names appear now correctly on Dashboard.
- Improvements on the comments interface.
- Other minor miscellaneous corrections.
And we’ll keep improving… but you knew that already!
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Improved infopoint taxonomy
We’ve re-worked the infopoint taxonomy — and we all know sometimes small changes make big differences!
The addition of a couple of types under Facilities (namely Yacht club, and Sailing school) is something we should have done a while ago, and some users were asking for them. So here they are.
But we’ve also re-thought the placement of certain types and put them under different categories than they were originaly. We believe it makes much more sense like this.
New set of infopoint categories
Finally, we’re very happy to have a couple of new and important categories: Art and history, and Ocean conservation. Hey, this is when we can actually say our system is for sea-lovers! Even though we know many users will want to use our system to exchange critical data (facilities, aids to navigation, dangers…) or practical information (services, hotels and restaurants, shops…), true sea-lovers will appreciate those two layers to learn about nautical traditions and history, as well as get conservation related info.
Humankind has been tied to the ocean since the origin of history, and the seas of the world have been the backdrop to adventures, explorations, battles, but also fears and hopes throughout the centuries. Isn’t it cool to be able to mark those places where special events took place, or where traditions and legends originated? (I, for one, have already started: http://www.bloosee.com/r/i3eySCy)
And regarding our ocean conservation layer, we’ve said many times the ocean is not a mere highway for our boats: it is a living entity that we need to protect as much as we enjoy. So on BlooSee, users will be able to publish particular spots to see certain types of species (whales, sharks, seals, seabirds…), but also mark areas needing special protection, tag spots with a pollution concentration level higher than normal, etc. From BlooSee we want to contribute as much as we can to having a “green approach to the blue world”, and this new layer is only the beginning.
All in all, we hope you’ll like our new layer set!
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BlooSee featured on Google Maps Mania
Here:
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2009/10/social-network-for-sea-lovers.html
Well, thank you!
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Redesign of the Infopoint/Routes panels
We’ve changed the way you interact with infopoints and routes on the Explore section, as users were telling us it got kind of visually overloaded.
Now you either see infopoints or routes, and a link on top of the panel lets you choose which you want to show.
The route panel has been completely re-designed, and now you can filter routes in the area by type, and total distance, in a dynamic way (the list gets refreshed as you change the criteria).
The two map panels, side by side - click to enlarge
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Synchronization with Twitter and Facebook
This functionality had been tested in our development environment for a while, but it is finally integrated into our production server. What it allows you to do is have your Twitter and Facebook accounts (or only one of them, of course) synchronized with your activity at BlooSee. This means that you can select a set of action items that you want to see propagated to those other networks. So when you create an infopoint, for instance, all you’re friends at Facebook or your followers at Twitter get notified about it. Cool, huh?
This will help spread the BlooSee word, so go ahead and sync your accounts!
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BlooSee on open waters
This blog has been pretty silent for the last weeks/months (oops!) but this didn’t mean the activity had slowed down — on the contrary!
The main news is that this last week we’ve opened our gates and now anyone can register at BlooSee, which is of course something we’ve been after for a long time!
While Mark Puig, our CTO, was orchestrating the process from our Barcelona offices, I (Pedro Valdeolmillos, CEO) was again in the San Francisco Bay Area pitching the project to potential investors and everyone interested in this particular venture. The trip had also the purpose of strenghtening the Bay Area team, together with Manuel Maqueda (our VP of Community and Strategy, who is our permanent presence there) and other key players that shall soon come on board. The result is we have now offices in Barcelona, Spain, and Palo Alto, United States.
So, far from being idle, we’ve been taking BlooSee out to open waters. Go tell everyone about it!
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An improved Dashboard
We called it “Dashboard” but until today it only showed you your friends’ activity.
Today we’ve integrated a new Dashboard that does reflect its name: it provides you with a summary of activity taking place in the system, in an improved way.
The new Dashboard - click to enlarge
The activity now includes meaningful icons that let you see at a glance whether the posts have to do with new infopoints being added, or friends changing their status, or friends becoming friends with someone else, etc.
There’s also a list of the new infopoints added to the system (soon they’ll show what region/country they’ve been added to).
We’re also adding some basic statistics: the number of resources you and your friends have added to the system, what are your most active friends (with a higher number of infopoints, routes and pictures published), what are the most viewed among the infopoints you published, and so on.
On the left you also have a series of quick links to your own resources: friends, groups, pictures… as well as an easy way to update your status.
Of course all of this will conform a dynamic entity, and it will evolve following the needs of the system and its users, but at least now we can say we have a real Dashboard (with a meaningful name, that is). Enjoy.
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New tool on the map: distance calculator
Listening to user feedback, we’ve added a new tool on the map very helpful when planning routes: a distance calculator (activate it by clicking on its name or icon on top of the map). It works in a very similar way as to using a distance divider (or measuring compass) would on a physical chart: you have two points that you can move around, and the tool will draw a line and show you the distance between them. A circle is also drawn showing all points placed at the same distance from the center (see the associated screen capture — you can click on it to enlarge). Whenever you’re done, just click “Hide distance calculator” and it will disappear from the map (only until the next time you need it!).
Distance calculator - click to enlarge
As usual, we’re working on new features that we’ll announce as soon as they’re online.
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