Gone But Not Forgotten



Hello, you've landed on DATA eh? - Open Data Toronto's original blog space for data discussions. This is not an active blog at the moment but legacy posts are still here. Have a read ... you can still provide comments.



Friday, January 29, 2010

Better Search (part 2)

NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.


Continuing on from "Better Search!!!" (part 1) - here are the "other" aspects we are working up to improve toronto.ca global search. D'ya like? Please comment ...

View and compare these ideas to our current search box e.g. http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall/index.htm

current version


Proposed changes:

Make Search box more Prominent:



  • Wider and bigger Search box in the Header, making it hard to miss on a page.







  • Search button should say “Search” instead of current “GO” (looks like 60 right now).






  • new concept



  • Bigger font for keywords that are being entered by user in the Search box, so people with poor vision see what they are typing and don’t get wrong results or no results because of that.







  • Display links.





  • Show Additional Help Links:

    It’s logical for “Search Tips” and “Advanced Search” links to be nearby Search box.Those 2 links are hard to find on current interface.


    current search

    Did you know that “Advanced Search” link is located beside Search box on the current website? It’s hidden. Words “Advanced Search” appear only when you hover over label “Search”.

    Search Tips” link becomes visible only after you conduct search and land on the Search Results page.



    Provide Search Suggestions:



  • Auto-complete feature could help the user with suggestions of possible searches, as soon as they start typing keywords into the search box. This feature could be disabled by clicking on a link at the bottom right corner of the drop-down menu.








  • To activate this feature, user would have to click on the “Show Suggestions” link in the bottom right corner of the drop-down menu.








  • Additionally, we’ll give user an option (2 radio buttons) to perform search within existing list of results or start a completely new search.





  • Remember User Choices:



  • Any changes that user will make to the Search settings will be remembered, at a minimum, for the duration of their visit through Session Cookies.







  • Let us know your thoughts on search. In case you missed the link at the start of this post, our first post on search is available here so you can have the full scope discussion.

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    04/2010

    Friday, January 15, 2010

    Tells us what's right or wrong with toronto.ca


    NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.










    Not enough room on our toronto.ca Comment Wall? Add more detail right here in a blog comment




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    #3/2010

    Monday, January 11, 2010

    Friend toronto.ca?

    NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

    We're thinking about starting a facebook group. Actually we have a shell ready from early last year but we decided to hold off going live. Why? The main reason is we aren't really sure if facebook will help our process.

    Today, a few of us were talking about the need to continue to build enthusiasm for what we are doing. Maybe a "Friends of toronto.ca" group?


    How could that help?
    You know, we most often ask what is wrong with the website.  Maybe it would be a bit of an equalizer if we asked what's right?  We want to be careful not to break what isn't broken.  


    Afterall, the website gets around a million visits a week.  Surely a few of the people paying us a visit find what they're looking for. Maybe they even have a fine experience surfing us.  So, maybe showing toronto.ca some love would be helpful.

    All you need is love
    So, let me know if you'd friend up with us at facebook. It might be a place where we could just accentuate the positive. Just check the facebook "yes" or "no, don't bother" below this post (see the blue labels area). We'll be thinking about it a bit more too.




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    #2/2010

    Monday, January 4, 2010

    Give the gift of a suggestion ...

    NOTE: This is content from the web re:Brand posts going back to November 2010. We have kept the re:Brand posts as a legacy archive but, on a go forward basis as of October, 2011, the new DATA eh? content takes over this space.

    With the Holiday Season just past, you may still be in a gift giving mood.  Sure, you can't re-gift to us that sweater or tie you didn't like ... but you can give us your thoughts.

    We're now using Google Moderator - makes giving suggestions easier than ever.

    • toronto.ca general comments - go HERE
    • Doing Business with toronto.ca - go HERE

    Doing Business Video - Part 2 of two parts

    The Polls Are Closed
    By the way, our polls on "Drop Down vs. Links" and "Preferred Way to Link With the City" are done:
    • Using a Drop Down got 1 vote (100%) from only one voter 
    • and the preferred way to link with us in the City is online (16 votes or 100%)
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    #1/2010