Breaking the UK down to smaller regions

[GazHyde]

Clearly I've got too much time on my hands at the moment, and am looking back through my to-do list and previous feedback. This is primarily for the UK at the moment.

I'm trying to find easier ways for members to find out who is local to them. At the moment you have the option to show which country you are from and this is displayed under your Avatar. This is OK, but it's a relatively large geographical area to work to.

It was suggested a while back (possibly by @TaffZee) about breaking this down further to England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales (someone would have to explain how to differentiate the Northern/Southern Ireland issue as I really have no idea, and don't want to cause offence!). I'm happy to consider setting this up now, but was wondering if we do so that we could possibly go one step further.

At the moment we have several regional areas which are defined already, for example "The West Country" which shows as a secondary title. I'd need to draw a map for people to refer to when setting it, but that's actually straight forward enough.

This could be as simple as North Wales, South Wales, North England (someone draw me a line where that is!), Southern England, Scotland, Ireland (again help with the North/South thing needed). But could be more specific if needed. More thinking required!

There is a poll at the top of this thread to give me an idea of <a> whether I'm wasting my time <b> whether E-I-S-W, <c> regional areas or <d> UK Counties is the best way to structure!

Please also comment below if you feel you can add something positive...

 

[billz]

That sounds good at least you get to know who is near by and wether or not they are misserable none wavers If you do go this route then could it not be part of the signing on process so they have to put this in and not leave blank

 

[GazHyde]

could it not be part of the signing on process so they have to put this in and not leave blank

I should be able to add it to the sign up form easily enough, so that's a good idea. I'd need to work on setting the rest of the worlds countries as people would need to put something in if not from the UK!

 

[t-tony]

Is this a useful ideas? On the avatar where say British Z's have a white banner for England,Blue for Scotland, red for Wales and green for Ireland.
Then on my white banner you could put Lincolnshire Z's or for another country the county which the member lives in?

Tony.

ps. We all might not know exactly where all these counties are but that is no different from now I guess and would mean we could educate ourselves anyway.

 

[GazHyde]

A mixture of the two could easily be achieved Tony. I've just been tinkering on the Zorg development site adding extra questions to the registration form as per Billz suggestion.

If the "country affiliation" field is selected in it would display as a coloured ribbon. If a UK County is selected then it would display in the white user information area.

I don't have the option for a white banner just yet, but it would look like something like this. If no UK county is selected, it won't show the field at all.

More thinking to be done... I like a project me!

 

[t-tony]

Glad that you do mate. Thinking cap still on.

Tony.

 

[DavidM]

Just a thought in relation to Ireland and it doesn't matter to me personally how it is defined, but for simplicity:
Ireland North
Ireland South

I hope this helps, but feel free folks to suggest something different.

David.

 

[DavidM]

Forgot to say the overarching name for regions, counties, countries could be named:

Geographical Area?

David.

 

[Aceman]

Could you somehow link the geographical location to google maps so if you clicked on the region it would open google maps and show you the area. I think this would be useful to see overseas members location which gives everyone a better idea where we are all from especially when you are not particularly ofay with the geographies of certain countries.

 

[GazHyde]

Could you somehow link the geographical location to google maps

It will link somehow to a map (preferably on here), once I figure the 'somehow' part! It may start as a member list by region.

 

[roadvoyager1]

Like the idea of the banner. Regional level would be fine in my opinion. Gaz have you forgotten the "Members Map". If you click on a members name in the right margin the map is zoomed into the approximate area. Encouraging people to mark themselves on the map may solve the "somehow" part.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

This doesn't mean that the EAC would become just be whatever County you're in, does it, Gazza?
M & S

 

[t-tony]

By my suggestion your British Zeds would give the County on a white banner while still having the EAC below.

Tony.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

By my suggestion your British Zeds would give the County on a white banner while still having the EAC below.

Tony.

I can see it now, Tone, it will look like the French flag, Blue, White and Red stripes!!! C'est la vie!!!!

We have always put where we lived anywhere, but we know some people are worried about being targeted, but a Zed nowadays doesn't signify any greater value of worldly possessions than any other car!!!

M & S

 

[t-tony]

You sure? Depends what type of Z maybe.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

This doesn't mean that the EAC would become just be whatever County you're in, does it, Gazza?
M & S

Would keep the existing groups seperate from this, and they would still retain their current ribbon, etc. You would replace your British Zeds ribbon with, English Zeds and get your home county shown additionally.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[GazHyde]

Gaz have you forgotten the "Members Map"

Sorry, I didn't get chance to reply to your question when you posted it. No, is the easy answer. Sadly the member map we use hasn't been maintained by the guy who wrote it for a couple of years. It doesn't work correctly on mobile devices, and is getting a bit quirky on certain web browsers on other devices.

I'd like to try and get a solution which works better, perhaps something which automatically puts you on a map as long as you fill out your location field correctly.

Thinking cap is still on

 

[GazHyde]

I've found a better member map. Just PayPal'd the author some Euros for a copy, not sure how long it will take for him to respond.

This one works slightly differently in that it uses the Location field to automatically populate the map. Means that members don't have to specifically add themselves. If the field is left blank, they aren't added to the map. Means everyone would need to make sure people have something meaningful in their location field.

I'll update you when I've had a chance to play with it!

 

[roadvoyager1]

Added "location" to my profile. Might help with testing. Keep up the good work.

 

[GazHyde]

Added "location" to my profile. Might help with testing.

It certainly will. As long as it's a location which Google maps can geo-locate correctly, then it will be fine. For example "mars", as used by our Martian friend would most likely try and put a pin the the Mars chocolate factory