This probably not breaking news. However, I just found out that the “Open Command Window Here” option is available in the right-click context menu in Windows 7 by default. When you do a regular RIGHT-CLICK on a folder, you will not see it:

But when you do a SHIFT + RIGHT-CLICK more options are revealed – woooop… here it is:

Actually I think this is a pretty neat feature usability-wise, normal – non developer – users, probably do not have any need for this option at all, but I do.

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See demo in fullscreen here: W3C Geolocation API Demo – you can also see this demo on your iPhone.

Feel free to comment, if you have any experience on geolocation…

As an alternative it is also posible to use the Google Gears Geolocation API, see code example here: Google Maps Javascript API V3 – Basics

Currently, several ways exist to detect the user’s location within a browser. None of these methods are part of the Google Maps API; instead, they are common industry standards.

• Newer browsers are starting to support the W3C Geolocation standard. This standard is part of HTML5 and will likely become the de-facto standard going forward. All applications that wish to perform geolocation should support this standard.
• Some browsers with Google Gears can use Google Gears Geolocation API. Since widespread support for the W3C standard is still forthcoming, checking for Gears is a good fallback mechanism.
• Some browsers use IP addresses to detect a user’s location, though this provides only a very rough estimate.

Source: code.google.com

Additional Google Maps resources:

• Marker Clusterer – Too Many Markers!
• Google Maps Marker Icons

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A while ago I participated in an interesting seminar concerning the topic of User Interface Friction, which in short will be brushed up here. Firstly a definition of the concept of User Interface Friction, and secondly seven guidelines helping to avoid friction in user interfaces.
I believe that the guidelines are important to keep in mind when designing or redesigning a user interface.

UIF is the resistance imposed upon a user-guided process through the operating system and the way the user interface reacts. In most cases, it has nothing to do with functionality: we use the term User Interface Friction to define the difference in fluidity and productivity that can be observed when running the same program or procedure on different computer systems, or when trying to achieve the goal on two similar digital devices.

(Andreas Pfeiffer – User Interface Friction Benchmarks XP/OSX/Vista)

Below is seven guidelines for reducing the user interface friction:

• Reduce number of steps
  Minimize the number of click/keystrokes/gestures necessary to accomplish actions in your interface.
• Fewer elements
  Simplify the interface by reducing the number of elements, e.g. consider for each element/field, if it is necessary for the current task of the users – or necessary at all.
• Use automation
  Let the system do actions where possible, e.g. use autocompletion where possible and natural.
• Fitts law
  Minimize the travel distance of the eye and the mouse cursor, and make relevant object as large as possible. Check the precision of the controls in the interface design and interaction devices. (Fitts law)
• Activity based design
  Think about which actions are natural according to the “current” activity of the user, i.e. if you give the user a hammer, make sure to provide the nails.
• Performance
  Time is friction, avoid latency in the user interface, e.g. menu latency.
• Reduce cognitive load
  Help the user with the tasks. Make the textual content in the language of the user, and avoid introducing new concepts. Reduce the number of steps and elements.

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