Re: GeoStor webpage critique

This is going to be a long review because this website was of particular
interest to me because I have been a GIS Specialist for many more years than
I've been a website designer, so this was a intriguing site for me to look
at.

First the basics:  looked at it with Netscape 4.5 with java/javascript
enabled, cookies off, screen set for 1024 x 768 pixels, and cable
connection.

I approached the website partly as a web designer and partly as a GIS
Specialist looking to download data.

The website I go to download data for my area is:  http://geo-vt.uvm.edu/
I mention this site as a point of comparison.  It is the site I have been
using for a few years to download GIS data.

Now, to get to a review of your site.
Liked the home page.  Visually pleasing, the navigation was clear and not
confusing.

I chose Data Available (I'm a GIS person. I want data and to be able to
download it directly and quickly).  At this point I felt the site begins to
not hold up.  The navigation is not consistent on this page compared with
the home page.  You are missing First Time User or is it First Time GeoStor
User, and GeoStor Partners.  Also, is it Current Status or Current Status
Notes, you have a difference between the home page and this page.  The
navigation is a little confusing for the Data Available.  It doesn't stand
out quite enough.  Also, it looks like I have a choice to look at the Data
in Alphabetical order, by Categories, or by Agency.  That choice didn't work
for me.  All I got was Alphabetical, I couldn't seem to make it do anything
else.

Of the data available, I clicked on City Streets, All, 2000.  I got a nice
map that shows the extent of the coverage.  But, there was no navigation on
the page.  In order to go anywhere I had to use my browser's back button.

I would have liked a full set of navigation links on this page, plus an
option to start the download process of that coverage from that page.  So
anyway, I hit the back button and got back to the Data Available page and
clicked on Download GeoData.  Well, then I was told that I needed to
download a java 1.3 plug-in.  No, no, this isn't good, there must be another
way for you to configure your download process.  The Vermont site I
mentioned above does not require  any software other than what I already
have.  The only glitch I have come across on their site is an occasional
need for a cookie.  Also, the only way I could get out of this page was to
use my browser's back button.

Ok, so I was unable to download the data I wanted without going through
extra effort to download and install some plug-in.  So, I thought I would
check out some other parts of the site while I was visiting.

FAQ page:  you have some duplication here. Some of the questions show up
more than once or are similar questions. Examples:
What mapping or GIS software ...
What mapping or GIS software ...
Can I get data for just a county or city?
Can you clip an individual area?
Can you get data for just a county or city? Can you get a county clipped?
I think you can tighten up this page.
Also, you might think about putting  Back to Top links occasionally down the
page.  It's a long enough page.

Then I checked the Current Status Notes page, and what did I read but,
"PLEASE READ the following before using the Beta GeoStor".  Whoops, I'd
already been to about four pages before I saw this.  Also, the navigation is
incomplete, how do I get back to the home page?

One more thing, I'm not so sure about the use of such light text.  I often
want to print web pages to refer back to later.  Your text was dark enough
to print, but it is borderline.

You said to be brutal, so I have been.  The front page looks so
sophisticated that it looks like a finished site.  The other pages just
don't hold up.  It wasn't until I looked at the Current Status Notes page
that I discovered that it is a beta site.  I realize the home page said
Pre-Release, but that is off to the side and is rotated 90 degrees.  Even
with all my complaints, I see that the site has potential and will certainly
be a useful site for GIS people needing Arkansas coverages, and you have an
impressive list of coverages.  But, it clearly is in a beta stage.  I think
the number one problem is the navigation.  The navigation needs to be more
complete on each and every page.

The potential is there.  I hope you go back and continue to fix up this site
because it will be a very useful site when it is done.  Best wishes.

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