Open sbutler-gh opened 1 year ago
plepe
commented
1 year ago This sounds like a very complicated feature, because I would have to understand different languages. So I guess, I won't implement this. I'm thinking about an alternative though, to search in the category names (see #136). What do you think of this?
sbutler-gh
commented
1 year ago I think #136 is perfect as a start, if I understand it correctly: a simple UI bar, where a user can enter search queries, and matching categories from the existing search menu are returned as options? And in a search engine like way, the available options that match the name of a category or query are returned in a drop down below the input bar, as the user types?
I think the priority and possibility here would be implementing a UI input bar, which can allow a user to search categories/queries without needing to dive into the tree navigation below (which could be a more advanced/specific search). That UI input bar could initially be very simple, and just work on exact text matches. And in the future, that UI input bar could expand to other functionalities — e.g. understanding broader contexts, different languages.
But to reiterate, to start, I think just a UI search bar where someone can enter what they're looking for (e.g. "restaurant", "water fountain", "park", "park bench") and see the matching categories/queries available, so they are able to simply use OpenStreetBrowser without needing to get into the tree navigation, which is more advanced/difficult and has more friction
I want to be able to search for what I'm looking for in OSM, in plain language, without needing to navigate OSM categories and subcategories.
If I'm in a place, I want to search for "Mexican food" or "bike shop" or "movie theatre", and I want the tool I'm using to parse what I'm looking for based on my input. It can then do the extra steps to select the OSM categories and subcategories and build the query. If it incorrectly parses my input, there is some simple error handling. Perhaps this can include suggestions in the input bar while I am inputting -- giving me a chance to clarify and correct. (For example, if you input "pool bar", the input bar could show suggestions below giving me a chance to clarify what I'm looking for -- in the "swimming pool" category, or in the "billiards" category, or in the "bar/pub" category.)
This is compatible with the existing search functions, which could perhaps be presented as an "Advanced Search" in the menu. Here are some screenshots showing what this could look like.
A UI change like this could also free up a lot of space in the UI to show more of the map, which is especially useful when on mobile -- and as a user, one of the main ways I want to use OpenStreetBrowser to access OSM data is on my mobile phone, when out and about.
Finally, perhaps these UI changes could go in a different application (or a separate domain like beta.openstreetbrowser.org), if there are legacy or ongoing community reasons to keep the OpenStreetBrowser UI as is -- including the "News" category, which is not as relevant for end users who are mainly interested in using OpenStreetBrowser to find points of interest from OSM near them.