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31 Aug
Attribute visibility settings are available only for maps with active Plus plan / Admin PRO add-on
In February 2020, we released a new hidden attribute feature. In today’s update, we have improved this feature. Now it offers 3 levels of visibility, which significantly expands the possibilities of its use. In this article, we’ll introduce you to feature improvements and provide a few examples of inspiration. Maybe you’ll find out that hidden attribute was exactly the feature that your map lacked to perfection 🙂 .
What are attributes anyways?
Attributes specify information/properties about individual places (points of interest) on the map. This makes it much easier and faster for map users to browse the map. Thanks to attributes, you do not have to insert text such as Web page, Phone, Depth etc., every time you’re adding a new place to your map. Instead, you just select or add the appropriate value. This makes adding new places much more user-friendly.
Attribute visibility - set to whom the attribute should be displayed
Improved visibility settings take the potential of attributes to the next level. The map manager (always sees attributes) decides on the conditions and when and to whom the attribute values are visible. If you try to play around with the new attribute visibility settings, you will surely find a way to use them to provide your users even better experience.
1. Attribute with visibility "ALWAYS"
- is visible to every user of the map
- users fill this attribute’s value when creating (adding) each new place (it’s also possible to make the attribute field mandatory)
- this attribute is visible to everyone: map visitors, registered users and, of course, the map admin.
This is the most common example of using attributes. Users can fill in this attribute when adding a new place to your map and the filled information will be visible to every visitor after saving.
Attribute as a tool for displaying information in a structured way
The Swimplaces map offers multiple information helping its users to decide where to go to take a swim. In addition to the locality and the name of the place, it is also a message whether swimming is free or whether you pay here (Admission / No admission option), how far is the nearest parking (selection from several numeral options) etc.
Did you know that you can also use attributes to create useful filters for your map?
2. Attribute with visibility “ONLY WHEN ADDING A NEW POINT”
- is used to pass certain information over to the map administrator when adding a new place.
- it will only be seen by the registered user who enters the place on the map. Once the added place is approved, other map visitors will not see the attribute in the place detail at all.
- map administrators have access to the filled value of this attribute in the administration panel (Content -> Places).
An attribute as a tool for a user to pass specific information to a map administrator
This type of visibility is used, for example, by users of the FandiMat map that mediates contact between people in need with those who offer material support.
When creating a new point on the map, these users can use the hidden attribute to notify the map administrator that they are requesting verification of their account by the FandiMat. The aim of this step is to increase the credibility of the applicant in order to increase his chances to get material support. If the result of the check is correct, the map administrator will assign the place a “Verified by FandiMat” badge (attribute). This is then visible to all potential donors and increases the credibility of the material support seeker. Users only have the option to request an account review when adding a new place, but not later.
3. Attribute with visibility “NEVER”
- is available only for the map administrator.
- users/map visitors have no access to this data – they do not enter it when they’re adding a new place, nor do they see it when visiting existing places.
- serves the map administrator (or administrators) to store and share internal information related to a certain point of interest.
An attribute as a tool for map admins to store internal place-related information.
This function was widely used in the “masks” map of Dame Rousky, which was founded by volunteers from the Cesko.Digital to help connect volunteers sewing face masks with people who needed them. The whole project was created in hectic conditions of booming COVID-19 epidemic, yet it was necessary to think about the legal aspect of the project. In order to provide contact for the aid providers (volunteers who sewed masks, 3D shield printers etc…) to other users of the map, it was necessary to obtain their consent to the processing of personal data (GDPR) from them. If users registered themselves on the map, they could simply give their consent themselves using the checkbox. However, the problem arose when users did not register for the map themselves, but “only” sent a request to the map administrators to add their service by email. Databases were created with lists of users who wanted to have “their” pin on the map, but their consent to the processing of personal data was missing. It had to be obtained additionally. So the map admin created a point on the map and added information such as “Missing GDPR”, “Wrong email”, “We need to verify the capacity”, etc. And since the Dame Rousky map had more administrators, all these administrators were able to see this information.
We hope that this article inspired you with some ideas how to use the visibility setting for your map. Also, take a some of the existing maps and get inspired to creatively use (not only) hidden attributes.
Want to try Plus addon?
The feature described in this article is available only with the Plus (former AdminPro) addon. If you’d like to try this and all other features available with this plugin, please contact us.
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