An unusual example of excellent supporting information
Hosette-ING
Posts: 3,470 ✭✭✭✭✭
I see tons of submissions with supporting information that is completely unhelpful to me as a reviewer. The most common errors are a supporting photo that doesn't show the submission in its larger context, and text that is just completely unhelpful things like "This is a popular area", "Many people pass by here", or the ubiquitous "Need a stop here."
Today I came across one that provided excellent supporting info, and did it in a way that was a bit out of the ordinary but was quite helpful. Here's what I saw when I first looked at the review.
OK, it's a trail marker. I braced myself for being unable to find it and having to guess, then something caught my eye in the supporting photo. "What's that red thing?" I looked closer and noticed that the trail marker was greeting me. "Oh, that's cute!" I expanded the photo and confirmed that the text on the marker matched the main photo.
The supporting text also provided helpful links, especially the leaflet:
"Very nice walk on campus and under-appreciated in my opinion. I have included two links here for your reference. [ Leaflet for the walk | https://www.sussex.ac.uk/webteam/gateway/file.php?name=boundary-walk-leaflet.pdf&site=79 ] [ Wikiloc hiking trail info | https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/university-of-sussex-boundary-walk-19959648 ]"
It was very easy for me to confirm the location via Street View and see that the marker was right where it belonged. I checked the links more out of curiosity than need because I already had what I needed.
This was extremely good supporting information, and it showed that the submitter understood what would be helpful to reviewers. The cartoon bubble was a nice touch because it drew my eye to the marker so I didn't have to search for it, and it was also amusing. Is the supporting photo from Street View? Yes, yes it is. Is that OK? It doesn't seem problematic to me since supporting info only sticks around during review and it isn't published in Niantic's games. The main photo is clearly original, and that is what matters.
Kudos to whoever submitted this for going the extra mile to think about how to make life easier for reviewers.
Comments
You’ve not had to submit trail markers in the U.K. 😂
But seriously. It is a good supplementary info and photo. The text is the sort of thing I use as standard. Not tried the “I’m here approach”. I too follow the links as the walks often have really interesting other info.
I wonder if this one will pass. 🤔
Any particular reason for reviewing in Brighton and similar areas?
@The26thDoctor-PGO I don't understand your question.
I thought you were US based, apologies if not :)
@The26thDoctor-PGO I am. My home location is in the UK and my bonus location is currently in Asia. For me one of the best parts of Wayfarer is virtual tourism and I love finding cool stuff. I've actually submitted stuff in Brighton before, and was there earlier this year. I'll probably go walk that trail the next time I'm there.
I see :) Getting something accepted in a different country and then getting to spin/Ingressy stuff is neat.
You've learly not had any of my trail markers then, every single one of them has at least one link to show the trail or the website that put the trails up lol
Me too! I recently had a trail marker on an open, not-tree-covered, visible-on-satellite trail intersection with a linked map from the official town Parks Department showing the trail's route denied for "private residence or farm" and "other". It would be wonderful to have a reviewing audience made up of people who read that extra information, but alas, thorough reviewers are a rare breed.