Shopping Centre - Electronic Information Boards and Maps

So I rejected this but it was hard to choose a reason. Screen rotates. Multipurpose. Malls have many of them. Used by single organisation so not community boards etc etc etc

Anyone have thoughts on this as I have seen a few now. Like to get this right

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I am erring on the side of rejection as these can be repurposed at any point. Today an Interactive Map, tomorrow an Advertising Board.

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ā€œnot permanentā€?

I dunno. An interactive map seems as permanent as things get to me. But I agree that many electronic boards which sometimes show maps donā€™t quite seem to cut it.

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I absolutely hate stuff like this that makes me think, and am grateful for all the skips.

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I think there are varying options on maps/directional boards, and most are going to look to see if they meet the social, exercise, and/or explore criteria with them. At a mall, a map/directional board may help you find a new store or restaurant to check out, which meets the explore criteria to me. Or maybe youā€™ve never been to said mall before, and you do need to find the food court to grab a bite to eat and maybe do some socializing with those you are with, take a little break from shopping.

Yes, malls have many of these, but there are in certain areas, such as entrances, court areas, or even the ends of different hallways. The mall where I live has several, and I could note in the title/description where theyā€™re located, such as ā€œMall Map - East Wing,ā€ ā€œMall Map - Best Buy Wing,ā€ or ā€œMall Map - Food Court Entrance.ā€ This one could have used a better title/description noting where itā€™s located, just to distinguish it from the others in the mall.

There was a previous discussion in regards to maps, and while the map here was at an industrial site, there were different opinions, even if the map is at a safe and accessible location:

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Iā€™d mark it as not Distinct. Itā€™s probably mass produced.
Nobody meets up at the map - because itā€™s indistinct.
Itā€™s just a means for finding where youā€™re actually going - like a street sign.

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Lol. Butā€¦ itā€™s on the map. Itā€™s findable. And you pretty much have to find a map in order to find any other location anyway.

Where do you meet the rest of your party in a mall after youā€™ve split up? Bathrooms? :grin:

You donā€™t have to be social at a map, but it may help to explore an area, help you find a new place. A Wayspot only has to meet one of the 3 ā€œgreat place toā€ criteria, and a map may meet the explore criteria.

Must meet at least one of the three eligibility criteria

  • A great place for exploration
  • A great place for exercise
  • A great place to be social with others

Also, most maps at malls and shopping centers are distinct to those malls/centers. My local mall still uses an old-fashioned lighted display, not a touchscreen like the one mentioned by the OP.

Local ones show a map which encourages exploring as well as showing what events are happening around town, which encourages exploring, socialising and outdoor activities.

They are no different from wooden maps and community information boards in that respect so should be accepted.

The reluctance to accept is probably similar to metal cycling and trail markers which are now accepted properly but rejected due to ā€˜feelingsā€™ in the past.

My hesitation would be the permanence issue. Electronic maps are only maps part of the time. The rest of the time they are billboards, commercials. They are no more permanent than a piece of paper stapled to a tree.

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I donā€™t think that is the case. I can get some of what you say.

These maps have rotating screens. So often have adverts etc on them. So you donā€™t see the map. They go to sleep. They do get moved (not often but seen it)ā€¦ You can have multiples of the same thing in a mall (particularly the one near me).

Sure they ā€œaidā€ exploring. I can see that. But it is everything else that goes with it. Itā€™s the package of all the information, images etc.

The difference to a community board is that it is a community board. Not a commercial in house, inaccessible, computer driven, network controlled device managed from some central command :slightly_smiling_face: But not all community boards make great POIs either.

Never seen a wooden map. That would be cool!

I would also be wary of saying any reluctance to reject is about the past. This could be for some people. But not from my side.

And Cribbs Mall has a host of POI options. . They even have little all weather sports pitches. It has art/sculptures. A Water Garden. The water feature leading up to the entrance. The fountain. The playground

Walking distance to bowling, cinema, the ice centre and so onā€¦

My other question also when I see an object like this in this place would be. What is missing from this area that this needs nominating. Because this whole area reeks of POI opportunity.

This one did not cut the mustard for me. And still does notā€¦

@KeyserSoze it is nuancedā€¦ As I am sure I can find a paper map on a community board. Surrounded by ā€œadvertsā€. So I am not dismissing the concept outright just as I donā€™t accept community boards outright. Thank you for your input too. Very useful to get differing views.

i would approve it as each mall is different.

You donā€™t go to the mall for its maps. They arenā€™t destinations.

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