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Reason #487 Why I Don’t Run Ads

Oct 23rd 2009Analysis

The image below links to a full HD (1920×1080 pixel) screen shot of the Tour of Flanders map on MapMyRide.com. The new line of iMacs and their massive displays not withstanding, that is friggin’ huge for a browser window.

mapmysmall

Do you see Tour of Flanders?

Not only is the site painful to navigate (give up on their site search and just use Google), but the maps are almost entirely unusable. Floating ads, several layers of banner, pop-ups, motion GIFs—I’m not sure I could create a more infuriating user experience if I tried.

By not running ads, I’ve fixed half the problem. I’m working on fixing the other half now… :)

7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Reason #487 Why I Don’t Run Ads”

  1. Warrick on 23 Oct 2009 at 7:31 pm #

    You’re right; mapmyride is losint it; loathe that ‘in ten seconds this giant ad will disappear’ thing. If I didn’t have so much data invested in it, I’d drop it tomorrow! (and that’s how they keep you in; notice, you can’t export the data!)

  2. Juano on 24 Oct 2009 at 3:32 pm #

    is there a google option? i have found google pedometer, but with no full screen mode.

  3. David on 24 Oct 2009 at 6:07 pm #

    Yeah, never got into MapMyRide for this very reason. Way too slick and now .. annoying on top.

    There are dozens (literally) of bike route mapping sites. MMR is not close the best. I personally like http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com veloroutes.org and http://toporoute.com but check out http://bikehacks.com/55-free-bike-route-mapping-tools/ if you want many more!

  4. Mikeonhisbike on 25 Oct 2009 at 9:09 pm #

    You should try http://www.mapitpronto.com it works great and there are no ads.

  5. Haywarm on 26 Oct 2009 at 10:41 am #

    I agree totally, the only reson I have persisted with MMR, is that it allows you to export the ride as a garmin file I can load into my edge 305. It has been invaluable when in a new location.

    I’ll check out these other sites, hoping they do something similar.

  6. rainbow on 26 Oct 2009 at 3:28 pm #

    Sorry guys, I went and had a look after a 3 year absence and discovered that much to your displeasure the ads appear to be somewhat zone specific, The biggest way to remove irritation is to forget yourself. I would like to apologise that because I live in b. f. nowhere and you live somewhere that’s worth worrying about, with lots of people, and money.
    I’m also pleased to announce that I still have the shortest ride in town. Pity about the map points system. rainbow1111

  7. buttcandy on 26 Oct 2009 at 4:29 pm #

    Keep stickin’ it to the man Cosmo!

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