Speed enhancements, Mobile Speed improvements and optimized map tiles. Improvements to the UI of the backend.

1. ICM 2.4.1 Release Notes
March 2013
843-409-7557
info@nucloud.com
2 Cog Hill Drive
Simpsonville, SC 29681

2. Main Focus – End User Speed
In 2.4.1 we continued the focus of speed for the end user. To
that point we rolled out two speed focused stories and a
handful of other minor changes.

3. 1. Optimizing Map Tile Images
After doing a bunch of research into image compressions we
came away with pngslim as the best option to compress map
tile images. When you publish a new map illustration for the
first time all tiles go through a compression process before
they are uploaded to the content delivery network. First time
publishes of a new illustration can take a while, but trust us
your visitors will thank you.
~30%
File size reduction in map tile
images.
http://css-ig.net/pngslim

4. 2. Mobile Stops Load on Demand
In the mobile world load speeds are especially crucial. To this
end we have optimized our mobile maps to use AJAX and only
load individual stop data on demand.
Combining this with the optimized map tiles we are seeing
mobile maps have ~50% fewer bytes
to load and therefore are seeing two
or three times faster initial load.

5. Improved Backend Preview
When making edits to the map previously the only way to see what
those changes looked like was to publish your map. We realize that
this isn’t always ideal. We have edited the functionality of the “View
Published Map” button to create the “Preview Map” button.
The “Preview Map” option does
exactly what it sounds like it does. It
let’s you preview your map from
your last save including any and all
CSS that you are applying to the map.
You can also view all three output
types (Embed, 508 and Mobile).

6. Mobile Detection Code Removed
When we initially rolled out our mobile map we added some
additional code to the standard embed version to detect the
browser and if a mobile device was detected we redirected users to
the 508 Accessible version of the map. We listened to your request
and as of this release that detection code has been removed.
Also please note we have some additional documentation if you
would like to “automagically” redirect mobile or tablet visitors to the
mobile map version. This documentation explains how to install a
little extra JavaScript to the page that will do some browser
detection and redirect if necessary. Email us at help@nucloud.com
for this documentation.

7. Simplified Publishing
Previously when you were ready to publish your map you were
presented with a number of steps that you had to essentially
hit continue in order to proceed. We have simplified this down
to one step that requires action. Hey if you went to go publish
the map and you confirm it by saying yes then we are going to
take your word for it.

8. Enabling New Features
As always, all features in the backend are available now. You
will not see any of these features on your published map until
you go in and republish your existing map.

9. Have A Feature Suggestion?
Do you have a feature you would like to see us add? Check out
our UserVoice account (link at bottom) or click on the “Feature
Request” option in the top right hand corner of the backend.
Also you can always send us an email at help@nucloud.com.
http://nucloud.uservoice.com/