Re: Post / Zip Code
- From: Tony Gravagno <address.is.in.posts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:27:16 -0800
Kevin Powick <kpowick@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Jan 26, 5:39 pm, Ross Ferris <ro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Why not ask for country first, then have a custom "component" for
entry of address that is specific for that locale, populated with
correct states (our counties, province or whatever)
I've often wondered why so many websites do not employ such an
approach. It wouldn't be that hard and you wouldn't have to cater to
entire list of countries.
I was thinking along these lines as well. With "Web 2.0" why do we
have a single web page that attempts to cater to a worldwide audience
when we can easily morph the page based on user preferences? Ask the
user where they are and return proper fields and locale-specific
labels.
It might help to identify the country of origin based on the user's IP
address, assume that is the default, but still allow them to change
their preference.
Not to go too far OT, more sophisticated web sites do this with the
browser as well. Why put the code for all possible browsers into one
script passed in every query when you can identify the browser on the
first request and only return the code required for that browser?
ASP.NET does this automatically.
Some people might wonder about printing addresses: how do you know
which fields to use to build the address? The answer to this is
object-oriented but can easily be done in BASIC. Call a single
routine responsible for returning an address block, passing it all of
the data available. It will use the country and appropriate fields.
From then on you have one routine for the entire application which canbe changed as you add new locales or get updates on how to handle
those already supported.
Personally, unless you are collecting data for anything beyond
actually printing a shipping label I would much rather see a big text
box that says something like "Enter your address as would be required
to get this package to your door".
As a matter of simplicity, I agree. But I think it's rare that an
address is requested purely for mailing purposes, with no intent later
for processing on individual fields. The last thing you want to do is
request an address block and then find out later that you need to do
more processing. Federal and State agencies occasionally come up with
new requests like: "Have you been shipping to other states that do not
collect sales tax?" "Do you have customers who live in your county
who have taken delivery of product in another county or state?" "Have
you purchased durable goods not for resale for a price over $500 from
an internet-based company in your state?" ... Something tells me the
IRS is going to be looking for all kinds of ways to generate new
revenue.
T
.
- References:
- Post / Zip Code
- From: dawn
- Re: Post / Zip Code
- From: Ross Ferris
- Re: Post / Zip Code
- From: Kevin Powick
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