Render names on boundaries across from each other

[jidanni]

Currently Carto places names along boundaries like so:

A      A     A      A
---------------------
   B      B     B

A much smarter way would be:

A     A     A     A
---------------------
B     B     B     B

• Before
  • one needed to look in two different places, or take two different screenshots, to be able to get both A and B.
• Now
  • only one is needed!

[imagico]

Connecting the labeling of different admin units in labeling on the outline is not possible using the current approach in labeling based on the polygon geometries.

Syncing the labeling while allowing individual labels to be separately placed is not possible with Mapnik currently at all.

Hence - independent of if what is suggested is design-wise desirable this is likely a won't-fix.

[jidanni]

Well OK, but it's just like if the mailperson drove down the road, and instead of putting letters in peoples' curbside mailboxes, they just dumped them into thin air. Only occasionally putting the mail in a mailbox.

[imagico]

No, that is an unsuitable analogy. Labels in maps are not a physical thing and there are no semantically distinguished points along an administrative boundary that mandate placing a label there and not elsewhere.

As i already hinted at - what is the map design wise best way to label administrative boundaries is something that can be discussed - and there are no clear rights and wrongs here. I decided not to comment on that here since such discussion is practically fairly moot - as also explained.

[jidanni]

OK, but I'm still interested in finding analogies, for analogical purposes I guess.

• The two leaders agreed that they should have talks, and face to face talks would be best. But every time they meet, they go to the right hotel, but different hotel rooms. Or to the wrong border checkpoint.
• We launched the missiles, but they end up missing their targets.
• The fans watched the tennis game. Each time the ball went over the net the opponents swung, but missed it. Yes, eight balls, eight swings, but no hits. Either the sending team needs to try and send the balls to where the swinging team can reach them easier, or the swinging team needs to run faster. That would make for a much more exciting game.

It seems like I failed to find the perfect analogy. Oh well.