I prioritize labels in this order until client accepts one:
1st recommendation:
Laptop1..Laptop2..etc. = Label the cable/cubby with matching labels and all is done and simple, no interpretation needed on end user.? They plug in their PC, and pick the input that matches their label on the cable.
2nd Recommendation:
Front Laptop, Rear Laptop = only if there is a couple positions available.? Do not use when its a big table with 6 cubby's.? Keep it to 4 or preferably less cubies.? (Front, Middle, Rear)||(Front, Rear, Left, Right).? As most people mentioned, when dealing with Left/Right I use reference as if FACING the main display(s).? Same with labeling displays when there are 2 side/by/side.
3rd Recommendation:
Room/Table Layout Graphic = Create an overhead view graphic (basic nothing fancy) that shows the table or floorplan and put the inputs in their approximate location on the table or floor.? Give enough detail on the map to allow user to orient themselves in the room (like glass wall location, or projector screen location, or credenza location,1 or more 'landmarks' to know which way the map of the room aligns with the physical room).
I don't, and NEVER recommend...actually, I actively steer away from it even though some clients request it is the use of actual cardinal system descriptors such as ("North Laptop", "West Laptop").? These are the WORSE possible labels to use, and the most confusion and frustrating variants out there.
??????? >? First: Unless the room has an outside facing window with some big well known landmark (like an ocean), then few people will naturally know where N/S/E/W is without using a dang compass.? Not even the programmer.? I've been in buildings that you might have some semblance of where the main entrance is (west side of building), but by the time you navigate through the lobby, down a corridor, to the main elevators, than get off on the floor of the conference room, and navigate down another corridor, through the breakroom, and kitty-corner across a cubical farm to get to the conference room, you have NO IDEA which way is North/South/East/West at this point unless you are a migrating flock or birds.
??????? >? Second: It may seem that you know N/S/E/W when you are installing, because you have drawings that show the entire floor, in CAD and are orientated with cardinal directions on it and a bunch of info that users will NOT have after the install is over with.? Fire maps don't even have that much info on them hardly.
??????? >? Thirdly: It raises the question from the end user of interpretation of NSEW directions.? Are they referencing True magnetic cardinal directions that you would find using a compass.? Or are they referencing a set of directions in relation to the room, and not the earth.? Aka, is North another name from Front of room.? South being the back of the room (regardless of what "True North" is?).? How are NSEW to be interpreted?
Those are my recommendations...
-jason
