Well I wanted to post here Quote: the scroll bar and clock are on the right just simply coz most users are right handed and it's easier to move the mouse on the right part and also because we (not arabs) read from left to right. Hey that's precisely a point in favor of a map in the right corner : that's faster and the expected behaviour. So if you tell me that there has been serious studies (e.g. with eye-tracking device) about the perception of the map and that is why it has change, I will be really happy. But seriously disapointed if you changed the position just because that is how it has been put there in first instance (well I seriously doubt that a company like ES do thinks like this).
tha map on the left is FINE. over.
lets discuss something else.
Personnaly I rather have the map on the right side.
I have some experience in HCI fields, evaluating then redesigning user interfaces. I believe there are lots of studies and rules on this subject.
One would be that the computer should adapt to the user not the otherway around. I hate reading "the user will adapt" when there is no need for this at all and goes against usual user behavious.
The second point is concerning the reading of the screen : for langages reading from left to right, the vision obiously start from top left then go to the middle
There is only few companies that concentrate their budget and teams working on interface and ergonomics. And they are using the recommandation and doing usabiliy test in labs. My guess is that people designing UI for Windows or Apple had made research on the subject.