HYBRID SYSTEM DESIGN FOR CROSS-MEDIA PUBLISHING IN THE
NATIONAL ATLAS INFORMATION SYSTEM
M. Lechthaler
lechthaler@tuwien.ac.at
A
national atlas information system NAIS is the cartographical calling card of a
country. Because of the new potential of the global net, web national atlases are
becoming more and more important for national geo-data policy and society. The
concepts for multimedia national atlases point at the new meaning of the web
atlas map as an interactive interface, through which one can reach the current
elementary geo-data portal. The maps convey topographic as
well as thematic information based on a consistent succession of map
scales.
This
paper discusses research results developed during the realisation of the
prototype of Austria Atlas Information System ÖROK Atlas Online. The map
graphics pose as an essential part of the graphical user interface that enables
the user to investigate the provided geo-data. It will focus on technical
restrictions of the screen as an output medium and the principles of
scale-adapted cartographic data preparation on one hand.
On
the other hand, it is important to limit the range of possible interactions to
reasonable functionalities. This was done without making the user feel
restricted. Therefore this form of navigation is called
"restrictive-flexible".
Using
legible map graphics in NAIS which are adapted to the technical requirements of
the output medium is one of the main criteria for user acceptance. Today, the
NAIS has to present a hybrid system which allows a cross-media publishing. A hybrid system is relying on
cartographically improved map graphics suitable for both screen visualisation
and high-quality printing. Map graphics for the screen and printing medium
differ in visualisation depending on the output medium resolution. By
establishing connections between the two media, a method for the production of
adequate paper maps in a high graphical quality as an integral part of the
system was smoothed.
As
an example, the usability of related map graphics for 1:250k screen
visualizations and 1:1mio printing will be shown.
By
designing the NAIS, the system designers also take responsibility for
restrictions in terms of what is not accessible or useful. So the user cannot get
any model by his interaction with the system. This would soon lead to useless
and illegible visualizations of topographic as well as thematic data. Thus,
restrictive-flexible system logic is considered by the editorship.
Therefore,
the once passive user of a map becomes an active manager in geographic
information acquisition and visualization. The role of cartographers as
designers of the NAIS has also changed. They become responsible not only for
transport of cartographic legible screen information via Internet, but also for
all applied technological functions which allow the user to communicate online
with the system.