Summaries

M.J. Kraak - Cartography and the WWW, illustrated by the atlas

Keywords: World Wide Web, web atlas, national atlas

Nowadays the World Wide Web is the medium to disseminate geospatial data and maps. It is especially useful for time-sensitive data such as weather and traffic data. The web offers interesting new opportunity for map design. For the map designer new techniques can be applied such as blur, transparency and shadow, while for the user keywords are interaction and dynamics. The possibilities of the web can be illustrated via the atlases found on the web, especially to option to link additional information to the map and the incorporation of the map in the geospatial data infrastructure offer challenges.

C.P.J.M. van Elzakker - Use and users of maps on the Web

Keywords: map use, web cartography, research

Accessibility and actuality are presented here as the real benefits of the WWW medium for the dissemination of geospatial information through maps. In addition, the Web allows different modes of using web maps that address different map use goals. An argument is made that a great deal of web map use research will be required to develop more effective cartographic tools to better serve the needs of the users. Part of this research will have to be directed towards the characteristics of the web map users and the nature of their questions. Currently, we are witnessing a significant diversification of the user profile combined with an exponential growth of the total number of Internet users worldwide. The global distribution of the Internet is still very uneven, but there are now signs that the geographical anomalies will be somewhat reduced in the years to come. There are a number of other problems and limitations with which users are confronted in their use of maps on the web. However, the Web already is the major medium for the dissemination of maps and it has a great potential for further growth. But, this growth will have to be accompanied by cartographic research.

B.J. Köbben - Publishing maps on the Web

Keywords: production of geographical information, world wide web, applications

This article describes in short the basics needed to set up a Webservice and how to find cartographic materials and software solutions to use on its pages. On the website connected with it (URL 1) you'll find more details and numerous useful links.

Keywords: accessibility of geographical information

Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat, a Division of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management) needs a broad variety of geodata for the execution of its tasks. Many of the data that are frequently needed are included in a collection of geographic base data ('Basispakket Geo-gegevens') that is managed by the Survey Department and delivered to various subdivisions of Public Works and Water Management.
The existence of a collection of base data, however, does not imply that staff of any subdivision can actually use the data. It may happen that not all data required are included, or that scale and/or structure of the data is not optimal for use by Public Works and Water Management. In addition, knowledge and software to work with the data are a prerequisite.
In order to optimize availability and accessibility of the geographic base data, the Directorate of Noord-Brabant Public Works and Water Management carried out a project (Geografische Basisinformatievoorziening) to guarantee the supply of data.
The required geographic base data of the province of Noord-Brabant are first collected and distributed over the network, next, these data are disseminated over the Intranet of the Directorate through Web-GIS. The paper describes the steps that are taken to make geodata accessible as tailor-made information at individual work places.

M. Storms - Making old maps available on the Internet

Keywords: historic cartography, digital cartography, research

Old maps are very vulnerable in many cases. Because the material is often unique and the information value is high, it is very important to save these sources for the future. This can be done with the release of facsimiles. In recent years however, there has arisen a trend to digitize the old maps. To reach as many people as possible, the digital files can best be distributed on the Internet. Another possibility is to put the maps on cd-rom's. Various archives and libraries have put all or parts of their map collections on the Internet already. One of the most beautiful examples in this case is the site of the Library of Congress, the national library of the United States. They use MrSID software, which seems to be the most advanced technology for this purpose. The digitizing of old maps gives the possibility for (Internet) applications with old maps. A possible application is to link background information at locations on the old map, by making it a clickable map. Geocoding of old maps can also be done, which gives the possibility to make accuracy analyses. Geocoding give also the facilities to make overlays between the old map and other maps. These applications give new challenges to the discipline of historical cartography.

Keywords: map use, background, research

Maps in auto route planners play an important role. They assist the user of the planner at each of the three stages of the route planning process: at the planning stage, at the presentation stage and, once printed, along the route. At each stage, the functions of the map are different. When planning a route, the map is used to locate or check the location of places of departure, destination and possibly one or more intermediate places. After the calculation of the route, the route map is mainly used as a graphic overview, while detailed maps offer a more precise impression of selected parts of the route and are therefore very helpful along the way. The demands made on the map are As a route map and a route description complement each other, one should consider which information can better be graphically presented on the map and which information can better be alphanumerically described. It is also important to consider how to represent the information. Route planner users need clear and well-organized maps at various scale levels, not only on the computer screen, but also printed for use long the way. Route planners have to meet that need. For more information and results of a user test, see the website of the NVK Project Group on Route Planners: http://www.kartografie.nl/kaartgebruik/routehome.html.

J. van den Worm - New possibilities for map design for the web

Keywords: visualisation, web cartography, survey

Maps have become common on the web. Considering webmap designers, 5 main groups can be distinguished: private site builders, professional website builders, GIS technologists and cartographers with or without webmap design experience. The majority of them are producing raster-based webmaps, despite the fact that vector-based webmaps compared to them, offer many advantages. Vector-based webmaps offer options to built-in inter-activity, dynamics and multi-medial events. These options can be further extended by (Java-based) actions. Most of these maps however are produced by professional website builders without cartographic background.
Within the ITC Cartography courses attention is paid to both aspects: cartographic knowledge combined with hands-on experience in the creation of such maps, using Macromedia Flash software.
During the Dutch Cartographic Assoication Congress which was held at the ITC premises, Dutch cartographers got a short introduction into the creation of a simple inter-actvie map of the Province of Overijssel, The Netherlands.