Interacting with Geospatial Technologies

This book provides an introduction to HCI and usability aspects of Geographical Information Systems and Science. Its aim is to introduce the principles of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); to discuss the special usability aspects of GIS which designers and developers need to take into account when developing such systems; and to offer a set of tried and tested frameworks, matrices and techniques that can be used within GIS projects. Geographical Information Systems and other applications of computerised mapping have gained popularity in recent years. Today, computer-based maps are common on the World Wide Web, mobile phones, satellite navigation systems and in various desktop computing packages. The more sophisticated packages that allow the manipulation and analysis of geographical information are used in location decisions of new businesses, for public service delivery for planning decisions by local and central government. Many more applications exist and some estimate the number of people across the world that are using GIS in their daily work at several millions. However, many applications of GIS are hard to learn and to master. This is understandable, as until quite recently, the main focus of software vendors in the area of GIS was on the delivery of basic functionality and development of methods to present and manipulate geographical information using the available computing resources. As a result, little attention was paid to usability aspects of GIS. This is evident in many public and private systems where the terminology, conceptual design and structure are all centred around the engineering of GIS and not on the needs and concepts that are familiar to the user. This book covers a range of topics from the cognitive models of geographical representation, to interface design. It will provide the reader with frameworks and techniques that can be used and description of case studies in which these techniques have been used for computer mapping application.

Interacting with Geospatial Technologies provides an introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and usability aspects of Geographical Information Technologies – from Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to web mapping applications. The book provides a clear introduction to the principles of HCI, a discussion about those special usability aspects of GIS which designers and developers need to take into account when developing such systems, and it offers a set of tried and tested frameworks, matrices and techniques that can be used within GIS projects.

The introductory text covers a range of topics, from the cognitive models of geographical representation to interface design. It provides the reader with frameworks and techniques that can be used and case studies in which these techniques have been used for computer mapping application.

Takes an integrative approach to the subject to draw together the latest developments in the field.

Carefully structured to introduce the genera principles of HCI and usability research and provide the basic theory of spatial cognition, map reading and the fundamentals of cartographic principles.

Includes numerous case studies to show usability in practice for example, Desktop GIS, Web-based GIS and Geovisualization Systems along with more recognizable geographic technologies such as SatNav, web maps and Mashups.

An invaluable reference for those people taking courses in GIS. Geoinformatics, Geomatic Engineering or Spatial Information management, as well as computer scientists and information systems designers.

"Interacting with Geospatial Technologies provides an introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and usability aspects of Geographical Information Technologies - from Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to web mapping applications. The book provides a clear introduction to the principles of HCI, a discussion about those special usability aspects of GIS which designers and developers need to take into account when developing such systems, and it offers a set of tried and tested frameworks, matrices and techniques that can be used within GIS projects." "This introductory text covers a range of topics, from the cognitive models of geographical representation to interface design. It provides the reader with frameworks and techniques that can be used and case studies in which these techniques have been used for computer mapping application."--Jacket Front Matter......Page 1 Colour Plates......Page 15 Human-Computer Interaction and Geospatial Technologies - Context......Page 31 Human Understanding of Space......Page 48 Cartographic Theory and Principles......Page 65 Computer-Mediated Communication, Collaboration and Groupware......Page 94 User-Centred Design......Page 115 Usability Engineering......Page 132 Application Planning......Page 149 Practical Cartography......Page 167 Principles of Interaction......Page 201 Evaluation and Deployment......Page 221 Single user Environments: Desktop to Mobile......Page 244 Web-Mapping Applications and HCI Considerations for their Design......Page 265 Bibliography......Page 285 Index......Page 309 * One of the first texts to provide a systematic introduction toHCI from a GIScience perspective. * A practical guide, directed at GIS developers and postgraduatestudents to help them understand how HCI and usability aspects canbe integrated into their projects.