Atlas information systems

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Atlas information systems
Ormeling Ferjan
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Definitions

• Atlases are systematical and coherent collections
  of spatial data in analogue or digital form
  representing a specific area and/or one or more
  geographical topics, based on a narrative,
  together with tools for navigation, retrieval,
  analysis and presentation (Koop 1993)
• Atlas information systems are computerised
  geographic information systems related to a
  certain area or theme in connection with a given
  purpose with an additional narrative faculty in
  which maps play a dominant role (Van Elzakker
  1993)

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Atlas types

• View-only
• Interactive (creating maps on demand)
• Analytical (ability to combine datasets and
  perform GIS operations)

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Atlas views

• Paper atlases cartographers view of data
  selected by cartographer
• Digital atlases
• View-only cartographers view of data selected
  by cartographer
• Interactive users view of data selected by
  cartographer
• Analytical users view of data selected by user

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Atlas concepts

• Atlas as a collection of true maps
• Atlas as storage medium
• Atlas as a conscious combination of maps
• Atlas as a comparison machine
• Atlas as an isolation machine
• Atlas as an exploration medium

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Atlas concepts II

• Atlas as organising tool
• Atlas as spatial insight provider
• Atlas as decision support device
• Atlas as navigation tool
• Atlas as analytical tool
• Atlas as interface
• Atlas as geographical switchboard

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Advantages view-only atlases vs paper ones

• Production fraction of the costs
• Updating easy to update files
• Distribution almost weightless

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Advantages of Interactive atlases

• Use of digital possibilities
• Storage
• Panning, zooming
• Customising (no map is the only true map)
  -colour steps
• -number of classes
• -classification mode
• -map type

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First interactive atlas Transport atlas of the
North Sea, 1989
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Different chemical input into rivers flowing into
the North Sea
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Interactive atlases great storage potential,
ability to include all relevant imagery,
statistics,schemes, sounds, on same disc
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Interactive atlases no longer dependant on
pre-defined windows but unrestricted panning and
zooming
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Interactive atlases selecting map layers
Hier komt beeld InfoNation met verschillende
layers
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Specifying layers
Atlas InfoNation
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World Atlas (Electromap) ugly typography
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World Atlas (Electromap)
Lack of data consistency compare with next map
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World Atlas (Electromap)
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World Atlas (Electromap) same colours for
different value ranges
Southwest Asia
North Africa
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No map is the only true map
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Selecting a proper colour set or palette
Primary palette
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Selecting a proper colour set or palette
Pink palette V Summer Palette A
Grey palette V Pastel Palette A
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Advantages of analytical digital atlases

• Combining data sets
• Correlating data sets
• Comparing data sets
• Comparing areas, topics

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PC Atlas of Sweden -Comparison of various
topics -Zooming in -Combinations of datasets
Analytical atlas
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Alternative subdivision of digital atlases (Koop)
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Relationship between paper and digital atlases
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Relationship between paper and digital atlases
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Relationship between paper and digital atlases

• Paper atlases -for interesting potential
  users in the subject
• CD-ROM atlases -exhaustive
• -large files
• -customizing
• Webatlases -for updating

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Atlas Information System categories
On the basis of -differences in contents,
-different functions and -different kinds of
comparison -different structures -different
narratives -different metaphors

• National AISs
• Historical AISs
• Reference AISs
• Economic AISs
• Earth Sciences AISs
• Planning AISs
• Educational AISs
• Navigation AISs
• Management AISs

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Different kinds of comparisons
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Atlas information systems differ in

• Use of metaphors
• Use of narrative
• Structure
• Functionality
• Use of tools

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Scenarios, functionality and metaphors
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Comparison of two AIS types
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Navigation possibilities Software Toolworks
Mindscape World Atlas
WORLD MAPS STATISTICS
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Navigation possibilities Software Toolworks
Mindscape World Atlas
WORLD MAPS STATISTICS
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Navigation possibilities Software Toolworks
Mindscape World Atlas
WORLD MAPS STATISTICS
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Navigational requirements for Multimedia packages

• Coherent mental image of programme structure
• Same action should produce similar result in
  similar context
• Provide backtrack option
• Provide map or gauge in order to show position in
  programme

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Navigational requirements for Multimedia packages
II

• Interaction at regular though unpredictable
  intervals
• Visual system responses to every users choice
• Time-out functions
• Screen safe and print functions
• Access to dialogue box

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Relations between maps and other elements in
Multimedia products

• Maps should be explanatory (see small maps
  showing number of layers ticked in legend)
• Maps should be exploratory, in the sense that
  they should show what happens when a given choice
  is made
• Maps should be complementary, and should give
  other information then the other media do

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Conceptual framework of multimedia combinations

• Confrontation concept
• Change of perspective (medium is the message)
  concept
• Concept of increased conformity to reality
• Immersion concept
• Functionality concept
• Context or Intertextuality concept
• Transparency and coherence requirements

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Requirements for cartographic elements in
multimedia packages

• Clear relationships between maps and other modes
  of representation
• Continuous interaction between maps and other
  modes of representation
• Each medium should have a clear function
• Each medium should be used for what it can do
  best
• Every impulse towards irritation should be
  avoided
• A good transition between the various media is
  essential

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Options for digital atlases

• Allow for interactive use
• Allow for dialogues in which one can design ones
  own maps
• Allow for display of additional graphic formats
  (multimedia) photographs, diagrams, animations
• Realise new digital analytical potential
• Create a separation of roles between paper and
  digital atlases
• Add an adventure option (or at least an
  explanatory structure)

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Development work for digital atlases

• Solving hypertext
• Jones syndrome
• Add temporal dimension
• Provide Atlas joy - but
• Prevent Disneyfication, so
• Keep between KISS and Gimmickification, as
• Fun is OK, but
• How to plan for the next generation trends
• National atlas US, Switzerland, Canada

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Research agenda for digital atlases

• Inquiry into users demands regarding
• -platforms
• -memory
• -price
• -level(s)
• -rendering of reality
• Inquiry into specific characteristics of various
  types of AISs
• Inquiry into requirements of recognizability
• Inquiry into requirements of animations as parts
  of digital atlases
• Inquiry into atlas navigation requirements

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SimCity mapping reality with real-time traffic