Online Survey of Heterogeneous Users and Their Usage of the Interactive Mapping Platform WorldMap

This article reports on the results of an online survey with 290 heterogeneous users of the interactive mapping platform WorldMap and provides insights into problems faced by such users. Heterogeneous users are users with a variety of GIS skills, educational background, gender, and age categories. We investigate how they interact with online maps and analyse their experience. WorldMap represents as a case study of an online mapping platform which aims to serve researchers and users across disciplines in viewing and creating online interactive maps. We concentrate on operations that are perceived as difficult and very difficult by the majority of users as well as operations that are rarely used. Our aim is to contribute to the discussions on how to improve the design of online GIS-based mapping platforms. We conclude the paper with reflections on the results of our study and ideas for further research.     

Integrating spatial data analysis functionalities in a GIS environment: Spatial Analysis using ArcGIS Engine and R (SAAR)

Spatial data analysis (SDA) tools to efficiently handle and explore spatial data have become readily available. Although these SDA tools have their own strengths and purposes, they suffer from limited support in terms of a development environment offering easy customization and high extensibility, a strength of open source software. This article presents a standalone software package for SDA in a geographic information system (GIS) environment, called Spatial Analysis using ArcGIS Engine and R (SAAR), which provides an integrated GIS and SDA environment. A set of SDA tools in SAAR utilizes functions in R using R.NET, while other tools were developed in .NET independent of R. SAAR provides an efficient working environment for both general and advanced GIS users. For general GIS users with limited programming skills, SAAR furnishes advanced SDA tools in a popular ArcGIS environment with graphical user interfaces. For advanced GIS users, SAAR offers an extensible GIS platform to help them customize and implement SDA functions with relatively little development effort. This article demonstrates some functionalities of SAAR using census data for Texas counties.     

基于要素服务的地图在线编辑系统设计与实现

针对空间信息平台用户对空间数据的上传、下载、发布和在线编辑的需求,设计实现了基于ArcGIS Server要素服务和Flex的具有地图数据在线编辑功能的Web GIS系统。本系统应用RIA技术,实现了空间与属性数据的在线编辑,符号在线编辑和用户数据管理等,用户体验上也得到很大提升。通过工程化的设计实现,能够满足＂平台＂跨部门多应用主体的实际需求。     

User Assessment as Input for Useful Geospatial Representations within Mobile Location-Based Services

Mobile Location‐Based Services (mLBS) are an increasingly consumer‐based concept borne from, and continually driven by, technology‐centred development; as opposed to the needs of end users. Where users have been made a focus, the research generally concerns issues of overall system appearance, functionality, information content and interaction methods, with little emphasis on the component geospatial representations. This paper describes the initial stages of a research project aimed at filling this void through the application of a qualitative User‐Centred Design (UCD) methodology for optimising geospatial representations within mLBS applications, in order to support a selected user group: Australian ‘leisure‐based travellers’. Presented in this paper is an account of two UCD activities adopted for the research. The first, user profiling, served to define the target user population in terms of their technological, geospatial and travel experiences, using an online questionnaire. The second, user task analysis, involved in‐depth interviews with a subset of users in order to obtain a deeper understanding of the geospatial goals, tasks, needs and preferences within the population, as well as the range of user differences and variability in tasks present. An overall user assessment, through combined analysis of the two result sets, highlighted considerations for the ongoing research, including a set of specific implications for the design of alternative models for geospatial services, representations and interactions. The themes described in this paper represent an initial and necessary component of UCD, which has been largely overlooked in research relating to mLBS. Whilst the focus here is on a specific user group and context of use, it is envisaged that many of the concepts tested and ratified by the resulting models will be relevant to mLBS applications in general.     

基于COM的地图投影选择专家系统实现

现有的GIS软件中通常提供一定数量的地图投影方式供用户选择,地图投影选择是一个复杂的系统问题,需要考虑多方面的因素,对投影的各种参数进行评估,没有现成的公式、方案或规范可以遵循。本文通过分析地图投影选择问题的信息层次,论述了专家系统解决地图投影选择问题的可行性,讨论了详细的系统建立方法,并通过COM技术实现了地图投影选择的专家系统,并将系统与专业的GIS软件集成,为地图投影选择问题提供了一条解决思路。     

Adaptable User Profiles for Intelligent Geospatial Queries

The geospatial information user community is becoming increasingly diverse, with numerous users accessing distributed datasets for various types of applications. Currently in GIS, unlike traditional databases, there is a lack of machine learning algorithms to customize information retrieval results. Thus the particular interests of individual users are not taken into account in traditional geospatial queries. In this paper we present a system that adjusts query results based on user requirements and needs. It does so by using a collection of fuzzy functions that express user preference specifically in GIS environments. The focus of this work is on preference learning for one‐dimensional, quantitative attributes, and on the customization of geospatial queries using this information. The model used to express user preferences adjusts gradually to the underlying complexity during a training process, starting with fairly simple linear functions and progressing to complex non‐linear ones as needed. Our advanced modeling capabilities are demonstrated through an applicability example, and statistical simulations show the robustness of our system.     

基于地理国情监测成果的通用专题服务平台设计

为了提高服务能力和保障水平,对地理国情监测成果资源进行整合,使其在经济社会发展、民生需求中发挥整体效应。针对目前公众地理信息服务和用户需求,本文构想一个通用的智能专题地图开放服务平台,开创交互式地图,实现一键式制作专业地图,面向企业机构和个人用户提供在线地图与地理信息服务,从而辅助业务决策,打造企业或个人专属地图应用。依托信息丰富的地理国情监测成果数据,实现交互式地图应用,面向机关、企业机构和个人用户提供免费、便捷的在线地理信息服务。通过快速准确的数据匹配,展现地理位置和专题数据的空间关系。让各种用户数据、专题数据内容在地理空间上图文并茂地展示,从而起到辅助业务决策、分析和解决实际问题的作用。本文构想的平台能够加强地理国情监测成果应用推广,满足国民经济和社会信息化建设对测绘工作的需求,推动我国测绘行业成果应用。     

活动目录在GIS用户管理中的应用

GIS用户的普通数据库管理模式会造成系统维护复杂、用户管理分散、平台间协同性差和用户信息安全性差等问题。为了安全统一地管理GIS用户,便捷地分配和控制各级用户的操作权限,严格认证登录系统用户的合法性,将微软的活动目录技术应用于GIS的用户管理中,根据活动目录的内部机制、使用方法以及GIS系统的需求,提出2种解决方案。阐述各种方案的系统架构,并对比2种方案的优点和缺点,为GIS的用户管理提供一种新的思路。     

MaskMy.XYZ: An easy‐to‐use tool for protecting geoprivacy using geographic masks

Geographic masks are techniques used to protect privacy when publishing sensitive data in maps, but are not well adopted among researchers and may be difficult to execute for some GIS users. We developed a client‐side web application called MaskMy.XYZ that makes geographic masking easy to perform. It executes donut geomasking, a well‐known geographic mask, on thousands of points in seconds, and visualizes the original and masked point patterns in an integrated web map for visual comparison. MaskMy.XYZ also features metrics for both privacy protection and information loss, and allows users to rapidly and iteratively adjust masking parameters based on these metrics. The user interface was designed to prioritize usability, and clear documentation has been included to educate users about geographic masks, which is otherwise only found in niche literatures. By developing this application, we hope that geographic masks will be more widely adopted such that privacy is better protected in research.     

A GIS-Coupled Hydrological Model System for the Watershed Assessment of Agricultural Nonpoint and Point Sources of Pollution

This paper introduces AVSWAT, a GIS based hydrological system linking the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) water quality model and ArcView“ Geographic Information System software. The main purpose of AVSWAT is the combined assess‐ment of nonpoint and point pollution loading at the watershed scale. The GIS component of the system, in addition to the traditional functions of data acquisition, storage, organization and display, implements advanced analytical methods with enhanced flexibility to improve the hydrological characterization of a study watershed. Intuitive user friendly graphic interfaces, also part of the GIS component, have been developed to provide an efficient interaction with the model and the associated parameter databases, and ultimately to simplify water quality assessments, while maintaining and increasing their reliability. This is also supported by SWAT, the core of the system, a complex, conceptual, hydrologic, continuous model with spatially explicit parameterization, building upon the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) modeling experience. A step‐by‐step example application for a watershed in Central Texas is also included to verify the capability and illustrate some of the characteristics of the system which has been adopted by many users around the world.     

Geospatial Human‐environment Simulation through Integration of Massive Multiplayer Online Games and Geographic Information Systems

This article reports on the initial development of a generic framework for integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Massive Multi‐player Online Gaming (MMOG) technology to support the integrated modeling of human‐environment resource management and decision‐making. We review Web 2.0 concepts, online maps, and games as key technologies to realize a participatory construction of spatial simulation and decision making practices. Through a design‐based research approach we develop a prototype framework, “GeoGame”, that allows users to play board‐game‐style simulations on top of an online map. Through several iterations we demonstrate the implementation of a range of design artifacts including: real‐time, multi‐user editing of online maps, web services, game lobby, user‐modifiable rules and scenarios building, chat, discussion, and market transactions. Based on observational, analytical, experimental and functional evaluations of design artifacts as well as a literature review, we argue that a MMO GeoGame‐framework offers a viable approach to address the complex dynamics of human‐environmental systems that require a simultaneous reconciliation of both top‐down and bottom‐up decision making where stakeholders are an integral part of a modeling environment. Further research will offer additional insight into the development of social‐environmental models using stakeholder input and the use of such models to explore properties of complex dynamic systems.     

Producing an Indigenous Knowledge Web GIS for Arctic Alaska Communities: Challenges,Successes, and Lessons Learned

A traditional knowledge “Iñupiaq Web GIS”, based on a five‐year study and containing observations and environmental knowledge of Iñupiat communities indigenous to Arctic Alaska, was incorporated into a Web‐based platform. The website, “Arctic Cultural Cartography,” was created to be an open portal through which the password‐protected “Iñupiaq Web GIS” could be accessed. We discuss the process of developing the web GIS including the incorporation of user‐friendly features such as links to interactive maps, video clips of interviews, discussion boards, and the integration of popular web interfaces such as Facebook. We also discuss short‐ and long‐term goals for the further development of the GIS, its potential as a sustainable, participatory online database for sharing pertinent ecological knowledge, and challenges in achieving optimal community involvement given constraints imposed by remote locations with limited bandwidth.     

A Transition in Improving Maps: The ColorBrewer Example

Many map makers seek to share their map design efforts by distributing styles, fonts, templates, software, tips, and other sorts of instructions. For example, <www.mapsymbols.com> offers links to a variety of symbol and font design efforts by mapmakers who use ESRI's GIS products. In this article, I will reflect on the format for offering map design assistance that I have used in ColorBrewer (Figure 1). ColorBrewer <www.ColorBrewer.org> is a web tool for selecting color schemes for thematic maps. It has elicited a trickle of enthusiastic e-mail from pleased users who tell me that their maps are improved, and they are relieved to save time on a design challenge for which they are not confident of their skills. ColorBrewer is described in detail in two papers (Harrower and Brewer, in press; Brewer et al. 2003). It is described briefly here to provide context for my reflections on a transition in cartography toward assisting people who want to represent their information spatially but who have little or no training in the conventions and principles of map design and data representation.     

A New GIScience Application for Visualized Natural Resources Management and Decision Support

This article presents two decision support plug‐ins in free GIS software: ArcGIS Explorer Desktop. The ubiquitous WebGIS Analysis Toolkit for Extensive Resources (uWATER) focuses on providing GIS analysis functions: spatial and attribute queries in the public services tool for users with limited access to commercial GIS software. The interface of uWATER is general enough to support decision‐making in numerous management issues in natural resources, economics and agriculture. The uWATER‐Pumping Assessment (uWATER‐PA) toolkit, on the other hand, is an extended package targeting the specific environmental issue of groundwater pumping impacts. The uWATER‐PA package is an excellent alternative to evaluating complex groundwater pumping assessment issues before investing significant time, labor, and funds in monitoring and detailed scientific study. It incorporates simulation of the physics of groundwater flow and user interaction into GIS software. A graphical user interface makes both data entry and interpretation of results intuitive to non‐technical individuals. Results are presented as colored drawdown maps and can be saved in GIS format for future dissemination. The impact of drawdown on existing wells can be characterized and mapped, through the use of uWATER's spatial query capabilities and the drawdown maps generated by uWATER‐PA.     

Agent技术在分布式GIS中的应用研究

首先分析了分布式计算技术的发展，详细介绍了当今主流的分布计算技术——Agent技术、分布式GIS技术是以分布式计算技术为依托的，Agent技术将为分布GIS带来新的技术发展；随后，深入分析了Agent技术在分布式GIS中的应用，并结合已有的研究重点介绍了基于Agent的分布式GIS建模、空间信息查找与获取、WebGIS服务体系、空间辅助决策以及GIS互操作等。     

A comparison of aspects of the US and UK censuses of population

Census data, and its underlying geographical framework, is a fundamental resource for social, demographic, and economic applications of GIS. The US and UK censuses have many similarities, but their differences are instructive. This paper examines the constitutional basis of the censuses and the contrasts in the way they are administered. In particular the geographical base used for each census is examined. These issues have a major impact on the products that are made available from each census and the way in which results are disseminated. In particular the US census is taken, and used, for electoral re-districting to a greater extent than the UK census. The free availability of US data does, however, appear to mitigate against good co-ordination of census users both in local government and in academe and results in a much more fragmented user community. The paper concludes with an assessment of the similarities and the contrasts between the two censuses.     

基于ArcGIS Server的GIS Web服务自动发布关键技术研究

Web GIS技术主要采用GIS Web服务方式对外提供资源访问和空间分析能力。GIS Web服务提高系统资源利用率,扩大信息使用范围,但GIS Web服务主要依赖于服务器端GIS平台提供的可视化工具进行后台发布,前台用户无法根据自己业务需要自动发布GIS Web服务。文中基于ArcGIS Server平台研究一种GIS Web服务自动发布方案,以双丰林业局林政资源服务系统的在线采编模块为例,阐述该案例的应用。     

Collaborative Web‐GIS Design: A Case Study for Road Risk Analysis and Monitoring

This article presents a methodology for designing a WebGIS framework intended for automatically analyzing spatial data and updating statistics of interest with new information inserted daily by multiple users via a Web portal. A practical example is used on vehicle accident data for assessing risk in specific road segments. Two main blocks integrated together will be described: the collaborative block and the data‐analysis block. The former gives end‐users computer‐aided tools to view, insert, modify and manage data related to accidents and traffic monitoring sensors, whereas the latter is developed to automatically analyze the accident data coming from user's collaboration. Because different agencies can survey accident sites, a collaborative environment is necessary – and a Web‐based solution is ideal – for permitting multi‐user access and data insertion. A centralized approach to process the data in real time is described in all its components. Server‐side Structured Query Language functions optimize performance by using dedicated libraries for spatial processing and re‐structuring the attributes associated with elements which are consequently re‐classified for correct color‐scaling. The end‐product is a system that provides a seamless integration of front‐end tools for user collaboration and back‐end tools to update accident risk statistics in real time and provide them to stakeholders.     

跨平台开源桌面GIS软件的设计与实现

GIS软件开源可有效促进GIS软件技术的发展,这也是GIS技术发展的趋势之一。目前,国内还没有跨平台的专业桌面GIS开源软件。本文研究并实现了跨平台的开源桌面GIS软件-SuperMap iDesktop Cross,采用C++语言实现了GIS功能内核,同时基于OSGi框架,采用Java语言实现了用户界面开发。该软件具备数据管理、数据处理、三维可视化、空间分析等GIS功能,同时提供应用程序编程接口（API）,支持定制开发。这将使专业桌面GIS软件广泛应用于包括Linux在内的更广泛的操作系统,使更多的人参与到GIS软件技术的发展中来,共同推动国产GIS软件技术的发展。     

Evaluating the Efficiency of Typographic Design: Gender and Expertise Variation

Abstract

Although the efficiency of label placement algorithms has been studied extensively, few studies considered the influence of the label designs on the efficiency of map readers. Labels are one of the most important elements on the map as they can provide more information than other symbols can. The design of the labels does have to stress the theme, shape and functionality of the associated objects, which results in a more efficient interpretation of the map content by the user. How the label designs can enhance the map readers’ efficiency (and thus the quality of the maps themselves) is the main objective of this study. A user study was conducted in which the participants were asked to locate a target label on a map. Different label designs were implemented across the trials. The participants’ reactions times were registered to measure their efficiency and statistically analysed using a one-way ANOVA. Two different users’ characteristics were considered: gender and expertise. Related to the size, shape, orientation and texture of the labels, a number of significant differences (P<0·05) and trends were located. Differences in efficiency between males and females, on the one hand, and between novices and experts, on the other hand, were also described statistically. Consequently, recommendations can be formulated regarding the design of labels in order to obtain more efficient maps, keeping in mind the map users’ characteristics.