Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Integrating User and Usability Research
in Web-Mapping Application Design
David Schobesberger
Introduction
The evolution of digital cartography with all its derivative products creates a vast
array of possibilities for cartographic application designers including static and
interactive Web maps, multimedia products, geovisualization applications, mobile
applications, location-based services and cartographic products which are emerging
in the context of Web 2.0, Web 3.0, and Web 4.0. Interactive Web mapping
changed people
s conception of maps (Peterson
2008
). “
The technology-driven
evolution from view-only maps to mobile web maps
'
has not only extended the
typology of cartographic products, but also progressively enriched the map func-
tions
” (Meng and Reichenbacher
2005
, p. 5). Web Maps have become capable of
delivering sophisticated functionality and of assisting the users with everyday tasks,
which lead to a drastic increase of the availability and use of Web maps (Peterson
2003
) in many different contexts.
The strong increase in numbers of smart phones and users of wireless broadband
(cf. RNCOS E-Services
2011
; mobiThinking
2011
) presents both a chance and a
challenge for cartographic product design. On the one hand, cartographic products
are on the verge of becoming ubiquitous in daily use on mobile devices that assist
everyday tasks, which means that there is vast potential for new apps and Web
applications. On the other hand, the different devices, and the various contexts in
which these devices and applications are utilized, demand a reinforced interest in
examination and evaluation of user and usability issues in cartographic application
design. The philosophy for delivering mapping products has to change from
considering map application development as a self-contained exercise, towards a
more holistic approach that takes all the evolving technological and social aspects
...
