Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
On the other hand, tourist or cultural information has been added to the
map. In order to avoid a dense map, reference numbers have been added
on the map (cf.
figure 12
) and the corresponding information is optional,
i.e. it is attached to the map by a literal description that the user could read.
These reference numbers are symbolised by the same colours as the pedes-
trian trails in order to be easily associated with them (cf. Bertin 1967).
Reference numbers corresponding to the GR, the GRP and the PR are
respectively symbolised by white circled with red, by yellow circled with
red and by black circled with yellow. In this case, the visual impact of the
colour is used both to highlight the point information and to associate it as
additional useful information. The abstract shape use increases the dis-
crimination of the reference number symbols (Forrest and Castner 1985).
4- Conclusions and plans for future work
According to the survey, trekkers use maps prior to the trek (to prepare
their outing) and during it. Therefore, our work context is part of on
-
demand map making on the internet; that is to say, the trekker can make a
map suited to his needs on the internet and print it to use during the activity.
We would have used internet opportunities such as animated maps, but
field use excludes solutions that are only available on the screen. New
mobile devices (small screen media, e-paper (Cecconi 2007)) may be used
during the trek. They would make it possible to use these map, but they
introduce others problems such as battery power and saving energy for
displaying the information (Hoarau 2010) or semiotics rules for small
screens (Paolino et al. 2007).
Our suggestions are aimed at a specific audience: trekkers. The survey has
shown what trekkers' criticisms and expectations are. It was designed to
identify them without any preconceived ideas. The users' survey showed
some incompatible requests which were prioritized. Suggestions were de-
signed to meet the most important requests. Consequently, we were able to
make original choices such as reducing the visual presence of the high-
ways. These choices are relevant in such a limited context but would be
impossible for maps which are made for more general public. The impor-
tance we gave to each request could be discussed in other contexts. There
could be several different ways to respond to one request; for example,
slope classes could be symbolized with other diverging colour schemes.
