Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
mashups and other web mapping applications used to display georefer-
enced data are in effect small versions of the Digital Earth Gore envisaged
(ISDE5 2007). And organisations such as Google and Microsoft are
developing aspects of Gore's concept through their mapping technologies.
With the arrival of Web 2.0, geographically oriented knowledge systems
can now be collaborative and participatory.
3- Objective
The primary objective of the research project is to enhance access to and
utilisation of PV's existing data archive. This will be achieved by develop-
ing a methodology for building a GKT as a means to access data. The main
question that is being addressed is if applying contemporary and collabora-
tive Web 2.0 concepts can benefit such a tool.
What will also be investigated is whether UCI as well as existing informa-
tion available on the Web can enhance PV's existing data, and improve
knowledge or fill gaps. Thus, it will be assessed whether non-traditional
data sources can be amalgamated with mainstream data to form part of an
effective knowledge tool to potentially assist decision making.
For this research, users are viewed from a broad perspective and are not
just Web users but instead can be PV staff, park visitors or the general
public.
4- Methods and approach
There are two main phases to the research project: the initial exploratory
phase for information gathering (completed) and the implementation phase
(underway). Some outcomes of the first phase were described in the back-
ground section. It included a review of Web 2.0, knowledge and knowl-
edge systems and other topics related to the research. Projects that apply
Web 2.0 and geographic Web tools were examined to support the project
rationale and to learn from, whilst site visits to PV's head office and the
project study area are ongoing to gain insight into aspects of the organisa-
tion and park management.
