Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Once the user moves to the individual buildings section, the collection of approximately
50 photographs can be viewed. The directional indicators are used to move back and forth
through the collection, and the icons to the right of the main photograph allow movement
to other sections of the discrete unit, as well as moving back to the main menu.
As well as browsing the package this way, users could also use metaphors to further explore
the package in a more focused, personalized manner. A number of conceptual metaphors
were applied in a set which includes the Storyteller, the Navigator, the Guide, the Sage, the
Data Store, the Fact Book, the Gameplayer, the Theatre and the Toolbox. These metaphors
have been acknowledged by Laurini (2001) as suitable access metaphors for visualizing
and accessing urban information. For surrogate walks, the use of the Storyteller, Navigator
and Theatre metaphors are appropriate. Their implementation is elaborated upon in the
following paragraphs.
Interactive storytelling can be used to enhance the information to which users gain access.
Some users may wish to be 'told' a story while they view a map or graphical depictions on a
screen. The story can be told using digital sound or by allowing the users to read text from
the screen. Storytelling, whilst not expected to be used vigorously, needs to be made available
for those users interested in finding out more about particular phenomena by being painted
'word pictures'. The Storyteller metaphor provides a number of 'stories' about Queenscliff
and the region. As new stories, press releases and general news about Queenscliff becomes
available, the Web page can be continually updated to present the most current information
available. Owing to the nature of this metaphor, the actual stories will be in a constant state
of flux, offering the user many different stories from the area. Once the user moves to the
Storyteller Web page, links can be followed to areas of personal interest to the user.
For some 'power users' the use of navigation tools will be unwanted, but for novice or
naive users the Navigator would allow them to move through the package in the most
efficient manner. Final navigation strategies would be developed on the basis of user needs,
modified according to actual usage patterns. The Navigator provides an overview of the
houses in Queenscliff through the use of a video 'surrogate drive' around all of the streets
in the township. The user chooses a block from a list on the navigator Web page. Figure 6.8
Figure 6.8
Block-by-block video
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