online and interactive maps

difference between online maps and physical maps

• interactive features -> ex: zoom in and zoom out, hold the mouse over and information may pop out, turn layers on and off, search on an online map, create animated maps

• easier to edit → can be updated in real time

• easier to share

• require different software and different types of coding skills → especially if they have elements of interactivity

online maps similarities to paper maps

• Paper maps turning into photo maps that are placed on a web page

• Common to find both thematic and reference maps

• Most decisions made by map makers when creating the map are made in a similar way with online design

benefits of online maps

• Easy reproducibility and shareability, as well as inexpensive

• Create animations

• Opportunity for much larger audiences

• Opportunity to update things often

challenges to online maps

• Screen size: screen size is limited, but we have the opportunity zoom, but it will be harder to see everything at once -> think of looking at a map on the phone vs paper that can be unfolded vs on a laptop

• Resolution: no control over whether your user has high or low resolution -> dictates how much detail you include

• Map users can take your map and share it and use it however they want and may not share the information that you included on the map -> so, include the key information right on the image of the map

• Uneven access to the internet -> internet expands access, but not everyone has access to the internet

• Maps can be easily lost or removed from the internet, gone forever -> the opposite can also happen, maps can stay alive even if there is wrong data or if it wasn't updated

two classification systems of online maps

1. Kraak and Brown = thinking about whether a map is static (still) or dynamic (moving) and whether a map is view only or interactive

• static and view only maps = picture maps that can be turned into photos

• dynamic and view only = an animation is created but can’t be interacted with → watch only

• static and interactive = a map you can just pan over and zoom in with

• dynamic and interactive = google maps

2. Slocum et al. = five continuums → its a spectrum

• pre-existing map (= something that was mapped for paper then put online) to custom-tailored map (=something designed to be online)

• low interaction (ex: pan and zoom) to high interaction (ex: query the map)

• distribute data (data comes from government sources) to user-contributed data (data comes from the user)

• scanned map (a pre-existing or historic map) to real-time updates (ex: an election map during the time election occurs)

• static map and animated map