Adaptive user interfaces for mobile map-based visualisation
- Authors: Van Tonder, Bradley Paul
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/866 , Cartography , Maps -- Design , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Mobile devices today frequently serve as platforms for the visualisation of map-based data. Despite the obvious advantages, mobile map-based visualisation (MMV) systems are often difficult to design and use. Limited screen space, resource constraints and awkward interaction mechanisms are among the many problems with which designers and users have to contend. Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs), which adapt to the individual user, represent a possible means of addressing the problems of MMV. Adaptive MMV systems are, however, generally designed in an ad-hoc fashion, making the benefits achieved difficult to replicate. In addition, existing models for adaptive MMV systems are either conceptual in nature or only address a subset of the possible input variables and adaptation effects. The primary objective of this research was to develop and evaluate an adaptive MMV system using a model-based approach. The Proteus Model was proposed to support the design of MMV systems which adapt in terms of information, visualisation and user interface in response to the user‟s behaviour, tasks and context. The Proteus Model describes the architectural, interface, data and algorithm design of an adaptive MMV system. A prototype adaptive MMV system, called MediaMaps, was designed and implemented based on the Proteus Model. MediaMaps allows users to capture, location-tag, organise and visualise multimedia on their mobile phones. Information adaptation is performed through the use of an algorithm to assist users in sorting media items into collections based on time and location. Visualisation adaptation is performed by adapting various parameters of the map-based visualisations according to user preferences. Interface adaptation is performed through the use of adaptive lists. An international field study of MediaMaps was conducted in which participants were required to use MediaMaps on their personal mobile phones for a period of three weeks. The results of the field study showed that high levels of accuracy were achieved by both the information and interface adaptations. High levels of user satisfaction were reported, with participants rating all three forms of adaptation as highly useful. The successful implementation of MediaMaps provides practical evidence that the model-based design of adaptive MMV systems is feasible. The positive results of the field study clearly show that the adaptations implemented were highly accurate and that participants found these adaptations to be useful, usable and easy to understand. This research thus provides empirical evidence that the use of AUIs can provide significant benefits for the visualisation of map-based information on mobile devices.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An appraisal of the production and utility of digital atlases in Africa: a case study of Swaziland
- Authors: Pettit, Louise Manda
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005490 , Swaziland Atlases , Digital mapping , Geographic information systems , Cartography -- Data processing , Cartography -- Africa
- Description: This research will appraise the production and utility of digital atlases in an African context, using personal experience gained through the production of a digital atlas for Swaziland, the opinions obtained from other producers of African digital atlases and relevant literature. Since the 1950s, decision makers and researchers have viewed information as a powerful contributor to national development. Over the past thirty years, developed countries have increased the efficient collation and dissemination of geographic information through the utilization of the digital environment. The development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has increased the range of applications attainable in digital mapping projects. Applications have ranged from resource inventories to the monitoring of environmental degradation, crime patterns and service provision. The patchy history of data collection, analysis and mapping in Africa, has had a limiting effect on the ability of countries to identify, plan and control their resources efficiently. Despite the desire to automate the mapping process and reap some of the planning benefits evident in the developed world, Africa has not succeeded in mobilising full technological potential. Political instability, poor infrastructure, the absence of national policy guidelines, and a lack of skilled manpower are some of the issues which have limited utilization. Despite many of the hurdles faced by African countries, automated mapping and analysis technologies are still being pursued. The role of computers in the utilisation of data has become apparent through several means, one of which is the digital atlas. Analytical functions in many of these products allow situation modelling and provide superior graphic displays in comparison to their paper counterparts. Several African countries have embarked on the development of national digital databases and in some cases have produced digital national atlases. The potential to improve resource utilization, service provision and land use planning using these atlases, does exist. The production and utility of these atlases in an African context, however, needs closer assessment. "Computers don't clothe, don't cure, don't feed. Their power begins and ends with information. Their usefulness is therefore strictly linked to the ffectiveness of the information" (Gardner,1993:16).
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- Date Issued: 2000