Use and users of multimedia cartography

Abstract

There are not yet many textbooks in the cartographic discipline with chapters specifically devoted to use and user research. The fact that this second edition of Multimedia Cartography contains such a chapter is a reflection of, on the one hand, the growing interest in use and user issues and, on the other hand, the required broadening of scope for use and user research in our discipline. User research is no longer limited to testing the effectiveness of already existing map displays, or finding out how they work, but now involves all stages in a user-centred design process - as demonstrated by the case-study described - and deals with the utility and usability of more aspects of the information system than the map display alone. Spurred on by this broadening of scope and the perceived need for use and user research, the International Cartographic Association (ICA) has established a new Working Group on Use and User Issues which will focus on: the user (user characteristics / profiles, use context, user requirements, use goals, task analysis and modelling); usability (user-centred design, methods and techniques of evaluation / testing); and improving user abilities (user training, participatory / collaborative mapping, map use in education and training) in the field of cartography, including Multimedia Cartography. Both authors are involved in the activities of this new Working Group, which may be followed at http://kartoweb.itc.nl/icawguse/. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.