Sharing Environmental Maps on the Web: The Austrian EnviroMap System

Abstract

This chapter describes a system for public dissemination of environmelltal maps through an interactive Web-based system. This "'EnviroMap" system is a platform in which data holders can publish a raster version of their data and data seekers can get access to these data. For data holders, the system provides a tool for data documentation and upload. Data users can access the data with Web browsers and a Java Virtual Machine. The system is based on a ras ter file for mat with Q predefined mtlp projection and cell size. EnviroMop may serve as a marketplace for environmental maps. where data holders can make accessible an "EnviroMap raster version of their original GIS data and advertise the availability of their original data. Usability analysis has shown that in order to fully use the functionality more emphasis must be given to a familiar and intuitive user interface for novice users.