Online cartographic atlas products: Learning from the past

Abstract

A wide range of application areas today is characterized by the use of spatial information. The possibilities, given by modern information-technology, especially the Internet, led to an increase of applications which promises an added-value through the use spatial data. However, apart from very few, spatially or thematically specialized examples, such systems do not have the significance that cartographers would entitle them. What are the responsible reasons for this situation? Internet-based cartographic information systems, in the sense of online atlases have special features and characteristics that distinguish them from other online information portals. Therefore, objective, repeatable and traceable knowledge from the user-centred development process has to be taken into consideration to increase both the efficiency as well as the usability of such systems. This paper examines and discusses the structured conception and implementation of Internet-based cartographic information systems in the sense of a user-centred development. It will be shown, how the role of the user and the applied usability testing methods in the conception and implementation of online atlas products have changed within the last 10 years.