Multimedia Cartography

Abstract

The term 'multimedia' was once used to refer to a sequential display of slides with a recorded voice-over. The concepts of interactive multimedia and hypermedia were introduced to refer to media combined with an interactive linking structure. The meaning of multimedia has evolved and now subsumes these newer concepts. Multimedia uses different media to convey information as text, audio, graphics, animation, and video, all done interactively. This provides 'rich media' content. It also refers to computer data storage devices, especially those used to store multimedia content. Multimedia enhances user experience and makes it easier and faster to grasp information. Multimedia is interaction with multiple forms of media supported by the computer. The computer is both the tool of multimedia and its medium. Without means of creation or distribution, the current interactive form of multimedia would not exist. The World Wide Web, both static and mobile, has dramatically increased the audience and use of interactive multimedia products. Multimedia Cartography evolved from a need to present geographical information in an intuitive manner. Multimedia Cartography is best defined through the metaphor of the world atlas that revered assemblage of maps in book form that has introduced people to the world for centuries. Displayed prominently in people's homes, or stored for reference in the library or school, the atlas has been a window to the world for millions of people. It is consulted when one needs to know where something is located or something about a region of the world. The atlas forms the basis for how people conceive the world in which they live. The atlas also has a general audience. Its use does not require any particular expertise or motivation. It is not intended for the expert user or people from any particular educational background or for only a few, highly-trained individuals. Rather, it is an inclusive form of cartography that invites the user to explore the world through maps. The traditional, printed atlas is not without its limitations. The maps lack interaction. It is not possible to change the scale of the maps or add detail. There is no provision to consult an underlying set of data. It is not possible to link features to other types of media, such as sound, pictures, or video. It is not possible to view cartographic animations that would depict the dynamic character of the world. Interactive media is now commonplace and ubiquitous. Through the influence of the World Wide Web, users now expect a linking structure to be incorporated on any computer display. A display that is static is uninteresting and so it is with maps as well. The surface depiction is no longer sufficient. People want to "go into" the map, both spatially and conceptually. They want to explore at a deeper level. They want to put the pieces of information together themselves. These tendencies are not idle pursuits but can be attributed to the way we learn and structure knowledge. Interaction is the key to knowledge formation. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.