Maps |
The most straightforward document to annotate is a map because it is the least ambiguous. That is, a good map presents a one-to-one representation of a geographic region: This is Saanich, this is UVic, this is Clearihue A105. A map that wasn't a one-to-one representation would be useless or even dangerous. Maps differ, therefore, from complex works of art like poems or paintings whose attractiveness resides in their richness and ambiguity. That said, a map implies much more information and detail than is immediately visible. When we annotate a map, we are adding information about various features. In this example, for instance, there is information about access to the park, paths with in it, streams, and wildlife. We could add much more: We could not only show the location of a stand of trees, we could also discuss their species, what they look like, the health of these particular ones, and so forth. We could show the habitats of wildfowl, discuss the salinity of the water, or show a video of resident ducks in flight. All of these additions are well-known examples of a hypertext, with its links to other links and those links themselves to still more. And with hypertext generally, there is no theoretical limit to the number of items we could provide. But simply adding information is not helpful in itself. We could easily add so many extra pieces of information that they would quickly start to compete with each other for our attention. Rather than information, we'd have noise. Indeed, that is always a problem for map makers—the limits of the page in turn limits what can be included and still be useful. |
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Electronic and Repurposed Maps |
Instead, we can repurpose a map so that it changes according to the needs of its readers. To again use this map as an example, a reader might first want to know simply how to get to the park—which roads to take, where to turn, how far it is from town; The same reader arriving at the park might wish to know where to park or what facilities are available. And once parked, a reader might then want to know about paths through the park, the location of viewpoints, or particular points of interest. Still later, that same reader may want to know details about various species of flora and fauna, and in varying depth. These interests are not hierarchal or even necessary sequential; rather they are more or less useful at different times. Our goal in making a map, then, is accommodate all these interests. |
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Letting Readers Decide |
In the Witty's Lagoon example, readers decide what information to display and when to display it. Just as importantly, they also decide what not to see. Clicking a Hide button removes the noise that interferes with the information their needs. In another moment, however, that information can itself become noise that needs to be hidden. So the general problem this map addresses is this:
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Other Electronic Maps |
Plain Vanilla Some Interactivity
Draw your own conclusions about the competition. |
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