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1.3.2. Information audit

Substitution services

Substitution services are sources of information the location-based service aims to replace. Examples are web sites, field guides for flora and fauna (e.g. bird books), CD-ROMs, and paper maps. On the one hand the LBS needs to go beyond what these can supply, on the other they need to integrate information found in these sources to provide a new channel for presenting them. Examples for WebPark are shown below

Guide books and CD-ROMs for the SNP and Texel

Spatial data

In addtion to the more descriptive information found in the substitution services, an audit of the available spatial data for the different sites was also made. The following provide examples of the types of data available.

Topographic spatial data
Examples of various types of special purpose spatial data

Spatial and Temoporal Sensitivity

The different information sources were evaluated with respect to their spatial and temporal resolutions the illustation below describes this.

Analysis of information according to spatial and temporal resolutions (Dias et al, 2004b)Analysis of information according to spatial and temporal resolutions (Dias et al, 2004b)

One of the main conclusions that came out of this evaluation was that there was a clear mismatch between the data available and the information needs of visitors. As can be seen in the above illustration most of the information sources where static in time and independent of a specific geographic reference. Information that did have a spatial component was generally very specialised for example being obtained for research purposes, whilst visitors were more interested in recieving more general and easily comprehendible information that was sensitive to the time and place it was being used in. This justified the needs for a location-based service that could provide information at an appropriate level in a way that was sensitive to its context of use.



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