• 1. Navigation
  • 1.1. Navigation
  • 1.2. Multimedia Navigation
  • 1.3. Thematic Navigation
  • 1.4. Temporal Navigation
  • 1.5. Spatial Navigation
    • 1.5.1. ...on the Internet
    • 1.5.2. ...in 2D Maps
    • 1.5.3. Zooming
    • 1.5.4. Panning
    • 1.5.5. Spatial Reference Options
    • 1.5.6. Self Assessment
    • 1.5.7. Unit-Summary
  • 1.6. Self Assessment
  • 1.7. Summary
  • 1.8. Glossary
  • 1.9. Bibliography
  • 1.10. Metadata

1.5.7. Unit-Summary

Spatial Navigation on the Internet

Spatial Navigation for the Internet is not really common, because the space is only virtual and therefore not visible. The entire Internet must be seen as space which consists of all web applications together. Navigating through the web sites can be seen as spatial navigation.

Spatial Navigation in 2D Maps

Spatial navigation, whose most common tools are zooming and panning, is mainly used in interactive maps.
There exist many possibilities how to realise zooming and panning functions.

Panning and zooming controls are employed in nearly all interactive mapping systems and have become "second nature" to those who use computer regularly. Their ubiquitous nature is due to our daily need to visualise large information spaces through small computer windows. (Harrower et al. 2005)

Besides zooming and panning controls, it is recommended to implement spatial reference options in 2D maps, because they provide information about the spatial reference. Possible tools are: coordinates on mouse-move, reference map, scale-bar, grid lines, etc.

According to (2005), good map navigation tools should provide users with strong local-global orientation cues to reinforce a sense of place, prevent frustration, and potentially increase efficiency of use.

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Update: 26.1.2012 (eLML) - Contact - Print (PDF) - © CartouCHe 2004-2007 (Creative Commons) - layout based on YAML