• 1. Graphical User Interface
  • 1.1. UI versus GUI
  • 1.2. GUI Design
  • 1.3. Layout
  • 1.4. GUI for Interactive Maps
    • 1.4.1. Functional Groups
    • 1.4.2. Examples
    • 1.4.3. Content Organisation
    • 1.4.4. GUI Examples
    • 1.4.5. Unit-Summary
  • 1.5. Self Assessment
  • 1.6. Summary
  • 1.7. Glossary
  • 1.8. Bibliography
  • 1.9. Metadata

1.4.5. Unit-Summary

Each control element in a GUI of an interactive map can be classified into several functional groups. Some of these functional groups are further sub-divided into functional sub-groups:

• General Functions
• Navigational Functions
  • Spatial Navigation
  • Thematic Navigation
  • Temporal Navigation
• Didactical Functions
  • Explanatory Functions
  • Self-Control Functions
• Cartographic and Visualisation Functions
  • Map Manipulation
  • Redlining
  • Explorative Data Analysis
• GIS-Functions
  • Space- and Object-Oriented Query Functions
  • Thematic Query Functions
  • Analysis Functions

A good content organisation of a GUI leads to an easier-to-learn or easier-to-handle application. An important part of the content organisation is the grouping of objects with similar functions. There are a few rules for the item organisation of a GUI:

• Create groups of logically similar items.
• Use familiar terminology, but ensure that items are distinct from one another.
• Make sure that items are non-overlapping.

There is no one and only solution how to arrange best the elements of a GUI of an interactive map. We therefore showed you several GUI examples of interactive maps. Depending on the tools, the use, and the target audience of the interactive map, the content arrangement varies significantely.

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