1.3.1. Exploration
A user can explore a map in two different ways:
- one exactly knows what information is to be extracted out of a map
- one wants to explore the map without any specific target.
Therefore, we distinguish between precise and fuzzy map navigation
- Precise Navigation
Precise navigation tools let the user quickly zoom to a map extent that he can specify through coordinates and scale, or addresses.
The application Map24 is an example for precise navigation. You can type in your address or your start and destination address of an arbitrary route in an input bar and the application will show you the locations in a map as it is shown in the pictures below. Try it out on the Map24 web site.
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- Fuzzy Map Navigation
In fuzzy map navigation tasks the user often does not know exactly where he wants to go, but wants to explore the map visually.
