Visualization in an early stage of the problem-solving process in GIS

authored by: Andreas D. Blaser, Monika Sester, Max J. Egenhofer
Abstract: Methods of user-computer interaction have remained largely unchanged since the introduction of graphical user interfaces and their popularization by the Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. Most of today's applications rely on primitive modalities, such as typing and pointing for input generation, which works well for a host of common business applications, but falls short for more complex tasks. To improve the interaction between user and computer we propose a concept that allows people to visualize their ideas, problems, or instructions during the initial phase of an interaction with a computer by augmenting traditional interaction modalities with sketching, gesturing and talking. This approach leads to a more natural user-computer interaction and enhances a user's ability to find solutions to a problem. We suggest that computers become actively involved in the process of problem formulation and that they provide support and give advice where this is adequate. This leads to a process of incremental problem formulation where user and computer are able to better visualize the actual task and fewer misunderstandings occur. Geographic information systems (GIS) would benefit from improved user interaction techniques. GIS are inherently complex and an interaction is often tedious, mostly because such systems are based on sequential and nonspatial input methods that lack the capability of expressing spatial concepts appropriately. We advocate for a visualization in an early stage of the problem solving process in GIS and discuss its advantages and challenges. The paper gives application examples and discusses future research topics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
External Organisation(s): University of Maine
University of Stuttgart
Type: Article
Journal: Computers and Geosciences
Volume: 26
Pages: 57-66
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 0098-3004
Publication date: 21.02.2000
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Information Systems, Computers in Earth Sciences
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-3004(99)00034-5 (Access: Unknown)

BibTeX

@article{9c59cf9f151949e4a6eb27e2e08b3eaf,
title = "Visualization in an early stage of the problem-solving process in GIS",
abstract = "Methods of user-computer interaction have remained largely unchanged since the introduction of graphical user interfaces and their popularization by the Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. Most of today's applications rely on primitive modalities, such as typing and pointing for input generation, which works well for a host of common business applications, but falls short for more complex tasks. To improve the interaction between user and computer we propose a concept that allows people to visualize their ideas, problems, or instructions during the initial phase of an interaction with a computer by augmenting traditional interaction modalities with sketching, gesturing and talking. This approach leads to a more natural user-computer interaction and enhances a user's ability to find solutions to a problem. We suggest that computers become actively involved in the process of problem formulation and that they provide support and give advice where this is adequate. This leads to a process of incremental problem formulation where user and computer are able to better visualize the actual task and fewer misunderstandings occur. Geographic information systems (GIS) would benefit from improved user interaction techniques. GIS are inherently complex and an interaction is often tedious, mostly because such systems are based on sequential and nonspatial input methods that lack the capability of expressing spatial concepts appropriately. We advocate for a visualization in an early stage of the problem solving process in GIS and discuss its advantages and challenges. The paper gives application examples and discusses future research topics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.",
keywords = "Alternative user interaction, Geographic information systems, Human-computer interaction, Multimodal user interfaces, Problem visualization, Sketching, User interface design",
author = "Blaser, {Andreas D.} and Monika Sester and Egenhofer, {Max J.}",
note = "Funding information: This work was partially supported by Rome Laboratory under grant number F30602-95-1-0042 and the National Science Foundation under grant IRI-9613646. Max Egenhofer{\textquoteright}s work is further supported by NSF grants IRI-9309230, SBR-9600465 and BDI-9723873; by grants from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency under grant number NMA202-97-1-1023 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under grant number COE/97-0015; and by a Massive Digital Data Systems contract sponsored by the Advanced Research and Development Committee of the Community Management Staff.",
year = "2000",
month = feb,
day = "21",
doi = "10.1016/S0098-3004(99)00034-5",
language = "English",
volume = "26",
pages = "57--66",
journal = "Computers and Geosciences",
issn = "0098-3004",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",
number = "1",
}