Web mapping: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Smartphone with navigation map app.jpg|thumb|right|A web map app inon a [[smart phone]] displaying [[Lake Lappajärvi]] in Finland]]

'''Web mapping''' or an '''online mapping''' is the process of using, creating, and distributing [[map]]s on the [[World Wide Web]] (the Web), usually through the use of [[Web GIS|Web geographic information systems]] (Web GIS).<ref name=Fu1>{{cite book |last1=Fu |first1=Pinde |last2=Sun |first2=Jiulin |title=Web GIS: Principles and Applications |year=2011 |___location=Redlands, CalifCalifadfd. |publisher=ESRI Press |isbn=978-1-58948-245-6 |oclc=5872196501336448374 |url=https://archive.org/details/webgisprinciples0000fupi |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=Fu2>{{cite book |last1=Fu |first1=Pinde |title=Getting to Know Web GIS |year=2016 |___location=Redlands, Calif. |publisher=ESRI Press |edition=2 |isbn=9781589484634 |oclc=928643136 |url=https://archive.org/details/gettingtoknowweb0000fupi |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=Zhang1>{{cite book |last1=Zhang |first1=ChuanrongCharanga |last2=Zhao |first2=Tian |last3=Li |first3=Weidong |title=Geospatial Semantic Web |year=2015 |___location=Cham |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-17800-4 |oclc=911032733 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-17801-1|s2cid=63154455 }}</ref> A web map or an online map is both served and consumed, thus, web mapping is more than just web [[cartography]], it is aan interactive service where consumers may choose what the map will show.<ref>{{Citecite web|access-date=2023-12-04 |title=Web maps—ArcGIS Online Help {{!}} Documentation |url=https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/reference/what-is-web-map.htm |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=doc.arcgis.com}}</ref>

== Introduction ==

The advent of web mapping can be regarded as a major new trend in cartography. Until recently, cartography was restricted to a few [[:Category:Map companies|companies]], institutes and [[:Category:National cartographic agencies|mapping agencies]], requiring relatively expensive and complex hardware and software as well as skilled cartographers and [[geomatics]] engineers.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Neumann |first=Andreas |title=Web Mapping and Web Cartography |date=2008 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35973-1_1485 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of GIS |pages=1261–1269 |editor-last=Shekhar |editor-first=Shashi |access-date=2023-12-04 |place=Boston, MA |publisher=Springer US |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-0-387-35973-1_1485 |isbn=978-0-387-35973-1 |editor2-last=Xiong |editor2-first=Hui|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Web mapping has brought muchmany geographical datasets, including free ones generated by [[OpenStreetMap]] and proprietary datasets owned by [[Here (company)|HEREBaidu]], [[Petal Maps|HuaweiGoogle]], [[Google]],Here [[Tencent(company)|HERE]], [[TomTom]], and others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Web Mapping with Free Software Tools · Richard A. Lent, Ph.D. |url=https://richardlent.github.io/post/web-mapping/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=richardlent.github.io}}</ref> A range of [[:category:Free GIS software|free software to generate maps]] has also been conceived and implemented alongside proprietary tools like [[ArcGIS]]. As a result, the [[barrier to entry]] for serving maps on the web has been lowered.<ref name=":0" />

The terms ''[[web GIS]]'' and ''web mapping'' are often used interchangeably, but the terms are distinct.<ref name=Fu1/><ref name=Fu2/><ref name=Zhang1/><ref name=Peterson1>{{cite book |last1=Peterson |first1=Michael P. |title=Mapping in the Cloud |year=2014 |publisher=The Guiford Press |___location=New York |isbn=978-1-4625-1041-2 |oclc=855580732 |url=https://archive.org/details/mappingincloud0000pete |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Web GIS, Simply |url=https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/insider/web-gis-simply/ |website=ESRI Newsroom Insider |date=10 June 2016 |publisher=ESRI |access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref><ref name=Ezekiel1>{{cite journal |last1=Ezekiel |first1=Kuria |last2=Kimani |first2=Stephen |last3=Mindila |first3=Agnes |title=A Framework for Web GIS Development: A Review |journal=International Journal of Computer Applications |date=June 2019 |volume=178 |issue=16 |pages=6–10 |doi=10.5120/ijca2019918863|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name= Rowland1>{{cite journal |last1=Rowland |first1=Alexandra |last2=Folmer |first2=Erwin |last3=Beek |first3=Wouter |title=Towards Self-Service GIS—Combining the Best of the Semantic Web and Web GIS |journal=ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |date=2020 |volume=9 |issue=12 |page=753 |doi=10.3390/ijgi9120753|bibcode=2020IJGI....9..753R |doi-access=free }}</ref> Web GIS uses and enables web maps, and end users who are ''web mapping'' are gaining analytical capabilities from Web GIS, however Web GIS has more applications than web mapping, and web mapping can be accomplished without Web GIS. Web GIS emphasizes [[geodata]] processing aspects more involved with design aspects such as data acquisition and server software architecture such as data storage and algorithms, than it does the end-user reports themselves.<ref name="KraakSettingsAndNeeds"/> The term ''[[___location-based service]]s'' refers to ''web mapping'' consumer goods and services.<ref>Parker, C.J., May, A., Mitchell, V. and Burrows, A. (2013), “[https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspace-jspui/bitstream/2134/11589/15/Parker%20et%20al.%20(Capturing%20VGI%20For%20Inclusive%20Service_Design).pdf Capturing Volunteered Information for Inclusive Service Design: Potential Benefits and Challenges]”, The Design Journal, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 197–218.</ref> Web mapping usually involves a [[web browser]] or other user agent capable of client-server interactions.<ref name="web_hist"/> Questions of quality, usability, social benefits, and legal constraints are driving its evolution.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=M.|last2=Sharples|first2=Sarah|last3=Harding|first3=Jenny|last4=Parker|first4=Christopher J.|last5=Bearman|first5=N.|last6=Maguire|first6=M.|last7=Forrest|first7=D.|last8=Haklay|first8=M.|last9=Jackson|first9=M.|title=Usability of Geographic Information: Current challenges and future directions|journal=Applied Ergonomics|date=2013|volume=44|issue=6|pages=855–865|doi=10.1016/j.apergo.2012.10.013|pmid=23177775|s2cid=26412254|url=http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2809/1/Brown_et_al_2013_Usabilty_of_Geographic_Information.pdf|access-date=2019-07-12|archive-date=2018-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719082903/http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2809/1/Brown_et_al_2013_Usabilty_of_Geographic_Information.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Parker|first1=Christopher J.|title=User-centred design of neogeography: the impact of volunteered geographic information on users' perceptions of online map 'mashups'|journal=Ergonomics|date=2014|volume=57|issue=7|pages=987–997|doi=10.1080/00140139.2014.909950|pmid=24827070|s2cid=13458260|url=https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/23845}}</ref>

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Analytical web maps offer GIS analysis. The geodata can be a static provision, or need updates. The borderline between analytical web maps and web GIS is fuzzy. Parts of the analysis can be carried out by the GIS geodata server. As web clients gain capabilities processing is distributed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Analytical Maps {{!}} IGI Global |url=https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/analytical-maps/47567 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=www.igi-global.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Animated and Realtimerealtime===

Realtime maps show the situation of a phenomenon in close to [[Real-time computing|realtime]] (only a few seconds or minutes delay).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Painting the Web|last=Powers, Shelley.|date=2008|publisher=O'Reilly|isbn=9780596515096|oclc=191753336|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/paintingweb00shel}}</ref> They are usually animated. Data is collected by sensors and the maps are generated or updated at regular intervals or on demand.

[[Animated mapping|Animated maps]] show changes in the map over time by animating one of the graphical or temporal variables.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Web cartography : map design for interactive and mobile devices|last=Muehlenhaus, |first=Ian, 1976-|isbn=9781439876220 |oclc=706022809 |date = 2013-12-10 |publisher=CRC Press }}</ref> Technologies enabling client-side display of animated web maps include [[Scalable Vector Graphics|scalable vector graphics]] (SVG), Adobe Flash, Java, QuickTime, and others. Web maps with real-time animation include weather maps, [[traffic congestion map]]s and vehicle monitoring systems.<ref name="Temporal Animated Maps"/>

[[CartoDB]] launched an open source library, Torque,<ref>{{citeCite web |url=https://github.com/cartodb/torque|title=GitHub - CartoDB/torque: Temporal mapping for CartoDB |websitepublisher=[[GitHub]] |date=2019-02-13}}</ref> which enables the creation of dynamic animated maps with millions of records. Twitter uses this technology to create maps to reflect how users reacted to news and events worldwide.

===Collaborative web maps===

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Various companies now offer web mapping as a cloud based [[software as a service]]. These service providers allow users to create and share maps by uploading data to their servers (cloud storage). The maps are created either by using an in browser editor or writing scripts that leverage the service providers API's.

== Advantages of Mappingmapping Softwaresoftware ==

{{synthesisSynthesis|date=January 2020}}

[[File:Surface analysis.gif|thumb|right|300px|A surface weather analysis for the [[United States]] on October 21, 2006]]

Compared to traditional techniques, mapping software has many advantages. The disadvantages are also stated.

* Web maps can easily ''deliver up to date information''. If maps are generated automatically from [[database]]s, they can display information in almost [[Real-time computing|realtime]]. They don'tdo not need to be [[Printing|printed]], mastered and distributed. Examples:

** A map displaying [[election]] results, as soon as the election results become available.

** A [[traffic congestion map]] using traffic data collected by sensor networks.

** A map showing the current locations of [[mass transit]] vehicles such as [[bus]]es or [[Light rail|train]]s, allowing patrons to minimize their waiting time at stops or stations, or be aware of delays in service.

** [[Surface weather analysis|Weather maps]], such as [[NEXRAD]].

* ''[[Software]] and [[Computer hardware|hardware]] [[infrastructure]] for web maps is cheap.'' [[Web server]] [[Server farm|hardware]] is cheaply available and many [[Open-source software|open source]] tools exist for producing web maps. [[Geodata]], on the other hand, is not; satellites and fleets of automobiles use expensive equipment to collect the information on an ongoing basis. Perhaps owing to this, many people are still reluctant to publish geodata, especially in places where geodata are expensive. They fear [[copyright infringement]]s by other people using their data without proper requests for permission.

* ''Product updates can easily be distributed''. Because web maps distribute both logic and data with each request or loading, [[product update]]s can happen every time the web user reloads the application. In traditional [[cartography]], when dealing with printed maps or interactive maps distributed on [[On-line and off-line|offline]] media ([[CD]], [[DVD]], etc.), a map update takes serious efforts, triggering a reprint or remastering as well as a redistribution of the media. With web maps, data and product updates are easier, cheaper, and faster, and occur more often. Perhaps owing to this, many web maps are of poor quality, both in symbolization, content and data accuracy.

* ''Web maps can combine distributed data sources''. Using open standards and documented [[Application programming interface|APIAPIs]]s one can integrate (''[[Mashup (web application hybrid)|mash up]]'') different data sources, if the [[Map projection|projection system]], map scale and data quality match. The use of centralized data sources removes the burden for individual organizations to maintain copies of the same data sets. The downside is that one has to rely on and trust the external data sources. In addition, with detailed information available and the combination of distributed data sources, it is possible to find out and combine a lot of private and personal information of individual persons. Properties and estates of individuals are now accessible through high resolution aerial and satellite images throughout the world to anyone.

* ''Web maps allow for personalization''. By using [[Configuration file|user profiles]], personal filters and personal styling and [[map symbol|symbolization]], users can configure and design their own maps, if the web mapping systems supports personalization. [[Accessibility#Disability, information technology (IT) and telecommunications|Accessibility]] issues can be treated in the same way. If users can store their favoritefavourite colors and patterns they can avoid color combinations they can'tcannot easily distinguish (e.g. due to [[color blindness]]). Despite this, as with paper, web maps have the problem of limited screen space, but more so. This is in particular a problem for mobile web maps; the equipment carried usually has a very small screen, making it less likely that there is room for personalizationpersonalisation.

* ''Web maps enable collaborative mapping'' similar to web mapping technologies such as [[DHTML]]/[[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]], [[Scalable Vector Graphics|SVG]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[Adobe Flash]], etc. enable distributed data acquisition and collaborative efforts. Examples for such projects are the [[OpenStreetMap]] project or the [[Google Earth]] community. As with other open projects, quality assurance is very important, however, and the reliability of the internet and web server infrastructure is not yet good enough. Especially if a web map relies on external, distributed data sources, the original author often cannot guarantee the availability of the information.

* ''Web maps support [[hyperlink]]ing to other information on the web''. Just like any other [[web page]] or a [[wiki]], web maps can act like an index to other information on the web. Any [[Image map|sensitive area]] in a map, a label text, etc. can provide hyperlinks to additional information. As an example a map showing public transport options can directly link to the corresponding section in the online train time table. However, development of web maps is complicated enough as it is: Despite the increasing availability of free and commercial tools to create web mapping and web GIS applications, it is still a more complex task to create interactive web maps than to typeset and print images. Many technologies, modules, services and data sources have to be mastered and integrated. The development and debugging environments of a conglomerate of different web technologies is still awkward and uncomfortable.

==History==

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* 1989: ''Birth of the WWW'', [[WWW]] invented at [[CERN]] for the exchange of research documents.<ref name="web_birth">More details are in: [[History of the World Wide Web#1980–1991: Invention and implementation]].</ref>

* 1993: '''''[[Xerox PARC Map Viewer]]''''', The first map servermapserver based on [[Common Gateway Interface|CGI]]/[[Perl]], allowed reprojection styling and definition of map extent.<ref name=Plew2>{{cite journal |last1=Plew |first1=Brandon |title=Web Cartography in the United States |journal=Cartography and Geographic Information Science |date=2007 |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=133–136 |doi=10.1559/152304007781002235 |bibcode=2007CGISc..34..133P |s2cid=140717290 |url=https://doi.org/10.1559/152304007781002235 |access-date=6 January 2023|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

* 1994: '''''The National Atlas of Canada''''', The first version of the National Atlas of Canada was released. Can be regarded as the first [[atlas|online atlas]].

* 1995: '''''The Gazetteer for Scotland''''', The prototype version of the Gazetteer for Scotland was released. The first geographical database with interactive mapping.

* 1995: ''Tiger Mapping Service'', from the U.S. Census Bureau, the first national street-level web map, and the first major web map from the U.S. government.<ref name=Plew2 />[[c:Category:Web mapping|Wikimedia Commons]]

* 1995: ''[[MapGuide Open Source#History|MapGuide]]'', First introduced as Argus Map GuideMapGuide.

<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[File:Mapquest.JPG|thumb|Screenshot from [[MapQuest]]]] -->

* 1996: '''Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies Interactive Mapper''', Based on [[Common Gateway Interface|CGI]]/[[C shell]]/[[GRASS GIS|GRASS]] would allow the user to select a geographic extent, a raster base layer, and number of vector layers to create personalized map.

* 1996: '''''[[Mapquest]]''''', The first popular online Address Matching and Routing Service with mapping output.

* 1996: '''''[[Multimap.com|MultiMap]]''''', The [[United Kingdom|UK]]-based MultimapMultiMap website launched offering online mapping, routing and ___location based services. Grew into one of the most popular UK web sites.

* 1996: ''[[MapGuide Open Source#History|MapGuide]]'', Autodesk acquired Argus Technologies. Andand introduced Autodesk MapGuide 2.0.

[[File:National Atlas of the United States Logo.svg|thumb|right|64px|[[National Atlas of the United States]] logo]]

* 1997: '''''US Online National Atlas Initiative''''', The [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] received the mandate to coordinate and create the online '''[[National Atlas of the United States]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/national-atlas-program-has-ended-any-data-still-available|title = Since the National Atlas Program has ended, is any data still available?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ |title=National Atlas home page |website=www.nationalatlas.gov |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020547/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ |archive-date=5 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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* 2005: '''''[[MapGuide Open Source]]''''' introduced as open source by Autodesk

* 2005: '''''[[Google Earth]]''''', The first version of Google Earth was released building on the virtual globe metaphor. Terrain and buildings can be viewed 3 dimensionally. The [[Keyhole Markup Language|KML]] ([[XML]] based) markup language allows users to integrate their own personal content. This virtual globe needs special software and doesn't run in a web browser.

* 2005: '''''[[OpenLayers]]''''', the first version of the open source JavaScriptJavascript library Open LayersOpenLayers.

* 2006: '''''[[WikiMapia]]''''' is launched

* 2009: '''[[MapTiler]]''' released as open source software for tiling of geographic data for web maps.<ref>{{cite web |title=Using MapTiler to Create a Tileset |url=https://maps.nls.uk/projects/urbhist/guides_maptiler.html |website=Visualising Urban Geographies |publisher=National Library of Scotland |access-date=23 April 2024 |date=2009}}</ref>

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Retrieved 28 Dec. 2023.</ref>

== <small>=How Web Maps Interact With Human Variation</small> ===

Web mapping allows you to choose a route of travel with provided directions and real time traffic and road condition updates.<ref name=":4"/> Of course, this is only possible with an internet connection. Populations that are associated with lower incomes may not have access to a mobile device with internet as they may not be able to afford it, limiting them of this resource.

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* [[List of online map services]]

* [[Neogeography]]

* [[Geobrowsing]]

* [[Geoweb]]

* [[PPGIS|Public Participation GIS (PPGIS)]]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Web Mapping}}

[[Category:Web mapping| ]]

[[Category:Collaborative mapping]]