Web mapping: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:43, 26 July 2024

Revision as of 18:14, 5 August 2024

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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 mapserver 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}}</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.

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* 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>

* 2009: [[Nokia]] made '''''[[Ovi Maps]]''''' free on its smartphones.

* 2012: '''''[[Apple Maps]]''''', the first vector-tile based mapping app,<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Apple's new vector-based Maps leave Google Maps looking jittery|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/12/08/03/inside_apples_new_vector_based_maps_in_ios_6|access-date=2021-08-18|website=AppleInsider|date=3 August 2012 |language=en}}</ref> is launched, replacing [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s own Google Maps client as the default mapping app for its platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/26/apple-maps-europe-google|title=How Apple Maps won on UK iPhones over Google Maps - despite Waze|last=Arthur|first=Charles|date=2013-11-26|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>

* 2020: '''''[[Petal Maps]]''''' is released.

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==Impact on society==

Web maps have become an essential tool for many,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themanifest.com/app-development/trends-navigation-apps|title = The Popularity of Google Maps: Trends in Navigation Apps in 2018 &#124; August 2021}}</ref> as illustrated by a 2021 [[labor strike]] demanding (among other things) a certain type of map.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/11/16/hong-kong-police-warn-striking-foodpanda-workers-to-disperse-or-face-possible-force/|title = Hong Kong police warn striking Foodpanda workers to disperse or face possible force|date = 16 November 2021}}</ref> Web mapping has allowed for a more environmentally conscious way of navigating ___location. With the creation of web mapping, people do not have to use paper maps anymore, as it is accessible through the internet, benefiting our environment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12860 |title=Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences |date=2010-06-23 |publisher=National Academies Press |isbn=978-0-309-15075-0 |___location=Washington, D.C.|doi=10.17226/12860 }}</ref> Also, atlases or paper maps that were accessed could have been outdated. With web mapping, in real time, users are able to get step by step directions to a ___location based on where they currently are located with the most current geographical information. It also allows you to choose routes with distances and estimated times of travel for each. You can even choose your mode of transportation like driving or walking.

Another benefit is that web mapping has allowed more of the general population to access this technology because it is free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. It also gives us real-time updates about traffic and road conditions which can lead to safer travels. Although not a common use, web mapping can be used to learn more about culture and history. You can explore historical maps, cultural landmarks, natural features, parks, trails, report issues, natural hazards, pollution, and much more.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=How does GIS web mapping affect you and your community? |url=https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-does-gis-web-mapping-affect-you |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}</ref> By doing this, we are able to create a safer and more welcoming community to live in.

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As much as web mapping has helped simplify our lives, there are also negative social consequences to the use of web mapping. There have been concerns raised about the privacy of personal information while using web mapping. It allows government agencies to create massive databases on individuals and their behaviors while the private sector keeps records of personal information.<ref name=":1"/> This issue continues to be challenged and negotiated as web mapping has become more relevant. As the use of web mapping has increased, so has the amount of distractions while driving.<ref name=":2"/> Drivers can alter their focus away from the road to their device very easily, which could result in a multitude of  negative social consequences and safety concerns.

While there are many benefits to web mapping allowing anyone to access, create, and distribute maps, many have raised ethical concerns.<ref name="Peterson2">{{cite journal |last1=Peterson |first1=Michael P. |title=Maps on Stone: The Web and Ethics in Cartography |journal=Cartographic Perspectives |date=1999 |volume=34 |url=https://cartographicperspectives.org/index.php/journal/article/view/cp34-peterson/pdf |access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="Mooney_Juhász_202007">{{cite journal |last1=Mooney |first1=Peter |last2=Juhász |first2=Levente |title=Mapping COVID-19: How web-based maps contribute to the infodemic |journal=Dialogues in Human Geography |date=July 2020 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=265–270 |doi=10.1177/2043820620934926 |s2cid=220415906 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The web facilitates the spread of misinformation, and people without strong understanding of cartography can publish seemingly authoritative products that may mislead the public.<ref name="Peterson2" /><ref name="Mooney_Juhász_202007" /><ref name="Adams2">{{cite journal |last1=Adams |first1=Aaron M. |last2=Chen |first2=Xiang |last3=Li |first3=Weidong |last4=Chuanrong |first4=Zhang |title=Normalizing the pandemic: exploring thecartographic issues in state government COVID-19 dashboards |journal=Journal of Maps |date=27 July 2023 |volume=19 |issue=5 |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1080/17445647.2023.2235385|s2cid=260269080 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2023JMaps..19Q...1A }}</ref> This saw significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the prevalence of improper maps on dashboards contributed to the [[infodemic]].<ref name="Mooney_Juhász_202007" /><ref name="Adams2" /><ref name=Everts1>{{cite journal |last1=Everts |first1=Jonathan |title=The dashboard pandemic |journal=Dialogues in Human Geography |year=2020 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=260–264 |doi=10.1177/2043820620935355 |s2cid=220418162 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Web maps require the internet to host, so they are subject to [[link rot]], making information inaccessible.<ref name="Adams2" /> Unlike physical maps, this can have major impacts on the historical record if the web map is the only source for the data it presents.