ABSTRACT
The biggest difference between designing maps for print versus the Web is that we no longer design for map readers but map users. This change in terminology is important. People interact and manipulate Web maps. We no longer need to attempt to design a one-size-fits-all, optimal form of data communication. These days, it is imperative that we design our maps to be interactive and responsive to a map user’s needs to facilitate communication that is more effective. Sure, map readers could also manipulate and interact with paper maps. Paper maps can be moved further away or closer to one’s eyes, trimmed with scissors, and crumpled to fit in a glove box, but the data on the map stay exactly the same. With most Web maps, users can actually interact with (i.e., manipulate and change) what they are viewing. In sum, interactivity is powerful, and when graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are well designed, human-computer interaction (HCI) can be extremely useful.
