… Long live the map makers. Ed Parson, 2008
… Thank God! Denis Wood, 2003
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
The ‚map stack‘
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/takecontrolofyourmaps
The ‚map stack‘App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
The ‚map stack‘
Source: Microsoft Virtual Earth SDK
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
The ‚map stack‘
Types of web mapping services
proprietary
open source
commercial
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
The ‚map stack‘
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Proprietary web mapping services
Web
Server
Browser UI
API
How to add data
KML, GeoRSS, …
Image overlaysOwn tiles
Gadgets
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Proprietary web mapping services
+
Web
Server
Browser UI
availability of a hugeamount of geo data
many thousands ofservers
quick setup
Why using them?
intuitive interface
accessible by everybodywith an internet browser
App
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Proprietary web mapping services
Web
Server
Browser UI
API
Web
Se
rver
Browser UI
Proprietary web mapping services
Ap
plic
atio
nSe
rver
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Serv
er
Tile Cache
API
Mercator projection
no access on vector dataor 3rd dimension
pre‐rendered map tiles
Limitations
limitations according toAPI options
licensing issues
optimizing overlay quality
comparing tiles of different vendors
A cartographer‘soptions
using region functionalityfor scale dependent results
optimizing data and user interface for user needs
Basic cartographicissues
What’s the purpose ofthe map?
Who is the user?
Readability
Visual Hierarchy
…
optimizing overlay quality
comparing tiles of different vendors
A cartographer‘soptions
using region functionalityfor scale dependent results
optimizing data and user interface for user needs
Open source web mapping services
Open Layers, Modest Maps
Er, Tile Cache
UMN MapServer
OpenStreetMap DataApp
lication
Server
Geospatial Data
Map Server
Tile
Server
Tile Cache
Web
Server
Browser UI
Why using them?
creating own map tilesand/or map tiles fromproprietary vendors
programming ownfunctionalities
data on own servershttp://www.sander-partner.ch/be/en/Nawa/index.html
http://chicago.everyblock.com
vector functionality
offline‐ and intranet usage possible
Limitations
more complex setup
more programming
limited server capacities
http://www.sander-partner.ch/be/en/Nawa/index.html
http://chicago.everyblock.com
Conclusions
Web mapping services are not only tools fornon‐expert map makers
Cartographic principles can also be applied in geobrowsers
A good knowledge of available tools is important topick the right solution for a certain use case
BUT: Cartographers should activelycontribute their ideas and principles tothe world of web mapping.