Ramonamap—an example of graphical groupware

ABSTRACT

Ramonamap is an iterative map for database and communication services within our workgroup. Resources are represented as icons on the map, which preserves their actual (or implied) physical location and capitalizes on a user's understanding of maps. The map is interactive, giving the user control over the level of detail visible, allowing more information and services to appear than could be placed on a static map. The interactivity also allows users to change the map and add icon annotations. Since the map is continuously derived from an on-line database, changes and annotations are immediately shared by all users. As the database contains a wealth of information about the group, it also serves as a source for static maps for other purposes.

REFERENCES

• 1: Jon Christensen, Joe Marks, Stuart Shieber. Algorithms for Cartographic Label Placement. Proceedings of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, February, 1993, pp. 75-89.
• 2: Ken Perlin , David Fox, Pad: an alternative approach to the computer interface, Proceedings of the 20th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniques, p.57-64, September 1993 [doi>10.1145/166117.166125]
• 3: George G. Robertson , Stuart K. Card , Jack D. Mackinlay, Information visualization using 3D interactive animation, Communications of the ACM, v.36 n.4, p.57-71, April 1993 [doi>10.1145/255950.153577]
• 4: Kathy Ryall, Joe Marks, Murray Mazer, Stuart Shieber. Annotating Floorplans Using Deformable Polygons. Tech. Rept. TR-24-93, Center for Research in Computing Technology, Harvard University, December, 1993.
• 5: Edward Tufte, Envisioning information, Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT, 1990

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Interaction styles (e.g., commands, menus, forms, direct manipulation)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.3 Communications Applications
          Subjects: Electronic mail
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Input devices and strategies (e.g., mouse, touchscreen)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design

Keywords:
groupware, maps, simulated annealing