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24th April 2009, 11:50 PM
one of the benefits of google maps is that it is a system that most people have used at some point, whereas a Desktop GIS system isn't always the most user friendly of things.
also is useful when the majority of the public don't have access to a license to use OS data...so the usefulness of obtaining a GISfile containing just the Monument and Event info could be limited.
Again, it all goes back to the question of user bases. Some of this is set by who is funding their project, but as I said before, it would be great to know exactly who is using these websites and what for. And I guess that is the million dollar question.
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25th April 2009, 01:05 AM
It's interesting that this poll is being run on a website used mostly (I guess) by professional archaeologists, when most (not all) of these websites come with a big disclaimer against professional/commercial use. I wonder how that affects people's viewpoints. There are a lot of assumptions being made about what the public wants out of these sites, yet I doubt many members of the public will be stumbling across this forum to air their views on the subject.
My point about GIS exports and Desktop GIS was really made from the perspective of university researchers or archaeological contractors. Of course one wouldn't expect the general public to have access to, or know how to use, such a system. But I suspect many people would also be confused by the kind of complex setup that BAJR Host talks about.
A related point - I haven't been able to get the map views to work on some of these sites. Have others found this too or is it my flaky internet connection?
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25th April 2009, 09:51 AM
I found some of the maps a bit off too and I don't think its down to my PC set up as I use maps a lot including Magic and that asks a lot from a PC. Something I did not try was to see how easy these sites were to find if you were just looking out of general interest as a visitor to the area. Did any one try that?
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25th April 2009, 10:47 AM
An interesting point... I was recently looking at a project that will investigate Hillforts in East Lothian...
The only mapping available online is PastMap however, it is not possible to look for hillforts.. just hundreds of blue dots..
Now I will have to go to the East Lothian SMR (not online yet) and ask them to do a search and data dump for me. Not something a general user would do, or even know how to, or even be able to use the info.
A search filter is a simple thing.
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli
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25th April 2009, 02:19 PM
Just had a quick look at PastMap As you say not for the general user It reminds me of some of the law sites I use Very much aimed at the person who knows what they are looking for.
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25th April 2009, 02:47 PM
I wonder if the 'technology' here is actually more of a hindrance than a help.
If I wanted a map of East Lothian hillforts, I would have a preference for the East Lothian HER supplying me with an Access or Excel file containing map locations sure but all kinds of additional data as well. I could then upload the data into ArcGIS or some similar programme and make all kinds of maps or analyse the data to my hearts content. I could even export back to the HER the results of my map making/analyis as a resource for other users of the data.
Surely thats what HERs need to be giving us 'professionals' and reserve their limited technology resources for more socially receptive needs.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
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25th April 2009, 03:32 PM
I have just had a look at the COFLEIN site (Wales) the map is handy but you have to get used to its tricks. You can see what may be worth seeing localy but I dont know how easy it would be for a member of the public to even find it.
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26th April 2009, 01:59 AM
That's pretty much the point I was making earlier, that online maps have limitations. I know that web services are being looked at seriously as a future method of making spatial data available to professional users. That way, the "live" HER data can be consumed and queried in a GIS system. Good online maps most definitely have their place, but I don't think anyone expects them to replace a full GIS.
However, this doesn't mean that an online HER cannot be suitable for professional use, mapping limitations aside, as long as the full records are published.
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26th April 2009, 11:48 AM
Quite agree with that.. What I would add is that perhaps it is not the online maps that have limitations, it is the implementation of said maps..
Take for example some very sophisticated mapping systems.. that show its more about how you do it, rather than the limitations of technology.
http://gaialab.asu.edu/home/JadisTM.html (temporal JADIS Map of Jordanian Sites)
http://www.online-archaeology.co.uk/UKAr...fault.aspx
(catalogue search of various heritage elements in the UK)
http://www.timemap.net/index.php?option=...Itemid=166
(Timemap project)
OR to show a similar sophisticated system but not in Archaeology where complex data can be sorted, shown and manipulated:
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/a...odeGallery
Where ARCGIS is connected directly to Googlemaps
Or here... a real (Spanish example of linking GIS to Googlemaps - although simple - click a GIS feature and you get a number - the info bubble could contain anything)
http://mapas.seiasanorte.com/mapas/
Also read this thought provoking article
http://highearthorbit.com/is-googlemaps-gis/
Is GoogleMaps GIS?
Would be more than happy to be funded to provide HERs with an all singing all dancing mapping service. (Can it be done... yes it can... We already have)
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli
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27th April 2009, 12:28 AM
I haven't time to look at all those links tonight, but I will as it's interesting. I have two immediate points though.
Firstly, "Or here... a real (Spanish example of linking GIS to Googlemaps - although simple - click a GIS feature and you get a number - the info bubble could contain anything)" - Highland HER is using Google Maps in exactly the same way as you describe. Layers can be switched on and off, the database can be queried via the map, including multiple selections, and vice versa. I couldn't get the Spanish example to work on my PC though.
Secondly, how does this more complicated mapping perform with slow internet connections? I can vouch for the fact that Highland's mapping works with dial up. But anything more bandwidth hungry - MAGIC for example, or even Pastmap - you can just forget it. Not everyone has superfast broadband, in fact not everyone even has broadband, and local authorities have to make sure their services are as inclusive as possible. I have 0.5MB broadband here via satellite costing me an arm and a leg. There won't be many up here with fast broadband any time soon.
