Thanks to the growth of geoportal products and online cartographic platforms, access to spatial data has never been so easy for so many people. But access to cartographic knowledge for laypersons using such data is lagging behind. Platforms that allow users to create map mashups from diverse data sources can lead to unsatisfactory cartographic visualization, which reduces the map's legibility and the usefulness of such functions. This article's focus is on creating a framework that supports smart cartographic functions to improve the quality of map mashups. First, we assess the state of cartographic conflicts due to map mashup, using examples from existing geoportals. Afterwards, we describe a framework that allows us to define cartographic functions, focusing on symbology changes and based on a client-side approach. We do not aim to fully model the complex decision-making process of a professional cartographer, but rather to provide a set of smart functions that use appropriate assumptions and constraints based on cartographic principles and semantic information. As proof of concept, the framework and functions are then integrated within a geoportal.
Custom user maps (also called map mashups) made on geoportals by novice users often lead to poor cartographic results, because cartographic expertise is not part of the mapmaking process. In order to integrate cartographic design functionality within a geoportal, we explored several strategies and design choices. These strategies aimed at integrating explanations about cartographic rules and functions within the mapmaking process. They are defined and implemented based on a review of human-centered design, usability best practices, and previous work on cartographic applications. Cartographic rules and functions were made part of a cartographic wizard, which was evaluated with the help of a usability study. The study results show that the overall user experience with the cartographic functions and the wizard workflow was positive, although implementing functionalities for a diverse target audience proved challenging. Additionally, the results show that offering different ways to access information is welcomed and that explanations pertaining directly to the specific user-generated map are both helpful and preferred. Finally, the results provide guidelines for user interaction design for cartographic functionality on geoportals and other online mapping platforms.
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