Interactive “Image Viewers” – Comparison of Selected Tools and Application Examples

Abstract

The tasks carried out by public administration units include information and education. Multiple and direct transmission of information may affect the awareness of local communities. However, public administration units often struggle with the lack of skills in terms of using generally available techniques and design tools that allow relatively easy and low-cost sharing of maps on the Internet. The aim of the present research has been to analyse selected tools that enable interactive presentation of raster maps in the form of an unattended (maintenance-free) web application. Exploratory tests consisted in determining the applicability of selected tools for the presentation of spatial data, as illustrated with the example of land cover analysis of the Wolbrom Municipality (Poland). In conclusion, it was shown that the tested components aspire to be maintenance-free and they serve primarily an information function. They can be used in the presentation of environmental and socioeconomic phenomena, as well as infographics or geo-infographics, which require ad hoc publication online.