December, 2000 (Vol. 29, No. 2)
Refereed Papers
Marchant, L. R. (2000) The Political Division of Australia 1479 - 1829: The Historical Development of the Western Australian Border (Part Two), Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 1 - 21.
Sanzogni, L. (2000) The Cartographic Triangulation Problem: Real-time Solutions Using an Adaptive System, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 23 - 31.
Evans, F. H. and Caccetta, P. A. (2000) Broad-scale Spatial Prediction of Areas at Risk from Dryland Salinity, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 33 - 40.
Rajabifard, A., Escobar, F. and Williamson, I.P. (2000) Hierarchical Spatial Reasoning Applied to Spatial Data Infrastructures, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 41 - 50.
Walker, T., Cartwright, W. and Miller, S. (2000) An Investigation Into the Methodologies of Producing a Web-based Multimedia Atlas of Victoria, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 51 - 64.
Johnston, B. and Cartwright, W. (2000) An Historical Overview of Games and the Spatial Sciences Within the Learning Environment, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 65 - 73.
Cartwright, W., Deakin, R. and McNaught, C. (2000) Development of a Multimedia Learning Package for Map Projections, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 75 - 81.
Stevenson, J. and Cartwright, W. (2000) A Toolbox for Publishing Maps on the World Wide Web, Cartography, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 83 - 95.
Special Conference Issue
Spatial Business Beyond 2000: Daring to Change
Sydney, New South Wales
3 - 6 December, 2000
The Political Division of Australia 1479 - 1829: The Historical Development of the Western Australian Border
Leslie R. Marchant
Chevalier, Ordre National du Mérite; FRGS
Abstract
PART II
"He does smile his face into more lines than is in the new map, with the augmentation of the Indies" Twelfth Night 3. 2. 77-79 probably referring to the Spanish map published by Hakluyt in 1582, showing the East Indies on the enlarged map of the world.
PART I (Cartography Vol 29 No 1)
© Leslie R. Marchant
The Cartographic Triangulation Problem: Real-time Solutions Using an Adaptive System
Dr Louis Sanzogni
Faculty of Commerce and Management
Griffith University
Nathan 4111
Australia
Email: l.sanzogni@mailbox.gu.edu.au
Abstract
We develop a non-iterative method of solving the triangulation problem, as applied to hydrographic surveys, using an adaptive system with an imbedded artificial neural network at its core. The suggested method is found to improve, especially in pathological circumstances, on the accuracy of another non-iterative solution, a popular heuristic used by surveyors. The accuracy of the two methods is then tested in a series of numerical experiments. The results are then compared statistically.
Broad-scale Spatial Prediction of Areas at Risk from Dryland Salinity
F. H. Evans, P. A. Caccetta
CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences
Private Bag No. 5 PO Wembley WA 6913 Australia
Phone: 08 9333 6177 Fax: 08 9333 6121
Email: Fiona.Evans@cmis.csiro.au, Peter.Caccetta.cmis.csiro.au
Abstract
This paper presents a method for predicting areas at risk from dryland salinity using information derived from multi-temporal Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite images combined with landform data derived from high-quality digital elevation models. The method aims to reproduce expert opinion about the future extent of salinity by using decision trees to determine the relationship between salinity risk and variables that describe various aspects of the landscape. Feature selection procedures are used to determine the optimal subset of variables for predicting risk areas. Preliminary studies were conducted in five subcatchments and the model was spatially extrapolated over 30 000 km2 to produce maps of those areas expected to become saline under current management practices.
Hierarchical Spatial Reasoning Applied to Spatial Data Infrastructures
Abbas Rajabifard, Francisco Escobar and Ian P. Williamson
Department of Geomatics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
Email: abbas@sunrise.sli.unimelb.edu.au, f.escobar@eng.unimelb.edu.au, i.williamson@eng.unimelb.edu.au
Abstract
Many countries throughout the world believe they can benefit both economically and environmentally from better management of their spatial data assets, enabling them to access and retrieve complete and consistent datasets in an easy and secure way. This has resulted in the development of the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) concept at various political and/or administrative levels. The SDI concept has been represented by different descriptions of its nature, however, currently these demonstrate an overly-simplistic understanding of the concept.
The simplicity in existing definitions has been slow to incorporate the concept of an integrated, multi-levelled SDI formed from a hierarchy of inter-connected SDIs at corporate, local, state/provincial, national, regional (multi-national) and global (GSDI) levels. Failure to incorporate this multi-dimensionality, and the dynamic mechanistic and functional roles of the SDI, have rendered many descriptions of SDI inadequate to describe the complexity and the dynamics of SDI as it develops, and thus ultimately constrain SDI achieving developmental potential in the future.
As a result, the objective of this paper is to demonstrate the fitness and applicability of Hierarchical Spatial Reasoning (HSR) as a theoretical framework to demonstrate the multi-dimensional nature of SDIs. It is argued that by better understanding and demonstrating the nature of an SDI hierarchy, any SDI development can gain support from a wider community of both government and non-government data users and providers. The findings presented in this paper build on the authors' experiences in Regional SDI (multi-national) development and HSR.
An Investigation Into the Methodologies of Producing a Web-based Multimedia Atlas of Victoria
Todd Walker, William Cartwright and Suzette Miller
Department of Geospatial Science
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Email: tpw@lisa.ls.rmit.edu.au, william.cartwright@rmit.edu.au, suzette.miller@rmit.edu.au
Abstract
Atlases have traditionally been print-based products predominantly found in schools and libraries, or on the home coffee table. The popularity of the World Wide Web has altered the way in which information is conveyed. Geographical information is no exception to this trend. The geospatial industry has always attempted to apply the latest technologies to the delivery of geospatial information in a more effective and efficient manner, and has embraced the use of the Web as a delivery tool. The last, and only, Atlas of Victoria was published in 1982, and now there is great interest within the Victorian geospatial information community to publish a second edition. Research currently being undertaken is exploring the possibilities and methodologies that would be required to produce a prototype atlas of Victoria using contemporary communication technologies, where the Web will be used as a publishing medium. Construction of a distributed Multimedia Atlas of Victoria involves drawing upon data already available through Victorian Government Departments. A central Web server hub is to be established that will enable dynamic access to the external databases. Internationally, and nationally, considerable work has and is being undertaken to develop appropriate technologies to meet the needs of the geospatial industry for seamless access to databases held in a range of different organisations and locations. Less emphasis has been placed on developing web-based user interfaces for geospatial products, even though the effectiveness of a user interface is as important as the technology that drives it. This paper provides an overview of the current status of this research and how Web-based technologies can be used for the delivery of atlases.
An Historical Overview of Games and the Spatial Sciences Within the Learning Environment
Ben Johnston and William Cartwright
Department of Geospatial Science
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Email: ben.johnston@rmit.edu.au, william.cartwright@rmit.edu.au
Abstract
Children, with the help of teachers, are beginning to utilise the capabilities computers offer within the learning environment. Combined with a gaming metaphor, computers offer a unique opportunity of interaction (and often- immediate reaction) for the student. Historically games, in their many forms, have played an important role in a child's social and mental development. However, the public perception of games and the ability of games to be used in areas of education have often been a contentious issue, consequently restricting their potential as a learning tool. This paper provides an historical overview discussing the use of games within the learning environment, and more specifically the areas of geography and mapping. The paper looks at the changing values placed on games in education by society, and the potential games exhibit within the learning discipline of the spatial sciences. The developments and impacts of information technology upon games and student learning are also addressed.
Development of a Multimedia Learning Package for Map Projections
William Cartwright, Rod Deakin and Carmel McNaught
Department of Geospatial Science
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Email: william.cartwright@rmit.edu.au, rod.deakin@rmit.edu.au, carmel.mcnaught@rmit.edu.au
Abstract
An understanding of the problems of map projections, apart from the superficial, can only be gained by studying the mathematical nature of projections and in particular, the problems of determining the size and shape of the Earth and displaying portions of the Earth's surface as a map. The development of an appreciation of the properties of map projections is an important component of the study program of tertiary students, who on the completion of their undergraduate degrees, expect to enter the surveying and mapping professions in Australia. The theory behind these properties is based on certain mathematical principles. These principles can be employed to derive equations linking latitude and longitude to Cartesian co-ordinates of map projections. By altering various parameters in the equations, the properties of a map projection can be shown to change. Students in the spatial sciences need to be aware of and appreciate these changes in map projection properties. This paper describes the development of Understanding Map Projections, a computer based simulation teaching package for students of mapping. Understanding Map Projections approaches the teaching of the concepts of map projections using visual methods to depict properties usually specified using mathematical formulae. It also explains how evaluations to test the effectiveness of computer-supported educational packages for the geospatial sciences will be undertaken.
A Toolbox for Publishing Maps on the World Wide Web
Jack Stevenson and William Cartwright
Department of Geospatial Science
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne Victoria 3001
Email: jacks@lisa.ls.rmit.edu.au, william.cartwright@rmit.edu.au
Abstract
The World Wide Web (Web) is a rapidly growing communication/publishing medium, both in size and technology. Map designers have begun to make use of it to aid distribution of their products and use the Web to enhance the information that is conveyed by a conventional map. However most of these maps do not make use of the full interactive multimedia potential of the Web.
This research program evaluates the potential of a Web map production 'toolbox' for publishing maps on the Web. These maps will have increased interactivity and thus convey greater levels of information than more traditional approaches to producing maps. A review and evaluation has been carried out on existing and emerging map Web sites to identify the techniques and technologies used. These 'tools' were examined to determine how they could be used together or individually for publishing maps on the Web. Prototypes have been produced using this 'toolbox' and were tested to see if greater levels of information were conveyed by using this combination of multimedia, scripting and dynamic Web techniques. The usefulness of the toolbox is being evaluated and the 'best' version (or combination of production tools) will be recommended as a generic production resource.
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