Though TGI content is primarily key words and text, navigation to these passages is best provided visually / spatially via a graphical information map. I've drawn the base map at; http://www.1-900-870-6235.com/eLearning/TheGreatIdeas.htm where one can get an overview of the 103 ideas and how they have been clustered into 8 areas.
If one wanted to investigate "Happiness" for example, they could simply click on it (at map coordinates approximately K-32 near the right edge of the map). Doing so would bring up an information map showing the issues related to "Happiness" located at http://www.1-900-870-6235.com/eLearning/GreatIdeas/HappinessMap.htm . If I wanted to learn what Wisdom contributes to Happiness I could ( http://www.1-900-870-6235.com/eLearning/GreatIdeas/WisdomMap.htm ) see all the great authors that have written on the subject. Again the map is screened into the background to provide context continuity, overlaid with new information, for which further details are available (by rolling mouse over "Kant", for example). A pop-up list provides some information about the author's full literary "landscape" that relates to the Great Ideas. The highlighted publications apply directly to the domain I am currently exploring. By clicking on one of the references I can go directly to an online originating source document ( http://www.library.adelaide.edu.au/etext/k/k16prm/ ) (where such exists).
|
Right-Brain Characteristic |
Web Map Feature | User Benefit | Examples |
| Random | User always chooses where to go next (and is never trapped) | Immediate, intuitive access to any part of the site (or stage of the transaction process) | |
| Mutliple redundant pathways | User is just "two clicks" away from any part of the site | ||
| Holistic | Common look and feel | "Site map" functions as central home base | |
| Three dimensional effects | Diagram provides site or process overview | ||
| Encourages movement | Drill down (and up) capability | ||
| Intuitive | Intuitive site navigation | Mulitiple view on-screen with live update | |
| Uses only self-evident icons | Allows users to create icons to capture tasks (or mark places) they use often | ||
| Subjective | Choices of views | User-customized screens with full conrol over fonts, size, content layout (lists, charts, graphics) | |
| Pages are filled with choices | User can select according to preferences | ||
| Aesthetic | Artistic (not process) design | Enables movement (does not constrain view) | |
| Pages are journey / experience | Colors and graphics selected by artists & designers | ||
| Emotive | Colors add information (suit purpose) | Multiple feedback on completion of action (color, image, sound) | |
| Sound and motion are common (along with cues for taste, touch, and smell) | Interactive design rather than using screen to contol user | ||
Software
Manifold System GIS
Macromedia DreamWeaver MX
Adobe PhotoShop
Equipment
Development Machine
Testing machine
Map Server Host