1. Web Mapping for the Dissemination of Census Data: Canadian Experience Expert Group Meeting on Contemporary Practices in Census Mapping and Use of Geographical Information System Presented by: Joe Kresovic and Daniel Paquin May 30, 2007

2. Outline The Web’s role in dissemination Benefits and challenges from Web dissemination Evolution of Web mapping tool for dissemination Lessons learned from Web mapping Development of Common Look and Feel (CLF) for Web mapping

3. Importance of the Web Key medium for the dissemination of census data All standard geographic products are disseminated on the Web All data highlight tables are disseminated on the Web

4. Benefits from Web Dissemination Improved timeliness Increased accessibility of products Broader reach of products Increased usability

5. Challenges of Web Dissemination Diversity of user community Increased demand Format selection Metadata User expectations

6. Geography Product Line Maps Interactive Web mapping tool Standard reference Thematic Spatial products Road Network File (RNF) Boundary files Attribute file products GeoSuite Geographic Attribute File (GAF) Correspondence files

7. Evolution of a Web Mapping Tool - GeoSearch 1996 Census played role of on-line reference map 2001 Census data exploration tool coding tool for internal operations 2006 Census key data exploration tool, including thematic mapping capability coding tool for internal operations used in managing overall census operations delineation of collection geography

8. Lessons Learned from Web Mapping Need for common look and feel standards Use a common engine for many applications Enhances accessibility to data Integrate products Ability to scale architecture

9. Development of Web Mapping Common Interface

10. How Review, internal and external, interactive and Web mapping applications The objective was to identify the most common types of functions available in Web Mapping applications. The objective was to evaluate the layout, design, terminology and icons of two applications at Statistics Canada that had very different interfaces. Conduct a Usability Testing

11. Usability testing - Findings Design a “map-centric” interface Simplify the layout Place tools together Use buttons with icons and text Use a consistent interface

12. Advantages Look is consistent One interface for users Facilitate user support New functionality easily implemented Ease of integration Speeds up development

13. Challenges Stay away from competing with popular Web mapping applications Accessibility Grandfathering future Web mapping applications Major Web template components Meaningful competition is reduced (The but I’m different syndromes)

14. Lessons Learned Review other mapping interfaces and try to find commonalities Conduct Usability Testing and keep in mind that there is no one perfect interface Balance cartographic principles and internet style

15. WEB Mapping Common Interface