Route directions are usually conveyed either by graphical means, i.e.

Shape simplification in map-like representations is used for two reasons: either to abstract from irrelevant detail to reduce a map user's cognitive load, or to simplify information when a map of a smaller scale is derived from a detailed reference map. We present a method for abstracting simplified cartographic representations from more accurate spatial data. First, the employed method of discrete curve evolution developed for simplifying perceptual shape characteristics is explained. Specific problems of applying the method to cartographic data are elaborated. An algorithm is presented, which on the one hand simplifies spatial data up to a degree of abstraction intended by the user; and which on the other hand does not violate local spatial ordering between (elements of) cartographic entities, since local arrangement of entities is assumed to be an important spatial knowledge characteristic. The operation of the implemented method is demonstrated using two different examples of cartographic data.

In graphics and language, schematization is an important method to emphasize certain aspects and to deemphasize others. Different disciplines use schematization for different reasons. In cartography, graphic schematization is one aspect of map generalization. In contrast, cognitive science addresses schematization as a method to intentionally emphasize certain aspects of knowledge beyond technical necessity; therefore, the notion of schematic map is proposed to denote maps that employ schematization for cognitive representational reasons. This chapter discusses different views of schematization from cartography, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.

To satisfy potential customers of a Web site and to lead them to the goods offered by the site, one should support them in the course of navigation they have embarked on. This paper presents the tool STRATDYN, developed as an add-on module to the Web Usage Miner WUM. WUM not only discovers frequent sequences, but it also allows the inspection of the different paths through the site. STRATDYN extends these capabilities: It tests differences between navigation patterns, described by a number of measures of success and strategy, for statistical significance. This can help to single out the relevant differences between users' behaviors, and it can determine whether a change in the site's design has had the desired effect. STRATDYN also exploits the site's semantics in the classification of navigation behavior and in the visualization of results, displaying navigation patterns as alternative paths through a strategy space. This helps to understand the Web logs, and to communicate analysis results to non-experts. Two case studies investigate search in an online catalog and interaction with an electronic shopping agent in an online store. They show how the results of analysis can lead to proposals for improving a Web site. These highlight the importance of investigating measures not only of eventual success, but also of process, to help users navigate towards the site's offers.

To satisfy potential customers of a web site and to lead them to the goods offered by the site, one should support them in the course of navigation they have embarked on. This paper investigates different patterns of search in online catalogues. It presents the tool STRATDYN, developed as an add-on module to the Web Usage Miner WUM (http://wum.wiwi.hu-berlin.de). WUM not only discovers frequent sequences, but it also allows the inspection of the different paths through the site. STRATDYN extends these capabilities: It tests differences between navigation patterns, described by a number of measures of success and strategy, for statistical significance. This can help to single out the relevant differences between visitors' behaviours, and it can determine whether a change in the site's design has had the desired effect. STRATDYN also exploits the site's semantics in the visualisation of results, displaying navigation patterns as alternative paths through information types. This helps to unders...

Abstract. Maps are an important, everyday medium to communicate spatial information. We are faced with a great variety of different maps used for different purposes. While many of these maps are task-specific and concentrate on specific pieces of information, often they do not support map reading to extract the information relevant for the task at hand. In this paper, we explore the concept of focus maps. This concept has been previously presented with a restricted scope, however it covers a range of different kinds of maps that all focus a map user’s attention on the relevant information, be it specific features or areas. We discuss their general properties and the importance of context for designing such maps, and introduce a toolbox for constructing schematic maps that provides a generic way of generating the different kinds of maps discussed. Furthermore, we provide empirical evidence supporting our approach and outline how navigation in 3D virtual environments may benefit from a transfer of the proposed concept of focus maps from 2D to 3D. 1

this paper, we present a new approach to the classification and visualization of navigation behavior that provides the researcher with quantitative measures, as well as with an easy-to-follow graphical representation for detailed qualitative analysis. In the following, we first discuss existing approaches to the classification and visualization of movement sequences that are important for understanding Web navigation. Second, we discuss requirements for the visualization of individual navigation graphs and then present the approach taken with the tool STRATDYN. Third, we show that individualdifferences in the ability to selectively focus attention when navigating the Web can be analyzed with the help of the qualitative and quantitativedata generated by STRATDYN. Finally, implications for further research in this area and the continuing development of the approach presented are discussed

Ways of guiding people from a given location to specific other locations are discussed. Different classes of wayfinding tasks are distinguished. Various parameters that influence the suitability of certain wayfinding aids for specific wayfinding tasks are identified.

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To satisfy potential customers of a Web site and to lead them to the goods offered by the site, one should support them in the course of navigation they have embarked on. This paper presents the tool STRATDYN, developed as an add-on module to the Web Usage Miner WUM. WUM not only discovers frequent sequences, but it also allows the inspection of the different paths through the site. STRATDYN extends these capabilities: It tests differences between navigation patterns, described by a number of measures of success and strategy, for statistical significance. This can help to single out the relevant differences between users' behaviors, and it can determine whether a change in the site's design has had the desired effect. STRATDYN also exploits the site's semantics in the classification of navigation behavior and in the visualization of results, displaying navigation patterns as alternative paths through a strategy space. This helps to understand the Web logs, and to communicate analysis results to non-experts. Two case studies investigate search in an online catalog and interaction with an electronic shopping agent in an online store. They show how the results of analysis can lead to proposals for improving a Web site. These highlight the importance of investigating measures not only of eventual success, but also of process, to help users navigate towards the site's offers.