Visualization in an early stage of the problem-solving process in GIS

Methods of user-computer interaction have remained largely unchanged since the introduction of graphical user interfaces and their popularization by the Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. Most of today's applications rely on primitive modalities, such as typing and pointing for input generation, which works well for a host of common business applications, but falls short for more complex tasks. To improve the interaction between user and computer we propose a concept that allows people to visualize their ideas, problems, or instructions during the initial phase of an interaction with a computer by augmenting traditional interaction modalities with sketching, gesturing and talking. This approach leads to a more natural user-computer interaction and enhances a user's ability to find solutions to a problem. We suggest that computers become actively involved in the process of problem formulation and that they provide support and give advice where this is adequate. This leads to a process of incremental problem formulation where user and computer are able to better visualize the actual task and fewer misunderstandings occur. Geographic information systems (GIS) would benefit from improved user interaction techniques. GIS are inherently complex and an interaction is often tedious, mostly because such systems are based on sequential and nonspatial input methods that lack the capability of expressing spatial concepts appropriately. We advocate for a visualization in an early stage of the problem solving process in GIS and discuss its advantages and challenges. The paper gives application examples and discusses future research topics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.