Continuity and Change in the Computer era 209
design considerations
As with the other map types discussed in this chapter, one must ask if the map will
add to the act of communication. The principles of good design apply to Web maps
just as they do to paper maps or any other graphic, but there are a few additional
considerations that result from the medium. Web maps are always viewed on a com-
puter monitor; therefore, one must be aware of the variety of computers and moni-
tors that might be used. There are differences between PC and Macintosh computers
and their display capabilities. Laptop monitors and many new desktop monitors are
LCD, high resolution, and wide screen. They are 32-bit, meaning they can display
over 16 million colors. Older systems may be only 8-bit and lower resolution and can
display only 256 colors. Although desktop computers commonly have large monitors,
22 inches or more, “netbooks,” supersmall laptop computers, with screens as small
as 8 inches, are becoming popular and, increasingly, cell phones are used to access
the Web. Thus, since the cartographer has no control over the computer system and
monitor, it is best to use Web-safe colors as described in Chapter 4. ColorBrewer
indicates if color schemes are optimal on computer monitors.
As with paper maps, color harmony is important for Web maps. Because it is
easy to include color backgrounds on Web pages, one should be careful that the map
and its background are compatible, and that the lettering is legible on the background
and doesn’t hurt the user’s eyes. The basic guidelines apply, but because of resolution,
such things as white lettering on a black background becomes even more difficult
to read, and red lettering on an emerald green background seems to vibrate and is
annoying to the reader.
Resolution has implications for type, as we saw with animated maps. In general,
larger type and type without large differences between thick and thin must be used.
Nothing smaller than 10 point should be used. TypeBrewer provides guidelines for
the use of type on monitors.
Because monitor sizes vary widely, if a scale is used on the map, it must be a
graphic scale. Representative fractions and verbal scales are meaningless when the
size of the map changes with the size of the monitor. The guidelines for type also
apply, small point sizes cannot be used on the scale. Finally, the scale cannot be bro-
ken down into small units. It will usually be a simple reference to show relative sizes
and distances, not exact measurements.
In the layout of the “page” it is desirable to keep the map “above the fold” as it
is called in newspaper graphic design. This means keeping the map toward the top of
the page so that it will not be cut off by some monitors.
It must be remembered that once a map is on the Web, it may be used in ways
the designer did not intend; the designer loses control of the map, and since many
consider
the Web to be public domain, some users will copy it without giving credit.
