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 t he Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. Most of today's applications rely on primitive modalities, such as typing and pointing for input generation, wh ich works well for a host of common business applications, but falls short for more complex tasks. To improve the interaction between user and compute r we propose a concept that allows people to visualize their ideas, problem s, or instructions during the initial phase of an interaction with a comput er by augmenting traditional interaction modalities with sketching, gesturi ng and talking. This approach leads to a more natural user-computer interac tion and enhances a user's ability to find solutions to a problem. We sugge st that computers become actively involved in the process of problem formul ation 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 misundersta ndings occur. Geographic information systems (GIS) would benefit from impro ved user interaction techniques. GIS are inherently complex and an interact ion is often tedious, mostly because such systems are based on sequential a nd nonspatial input methods that lack the capability of expressing spatial concepts appropriately. We advocate for a visualization in an early stage o f the problem solving process in GIS and discuss its advantages and challen ges. The paper gives application examples and discusses future research top ics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.