PRESENTATION OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Challenges associated with Cyber-cartography
- Cyberspace mapping techniques
- Personal thoughts and Questions
- Interesting Links
- References
Thursday
INTRODUCTION
- The spatialisation of Cyberspace - is an attempt to translate information and communication spaces into domains familiar and comfortable to users.
- It is a process of mapping the spatial form/attributes of Cyberspace data that have no geographic referent.
'Maps are powerful graphic tools that classify, represent and communicate spatial relations; a concentrated database of information on the location, shape and size of key features of the landscape and the connections between them (Hodgkiss 1980)'
- The spatialisation of Cyberspace - is an attempt to translate information and communication spaces into domains familiar and comfortable to users.
- It is a process of mapping the spatial form/attributes of Cyberspace data that have no geographic referent.
- These spatialisations are particularly powerful when modes of thought and actions that work in the familiar domain are also appropriate to the metaphorical domain:
eg: NOUNS such as rooms, lobbies, highway, frontier, café’s and VERBS such as surf, inhabit, build, enter are all examples of these metaphors.
- Cyberspace then, is to a great extent built out of the ideas and language of place, and the employment of these metaphors to create sites of interaction, creates an online spatiality.
- As a consequence, Taylor (1997:190) states that 'to be in a virtual world is to have an intrinsically geographic experience, as virtual worlds are experienced fundamentally as places.’
- This interest in the spatialisation of cyberspace has led to the growth of a distinct research field: information visualisation, that has particular focus on developing and improving the interface between the user and the information spaces on the Internet.
eg: NOUNS such as rooms, lobbies, highway, frontier, café’s and VERBS such as surf, inhabit, build, enter are all examples of these metaphors.
- Cyberspace then, is to a great extent built out of the ideas and language of place, and the employment of these metaphors to create sites of interaction, creates an online spatiality.
- As a consequence, Taylor (1997:190) states that 'to be in a virtual world is to have an intrinsically geographic experience, as virtual worlds are experienced fundamentally as places.’
- This interest in the spatialisation of cyberspace has led to the growth of a distinct research field: information visualisation, that has particular focus on developing and improving the interface between the user and the information spaces on the Internet.
THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH CYBER-CARTOGRAPHY
- Determining the spatial geometries of cyberspace is a difficult task for two principal reasons:
First, Cyberspace consists of many different domains, each one within its own form and structure
Second, the spatial geometries and forms of Cyberspace are entirely produced.
- At a technical level Information Computer Technologies (ICT’s) are relatively easy to map; the physical architecture and topology of networks can be mapped onto geographic space and the traffic through this network can be represented using an appropriate forms of visualisation.
- Similarly the physical location and characteristics of hardware, software and human users (wetware) can be mapped using traditional cartographic methods.
- Cyberspace, however, provides a much greater challenge: the effective mapping of visual spatial forms, and the use of spatialisations to provide comprehensibility for non-spatial or immaterial information that is difficult to navigate through and understand due to its complexity and mutability.
- Another important issue is that Cyberspaces are transient landscapes – spaces that are changing constantly but where the changes are often ‘hidden’ until encountered.
- Geographic visualisations of geographic spaces are out of date as soon as they are published, as the landscape portrayed is modified.
- Furthermore, unlike geographic space, there are no agreed conventions in relation to how a space is designed or how it is transversed, providing a diverse set of spaces which differ in form, geometry and rules of interaction.
- They must find ways to map spaces with differing spatial forms and geometries, including some with no recognisable geometric properties.
"Cyberspace is not limited to three dimensions, since any two-dimensional plane or point may unfold to reveal another multi-dimensional spatial environment…There are no ground rules concerning scale consistency in a virtual environment. Furthermore the scale of the environment, relative to the user or viewer, may be altered at will…Cyberspace can be non-continuous, multidimensional and self-reflexive…In general, all principles of real space may be violated in cyberspace and the characteristics and constraints are only determined by the specifications that define the particular digital space."
Memarzia (1997)
Memarzia (1997)
- Determining the spatial geometries of cyberspace is a difficult task for two principal reasons:
First, Cyberspace consists of many different domains, each one within its own form and structure
Second, the spatial geometries and forms of Cyberspace are entirely produced.
- There are no physical places in Cyberspace, only individual digital traces that are all equally distant and accessible. Every location is each others’ next door neighbour; everything is on top of everything else; everywhere is local.
- At a technical level Information Computer Technologies (ICT’s) are relatively easy to map; the physical architecture and topology of networks can be mapped onto geographic space and the traffic through this network can be represented using an appropriate forms of visualisation.
- Similarly the physical location and characteristics of hardware, software and human users (wetware) can be mapped using traditional cartographic methods.
- Cyberspace, however, provides a much greater challenge: the effective mapping of visual spatial forms, and the use of spatialisations to provide comprehensibility for non-spatial or immaterial information that is difficult to navigate through and understand due to its complexity and mutability.
- Another important issue is that Cyberspaces are transient landscapes – spaces that are changing constantly but where the changes are often ‘hidden’ until encountered.
- Geographic visualisations of geographic spaces are out of date as soon as they are published, as the landscape portrayed is modified.
- Furthermore, unlike geographic space, there are no agreed conventions in relation to how a space is designed or how it is transversed, providing a diverse set of spaces which differ in form, geometry and rules of interaction.
- The wider challenge to cyber-cartographers, then, is to construct dynamic maps and spatialisations of a variety of cyberspaces, some with no explicit spatial relationships, some with an inbuilt relational (topological) geography and to map out the intersections between virtual and geographic spaces.
- They must find ways to map spaces with differing spatial forms and geometries, including some with no recognisable geometric properties.
'Well-designed maps are effective sources of communication because they exploit the minds ability to see relationships in physical structures, providing a clear understanding of a complex environment, reducing search time and revealing spatial relations that may otherwise not be noticed' (Kitchin and Tate 1999)
- This data generally measured the Internet in relation to the real-world geography, using countries, regions and cities as convenient units.
- Statistic based mapping was most common - for example:
Internet connectivity maps 1991 - 1997- The following are topological maps of ARPANET and show its early evolution:
December 1969:
October 1980:
- Nowadays, importance of the distance factor is decreasing due to development of telecommunications and of the Internet as an information dissemination support.
- As a result, it is now relations that have become increasingly important for understanding network structures.
- In schematic maps (such as tube/rail maps, travel tour maps) real location and metric distance become secondary to topological relationships
- The following image uses the scheme/metaphor of a tube map to display a European broadband network:
- Similarly, as Internet space can be qualified as a mathematical network with unit distance, it is not metric distance which is relevant here, but links and structures. So, it is important to map relative locations and distributions, rather than absolute:
- Another example of this could be with the mapping of traffic volumes and flows, and measures for connectivity and integration: Comparable to solving traffic congestion in the real world, traffic volume maps could help speed up Internet traffic (this is also know as Weather Mapping) which often incorporate geographic elements:
Topological map of Internet Initiative Japan backbone:
Geo-topological Line load map of CESNET academic network (Czech Republic):
Examples of Mapping Internet Growth:
- The following is a snapshot taken from 'The Skitter Project', run by the CAIDA research group - which measures I.P. paths, round trip paths, track persistent routing changes and network connectivity:
- "CAIDA's measurement efforts are intended to help users, providers and researchers understand the complexities in the current and future Internet. Skitter research will provide the community with insight into the complexity of a large, heterogeneous, and dynamic worldwide topology."
- Bill Cheswick's Internet Mapping Project is an amazing and unique example of what you could call Organic topological mapping. Here is some of his older work with Lumeta Corp:
Change of network stability during Bosnian War: http://www.cheswick.com/ches/map/yu/may.mpeg
I.P. address map (big file!) - These maps are now 3D and interactive if you purchase the Lumeta Map Viewer.
http://www.cheswick.com/ches/map/movie.mpeg
PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS
- At the end of the day, the accurate and uniform mapping of Cyberspace has a long way to go.
- The main challenges and questions arising include:
- The rapid expansion and evolution of Cyberspace: it is very hard to keep up with every single movement.
- What is the most effective and efficient way of mapping cyberspace?
- Can the Internet/Cyberspace be organised onto one single map - or do we need different maps to illustrate different spaces? (eg a mapping system for physical networks, one for websites etc.)
- With this being said, it is very interesting to view peoples different notions of how Cyberspace can be mapped and the diversity in styles - whether it be for artistic, organisational or informative purposes.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD! - Is Cyberspace mapping an answer/cure to this?
...on a related note (and one which perhaps relates to this whole course in general):
- Do any of you ever get the feeling of information overload or being overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available?
- Our our brains capable of taking in this incredible magnitude of information?
- Are our brains or are we as human evolving because of this?
- Do you sometimes get the feeling that your are missing out - by looking at other things (great eg: Digg.com), which are constantly being replaced and updated by other things etc – anxiety, fast pace…
- Do you ever get lost in Cyberspace?
- Is mapping effective as a way of organising this magnitude of information in cyberspace?
- Is it perhaps an avenue out of this flood of information? - Does it give you peace of mind?
- At the end of the day, the accurate and uniform mapping of Cyberspace has a long way to go.
- The main challenges and questions arising include:
- The rapid expansion and evolution of Cyberspace: it is very hard to keep up with every single movement.
- What is the most effective and efficient way of mapping cyberspace?
- Can the Internet/Cyberspace be organised onto one single map - or do we need different maps to illustrate different spaces? (eg a mapping system for physical networks, one for websites etc.)
- With this being said, it is very interesting to view peoples different notions of how Cyberspace can be mapped and the diversity in styles - whether it be for artistic, organisational or informative purposes.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD! - Is Cyberspace mapping an answer/cure to this?
...on a related note (and one which perhaps relates to this whole course in general):
‘The World Wide Web gave us a firehose of digitised papers, reports, images, statistics, and formulas. Now we’re drowning in the torrent of words and pictures, desperately in need of some high ground from which to survey the flood’
(Technological Partners 1997)
(Technological Partners 1997)
- Do any of you ever get the feeling of information overload or being overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available?
- Our our brains capable of taking in this incredible magnitude of information?
- Are our brains or are we as human evolving because of this?
- Do you sometimes get the feeling that your are missing out - by looking at other things (great eg: Digg.com), which are constantly being replaced and updated by other things etc – anxiety, fast pace…
- Do you ever get lost in Cyberspace?
- Is mapping effective as a way of organising this magnitude of information in cyberspace?
- Is it perhaps an avenue out of this flood of information? - Does it give you peace of mind?
INTERESTING LINKS
http://eto.com/#works - Examples of aesthetic interpretations of the Internet and Cyberspace
http://www.artcom.de/index.php?lang=en&option=com_acprojects&id=15&page=6 - More info on 'Ride the Byte' exhibition
http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/publications/workingpapers.asp - UCL Centre for advanced Spatial Analysis - Lots of great journals
http://www.cybergeography.org/ - Martin Dodges Website (no longer updated but still has some great links and information)
http://www.ipligence.com/worldmap/ - Internet World Map
http://www.spy.co.uk/research/worldlink/ - Network Society Map
http://www.isi.edu/ant/address/ - Sensus of Internet Address space
http://www.smartmoney.com/marketmap/ - Map of the Market
http://www.caida.org/tools/measurement/skitter/ - CAIDA Topology Measurement Project
http://www.cheswick.com/ches/map/index.html - Internet Mapping Project - maintained by Bill Cheswick
http://eto.com/#works - Examples of aesthetic interpretations of the Internet and Cyberspace
http://www.artcom.de/index.php?lang=en&option=com_acprojects&id=15&page=6 - More info on 'Ride the Byte' exhibition
http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/publications/workingpapers.asp - UCL Centre for advanced Spatial Analysis - Lots of great journals
http://www.cybergeography.org/ - Martin Dodges Website (no longer updated but still has some great links and information)
http://www.ipligence.com/worldmap/ - Internet World Map
http://www.spy.co.uk/research/worldlink/ - Network Society Map
http://www.isi.edu/ant/address/ - Sensus of Internet Address space
http://www.smartmoney.com/marketmap/ - Map of the Market
http://www.caida.org/tools/measurement/skitter/ - CAIDA Topology Measurement Project
http://www.cheswick.com/ches/map/index.html - Internet Mapping Project - maintained by Bill Cheswick
REFERENCES
Dodge, M and Kitchin, R (2000). 'Mapping Cyberspace'. London: Routledge
Dodge, M and Kitchin, R. 'Charting Movements Mapping Internet Infrastructures.' <http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/martin/moving_people_chapter.pdf>
Dodge, M and Kitchin, R. 'Net Geography Fieldwork Frequently Asked Questions.' <http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/working_papers/paper83.pdf>
Dodge, M. (2000). “Mapping the Global Spread of the Net,” Mappa Mundi Magazine (April 4) <http://mappa.mundi.net/maps/maps_011/>
Jacobs, James (1999). 'Cyberspace is a Parallel World: A Metaphor Analysis' <http://www.jqjacobs.net/anthro/metaphor.html>
Jiang, B. and Ormeling, F. (2000) 'Mapping Cyberspace: Visualising, Analysing and Exploring Virtual Worlds.' The Cartographic Journal, V.37 (2), pp.117-122 (The British Cartographic Society 2000) <www.hig.se/~bjg/cybermap2000.pdf>
Johansson, Conrad (2003). 'Conceptual Integration and Primary Metaphors in the Study of Internet Metaphors.' <http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~amw/figLangWorkshop/Johansson.pdf>
Ratzan, Lee (2000). 'Making Sense of the Web: A Metaphorical Approach.' <http://informationr.net/ir/6-1/paper85.html>
Mizrch, Steve ( Date not cited.). 'Lost in Cyberspace: A Cultural Geography of Cyberspace':
<http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/lost-in-cyberspace.html>
Dodge, M and Kitchin, R. 'Charting Movements Mapping Internet Infrastructures.' <http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/martin/moving_people_chapter.pdf>
Dodge, M and Kitchin, R. 'Net Geography Fieldwork Frequently Asked Questions.' <http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/working_papers/paper83.pdf>
Dodge, M. (2000). “Mapping the Global Spread of the Net,” Mappa Mundi Magazine (April 4) <http://mappa.mundi.net/maps/maps_011/>
Jacobs, James (1999). 'Cyberspace is a Parallel World: A Metaphor Analysis' <http://www.jqjacobs.net/anthro/metaphor.html>
Jiang, B. and Ormeling, F. (2000) 'Mapping Cyberspace: Visualising, Analysing and Exploring Virtual Worlds.' The Cartographic Journal, V.37 (2), pp.117-122 (The British Cartographic Society 2000) <www.hig.se/~bjg/cybermap2000.pdf>
Johansson, Conrad (2003). 'Conceptual Integration and Primary Metaphors in the Study of Internet Metaphors.' <http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~amw/figLangWorkshop/Johansson.pdf>
Ratzan, Lee (2000). 'Making Sense of the Web: A Metaphorical Approach.' <http://informationr.net/ir/6-1/paper85.html>
Mizrch, Steve ( Date not cited.). 'Lost in Cyberspace: A Cultural Geography of Cyberspace':
<http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/lost-in-cyberspace.html>
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