DYNAMIC DIGITAL MAPS: A TOOL EXTENDING GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH, MAPPING AND EDUCATION

The Dynamic Digital Map “Selected Sedimentary Rocks in Western Massachusetts (DDM-SedRxWMa)” is a prototype tool that can have a wide range of applications in and outside of the Geosciences. On starting the program the user chooses either “Web-Access” (a server) or “Local Access” (load from a DVD, flash or disk drive) and immediately sees a “Home Screen”. The Home Screen displays the location of five detailed maps and buttons controlling map content. Each map contains numbered icons that link a location to a field trip guide of the site. Camera icons on the detailed maps point in the direction photos were taken; many photos are oblique aerials that place the map features in context. Aerial images contain camera icons of ground photos along the field trip route. The maps can be toggled between an orthophoto map, a bedrock map or a topographic map; each geo-referenced and interactive. Key field locations have 360-degree QuickTime panoramic photos. All images and movies have captions. The DDM-SedRxWMa prototype is made from the “DDM-Template” and it is capable of displaying text (captions or field guides) at three different user-selectable levels. The text might also be displayed in different languages. DDM-SedRxWMa, which includes a 7 minute automated guided tour, can be downloaded at http://ddm.geo.umass.edu/ddm-sedrxwma/.

DDM-Template is an open source program containing a 66 page manual (the"Cookbook"; available at http://ddm.geo.umass.edu) and over 20 DDMs. Making a DDM from the DDM-Template requires the relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, programming environment Runtime Revolution (runrev.com). Maps, photos and movies are stored outside the program, while text files and data are saved within the program. Map labels, sample sites and graphics can be overlain on the maps or images and linked to view the associated data or images. Once the DDM-Template has been modified a single step creates a stand-alone program for Unix, Windows and Macintosh operating systems.