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Web GIS in Practice: Creating Interactive Maps in Taiwan  Figure 1 the Concept of Public Participation GIS In the era of Web 1.0, when web producers offered web contents, the nature of the process was passive as users can just get what is offered. However, in the era of Web 2.0, all of web contents and services are user-oriented. Web 2.0 emphasizes the essence of interaction, participation, and sharing. Hence, the ultimate goal of PPGIS can be realized completely using Web 2.0 techniques. The features of Web 2.0 include mashup, social media, and social network services. Mashup indicates a variety of web services which may incorporate different original resources from various websites. Social media refers to the contribution from the society. This includes the uploading of pictures and the writing of personal experiences on the web for sharing. Those contents will become part of web contents. Social network services signify the provision of virtual spaces where all users can get together for sharing information and posting comments. 2.3 Web 1.0 Map V.S. Web 2.0 Map Web 2.0 maps are not intended for replacing Web 1.0 maps. Web 2.0 maps stand for the new application model of the map development and emphasize mashup services which incorporate other functions like uploading videos from YouTube or photos from Yahoo. Web 2.0 maps are intended to serve as a spatial service platform based on an electronic map meeting different needs from the public.
The paper explores the development of Web 2.0 and PPGIS, and then describes EasyMap architecture and the functions established by GIS Research Center, FCU. Using Geo Web2.0 techniques, geo-tagging can be performed on an electronic map and articles as well as photos can be published. In addition, a series of map services can be incorporated on EasyMap website. 3. The Architecture and Functions of EasyMap GIS is a very effective tool for handling spatial data. The development of Internet has led to the evolution of Web-GIS techniques. However, when numerous log online to perform search operations on a map, the load on the server becomes heavy. Vast amount of spatial data can not be quickly displayed on a map because of computational load on the server. To solve this problem, GIS Research Center, FCU set up a research group to explore Internet map techniques and create an internet map named by EasyMap. EasyMap provides various map services and adopts advanced Web 2.0 techniques. |