HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Via: uk.ac.portsmouth.csovax; Thu, 19 Nov 1992 12:22:05 +0000
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Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 12:24:00 GMT
From:         MAPPAMUNDI@CSOVAX.PORTSMOUTH.AC.UK
Subject:      Graphical excellence??? (re: Tufte,1983)

It is my belief that Tufte's definition of graphical excellence, as it stands,
is problematic.
        Firstly, I question whether it is necessary for an excellent graphic to
present data. Many ideas have been expressed graphically, for instance, 'The
 march  of Progress' (discussed in Gould, 1989), in an interesting and
provocative way.
        Secondly, complexity is surely not a pre-requisite for graphical
excellence, although, I concede that, complexity makes excellence more
difficult to achieve.
        Nowhere does Tufte refer, either implicitly or explicitly, to the so-
called "connotated image" (Barthes,1964/77) or the "deepest layer of latent
iconographic meanings" (Blakemore and Harley,1980;Harley,1985). It is surely
this level of the image which ' gives to the viewer the greatest number of
ideas', but arguably, not in the shortest time, and, not necessarily, in the
smallest space with the least ink.
        Most importantly, Tufte's proposal that 'graphical excellence requires
telling the truth about the data' is absurd. As Harley purports, reading '..
between the lines of the map..to discover the silences and contradictions..
challenge(s) the apparent honesty of the image'
        Should the map (and other graphic images) be therfore forcibly
constrained by protocol to display the truth (and nothing but the truth)?
Even if this were possible, some would argue (e.g Wood,1987;Barthes,1964/77)
that this would not allow the image to fulfil its maximum potential (the ceiling
of graphical excellence?!).
        Moreover, Tufte nowhere mentions aesthetics. If an image is eyecatching
(e.g advertising) and visually interesting, it surely would concentrate the
eye for longer periods of time, allowing the reader to derive maximum benefit
 by exploring the 'rhetoric'(e.g.Barthes,1964/77) of the image in full. Further,
 it is less likely that something efficient, clear and precise would be
aesthetically pleasing. The aesthetics of the image should be considered after
the precision, clarity and efficiency of the image have been organised.
        I am a member of Jeremy Crampton's Information Graphics group, and this
 is my project proposal, for which I would be grateful of any response.


        REF:Barthes,R.(1964/1977). Rhetoric of the image.
        Image-music-text.       New York:Hill and Wang.
        REF:Tufte,E.R.(1983). The visual display of quantitative information.
        Graphics Press: Cheshire, Conn.
        REF:Wood,D.(1987). Pleasure in the idea/the atlas as narrative form.
        Cartographica, 24 pp 24-45.
        REF:Woodward,D.(1992). The representation of the world.
        In: Abler,R. et al (Eds.), Persuasive themes in American Geography.
        Brunswick: Rutgers University Press.
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Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 16:10:20 -0500
From:         Pip Forer <pip@GEOG.CANTERBURY.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: GPS and Neighborhood Mapping

Tele Atlas International BV, Reitsheweg 7f, NL 5232 BX, Den Bosch, The
 Netherlands would seem to offer a similar product linking video to a map data
 base.

I'm more interested in systems which link GPS and portable mapping software to
 display environmental data in the field, for instance as a fieldwork support
 device. Is anyone working on those kinds of issues?

Pip Forer, Geography, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Via: uk.ac.portsmouth.csovax; Mon, 16 Nov 1992 14:11:00 +0000
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Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 14:11:00 GMT
From:         MAPPAMUNDI@CSOVAX.PORTSMOUTH.AC.UK
Subject:      IS THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT?

Users of INGRAFX,

        I am an undergraduate very interested in the idea of looking at
cartography from the viewpoint of the map user or customer. Through
various graphical and cartographical readings I have noticed that occasionally
authors have touched upon the subject of misinterpretation.
        Two quotes are cited below:

Ager (1977). 'Often a propaganda map or a map with a bias may be drawn because
        the cartographer has used the wrong method of presenting his
        information and, therefore, failed to communicate correctly with the
        user, who then misunderstands his message. Likewise, the fault may be
        in the user who may, through no fault of the cartographer, misinterpret
        the map.'

MacEachren & DiBiase (1991). '... untarined readers may misinterpret a two
        dimensional representation because they do not realise the association
        between a particular 'symbolic language' and distribution.'


        As a reaction to these points, two questions are raised concerning the
position of the map user.

        - Can the user misinterpret a maps rhetoric, and if so, where does the
fault lie?

        - Is there or should there be a level of training  required to enable
one to map read without misinterpretation?

        My initial stance on these issues is that apart from at the pre-
iconographical level (see for example Harley 1984) (the recognition of
conventional cartographic signs), the fault of misinterpretation by the map
user rests almost solely on the cartographer.

        I would be very pleased to hear any reactions to these ideas in any
shape or form; personal opinions, ideas, relevent papers etc.

                         Nick Burton.

References:

Ager, J.(1977). Maps and Propaganda. Bulletin of the Society of University
        Cartographers; 11, 1-15.

Harley,J.B.(1984). Meaning and ambiguity in Tudor cartography. In Tyacke,S.
        (ed). English map-making 1500-1650: Historical essays. London: British
        Library Reference Division.

MacEachren,A. & DiBiase,D.(1991). Animated maps of aggregated data: conceptual
        and practical problems. Cartography and Geographic Information Systems,
        18, 221-229.

        I am presently reading geographical science at the University of
Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
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Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 07:42:37 MST
From:         Daniel J Yurman <djy@INEL.GOV>
Subject:      Student Queries
              92 9:12 am

The note from a reader of this list regarding the borad generalities
of student questions [Jeremy Crampton's class] evoked a memory of a
similar situation on another list.  In this instance, students at
Bucknell Univ (US) were invited to send inquiries to biosph-l@ubvm, a
list which has existed for some time dealing with environmental
topics.  Many of the students' questions had the appearance of being
requests for someone else to do their research for them.  After quite
a bit of discussion, the instructor for the class finally got the
message that queries to the list must be cogent, intelligent, and
indicate that the person asking for help / information has already
visited their library [gasp!] at least once and has a rudimentary
understanding of the issues.

Since then student queries have been quite good in terms of
identifying the issue, giving some facts as background,  discussing
the outlook in terms of future research, and then posing a well
formulated questions.  The noise level on the list has gone down, and
the quality of discussion has gone up.

PS: This is not an "undelivered note" :-) <grin>


---------------------------------------------
Dan Yurman         djy@inel.gov  112W01 43N28
-7 GMT       ...!standard!disclaimer!included
Red Shift is not a brand of chewing tobacco!
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Date:         Mon, 23 Nov 1992 21:31:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Gary Davis <davis@UnbSJ.CA>
From:         Gary Davis <davis@UNBSJ.CA>
Subject:      Virtual Reality Maps (Antony Millington)

The computer science people at the University of New Brunswick in
Fredericton, N.B., have developed software that plots 3-d images of the
seabed.  You may have read recently of their work at Loch Ness.  The
software allows a user to "fly" through the mapped area, much like a
flight simulator program works.  Apparently it is very easy to use.
Stupidly, I did not get the person's name to contact before writing this
note, but I suggest you write to postmaster@unb.ca and ask them to put you
on the right track.  You might want to mention that it was written up in
the Volume 19, No 5, "University Perspectives", our university newsletter.

Don't forget to say hello to my brother Alan and his wife Carolyn when
they visit England.

And Fabulous Fred, you aren't getting anything if you don't give me an
address!

- Gary Davis
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Davis (PhD)    Associate Professor   Faculty of Business
      University of New Brunswick in Saint John (UNBSJ)
     P.O. Box 5050   Saint John, N.B.   Canada   E2K 3M2
        (506) 648-5537 (Answering machine at my office)
       (506) 648-5528 (UNBSJ fax machine) davis@unbsj.ca
From: pkokkone@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Pellervo Kokkonen)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: Cartography: Art and...
Date: 19 Nov 1992 01:56:48 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: global
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4


	Many people have wanted to talk about cartography as having
	art and science as its components. However in NYT 11/15/92
	Mr. Stuart Allan relates that (his) maps are

	"the merge of truth and beauty"

	the reporter goes on:

	"Indeed the maps are suitable for display as art, yet they
	are so precise that"...

	So take note, ART and TRUTH!

	
	Pellervo Kokkonen
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Via: uk.ac.portsmouth.csovax; Mon, 23 Nov 1992 18:05:13 +0000
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Date:         Mon, 23 Nov 1992 18:07:00 GMT
From:         MAPPAMUNDI@CSOVAX.PORTSMOUTH.AC.UK
Subject:      VIRTUAL REALITY::Can we make VR maps??

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: a huge,ever growing problem that may take over reality.....

Your help is invaluable!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This mail is a outline of the topic I wish to pursue as possible research for my
Advanced Cartography option at Portsmouth Uni. , England. You've probably
noticed the flood of mail from my collegues already and I hope that my subject
will stimulate someone out there enough to get a reply.
        The subject was a flash of inspiration one rainy day (well it is
England!) and although the subject does interest me, I am unsure as to the
availablity of information - therefore all feedback will be welcomed...

Proposal:

Virtual Reality, when applied to scientific visualisation has the potential
to become a life-enhancing tool. For geographers, the painful attempts to
record the phenomena of the earth can be finally resolved by a technology which
allows us to look through windows at invisible landscapes whose prior
representation by the map is vastly poor by comparison.
        VR offers a chance to 'climb into' the scientific world - and the map
will become a representation as near to the real world as ever before.

Feedback:

I will greatfully acknowledge any information on this topic (positive and
negative). There is a dark side to VR in the form of political disinformation
and the marketing of addictive but alienating experiences - any information here
 would again be welcomed.
        Finally, the advent of VR has seen the advent of the age of virtual war;
 illustrated with the restricted images of the Gulf War and its virtual
representation to the eyes of the media world.

        The map now precedes the territory (J. Baudrilliard) and VR has a part
to play.

Please send whatever relevant information you can to my email address.
I would be also greatful if you could put my name somewhere on the subject line
as this would help me to identify mail exclusively to me (this is because all my
collegues us the same address).

I look forwards to a reply.....
                                        Antony Millington.
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Date:         Fri, 20 Nov 1992 13:42:33 +1100
From:         rob@DEAKIN.OZ.AU
Subject:      The lie of the land

re the use of landscape images by conservation groups etc

I have heard of (but not seen) an exhibition that has been touring Australia
called 'The Lie of the Land' which looks at the use of images of the
Australian landscape by commercial and other interests.  It includes (I
think!) sequences in the spread of landscape images through the market to
advertise everything from breakfast cereals to insurance.  If anyone is
interested and if I can find out more Iwill post further messages!
From: fly@GEOG.BUFFALO.EDU (Paul Fly)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: Re: interllectual interpretation
Date: 19 Nov 92 00:13:50 GMT
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              Nov 18, 92 3:44 pm

First off... hello!  This is my first post to this list after a long long
time spent lurking.  I am always a little nervous about leaping into a new
forum, but here goes...

>   Since a perfect map is impossible to achieve, good cartographers would not
> presume to make perfect graphics.  We try to achieve perfection while acknow-
> ledging that misreadings, cultural biases and so on will affect the readers'
> perceptions in spite of our best efforts.....................................

My approach to this has to do with context.  To say we try to achieve
perfection implies there is a perfection that can be reached.  I've been
reading a bit about deconstruction lately, and its driven home the point
quite violently, that a system of symbolization is grounded on nothing.
That symbols have meaning only in relation to other symbols.  Therefore the
whole thing is completely subjective and dependent on the individual to
give it meaning.  "Perfection" of communication is therefore only possible
is everyone's context of symbolizational systems are the same, and I find
that pretty unlikely.  In fact, I would expect there to be differences in
everyone's "context".  This is why I find hypermedia so promising.
Theoretically, in hypermedia the user can mold information to suit their
context....

Thoughts?

Paul Fly
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Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 09:50:40 EST
From:         Marc Eichen <MAEHC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Cartographic Bias

In addition to the items already mentioned, there is currently
an exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City guest
curated by Denis Wood dealing directly with cartographic bias.
The exhibit, entitled "The Power of Maps" also has an book by
the same title published by Guilford Press (New York) which is
a scholarly argument on these issues.
Unlike the references already mentioned, Denis makes the case
that ALL maps are biased and generally are a form of hidden
control between those in power and the rest of society.
This is radically different from the notion that some maps are
biased and some are "objective", some are more biased than
others, etc.
Denis doesn't, as yet, have an electronic mail/internet id so
to reach him you'll have to use the surface mail to:
Professor Denis Wood
School of Design
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC  27695  USA

Good luck,
M.
From: MAPPAMUNDI@CSOVAX.PORTSMOUTH.AC.UK
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: Bad Graphix Research proposal
Date: 18 Nov 92 14:24:00 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Via: uk.ac.portsmouth.csovax; Wed, 18 Nov 1992 14:22:30 +0000

YEAR 3 CARTOGRAPHY OPTION - UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH - JEREMY CRAMPTON

RESEARCH PROPOSAL EXERCISE
**************************

A Research Proposal Submitted to the University of Portsmouth, England

Title : The Mis-Use of Statistical Graphics in Modern Society

Author : Justin Fanstone

Abstract : This piece of research will investigate the use of statistical
 graphics
ics that are being used in a way that is not particularly ethical.  For the
purposes of this research a 'Tuftian' stance will be adopted as a starting point
making use of the principles of graphical excellence he quotes in his 1983 book
I intend to conduct a survey of the use of statistical graphics in newspapers
 and magazines e
nd magazines etc. in order to identify a number of graphics that will then be
examined in detail in order to highlight any bias present on the part of the
designer.  The issue of perspective will be explored; the medium of publication
the source and the intended audience.

Objectives : 1. To produce an up to date survey of the use of statistical
                graphics.

             2. To identify the main areas of mis-use of statistical graphics

             3. To examine Tufte's position on graphical excellence with
                relevance to the findings of the research.

             4. To examine in detail a number of statistical graphics

Value of Research : Every year between 900 million and 2 trillion images of
statistical graphics are printed (Tufte 1983) (presumably this has increased
since then).  They therefore play a large part in all our lives and it is
important to learn not to accept them as read but rather to think about the
point they are trying to put across.

Preliminary Bibliography :

Ericksen T A (1979)  Understanding Data, London, McGraw
Huff D (1978)  How To Lie With Statistics, London, Penguin
Mac-Donald Ross M (1977) How Numbers are Shown : A Review....., Audio Visual
Communications Review 25 359-409
Monmonier M (1989) Maps With the News, Chicago, Univ Chicago Press.
Monmonier W J (1973) Use & Abuse of Statistics, London, Penguin
Tufte E R (1983) The Visual Display.. Cheshire Conn Graphics Press
Wainer H (1984) How To Display Data Badly, The American Statistician (38)2
*********
This is a condensed version of the preliminary proposal for the research.
If anyone has any ideas / comments about this that would be of use in the
final proposal please let me know!

Thanks
    Justin (University of Portsmouth)
From: marsha-w@UIUC.EDU (Marsha-W)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: Re: IS THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT? (Inability to read maps)
Date: 17 Nov 92 21:10:36 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU


  The education of map-readers is problematical.

not to mention the education about map folding, the activity which follows
map reading...

Marsha Woodbury  / marsha-w@uiuc.edu / U. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

"Cheap wine has amazingly bizarre effect, encouraging a person's zaniness."

= 10 heirs to british throne: Charles, william henry, andrew, beatrice,
eugene,
edward, anne, peter, and zara. (by susan robinson)
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Full-Name: Joel Chasse
Mailer: Elm [revision: 66.25]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 21:23:16 EST
From:         Joel Chasse <Joel_Chasse@UQAR.UQUEBEC.CA>
Subject:      I need help to signoff.For the second time; I need help to
              signoff.

>
> Apologies to the list....
> This LISTSERV didn't let me signoff. It wants me to stay.
>
> TO THE LIST OWNER: please remove me from the list.
> My address should be: RIR0240@UQAR.UQUEBEC.CA
>                   or: mochajoe@UQAR.UQUEBEC.CA
>                   or: Joel Chasse@UQAR.UQUEBEC.CA
>                   or: Joel_Chasse@UQAR.UQUEBEC.CA
>     Thanks.
>
 I tried the "unsub ingrafx" and "tell listserv at psuvm signoff ingrafx"
commands a LOT OF TIME; it didn't work.
      Please, REMOVE ME FROM THE LIST!!!
From: BUSBEY@GAMMA.IS.TCU.EDU (Art Busbey)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: Re: Programs that plot a surface given points
Date: 17 Nov 92 22:35:22 GMT
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X-Envelope-to: INGRAFX@PSUVM.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"INGRAFX%PSUVM.BITNET@ALPHA.IS.TCU.EDU"
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Dear Gary,
    What computer do you use? Do you want the surface plotted as a grid
work or as a set of raised contours? How much control do you want over
graph position and perspective?


Dr. Arthur B. Busbey
Department of Geology
TCU, Fort Worth, TX
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 11:57:27 -0500
From:         NYB@PSUVM.BITNET
Subject:      Re: Cartographic Bias

For those interested in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum exhibit, there is a
full page note about it in Newsweek, November 9, 1992 and the section of
the exhibit that deconstructs the North Carolina map was addressed in the Wood
and Fels article in Cartographica (1986).
 Alan MacEachren
From: CHRISTINE_E_EARL@CARLETON.CA (CHRISTINE E EARL)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Subject: VARIOUS
Date: 17 Nov 92 22:26:00 GMT
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Really-To: INGRAFX@PSUVM.BITNET

DEAR LIST: AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF NOT READING MY E-MAIL, I SIGNED
ON THIS PM TO FIND 79 MESSAGES FROM THIS LIST. FOR EACH ONE I HAVE
15 LINES OF ROUTING INFORMATION. AS WELL, MY SCREEN MUST HAVE
FEWER CHARACTERS ALLOWED IN WIDTH THAN OTHERS OF YOU AS I OFTEN
GET A LINE OF TEXT, THEN A FEW LETTERS ON THE NEXT LINE, THEN
ANOTHER FULL LINE, ETC. WHEN I ASK FOR A MESSAGE TO DISPLAY, IT
AUTOMATICALLY PAGES DOWN TO THE END AND I HAVE TO WAIT AND THEN
PAGE UP TO READ IT. I HAVE PATIENTLY DISPLAYED ALL 79 MESSAGES
LOOKING FOR THAT NUGGET OF INFO OR INSPIRATION BUT, HONESTLY, NOT
MUCH OF IT GLEAMED.
JEREMY, I DON'T WANT TO BE MEAN TO YOUR STUDENTS BUT MANY OF THEIR
QUESTIONS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE OBVIOUS CARTOGRAPHIC LITERATURE
SOURCES - CAN'T THEY DO SOME LIBRARY RESEARCH FIRST?
RE SOUND AND CART: AN UNPUBLISHED MA THESIS FROM CARLETON UNIVERSITY
IN 1987 BY STEVE GLAVIN WAS ENTITLED CREATING SOUND SYMBOLS FROM
DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELS: AN EXPLORATION OF CARTOGRAPHIC COMMUNICA-
TION FORMS. IT WAS INNOVATIVE IN 1987, MAY BE TECHNOLOGICALLY
DATED BY NOW.
CHRIS
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.ingrafx
Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 12:49:53 -0400
From:         Gary Davis <davis@UNBSJ.CA>
Subject:      Re: IS THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT? (Inability to read maps)

        Obviously the cartographer bears most of the responsibility for
making a map, but the map reader also is responsible for learning how to
uyse it.  The education of map-readers is problematical.  It should take
place in school, when maps are first used formally, in history or
geography or social studies courses.  Unfortunately, however, very little
instruction on map reading as such takes place, at least where I live in
Canada.

        I recently gave directions to a lost tourist whoc was trying to
get to a point across town.  They could not make any sense out of a small
tourist map that they had picked up somewhere.  The heart of the problem
was that only major streets were on that map, and the tourist could not
judge the distances to key turnoffs.  When I showed them the more complete
map (similar to the ordnance maps produced by the military) they
understood their route much better.  I can not be sure, of course, since I
never saw them again.

        About 10 years ago I wanted to play a trick on a friend in Bath,
England.  I had never been there, so I did not know anything about the
scale of the city.  My impression from a street map I found in the library
was that the city was much larger than it really is, because the blocks
are much smaller in Bath than I expected.  (Somehow, the scale on the map
did not help me.)  This affected the calculations I had made about how
long it would take to walk from one point to another, which affected by
joke a little (it was still funny, but that's another story).

-- Gary Davis
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