Thursday, June 12, 2003

Which way did he go? IANAME (I Am Not A Map Expert) but here are a few different types of ways a location can be identified. A map type of reference where the location is shown on a symbolic representation / model of an area. This greater area includes that which is known by the inquirer. See Space Station Location via NASA. A vector type of reference, where the location is indicated by noting the paths about how to get there. It is best to start from a locaton the inquirer knows. See The VisualRoute Server which includes paths and a map similar to the above. A grid type of reference where x,y, and z coordinates are given. If a known location has a known set of coordinates, then the inquirer can understand where the unknown location is. See Longitude and Latitude look Up. Similar to the vector type, is the simple pointing type. Just an indicator of which way to go. See this. All these are effecive ways of conveying another area by tying it to one's current surroundings. Indeed, if the relation is made with the physical surroundings, the other place is taken to be that more real. That is one reason why I like the last option. 10:37:44 PM