Web mapping
Until recently, cartography was restricted to a few companies, institutes and mapping agencies, requiring relatively expensive and complex hardware and software as well as skilled cartographers and geomatics engineers.
[6] A range of free software to generate maps has also been conceived and implemented alongside proprietary tools like ArcGIS.
[19] Technologies enabling client-side display of animated web maps include scalable vector graphics (SVG), Adobe Flash, Java, QuickTime, and others.
[16] CartoDB launched an open source library, Torque,[20] which enables the creation of dynamic animated maps with millions of records.
Twitter uses this technology to create maps to reflect how users reacted to news and events worldwide.
These service providers allow users to create and share maps by uploading data to their servers (cloud storage).
The maps are created either by using an in browser editor or writing scripts that leverage the service providers API's.
It allows government agencies to create massive databases on individuals and their behaviors while the private sector keeps records of personal information.
[34] Drivers can alter their focus away from the road to their device very easily, which could result in a multitude of negative social consequences and safety concerns.
[35][36] The web facilitates the spread of misinformation, and people without strong understanding of cartography can publish seemingly authoritative products that may mislead the public.
[36][37][38] Web maps require the internet to host, so they are subject to link rot, making information inaccessible.
A popular browser based game, users are shown an image from Google Street View and must guess the location.
The game was received with success upon its launch in May 2013, and skyrocketed to viral popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as many content creators streamed themselves playing it.
[39] Web mapping allows you to choose a route of travel with provided directions and real time traffic and road condition updates.
Populations that are associated with lower incomes may not have access to a mobile device with internet as they may not be able to afford it, limiting them of this resource.
Younger generations have been cultured in technology for the majority of their lives, so web mapping is an easy resource for them to use.
Web maps contain personal information such as locations, identities, or attributes of people, places, or things.
[40] This allows government agencies to create massive databases on individuals and their behaviors while the private sector keeps records of personal information.
[34] To prevent these issues from happening, mostly in a work setting, you need to encrypt your data, use secure protocols and servers, and apply access control and authentication mechanisms.
There may also be less threatening situations like when web maps may not be updated on a crash or traffic conditions, or may not take you on the most efficient route.
To prevent more of these issues from happening, it is important to report unsafe road conditions or any limitations or uncertainties of any web mapping features.
