Cartographic Symbols Request

Those of you who employ cartography in your analysis and/or
presentation of world-systems data may be able to assist with the
request copied below.  I also post the request because it describes
pretty well a project, the Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative
(ECAI), that offers exciting possibilities for global data sharing and
research collaboration, which could greatly enhance world-systems
research.

For more information, the main ECAI web site is located at the URL:

http://www.ias.berkeley.edu/ecai/

The best developed part is the work of the China Team.  Note the types
of data already available through the University of Michigan's China
Data Center.

Those interested in the technical aspects of the Metadata
Clearinghouse or the time-enabled GIS browser, the TimeMap Viewer,
should visit the URL:

http://www.timemap.net

Hope all of this is of some interest.
Jack
--
J. B. "Jack" Owens, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209, USA
owenjack@isu.edu


>
> REQUEST FOR CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOL SETS
>
> The Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative (ECAI) is a collaborative
> project, which will combine global mapping, imagery, and texts. ECAI
> is dedicated to the low-cost or no-cost dissemination of a wide
> range of information using distributed database and Internet GIS
> techniques.
>
> ECAI constitutes a new dimension in academic research and
> international
> collaboration.  ECAI Atlas Teams of area specialists, in conjunction
> with ECAI Technical Teams, are producing an interactive electronic
> atlas of the world from which selected data from regions, eras, and
> disciplines can be instantaneously
> accessed.  ECAI's distributed database is built around time-enabled
> GIS and a common server-based metadata catalogue.
>
> ECAI provides scholars and other users with a research resource
> based on
> digital technology that can present complex combinations of data
> from multiple disciplines visually and immediately. ECAI researchers
> are being challenged to conceive strategies combining mapping and
> graphics as well as text in order to present data, that might
> otherwise be limited to written format.
>
> One of the challenges facing the ECAI project team is the
> development of a set of cartographic symbols that is applicable to
> the considerable range of topics and subject areas that ECAI
> addresses.  This will require the assistance of professionals from
> many disciplines including archeologists, historians, geographers,
> sociologists, and many others.  It is our intention to produce a set
> of symbols that can be utilized for two purposes.  First of all, we
> intend to standardize the way in which map data is viewed through
> TimeMap, the ECAI map interface.  Second, it is our hope that the
> ECAI project can assist in the establishment of symbology guidelines
> where none currently exist - as is the case in many subject areas.
> These guidelines will be made available through the ECAI webpage to
> anyone interested in producing aesthetically pleasing and
> cartographically appropriate maps.
>
> We would like to request that you support our efforts to develop a
> standardized symbolset by submitting to the ECAI Cartographic
> Subcommittee any collection of map symbols that you believe are
> currently utilized, or that should be utilized within your subject
> area.

> Please submit the symbol set(s) to the Cartographic Subcommittee
> Coordinator, Kevin Mickey either via email, fax, or regular mail.
>
> Kevin Mickey
> Quality Assurance Manager
> The Polis Center
> Indiana University at Indianapolis
> 1200 Waterway Boulevard, Suite 100
> Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
> USA
>
> Phone: (317) 278-2582
> Fax: (317) 278-1830
> Email: kmickey@iupui.edu
>
> Please note that we prefer to receive your symbolsets in a digital
> format, but will gratefully accept paper as well.  In addition, we
> would like to request that you clearly identify the intended meaning
> of each symbol.  If you have any questions about format, please
> contact Kevin at the phone number listed above.

> We would appreciate your submission no later than May 31, 2000.
>
> If you would like to obtain more information about the ECAI project,
> we encourage you to visit the project website at
> http://www.ias.berkeley.edu/ecai/.
>
> You may also send email for additional information to
> ecai@socrates.berkeley.edu.