Abstract
The evolution of the IT for the web has produced a change in the way the information is organized: information has moved from hierarchical tree architectures to open shapes of interconnection, to hub, to tag clouds that return the data according to users search criteria. In addition the information can be accessed using different criteria and visual languages. The introduction of “map” systems has allowed a representation of environmental informations according to visual and space criteria based on the ortophotos of the territory. This innovative technology allows a level of interpretation alternative and complementary to the traditional presentation of the contents in textual form. This research, exploring the dual logical and visual representation of information models, has been developed in accordance with two synergic approaches. A specific case study was designed, prototyped and tested in a two sequential steps iterative process, exploiting theoretical hypothesis. The www.valceno.org has been developed in the framework of the Project Orchidea in order to implement knowledge sharing and management tool for local community to elaborate a development strategy of its own territory supported by IT using both relational DB and GIS (Geographic Information System). This system offers two possibility of information access: through the visual research it is possible to enter the system maps based on ortophotos, divided by subjects and display criteria, while through the logical research it is possible to use keywords or subjects selectors. The two levels interact and improve the user search: if georeferenced data are allowable in connection with a document, the information will be visualized and displayed using GIS. The exploration of maps and the examination - at the same time - of the raster and vector layers of the GIS presents a contextual synthesis of the results in an informative baloon superimposed to the map that returns to the textual and documental deepening present in the relational DB. The GIS are however informative tools complex and poorly exploitable from non-specialist users. The portal is addressed to a series of heterogeneous target: residents, public administrations, tourists, scholars of the territory, historians, farmers and entrepreneurs. In connection with the ontology that is the basis of the relational DB and therefore of the logical search, a consistent iconal glossary has been developed for the consultation of the georeferenced data.