Group ARC - a collaborative approach to GIS

Abstract

Today's Geographic Information System (GIS) includes a multi-user database management system (DBMS) and is embedded in a network environment. The DBMS gives each individual the impression of being the only user-allowing people to work independently but explicitly preventing collaboration with others. An alternative approach is provided by Computer Supported Co-operative Work (Cscw) applications which enable groups of people to collaborate on shared tasks. In this paper we demonstrate the advantages to be gained by developing Cscw GIS applications combining the power of the GIS with the flexibility of Cscw. We present GROUP ARC a WYSIWIS (What You See Is What I See) application which enables data from an ARC/INFO GIS to be simultaneously browsed and annotated by multiple participants.