Information Density and the David Rumsey Map Collection

By d/D

A common problem of digital media is its relatively low information density compared to print publications. Maps can be an especially rich way to present information, but online versions are often reduced to multiple bitmaps of equal simplicity (consider Yahoo Maps or Mapquest, for example).

The David Rumsey Map Collection manages its library of high resolution scans with powerful compression software and the use of the Insight® browser, an Internet application designed specifically for the browsing of images as oppposed to text.
While one might consider alternative presentation methods that fit more seamlessly with standard browsers, the Insight® technology offers an example of a fully customized approach that is worthy of examination.

http://davidrumsey.com/index.html