Reading Maps

These are the features of a map:

1) The active NE is the NE in central position (the "you are here" point). All the information displayed on the map stands in a relation to the central NE, and the map tells us what these relations are. In the example above, the central circle labeled Association is the active NE.

2) The NEs that stand to the left of the active NE stand in a relation of contributing to the active NE. In the example, the left-side NEs that contribute to Association are called L1, L2 and L3.

In the example all NEs are geometric shapes, but an NE can be represented by any 80x80 pixel graphic, including full-color images. The shape and graphic for different maps are set by the map builders in the DNE. Using different graphics for different types of objects allows the map to convey even more information.

3) Contribution or impact relations read from left to right. The NEs that stand to the right of the active NE stand in a relation of receiving contributions by the central NE. In the example, Association contributes to right-side R1, R2 and, indirectly (through contributing to R1), to R3.

Note that the map displays not only direct contributions (such as Association to R1) but also indirect relations (such as L1 to R2 via the path: L1 to Association to R1 to R2). Thus the map is able to display all the relevant impact relations for any NE, not just the closest ones.

4) The data fields area manages meta-data, that can be updated on the fly, with regards to each NE and each file (see [5] below). In the example, the Name and Author of the file are displayed.

Page 1, Page 2 and Page 3 of fields manage user-determined meta-data fields that were set when the map was built in the Dekstrus DNE and which can be updated on the fly. The Properties manages properties such as file name and author and which are fixed.

5) Along the bottom is a list of files (each file also may have editable meta-data, kept in the fields area. DNE Maps can manage files in any format, stored anywhere your computer can access. The NE in the example above manages a Microsoft® Word document, a Powerpoint® presentation, an Excel spreadsheet, and a video.