Designing the Next Generation of Distributed, Geocollaborative Tools

Geocollaboration is a new field of research that investigates how technology can support human–human collaboration with geospatial information. This paper considers the design issues inherent in distributed geospatial software. It looks at providing a non-spatial communication channel, supporting real-time synchronous awareness, designing interaction techniques, establishing common ground, and using floor control and attention techniques. Using examples from existing geocollaboration tools and realistic geocollaboration scenarios, it demonstrates some of the design alternatives for geocollaboration. The paper concludes with a future research agenda describing the complexities in supporting longer-term geocollaboration activities.