Odysseus

Background:

Information overload is a ubiquitous problem experienced in many domains.  Users of computer systems are faced with the burden of sifting through information and data to find that, which is relevant to them, on a regular basis. For example, we all face information overload daily when using search engines such a Goolge.  Millions of ’relevant’ webpages can be returned for even the simplest search request.  Information overload is also experienced within the Geographical Information System (GIS) domain.  In this context, the map content which is displayed to the user often represents the excessive data.   When using mobile-based GISs, the issue of Information Overload becomes increasingly prevalent and emphasised due to the limited processing power and reduced screen size of mobile devices such as mobile phones and PDAs.  Personalisation, dependant on users’ preferences and context (location) is seen as a key to solving several of the issues associated with information overload in GIS.  Research within this field is ongoing in order to determine techniques for obtaining user’s preferences and also establishing their context in order to personalise the users’ experiences.

Aim:

In line with the theme of ODCSSS in 2009, the goal of this project involves building upon a recently constructed framework to develop a mobile GIS which can sense the user’s context. The context can then be combined with their unique user profile and preferences in order to adapt the interface and provide them with personalised spatial content.  The aim of the project is to implement a small prototype GIS system.   A university campus, such as that at UCD, has been identified as a suitable case study and target for the adaptive and personalised GIS system that we wish to develop.   
The student will implement the system to offer adaptive interfaces and personalised content to users of mobile GISs.  This personalisation and adaptivity will be directly dependent upon the user’s current context and their user profile.  The student will use a simplified college campus map as a prototype for the implementation.  Initially, development will focus on the use of the system on a tablet PC, with a view to porting it to smaller devices such as a PDA.