Visualisation of trust and quality information for geospatial dataset selection and use:Drawing trust presentation comparisons with B2C e-Commerce

The evaluation of geospatial data quality and trustworthiness presents a major challenge to geospatial data users when making a dataset selection decision. Part of the problem arises from the inconsistent and patchy nature of data quality information, which makes intercomparison very difficult. Over recent years, the production and availability of geospatial data has significantly increased, facilitated by the recent explosion of Web-based catalogues, portals, standards and services, and by initiatives such as INSPIRE and GEOSS. Despite this significant growth in availability of geospatial data and the fact that geospatial datasets can, in many respects, be considered commercial products that are available for purchase online, consumer trust has to date received relatively little attention in the GIS domain. In this paper, we discuss how concepts of trust, trust models, and trust indicators (largely derived from B2C e-Commerce) apply to the GIS domain and to geospatial data selection and use. Our research aim is to support data users in more efficient and effective geospatial dataset selection on the basis of quality, trustworthiness and fitness for purpose. To achieve this, we propose a GEO label – a decision support mechanism that visually summarises availability of key geospatial data informational aspects. We also present a Web service that was developed to support generation of dynamic GEO label representations for datasets by combining producer metadata (from standard catalogues or other published locations) with structured user feedback

eLand Governance in India: Transcending Digitization

Part 1: General E-Government and Open GovernmentInternational audienceLand governance is a complex issue to be addressed in many countries including India. All three branches of the government viz. judiciary, executive and legislature have tried to address the issue in various forms but have failed to achieve the outcomes of development. The failure, or limited success can be attributed to their narrow vision of or focus on the problem. The objectives of land governance have changed over time. With the advent of digitization, land administration has become more efficient and transparent, aiding the managerial process of land records and registration. However, the outcomes of economic, social, human, and cultural development, have been given paltry importance. In this paper we present the cases of Bhoomi and KAVERI, two initiatives to computerize land records and registration in the state of Karnataka, India. We present an ontological framework to envision the big picture in eLand governance. We argue that in achieving the desired outcome, we must see the problem in its entirety without losing focus on its key aspects. Regarding eland Governance, policy instruments, eGovernance, and land governance must work in tandem