Augmenting Quantum-GIS for collaborative and interactive Tabletops

This paper presents our QGIS-MT, an extension of Quantum GIS (QGIS) for interactive tabletops. First proposed is an interactive and collaborative environment that allows several users to interact simultaneously on a multi- touch surface. This environment aims at favoring communication among users and at enhancing social awareness and the decision-making process. Next presented are the results of an interview with GIS users, which gives support to the proposed approach. In addition, presented here is a novel interaction technique, called Finger-Count Shortcuts that lets you navigate and activate numerous commands quickly and easily by performing simple finger gestures. Finally, there is a detailed discussion of how Quantum GIS was integrated into this environment and how our QGIS-MT plug-in providing multi-touch capabilities and Finger-Count Shortcuts were implemented in standard GIS menus.