The following is a list of popular terms used throughout our Map Search, we hope the meanings given below will help you to understand the system. Click on an initial letter to jump directly to the relevant point in the alphabet.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | MN | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
B
Background (Map Background)
The actual map to which layers can be added. A variety of
map backgrounds can be seen depending on the chosen map scale.
C
Check Box
A small box which you click on, to add or remove a map layer. A 'cross' or 'tick' in a check box signifies the layer is loaded and an empty box means a layer is not loaded.
Clear Layers (Tool)
See our
Map Tools page for further information.
F
Features
The collective term for individual locations shown on map layers, which in turn can be displayed on the map. For example, a 'feature' could be a building, an area, a street, a road, or postcode etc.
Function
One of the technical things the Map Search can do. For example, our current system has a 'Search' function a 'My Nearest' function and a 'My Layers' function, all of which allow the user to find different information relating to maps.
G
Get Info (Tool)
See our
Map Tools page for further information.
GIS
Abbreviation for 'Geographic Information System', the technical system used to drive the Map Search.
I
Icons
A symbol used to indicate the location of features on the map.
K
Key
A set of symbols or icons used to differentiate between features on the map, the 'key' determines which symbol relates to a certain type of feature.
Keyword
A word or phrase used to conduct a search. You can type a word or phrase into the search box which what you want to find, e.g. 'school' or 'job centre'. The search is designed to find results which contain the 'keyword' (in any order) and retrieve related records.
L
Layer
A set of plotted points (features) which are superimposed onto the map background. This system can be likened to placing a sheet of tracing paper over the map to indicate additional information. Layers can be added and removed using the 'check boxes'.
Loaded Layers
The term used to describe layers which you have already added to the map by clicking in the check box.
O
Ordnance Survey
Britain's national mapping agency 'Ordnance Survey' is the internationally recognised market leader, offering a wide range of map related products, from traditional walking maps to road maps, large-scale maps and digital products. Visit the
Ordnance Survey website to find out more.
P
Panning
The term used for moving around the map in any given direction. See our
Map Tools page for further information.
Print Map (Tool)
See our
Map Tools page for further information.
S
Scale
The map scale shows the ratio of the distance measured on the map compared to the actual measurement on the ground. In the UK most map scales are metric and are shown, for example, as 1:50,000 which represents a scale of 1cm equal to 50,000 cm. Please see our
Map Tools page for further information on adjusting the map scale.
System Requirements
In order to use the Map Search system your PC will need to be set up in a certain way and meet specific
system requirements.
T
Tools / Toolbar
The area below the map pane where tools and buttons are located. Clicking on different tools enables different mouse functionality. See our
Map Tools page for further information.
Z
Zoom (Tool)
See our
Map Tools page for further information.
