On Spaces and Navigation In and Out of the Computer

Current work on navigat ion in elect ronic worlds is based on t he assumpt ion t hat geographic and elect ronic worlds are similar enough t o make it possible t o use result s f rom work on environment al psychology and relat ed areas in t he design of elect ronic inf ormat ion spaces. The present paper is an at t empt t o analyze t he underlying assumpt ions behind t his approach in some det ail, as well as an at-t empt t o describe a number of dif f erent dimensions on which t hese spaces can dif f er. We also discuss how t hese dif f erences might inf luence user behavior and design. Current work on navigation in electronic worlds is based on the assumption that geographic and electronic worlds are similar enough to make it possible to use results from work on environmental psychology and related areas in the design of electronic information spaces. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the underlying assumptions behind this approach in some detail, as well as an attempt to describe a number of different dimensions on which these spaces can differ. We also discuss how these differences might influence user behavior and design.