Some ideas on a possible Graphical User Interface for version 2.2

The idea is to have a simplified search interface that leaves more space to customized content (particular for the organization running the GeoNetwork based website).

Using AJAX a more responsive interface could be generated that gives access to a simple and an extended search interface.

The site could behave as follows:

By default:

• A user provides some criteria to search
• Search results are displayed directly on the same page, replacing the main content but still showing the search form in the left column.
• The user can directly refine the search, re-order the results, download data or visualize map services by adding them to the overview map.
• The user can read the full metadata of a record (again in the same page)
• The user can switch the map view to become a large map that displays the content of the small (search-)map. The small map can now function as the overview map.

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Using the advanced search options:

• A user provides some search criteria (What, Where, When and from Who?)
• Search results are displayed directly on the same page, below the search options.
• All the rest is the same as with the default view.

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Some short comings in the mock-ups:

• Optimal switching to large map and vice-versa is to be defined
• The "Who" search criteria may need more options than only the Catalog option at the bottom
• GUI for large map interface to be improved

Additional thoughts:

• The large map may visually be folded up (horizontal or vertical)
• When switching to large map view, the small map will become the overview map. It may be useful to at that point only use light reference layers in that map.