GUI Layout and I/O: The graphic information flow system can display images representing any place, topic, or thing.  Three types of map layout within GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) are shown in FIG. 3.  The layered map, 3a is used for sets of features with relative spatial locations that can be positioned by x,y coordinates.  The slotted map has sets of discrete features positioned in a grid for comparison, 3b or in a chart with slots placed to represent features' relationships, 3c. Each layout starts with a base map and a control panel, 601. The user clicks the key to select one topic for display, 602.  Also illustrated in 602, the user may point at a feature on the map to view text data in the message box. 

To compare features, the user selects from the key another topic or attribute subset for display and comparison, 603; this may be repeated to show and compare other topics; clicking the key topic a second time deletes that feature from the display.  In 604, the user clicks on a map feature to view a pop-up annotation.  The interactive pop-up appears in an area away from, but near the feature which is now hilited.