Abstract: A system and method for controlling the scale of an image is disclosed, which comprises an image object in a graphical user interface. A ruler object provides a ruler display for distance measurement in the image. A button object comprising the ruler detects a cursor event that is sent to the image object for processing changes in the scale of the image responsive to the cursor event. Further disclosed is a system and method to provide directional orientation in an electronic map. Data is stored that indicates local perceptions of north, south, east and west for regions on the map. When each region is displayed, the system provides a toggle for switching between displaying the region with true north at an angle of 0 degrees orientation, or displaying the region at an angle with the local perception of north at an angle of 0 degrees orientation.