It just like the settings of 'unmapped' and 'fog of war: off' that you can find in just about any strategy game these days. I'm not sure why we wouldn't be able to imagine it, it's pretty common.
edit: Obviously the mapped/unmapped is a separate option in the quadrant settings. The omnipresent view is basically a 'fog of war' setting.
[This message has been edited by Drake (edited 19 February 2001).]