“Inspired by Manovich’s definition of information aesthetics, this weblog explores the symbiotic relationships between creative design and the field of information visualization, in what could be coined as ‘creative information visualization’.”
How Does NORAD Track Santa?
“NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa ó radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft.”
TRANSCOM studying Claus distribution exploits
“Tis the season for Saint Nick to make his annual trek and officials at the U.S. Transportation Command have revealed that his dynamic distribution system has become a seasonal subject of debate within the commandís top-secret planning cells.”
Visualizing Statistical Concepts
“This site provides resources for hands-on learning in research methods and statistics. Visualizing Statistical Concepts — use computer graphics to understand statistical concepts.”
AT&T Labs: Information Visualization Research
“Information visualization is an emerging scientific discipline. Advances in computer graphics, human-computer interfaces, databases and networks have created a critical need for automatically-generated displays of complex, semi-structured information. Many examples arise in domains ranging from Internet engineering to the exploration of biological databases.”
Information Visualisation
“Information visualisation is the visual presentation of information spaces and structures to facilitate their rapid assimilation and understanding… These lecture notes have evolved over several years of teaching and talking about InfoVis.” Lecture Notes by Dr. Keith Andrews, Graz University of Technology (Draft Version of 6 March 2000).
Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics, and Data Visualization
“An illustrated chronology of innovations by Michael Friendly and Daniel J. Denis: The graphic portrayal of quantitative information has deep roots. These roots reach into histories of thematic cartography, statistical graphics, and data visualization, which are intertwined with each other. They also connect with the rise of statistical thinking up through the 19th century, and developments in technology into the 20th century. From above ground, we can see the current fruit; we must look below to see the its pedigree and germination. There certainly have been many new things in the world of visualization; but unless you know its history, everything might seem novel.”
Xerox PARC UIR Information Visualization
“Information Visualization is the use of computer-supported interactive visual representations of abstract data to amplify cognition. Whereas scientific visualization usually starts with a natural physical representation, Information Visualization applies visual processing to abstract information. This area arises because of trends in technology and information scale. Technically, there has been great progress in high-performance, affordable computer graphics. At the same time, there has been af a rapid expansion in on-line information, creating a need for computer-aid in finding and understanding them. Information Visualization is a form of external cognition, using resources in the world outside the mind to amplify what the mind can do.”
Toward a Perceptual Science of Multidimensional Data Visualization: Bertin and Beyond
“A true science of data visualizations requires both a theory of perception and of computer graphics. However, visualization designers have paid relatively little attention to perceptual issues. In this article, I outline how knowledge of human visual perception and physiology can lead to more effective visualizations. Bertin’s (1983) Image Theory, the only comprehensive perceptual theory in the visualization literature, will serve as the medium for the discussion. Experimental vision research grounds Image Theory in ‘first-principles’ and suggests corrections, modifications and extensions. The resulting updated version of Image Theory can serve as a guide to visualization design.”
Software for the 4th Dimension
“[Harry] Hochheiser’s TimeFinder software has a visual interface that lets users manipulate simple graphical tools to query huge databases and then lets them see the results represented on a graph. One mouse click replaces the typing of multiple parameters, reducing procedure time and the chance of introducing errors.”
