Data Visualization Tools -- "White Paper" Page 3

A true browsing device

The StrataVarious system provides a true browsing device for smoothly pursuing a question, for analyzing, exploring, and discovering, for collecting and comparing variations, for studying patterns and relationships, and for reaching well-informed decisions.

Our Data Visualization Tools are designed to enable continuous, focused concentration so the computer screen becomes an extension of the mind's eye.  Manipulating an interactive, layered graphic display, the user seamlessly follows a sustained, multi-faceted, analytical thought process.  They repeatedly call forth and send away categories of data.  Just the diagram pertinent to the moment is viewed, free of distracting, irrelevant information.

This innovative technology produces interactive versions of what is sometimes termed "cognitive art" -- visual representations that aid the comprehension of complex information sets.  (see "The Visual Display of Quantitative Information" 1983, "Envisioning Information" 1990, and "Visual Explanations" 1997 by Yale Professor, Edward R.  Tufte).

StrataVarious' layered "Smart Graphics" systems can be used to significantly improve the ability to study almost any complex subject.  By representing a place, topic, or thing in a multi-dimensional graphic layout, previously hard to recognize patterns and relationships -- and anomalies -- can be discovered.  These would otherwise not be apparent by attempting to view directly the place, topic, or thing or more traditional representations.

An alternative to the Web's page-to-page metaphor

The World Wide Web's current accepted practice of presenting material is based on a page-to-page metaphor related to print magazines.  The magazine-like vertical layout requires the scrolling of the page to accommodate the horizontal orientation of the computer screen.  The page is made up of magazine-like article, illustration, and ad components.  The eye roams from component to component, viewing each separately.  To obtain additional information, links call up an entirely new Web page.  The viewer attempts, with minimal success, to remember the sequence of information, links, and pages.  The viewer must build a mental model of the findings of their inquiry, instead of having this accomplished for them in the computer.

As an alternative, StrataVarious dynamic diagrams, charts, catalog grids, and maps allow graphic data to flow in and out of the browser on demand.  The computer becomes a gathering device which keeps before you the material you wish to collect and study.

more excerpts from "Things that Make Us Smart" Next >

	Page 1	Data Visualization Tools
	Page 2	The computer as an aid to the human thought process
	Page 3	A True Browsing Device
	Page 4	more excerpts from "Things that Make Us Smart" Next >
	Page 5	US Patent #6,307,573 Illustrations and Excerpts

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