Visualising knowledge maps for encyclopedia articles

This publication presents a prototype visualisation system for navigation of encyclopedia articles based on knowledge maps connecting articles to each other. A turning table is used as a metaphor to depict a result set as a whole, while three-dimensional objects of various shapes placed on top of the table represent individual encyclopaedia articles. The system employs a number of depth cues to enhance spatial perception and uses depth-dependent semi-transparency of labels to avoid display cluttering. A concrete implementation for the German language "Brockhaus Multimedial" electronic encyclopaedia is presented and discussed.