An Interface for Visual Information-Gathering During Web Browsing Sessions: BrainDump - A Versatile Visual Workspace for Memorizing and Organizing Information

We propose a new method for visualizing the strength of associations based on a fluid metaphor and cell structure. This enables users to place gathered information visually in relation, while solving complex information tasks. Both, vague and precise relations can be visualized. We applied our approach to a scenario of information retrieval during web browsing sessions. In this paper we describe our novel visual information-gathering system called BrainDump. To support the user’s sensemaking process, this system provides the possibility to change the initial associations, follow links back to the source of information, annotate content and hierarchically group collected items. A preliminary user test was designed and conducted. Keywords-graphical user interface; visual information gathering; visual sensemaking; personal web information system

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