Visualizing retrieved information: a survey

Clearly, the presentation method for information retrieved from the global information infrastructure (GII) makes a big difference to users. The NCSA Mosaic interface, for example, with its point-and-click multimedia page presentation, swelled popular interest in the World Wide Web. This experience suggests the possibility of increased usefulness if we apply visualization techniques to information retrieved from the GII. Note that, although the term "information visualization" is coming into use, the goal is really "information perceptualization". The latter implies a richer use of many senses, including sound and touch, to increase the rate at which people can assimilate and understand information. In discussing the visualization of retrieved information, it helps to consider four functional levels: (1) the infosphere, (2) the workspace, (3) sense-making tools, and (4) the document. This simple classification lets us separate the functions served by the visualizations from the techniques themselves, which can be applied across functional levels.