XML Topic Maps: Creating and Using Topic Maps for the Web

Requirements for Topic Map Visualization

Topic maps are very powerful in their ability to organize information, but they may be very large. Intuitive visual user interfaces may significantly reduce users' cognitive load when working with these complex structures. Visualization is a promising technique for both enhancing users' perceptions of structure in large information spaces and providing navigation facilities. It also enables people to use natural tools of observation and processing—their eyes as well as their brains—to extract knowledge more efficiently and to find insights [Gershon and Eick 1995].

Users' needs must be clearly identified in order to design useful visualizations. Before presenting visualization requirements, we need to study ...