An Extensible Framework for Information Visualization and Collection

Developing successful information visualization experiments, principles, and applications requires iterative refinement of ideas and prototypes. Oftentimes realizing these prototypes involves a great deal of programming effort. Clearly, minimizing this effort permits research at a more accelerated pace due to shorter prototype turnaround time. The authors developed an extensible and flexible system along these lines that enables programmers and researchers to update and interchange data visualization and collection techniques with little effort. This system is discussed along with its relevant design patterns in the greater context of software orthogonality. Finally, the system is utilized to develop a computer supported cooperative work application for a large screen display.