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SpicyNodes was a system for displaying hierarchical data, in which a focus node displays detailed information, and the surrounding nodes represent related information (Focus + Context), with a layout based on radial maps. It has web (Flash) and mobile (iOS) implementations. It has ended operation as of 1 January 2018.

Overview

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SpicyNodes displays a central node, orbited by related (child) nodes. Each child node can be linked to other child nodes. As the user navigates (changes focus) from node to node, a root path traces the path back to the home node. In a typical implementation, only child and ancestor nodes are displayed. When the user browses, nodes appear and disappear, and the layout rearranges to fit. It is a generic method, with uses ranging from dynamic poetry,[1] to mind mapping and concept mapping.[2][3]

Advantages

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  • Visual browsing – Similar to other concept mapping tools, SpicyNodes allows authors to display visual thoughts and links between information, and publish an information map for users to browse.[4]
  • Non-linear – Users can jump from node to node, or descend into a tree to find specific information. Since the number of nodes increases exponentially with the number of orbits, a user can find a piece of information in only N clicks/taps, while navigating a space of XN nodes, where X=average nodes per orbit. Conversely, node layouts are inefficient for reading contiguous pieces of content in a linear manner.[5]

Disadvantages

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  • Displays a subset – Only a limited number of nodes can fit on a typical screen at once, which requires a large enough screen to fit the nodes, and means it is usually not possible to display all the nodes simultaneously.
  • Balanced branches – Layouts only make sense if there are balanced branches with fewer than two dozen child nodes. A typical implementation requires an average of 2-10 linked/child nodes per node. Too few, and the layout becomes a string of pearls. Too many, and the nodes do not fit.[6]

Background

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SpicyNodes is a radial tree layout engine, modified using force-based algorithms, bias controls, and variable pivot point. It also uses an approach similar to hyperbolic trees to reduce sizes far from the focus node. Key aspects of the method are publicly described.[7] The layout is adaptive, changing as the user clicks from node to node, to minimize cluttering. Nodes can contain any content (formatted text, images, videos, etc.) or links to other nodes or content. There is a "focus" node, and users change focus from node to node.

The algorithm was developed by Michael Douma and colleagues at IDEA.org, starting in 2005. The layout algorithm is based on the work of Yee and his associates,[8] and the underlying mechanics have been further described in papers and talks at conferences on Information visualization,[7] on Museums and the Web,[9] and on distance education.[10]

Early implementations include:

(a) Genealogical browser of the Greek Gods released in March 2006 in the WebExhibits online museum.[11][12] The family tree browser was used as a teaching resource in Russel Rice's high school 'Mythology' course.[13]
(b) A master's thesis in 2007.[14]
(c) Virtual exhibit navigation for three online exhibits (Daylight Saving Time, Calendars, Poetry forms) released in 2008 in the WebExhibits online museum.[15][16][17][18][19]

Current implementations

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It has been used for presentations in professional conferences and meetings.[25][26]

There are third party guides,[27][28] reviews regarding general usage,[29] and instructional design.[30] [31][32][33][34] [35][36][37][38]

The web implementation allows embedding in a blog,[39] and can also be run as a form of slide show where each node corresponds to a slide.[40]

  • Multitouch – The first multitouch implementation of SpicyNodes was as part of the WikiNodes multitouch Wikipedia browser for the Apple iPad, and launched in April 2011.[41]

Related, but different implementations

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For authoring, there are related mind mapping and concept mapping products, such as FreeMind.[42] Typically these do not allow the end user to change focus from node to node. For display, there is analogous software for moving node to node, including: Visual Thesaurus from ThinkMap, TuneGlue, Lexipedia, and Prefuse Flare, and the Discovr apps. (The Discovr app, which also uses radial layouts, with a different layout algorithm which is primarily force-based.)

See also

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  • IDEA.org – the organization that researched and developed the method
  • Radial tree – the general type of layout algorithm
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  • "Home". SpicyNodes. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023.

References

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  1. ^ Peters, Tom (June 2009). "Spicy Poetry". Smart Libraries Newsletter. Vol. XXIX, no. 6, OCLC Reveals its Strategy for Library Automation. American Library Association. p. 7.
  2. ^ Anderson, Carl; Byrne, Richard (2012). "Chapter 11: Online Mind Mapping". In McLeod, Scott; Lehmann, Chris (eds.). What School Leaders Need to Know About Digital Technologies and Social Media. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 1118022246.
  3. ^ Ng, Wan (November 2012). "Can we teach digital natives digital literacy?". Computers & Education. 59 (3): 1065–1078. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2012.04.016.
  4. ^ Holotescu, Carmen; Grosseck, Gabriela (2011). "M3-learning - Exploring mobile multimedia microblogging learning" (PDF). World Journal on Educational Technology. 3 (3): 168–176.
  5. ^ Sheth, Nihar; Cai, Qin (29 April 2003). "Visualizing MeSH Dataset using Radial Tree Layout" (PDF). Indiana University, Bloomington.
  6. ^ Börner, Katy (19 July 2010). "Science of Science Research and Tools Tutorial #07 of 12" (PDF).
  7. ^ a b Douma, Michael; Ligierko, Greg; Ancuta, Ovidiu; Gritsai, Pavel; Liu, Sean (2009). "SpicyNodes: Radial Layout Authoring for the General Public". IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics. 15 (6). doi:10.1109/TVCG.2009.183.
  8. ^ Yee, Ka-Ping; Fisher, D.; Dhamija, R.; Hearst, M. (2001). Animated Exploration of Dynamic Graphs with Radial Layout. IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization. San Diego, CA. pp. 43–50. doi:10.1109/INFVIS.2001.963279.
  9. ^ Douma, Michael; Ligierko, Greg; Romano, Joseph (13 April 2010). Concept Maps for On-line Exhibits: Using SpicyNodes. Archives & Museum Informatics: Museums and the Web 2010. Denver, CO.
  10. ^ Douma, Michael; Ligierko, Greg; Romano, Joseph (4 August 2009). Creating Online Mind Maps and Concept Maps. 25th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning. Madison, WI – via Academia.edu.
  11. ^ "Interactive Greek Gods Family Tree". webexhibits.org.
  12. ^ "Week of August 22, 2010". 4kids.org. 22 August 2010.
  13. ^ "Mythology". Mr. Rice. 7 January 2009.
  14. ^ Felix, Michael (15 August 2007). Trellis: A Blog-Based Approach to the Development, Organization, and Visualization of Ideas (Thesis). hdl:10415/932.
  15. ^ Neat Rox (27 October 2008). "WebExhibits Presents Daylight Savings Time Nodes". Neat Gemstones.
  16. ^ "Websites". Cornerstones of Science. Archived from the original on 2011-08-14.
  17. ^ "Daylight Saving Time - Why, When, Where?". Web Exhibits. Archived from the original on 12 March 2008.
  18. ^ "Node View - Calendars". Web Exhibits. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Node view: Poetry through the Ages". Web Exhibits. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008.
  20. ^ Noor Haitham Saleem; Manjit Singh Sidhu; Naser Adnan; Nameer A. Shafeek; Maha.M.Ablahd Yousif (12 July 2011). Interactive Patterns of Interactions for a Mind Mapping Multimedia Courseware. 7th International Conference on IT in Asia (CITA). Sarawak, Malaysia. doi:10.1109/CITA.2011.5999504.
  21. ^ Salmerón, Ladislao; García, Victoria (2012). "Children's Reading of Printed Text and Hypertext with Navigation Overviews: The Role of Comprehension, Sustained Attention, and Visuo-spatial Abilities". Journal of Educational Computing Research. 47 (1): 33–50. doi:10.2190/EC.47.1.b.
  22. ^ "Spicynodes API". ProgrammableWeb. 14 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010.
  23. ^ "Best Websites for Teaching & Learning". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13.
  24. ^ "The 35 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools Chosen By You". EduDemic. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-27.
  25. ^ "オススメの大学図書館ってありますか？ - アクセス・蔵書数・快適さ・口コミなどを各大学調べてみた". calcweb.org (in Japanese).
  26. ^ "k12webware - newtricks". wikispaces.com.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "Herramientas colaborativas-Spicynodes". slideboom.com.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Tech Tip: www.spicynodes.com" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  29. ^ "Spicy Nodes A Way To Visualize Online Information!". Geek Outpost. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011.
  30. ^ "Spicynodes: Mindmapping plus". Instructional Design Fusions. 18 August 2010.
  31. ^ "Spicynodes, a powerful mind-mapping tool". What Ed Said. 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  32. ^ Kane, Lauren (2 August 2010). "SpicyNodes- an online mindmapping tool". Diary of an Educational Developer. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
  33. ^ "Unique Notions: Spicynodes for Mind Mapping / Course Mapping". itjil.blogspot.com. 12 June 2010.
  34. ^ "Nodes and Birds". universeastext.com.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ "Edu Technophobia".[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ "Genera nodos de pensamiento con SpicyNodes". Edumorfosis (in Spanish). 25 August 2010.
  37. ^ Swanson, Kristen (28 October 2009). "Spicy Nodes: My NEW Favorite Presentation Tool". Teachers as Technology Trailblazers. Archived from the original on 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  38. ^ "SPICYNODES: Free, Web Based Mind, Map Service". DE Tools Of The Trade. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011.
  39. ^ Glynn, Mark (28 March 2012). "Embedding an interactive mindmap into your blog – SpicyNodes.org". Technology Enhanced Learning.
  40. ^ Garza, Sally (12 August 2010). "Creative presentation tools". slideshare.net.
  41. ^ "WikiNodes Brings A New Perspective To Knowledge » 148Apps » iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch App Reviews and News". 148Apps.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ Maintenay, Franck (25 August 2010). "SpicyNodes: dynamisez vos cartes Freemind/Freeplane". Freemind par l'exemple... (in French). Archived from the original on 3 September 2010.
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