Homework #1:  SequoiaView Visualization Tool

The goal of this homework is to experience and practice the use of visualization tools, accustom yourself to seeing data in new ways, discover something new in data, and think critically about visualizations.

Download the following visualization tool for examining hard-drive directory tree structures:

• SequoiaView

To learn how to use the tool, see the tutorial on that site.  SequoiaView is based on the TreeMap concept, and lots more can be learned about TreeMaps here. If needed, you may use SequoiaView in McBryde 104c.

Use SequoiaView to examine your hard-drive contents, analyze differences between SequoiaView and WindowsExplorer (or Mac Finder), and write a short report.

Report:  Write a 1 page report about your findings and about the visualization tool. You may add a 2nd page for pictures. You should specifically answer these questions:

1. Data findings:  List 2 interesting discoveries you made about your directories.  Use pictures to show your claims (e.g. screenshots of visualizations -- Alt-PrintScrn captures a screenshot that can be pasted into word processors).
2. Compare and critique:  Answer the following 2 questions about the differences between SequoiaView and Explorer/Finder. Focus your comparison on the primary views themselves, not on the other details of the user interfaces such as menus or help.
   • What types of scenarios are better supported by SequoiaView and why?
   • What types of scenarios are better supported by Explorer/Finder and why?

What to hand in:

• Hardcopy due in class, Sept 3.