Virtual library

The task of this event was the development of a mass data visualisation system. We decided on developing a draft of a big online library for the support of searching and rummaging activities of students.

Motivation

All students use the library and each of them knows the advantages and disadvantages of the library usage. One of the most disadvantages is the complicated handling and the unfavourable searching process of the library. This is a good example for the demonstration of how difficult it is to handle big amounts of data. It was our desire to solve this problem. 

Description of a solution

An existing data base of a library is the requirement for the enablement of students to look for books. A data base was not available for us. Therefore, we created a little XML database. We decided on using the Microsoft Silverlight for the usage of this data base and the visualisation of the data. Unfortunately, the Microsoft Silverlight had been in a phase of development by the time of our project. Furthermore, we determined to use an Orbit form for the visualisation of data and for the support of rummaging features. The illustration of a book cover which is one of these features, helps the user to get a first impression about the content of a book. If the user would like to have more information about the book, he or she can use the detail window on the right side. This detail window and the window in the low area can be faded in and out. This way the user is able to increase or decrease the main area. For the searching of specific books, the users can use the searching feature in the low area.

Project members

  • Malte Goddemeier
  • Sascha Liesner
  • Markus Tschersich
  • Andreas Zolnowski