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distribuito in Italia da TStat S.r.l. |
Product Description
Actually, in some sense, we're reinventing the old kind of statistics. The forefathers (and foremothers) of statistics were primarily concerned with discovering patterns in data. They often relied on graphs for that purpose. With the availability of powerful desktop computers, the search for patterns in data has been revived, often associated with terms like "data mining," "On-Line Analysis Processing" and "data visualization."
Classical statistical analyses start with questions to be answered about the data or decisions to be made. But it is often hard to know the right questions to ask. This is especially true of data that were not collected specifically for statistical analysis, but just happen to be available. By contrast, data visualization looks at data in many related ways, seeking interesting patterns and relationships and interesting exceptions to those patterns and relationships. Such an approach is sometimes called "data mining" evoking the idea that there is probably something interesting buried in the data if only we could figure out where to dig. The key to visualization is viewing data in many different but related ways. One view of the data may seem ordinary when another reveals an unanticipated relationship, cluster, or outlier.
Modern data visualization is more effective than traditional charts, in part because of the pervasive use of animation and interaction. Viz!on displays change dynamically in response to your actions. For example, all displays are linked; selecting a part of any display highlights the corresponding cases in all displays instantly. Other displays change as you click buttons or slide slider controls. Some even rotate in three dimensions. In many cases, the most effective visualizations are those that involve three columns at once. Most of us can spot a pattern in a static display of one variable or even of two variables. When we start to deal with the interrelationships among three variables, most of us find it much harder to imagine what is happening without effective displays. Viz!on provides the latest in dynamic displays for several variables at once.
What should I look for?
The key to effective visualization is understanding your data. It is as difficult to explore someone else's data as to scratch someone else's itch. But (following the metaphor) correspondingly easy to explore the data that you understand. There are many specific patterns to look for. Viz!on guides you through the analyses looking for each of them.
The general questions that guide each of these visualizations are
- Do all the cases (rows) seem to belong together? By contrast, do they cluster together into a few groups? Or do a few values wander away from the others?
- If the cases belong together, are the columns related in any way?
- If the columns are related, are there any cases that do not follow the pattern? If so, these may deserve special attention.
- If shapes and patters are not simple consider re-expressing the data and trying again.
Principal Characteristics
As a Microsoft Excel user you already know the value of tables and displays that update automatically when you change the underlying values. Such linking is fundamental to spreadsheets. Now you can experience the insight that comes from linking and animating views of your data. Viz!on (pronounced "vision") adds modern data visualization tools to your spreadsheet so you can easily explore your data to discover patterns, relationships, and even the occasional error. But better than that, Viz!on guides you through views of your data with these new tools, suggesting things to look at along the way. Or you can set out on your own, interacting with the Viz!on tools directly.
Viz!on provides plots and tables that move, change, update, and link to visualize your data and take you beyond what is possible with standard spreadsheet graphics or statistics add-ins. Along with these displays, Viz!on offers expert guidance and advice for working with, and interpreting, those displays.
Who Should Use Viz!on?
Any Excel user who wants to understand the values in a spreadsheet. Viz!on reveals patterns and relationships in greater depth. Dynamic graphics display your spreadsheet in entirely new ways, but always with intuitive views and natural tools. And, of course, you have the advice of an expert at your fingertips whenever you want it.
What Kind of Spreadsheet Values Should I Visualize?
You can visualize any values - sales, financial, scientific, engineering data - with any mixture of numbers and names. Viz!on works quickly and comfortably with any spreadsheet that fits in Excel -- even one with columns that fill all available rows. The program makes no assumptions at all about your spreadsheet. It just shows you your spreadsheet in new ways and offers to guide you through views appropriate to your data.
What Do I Need to Know to Use Viz!on?
Visualizations are most useful when you understand the background of your spreadsheet. Viz!on may, for example, reveal a row of your spreadsheet that seems not to fit with the others. But it is your knowledge of the spreadsheet's meaning that will enable you to determine whether you have discovered an error to be corrected or an unexpected new fact.
Systems Technical Requirements
Operating System
- Windows 95/98/2000/NT and Excel 95 or later;
Hardware Requirementrs
- a colour display set to a screen resolution of 800 by 600 pixels or larger.
Note: It is strongly recommend that you hide the Windows Taskbar when using Viz!on. Click on the Taskbar with the right mouse button and choose Properties. Select the Auto Hide option from the Properties dialog and click the OK button.
© 2002, Data Description, Inc.
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