Visualization
Visualization I broadly define to include all photographs, charts, drawings whether static or active.
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Axon2007
|
What it Does: Organize and process ideas in multiple ways. Runs on: PC only Price: $135 Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: The extraordinary versatility of the program Worst Feature: The unfamiliar (but logical) and sometimes awkward interface Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: "The Axon Idea Processor provides a specially designed environment that supports and empowers the thinking processes. Objects and Links form the basic entities for idea processing. These entities are displayed in a multi-level, 3D workspace." It's true. Visualization note: Many alternatives - easy changes. |
| CmapTools
|
What it Does: Concept relationships - Useful in group situation Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Public server allowing group projects. Worst Feature: Initially difficult to see how powerful it is. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Infrequent --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: I have used it quite successfully in several courses. It was particularly helpful in promoting class interaction. Visualization note: It's inherently visual. |
| Flickr
|
What it Does: Web Image search and storage Runs on: Web Free Best Feature: Widely used and therefor good collection of images. Worst Feature: Interface is confusing Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Share photos - I take advantage of "family and friends" to limit those that aren't interesting to a wider audience. You have to pay for extensive use, but not a lot. |
| Google Earth
|
What it Does: View and zoom the entire world Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux - Uses Web Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Wow factor when exploring a geography-related aspect of a course. Worst Feature: Interface a bit clunky when going beyond basics. Learning Time: Minutes --- Export/Import: Medium Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: What a splendid, ever-improving tool. If you use it regularly it's worth it to spring the $20/year for the "plus" version. Review & Comments about Google Earth in Academic Tools Blog |
| Google Sketchup
|
What it Does: 3D Drawing tool - sketching rather than detailed. Runs on: PC, Mac Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Integration with Google Earth + Wow factor Worst Feature: Focus is on buildings - orthogonal objects Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: The integration with Google Earth is spectacular. |
| MS Excel
|
What it Does: The standard spreadsheet Runs on: PC, Mac Drexel Site License Best Feature: Easy lists Worst Feature: Time to learn its vast array of features. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: For any heavy user it's worth adding the spreadsheet assistant mentioned elsewhere, and then learning how to record/write macros (VBA). Visualization note: The charts are quite good. |
| Paint.net
|
What it Does: Image editing - "bitmap" = photos Runs on: PC only Free Best Feature: Fine interface Worst Feature: Requires MS "dot.net" framework Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Infrequent --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Paint.net is a quite good image editing program. It's especially useful for adding notes to photos and diagrams. Take advantage of its layers, and save in its native format, then "save as" "jpg" if you want to use its results Note that you can "resize" the image to make thumbnails. |
| Picasa
|
What it Does: Image organizer, editor and slide show viewer Runs on: PC and Linux Free Best Feature: Spectacularly simple interface. Worst Feature: Will not catalog any folder named "originals" - it creates them for backups. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: To keep track of large collections of images, edit them in a basic way and display them. It's in Google Pack. Visualization note: Search capabilities are very strong |
Update: 2006-11-26