There are several visualization tools installed in the lab in McBryde 104C. Everyone registered for the class should have access to the lab via your Hokie card. In using the lab, please be sure to leave the machines in the same state as when you arrived (don't save files to the machines), and be sure to close the doors and turn off the lights in the lab if you are the last one out. There are meetings held and experiments being run in the lab at certain times -- please yield to these people when necessary. Violation of these rules can result in revocation of lab privileges and an F on the homework.
The tools in the lab include Spotfire (by Spotfire), Table Lens (Eureka by Inxight), Parallel Coordinates, and Star Coordinates. Some of these tools are publically available. In addition, you may know of other tools that you wish to use -- please contact the professor by Monday if this is the case. You must use at least two tools for this homework.
You can visualize any data that is of interest to you. The data set must contain at least 1000 items and at least 5 attributes. Possibilities include census data, stock market data, and sports data. Sample data sets are available here.
You should email a written report describing your findings in Word or html format to the TA (pschoen@cs.vt.edu). The report should be no longer than 1000 words. We want good explanations, but please try to be concise in providing them. Of course, screenshots are a necessity for a good report, and make sure you label and/or describe your screenshot so that others can understand it.
In your report, you should address the following points:
Good luck and have fun!