Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 15-3:
Snapshots of the graph over four successive periods show
how communities appear over time in this sample, starting with designers
(2) and followed by statisticians (3) and software architects (4). Fixed
layout provides a consistent frame of reference for understanding change.
Ghosting
Although the four snapshots provide a crisp picture of each time period, the
degree of change from frame to frame requires back and forth comparative
inspection in some cases to figure out whether a node or cluster of nodes
has disappeared in the subsequent frame. Without the constant central
markers anchoring each view, it would be even more difficult to compare.
The strength of the frame of reference varies depending on how many nodes
carry over from the previous frame.
A second strategy for graph comparison is to carry over nodes that no longer
exist and represent them in ghost form in the subsequent view.
Ghosting
