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Also, with the increase in presentation space one must be aware of usability issues. No
longer are the users in the familiar territory of the single desktop monitor. They are immersed
in a large environment which might consist of a 15 m screen. This, as Robertson et al . (2005)
reports, results in myriad issues, such as 'losing the cursor': users tend to accelerate their
mouse movements to overcompensate for the larger 'monitor' and end up 'lost in space'.
Other issues include accessing menus across large distances, the number of windows being
opened and overlapping issues within blend areas. An awareness of such issues must be
brought to the attention of the users, if not compensated for (e.g. in the case of 'losing the
cursor', an auto-locator cursor tool can be used).
With a defined physical space dedicated as a visualization centre, it is also useful that it is
both accessible and welcoming, especially if users need to access it often or for a long period
of time. Care needs to be taken that this becomes a useful place to work, and as appealing for
the user as their office workspace is at present. Integration within a multi-purpose space, for
example combined with video conferencing or as a project management room, also adds to
the features available and helps to enable real work to occur. A final concern is with ease of
use for day-to-day operation, and making sure that any system does not require extensive
training or continual use by specialist operators.
11.4.2 Interactivity
During this chapter we have described three different modes of interactive visualization that
through experience often occur within large spaces, which we will briefly summarize here.
Single interactive journey of discovery
It has been shown from experience that deep insight may not be instantaneous but may
require an individual to interact for long periods of time with a visualization. This allows
them to explore and understand their data in a sense that any demonstration or showcase
cannot offer. For this reason visualizations need to be comfortable for extended use, and
this implies correct calibration to avoid any physical discomfort.
Presentation and group explanation
The showcase and demonstration use is one of the most successful and exploited modes for
any visualization centre, partially due to the instantaneous experience achieved. This mode
is also one that requires the most care in order for the narrated story, which may involve
unknown group interaction, to be carefully presented. What this mode should not be used
for is to present the technology itself rather than the data.
Group discussion to collaborate and explore disparate ideas
If the power of a single visualization is the third of the brain processing it, when you have 10
people in a group, the argument would proceed that there is 10 times the visual processing
occurring. Having multiple 'belief engines' operating at the same time means there is a
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