By August 2001 the CIRCUS website will be upgraded to include a new Metadata tool. A further development of the database visualisation tool pioneered for CIRCUS by AudioRom.
The interactive content mapping tool will allow CIRCUS members to create and browse an interactive, visual map of content generated through their research. This map will visualise patterns that emerge and evolve within the content based on user feedback. Accumulations of user micro-decisions will form the basis of this system. The visualisation element reveals underlying connections between content objects, allowing browsing from one content object to the next along these relationships. This will be done using a “bullseye graph” technique, which arrays related content objects according to the strength of the relationships. This is a dynamic approach which maximises interaction. This desktop environment provides an easy way to move within the content space, integrating the graphical visualisation and the textual content.