1. François Guimbretière
Constellation: A Visualization Tool for Linguistic Queries from MindNet
Tamara Munzner
François Guimbretière
Stanford University
George Robertson
Microsoft Research

2. Overview solve specific problem chosen techniques
help linguists improve MindNet algorithms
chosen techniques
custom semantic layout
perceptual channels
interaction as first-class citizen

3. Definition Graph dictionary entry sentence nodes: word senses
links: relation types

4. Semantic Network definition graphs as building blocks
unify shared words
large network
millions of nodes
global structure known: dense
probes return local info
uses
grammar checking, automatic translation

5. Path Query best N paths between two words words on path itself
definition graphs used in computation

6. Task: Plausibility Checking
paths ordered by computed plausibility
researcher hand-checks results
high-ranking paths believable?
believable paths high-ranked?
gross polluters (stop words)

7. Top 10 Paths: kangaroo - tail

8. Top 10 Paths: kangaroo - tail

9. Goal
create unified view of relationships between paths and definition graphs
shared words are key
thousands of words (not millions)
special-purpose algorithm debugging tool
not understand the structure of English

10. Video
zoom
software vs. video

11. Semantic Layout Challenges
spatial position encodes path ordering
edge crossings not minimized
clutter reduction: interaction, perceptual channels
tradeoffs
spatial encoding vs. information density
navigation: intelligent zooming
global, intermediate, local

12. only 9 or 10 words at once in multiscale view from thissnapshot
final overview has about 80 - basically order of magnitude
pure grid about 300

16. Color Scheme [Reynolds94]
hues
maximally separated on color wheel
saturation/brightness
low for unobtrusive, high for emphasis
maximal CRT legibility
black text on colored background
high payoff from following recommendations in existing literature

17. Conclusion targeted case study techniques approach broadly applicable
small user community
techniques
encode dataset structure spatially
multiple perceptual channels
interactive selective emphasis, navigation
approach broadly applicable

18. Acknowledgements MSR linguists iterative design techniques discussion
Lucy Vanderwende, Bill Dolan, Mo Corston-Oliver
iterative design techniques
Mary Czerwinski
discussion
Maneesh Agrawala, Pat Hanrahan, Chris Stolte, Terry Winograd
funding
Microsoft Graduate Research Fellowship, Interval Research