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DB Query Becomes Browseable In Virtual World

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the kill-that-query-takes-on-a-whole-new-meaning dept.

Jani Pirkola writes to tell us that Green Phosphor's new project "Glasshouse" allows users to take database queries or spreadsheets and create 3D representations in a virtual world. Man what I wouldn't give to mash my level 80 death knight up with some of the ugly joins I have run across in the past. "Users can see data, and drill into it; re-sort it; explore it interactively - all from within a virtual world. Glasshouse produces graphs which are avatars of the data itself. We've tailored the system for the use of biotech companies, specifically for drug discovery and development. Dr. David Resuehr, a molecular biologist, recently joined Green Phosphor as our Chief Scientist."

7 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. DNA got there first by Kupfernigk · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Remember when Zaphod Beeblebrox fixes things in the galactic accounting system by entering a virtual old-style accounting world? How many other big ideas did DNA get to first? - including his request for the universal power brick.

    More seriously, the point about visualisation of data is well made. How many people who think they are information literate produce incomprehensible spreadsheets and graphs that conceal reality? However, the example on the web page (oil production) is a terrible one - very hard to read, unnecessary wodges of solid color, everything that upsets Tufte. To make a project like this really work, I think they are going to have to concentrate on what to leave out, as much as what to leave in. And silly avatars don't cut it. Learn from Clippy, guys. I am sure that there is a right way to use data to virtual reality 3D modelling, but, and I can't say this too strongly, when marketing demands more color, more widgets and exciting background sound tracks, tell them to go fornicate off. Thousands of data analysts will thank you.

    --
    From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
    1. Re:DNA got there first by lennier · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "How many people who think they are information literate produce incomprehensible spreadsheets and graphs that conceal reality? "

      You say that as if revealing reality were what corporate reports were about in the first place.

      --
      You are not a brain: http://books.google.com/books?id=2oV61CeDx-YC
    2. Re:DNA got there first by StormReaver · · Score: 2, Insightful

      > How many people who think they are information literate produce incomprehensible spreadsheets and graphs that conceal reality?

      And that is why this "technology" won't displace any current business methods. Producing business data in 3D won't tell you anything more interesting than it will in 2D (with the exception of a few specialized fields which already represent their data in 3D). Anyone unethical enough to intentionally hide business reality in 2D will still unethically hide business reality in 3D. This is not magic pixie dust that will eliminate white collar deceit and crime. It is just another way to show the same data we've been showing since the invention of business graphics.

      There will be no additional business specialty that doesn't already exist. This is a neat tinker toy, and nothing more. The author is just very easily impressed.

    3. Re:DNA got there first by arkowitz · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Tufte unfortunately did not have an actual 3D world in which to experiment. He was stuck on the page. Screenshots are bullshit no matter what you do; 3D requires motion. Try it someday. Arkowitz

    4. Re:DNA got there first by arkowitz · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The magic pixie dust is the realtime collaboration. That's why it matters that the data is in the virtual world. Also, I have to respectfully disagree with your assumption that using three dimensions to display data gets you no more understanding than using two. Just the ability to see time, grouping, and magnitude all at once exposes relationships that were not obvious in two dimensions. This is why scientists have been using 3+D visualization for a long time. Why not apply the same techniques to business and to government? Arkowitz

  2. You couldn't make this up... by BlackSabbath · · Score: 1, Insightful

    From the article:
    "First off I believe that visualization of money in/money out could have turned authorities on to the fishy accounting Enron was up to, and caught them earlier. Perhaps better visualization would have revealed Madoffâ(TM)s ponzi scheme as well."

    Hahahahahahaha....hmmm...maybe?...nah!....
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Priceless!

    1. Re:You couldn't make this up... by BlackSabbath · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The above post (AC) belongs to me. For some reason I was logged in to one tab but not in another (FF 3.07). Weird.