Graph your similarity network @ Radio Free Blogistan

January 7, 2004

Rayne Today

Hey, look, it's a picture of me and my similarity network!

After finding the Touch Graph Google Browser via WorldChanging.com, I found myself completely engrossed with this tool. It's hypnotic, watching as all the pages similar to yours are mapped out, like watching dendrites grow into each other. My graph - only a partial map, I might add - looks completely organic, growing before my eyes over the course of a couple of hours play.

I have to admit complete ignorance on the workings of this software toy; given a URL, this software uses Java to map out a web of those pages which are similar to one's own page (like those found using the "Similar Pages" link when Google-ing). There will be surprises in any map; there will be obvious links. The real fun comes from watching as the connections are made and the map is laid out � it looks as if it's alive!

As I watched this graph growing, I found myself wondering how an application like this could work in a business context. Instead of data mining, why not data mapping? Where are the focal points with similar information within an organization? Could this tool work, particularly if every employee used a web page or blog to document work processes?

Check it out - tell us what you think.

Posted by rayne at January 7, 2004 1:35 PM

Comments

Wow, all that and it's strikingly beautiful too, like a bare tree seen from above or the roots of a plant. Thanks for pointing this one out--I'll have to try it myself.

Posted by: Amy Stewart at January 10, 2004 9:03 PM