Illinois Genetic Algorithms Laboratory

Xavier Llorà, Noriko Imafuji Yasui, Michael Welge, and David E. Goldberg (2006)
TR No.: 2006026 | Download PDF | Download PS

Abstract:
The blogsphere is a valuable source of information. From simple topic
analysis in the blogosphere—what’s hot—to harvesting and
analyzing valuable market trends—what product and features are
suggested—require a tight integration of computer- and human-based
analysis capabilities. Computers can easily assist the processing
filtering and visualizing relevant and key elements of the
blogosphere, but coupling them with human evaluation and reasoning
can provide the final steps to connect pieces of relevant information
into better description map of the current trends of the blogosphere.
An example of the need for such human-centered analysis was David R.
Ellis’ film {\em Snakes on a Plane} (2006) which failed to properly
translate blogosphere discussions into a successful commercial
product—as a clear misalignment of both environments the blogsphere
and the final targeted market. In this paper, we present some human-
centered visualization and analysis tools that can help users to
compare and reason synergies and misalignments revolving around a
particular topic.