Data visualization is a modern branch of descriptive statistics meant to allow people to both understand and communicate data clearly and efficiently via the data graphics selected, such as tables, maps, charts and so on40. In the context of SSC for visualization, part of thedata is stored in a digital file, typically in either text or binary form. Of course, potentially every piece of digital ephemera may be considered "data"—not just text, but bits and bytes representing images, audio, video, databases, streams, models, archives, and anything else. Nowadays, excess amounts of open data are overwhelming; raw data becomes useful only when we apply methods of deriving insight from it. Fortunately, we humans are intensely visual creatures. Only trained professionals can detect patterns among rows of numbers, but even young children can interpret bar charts, extracting meaning from those numbers' visual representations. For that reason, data visualization is a powerful exercise41. Visualizing data is the fastest way to communicate it to others. The definition of data visualization references its two objectives: understanding and communication42. This can also be referred to as exploratory and explanatory the visual representation of data respectively. This distinction is often overlooked, but it is extremely critical in the process of creating successful data visualization. If the motivation is to make sense of data, then the data visualization should be exploratory in nature. The process of visualization can help to see the world in a new way, revealing unexpected patterns and trends in the otherwise hidden data around us. At its best, data visualization is expert storytelling. However, if the analysis of the data is complete, then infographic should be used. More literally, visualization is a process of mapping complete data to visuals43. It is possible to craft rules that interpret data and express its values as visual properties. Without being conscious of one's data visualization motivations and goals, the process can be inefficient, misguided, or altogether unsuccessful.
Table 5.3.1 – Open Publishing of Ooof Data Visualization
Relationship Visualization among linfen's 29 Weibo friends
Linfen, Weibo, and Realtionship
Gephi
Ooof
2012-4-23
1-Feb-13
Human emotion's spectrum
Emotion
Gephi
Ooof
2012-4-23
Data visualization is increasingly becoming a popular way to portray and distribute complicated information in a consumable way to increase efficiency and work smarter44. By linking city's performance management systems to tools that provide instant access to current and historic records, more and more governments are allowing almost anyone to view and manipulate open data via vivid pie charts and line graphs. Users can even export raw numbers or high-impact graphics for use in meetings and communications materials. On one hand, the open platform is saving us hundreds of work hours by reducing the time that staff spends sorting through files of various data. On the other hand, as more citizens are using this technology we are starting to see many new inquiries come in from people interested in learning more about how smart city operates. By providing residents with the tools to visualize and work with open data to meet their individual needs, data visualization is not only increasing city management transparency and accountability but also enhancing the ability of city officials to be more responsive to citizens' needs.From other aspects, data always changes over time, only used static datasets barely reflect those little changes, the visual adjustments are made pretty with transitions, which can employ motion for perceptual benefit crosscutting all SSC domains.