The Visual Statistics System v6.4

[Mel]

ViSta (The Visual Statistics System) features statistical visualizations
that are highly dynamic and very interactive.

- Dynamic, High-Interaction, Multi-View Graphics: ViSta constructs
very-high-interaction, dynamic graphics that show you multiple views
of your data simultaneously. The graphics are designed to augment your
visual intuition so that you can better understand your data.

- See What Your Data Have To Say: ViSta's visually intuitive and
computationally intensive approach to statistical data analysis is
designed to clarify the meaning of data so that you can see what your
data has to say.

- Freeware/Open Software: ViSta is free and open. It can be downloaded
from the web.

- Platforms: ViSta runs under Windows, on Macintosh, and under Unix.

- Languages: ViSta is available in English, Français, and Español.

- Look and Feel: ViSta has a Structured Graphical Interface that
includes
1. WorkMaps that visually summarize your data analysis session
2. SpreadPlots - a spreadsheet-like arrangement of linked, dynamic,
interactive plots that show you what your data or analysis seems to
say
3. GuideMaps that guide your analysis
4. DataSheets for inputing and editing your data
5. Visual GuideMap Authoring for teachers who wish to create guidemaps
6. Reports present data statistics and analysis results in the
classical way
7. Context-Sensitive Help and Web-based Help and Notes

- Statistical Capabilities: ViSta performs Univariate and Multivariate
Statistical Visualization and Data Analysis.

- Applets, Plugins, Scripts and DataPrograms:
1. Applets: Teachers can develop ViSta Web Applets for demonstrations,
examples, test problems, etc. Students can download and run these
on their own machines (example of class notes using an applet).
2. Scripts: Teachers can write ViSta scripts using the same techniques
as for Applets, but keep them privately on their machines. A
grading script is an example.
3. DataPrograms: Teachers and students can write dataprograms to
manipulate their data.
4. Plugins: Programmers can develop plugins to add entirely new data
analysis and visualization capabilities.

- Developer's Tools: ViSta provides access to the underlying development
languages, including:
1. ViDAL, ViSta's Data Analysis Language for writing applets, scripts
and data programs; and
2. XLispStat, an object-oriented programming language which can be
used to write ViSta plugins for statistical computing and dynamic
graphics.
3. XLisp, a free and open Lisp system satisfying most of the Common
Lisp standards.
4. C++ and FORTRAN may be used for developing specialized new
features.

In addition, ViSta has developers tools including a byte-code compiler,
a stepper, tracing and back tracing, object and bitmap editors,
distribution maker, etc...

http://forrest.psych.unc.edu/research/index.html

 

[Terry]

ViSta (The Visual Statistics System) features statistical visualizations
that are highly dynamic and very interactive.

http://forrest.psych.unc.edu/research/index.html

Interesting project, and one I had not seen before (never mentioned
before in ACF, either). However, the current version is from June
2001, so it seems this is no longer being actively developed.

Terry

 

[Mel]

Interesting project, and one I had not seen before (never mentioned
before in ACF, either). However, the current version is from June
2001, so it seems this is no longer being actively developed.

What difference does that make if it serves the purpose it was designed
to do? Can you recommend another program that does the same thing?

 

[Terry]

What difference does that make if it serves the purpose it was designed
to do?

I can't say at this point -- I have downloaded it to try, but haven't
installed it yet. But it's a warning flag for me. It means that bugs
won't get fixed, that it may not be compatible with current software,
etc. Eg, this says it links to Excel -- does it work with Excel 2003?

Along the same lines, it supposedly is open source. But to get access
to the source, you have to email them and tell them what you want to
do. If they approve it, they'll set you up with access to their CVS
server. If the last release was 6/2001, I wonder if the CVS server
even still exists. Not necessarily a problem, but enough to raise
questions in my mind.

Can you recommend another program that does the same thing?

Various other packages such as R, Kyplot, TeeChartOffice,
Sphygmic spreadsheet, etc., may be able to, but I don't know at this
point.

Terry