Context

Many institutions that have implemented VIVO have expressed the need for the development of new and improved visualization applications. The current visualization tools that originated with VIVO are no longer being maintained and do not yield accurate results, and the code does not meet current standards. Since the initial visualization tools were made available, other local, open source visualization tools have been developed. For example, Northwestern University uses Lattice Grid to visualize VIVO data with a suite of their own tools. A number of other open source solutions adapted at local institutions may now be available. One set of these tools could be adapted to ship with VIVO "out of the box." In addition, the core VIVO code may need to be modified so that it is capable of being integrated with the new tools.

Recently, Registered Service Provider Symplectic offered to support the identification and subsequent adaptation of visualizations that will:

better showcase the linked data held in a populated VIVO installation; and
appeal to organizations whose VIVO projects have either stalled for lack of adequate visualization tools or who have yet to join the VIVO community.

This task force proposes to work with Symplectic to identify an initial visualization toolset from a shortlist of potential candidates, to prepare a project plan and then adapt/integrate the visualization tools into a future VIVO release.

Objectives

Identify existing open source visualization tools that could be adapted for general use with VIVO
Evaluate the candidate tools and select one
Work with Symplectic to outline a project plan for integrating the tools with VIVO
Review the adaption and integration work as it progresses

Deliverables:

List of candidate visualization tools
Evaluation of tools and final selection
Project plan for adapting, integrating tools
Delivery of new standard visualization tools

Suggested schedule:

Solicit members and schedule first meeting	2 weeks	2015-02-23
Identify candidate visualization tools
Evaluate tools and make a selection
Get feedback from community
Develop high level project plan for adoption and integration of tool
Review first iteration of tool
Review second iteration of tool
Deliver new visualization tools as new standard distribution replacing current tools

Members

Alex Viggio - Symplectic - Member

Mike Winkler - University of Pennsylvania - Member

Paul Friedman - Northwestern University - p-friedman@northwestern.edu - Member

others to be solicited from the VIVO Community

Meeting Times

TBD

Communication Channels

Distribute proposed charter and solicit participation from community via appropriate mailing lists
Announce task force creation and progress on relevant Working Group calls.
Create a page in the VIVO wiki (wiki.duraspace.org), with child pages for agenda, notes, and additional information

Agendas and Notes

Solicit agenda items from task force members 3 days before meeting
Prepare agenda and distribute no less than 24 hours before meeting

Use standard meeting agenda and notes format (see VIVO wiki Task Force Agenda Template (click --> here for example).