Collections (tutorial): Difference between revisions

From visone manual
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "A network collection is a set or sequence of several networks that belong together, e.g., by building a longitudinal network (i.e., a network observed at several moments in t...")
 
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
A [[network collection]] is a set or sequence of several networks that belong together, e.g., by building a longitudinal network (i.e., a network observed at several moments in time). Network collections can be jointly analyzed and visualized (e.g., computing the same centrality index or applying the same layout algorithm on all open networks). A visone network collection that represents longitudinal data can be visualized by a [[dynamic layout|dynamic layout algorithm]] showing the evolution of the network over time and it can be analyzed with the [[RSiena interface|RSiena software]] for modeling the co-evolution of networks and behavior. This trail guides you through these application scenarios in an example-driven way. To follow the steps illustrated here, download the file '''<code>Newfrat_top3.zip</code>''', linked from and described in the page [[Newcomb_Fraternity_(data)]], and extract (unzip) it to your hard disk.
A [[network collection]] is a set or sequence of several networks that belong together, e.g., by building a longitudinal network (i.e., a network observed at several moments in time). Network collections can be jointly analyzed and visualized (e.g., computing the same centrality index or applying the same layout algorithm on all open networks). A visone network collection that represents longitudinal data can be visualized by a [[dynamic layout|dynamic layout algorithm]] showing the evolution of the network over time and it can be analyzed with the [[RSiena interface|RSiena software]] for modeling the co-evolution of networks and behavior. This trail guides you through these application scenarios in an example-driven way. To follow the steps illustrated here, download the file '''<code>Newfrat_top3.zip</code>''', linked from and described in the page [[Newcomb_Fraternity_(data)]], and extract (unzip) its content  (consisting of the files <code>newfrat01.graphml</code> to <code>newfrat15.graphml</code>) to your hard disk.


== Dealing with several networks (basics) ==
== Dealing with several networks (basics) ==


In visone, several networks can be open at the same time - each in its own network tab. In general, you can load networks into visone by (1) starting a [[File_menu#new|new empty network]], (2) by opening a network from a [[File_menu#open|local file]], or (3) by creating a [[File_menu#create|random network]]. To load the set of networks that serves as illustrating example in this trail, click on the menu '''file, open''', navigate in the file browser to the directory where you've put the files <code>newfrat01.graphml</code> to <code>newfrat15.graphml</code> (see above) and select all of them before you click the '''ok''' button. (Selection of these files can be done in different ways, for instance, by keeping the '''Control'''-key pushed while successively selecting the files with a mouse left-click or by clicking on one of the files and then keeping the '''Control'''-key pushed while typing '''a''' to select all files in the current directory.) The 15 networks should be shown in 15 separate tabs in the [[GUI#network_area|network area]]. To switch between these networks, click on the name of the respective network on top of the tabs (there are little buttons with left/right-arrows on the right-hand side in the row of network names that allow you to browse through the tabs when the list of names exceeds the screen width). To close a tab, click on the '''X'''-like cross on the right-hand side of the respective tab. To close all tabs or all tabs but the current one, do a mouse right-click on one of the network names and select the appropriate option; if there are unsaved changes, visone asks you whether you want to save the files and you can answer yes/no separately for each network (click the '''yes''' or '''no''' button, respectively) or chose to quit without saving any changes ('''no to all''') saving all modified networks ('''yes to all''') or chose '''cancel''', that is not to close the tabs. (If you closed one or several of the networks, remember to open them again to follow the steps below.)


== Joint analysis and visualization ==  
== Joint analysis and visualization ==  

Revision as of 12:01, 28 March 2011

A network collection is a set or sequence of several networks that belong together, e.g., by building a longitudinal network (i.e., a network observed at several moments in time). Network collections can be jointly analyzed and visualized (e.g., computing the same centrality index or applying the same layout algorithm on all open networks). A visone network collection that represents longitudinal data can be visualized by a dynamic layout algorithm showing the evolution of the network over time and it can be analyzed with the RSiena software for modeling the co-evolution of networks and behavior. This trail guides you through these application scenarios in an example-driven way. To follow the steps illustrated here, download the file Newfrat_top3.zip, linked from and described in the page Newcomb_Fraternity_(data), and extract (unzip) its content (consisting of the files newfrat01.graphml to newfrat15.graphml) to your hard disk.

Dealing with several networks (basics)

In visone, several networks can be open at the same time - each in its own network tab. In general, you can load networks into visone by (1) starting a new empty network, (2) by opening a network from a local file, or (3) by creating a random network. To load the set of networks that serves as illustrating example in this trail, click on the menu file, open, navigate in the file browser to the directory where you've put the files newfrat01.graphml to newfrat15.graphml (see above) and select all of them before you click the ok button. (Selection of these files can be done in different ways, for instance, by keeping the Control-key pushed while successively selecting the files with a mouse left-click or by clicking on one of the files and then keeping the Control-key pushed while typing a to select all files in the current directory.) The 15 networks should be shown in 15 separate tabs in the network area. To switch between these networks, click on the name of the respective network on top of the tabs (there are little buttons with left/right-arrows on the right-hand side in the row of network names that allow you to browse through the tabs when the list of names exceeds the screen width). To close a tab, click on the X-like cross on the right-hand side of the respective tab. To close all tabs or all tabs but the current one, do a mouse right-click on one of the network names and select the appropriate option; if there are unsaved changes, visone asks you whether you want to save the files and you can answer yes/no separately for each network (click the yes or no button, respectively) or chose to quit without saving any changes (no to all) saving all modified networks (yes to all) or chose cancel, that is not to close the tabs. (If you closed one or several of the networks, remember to open them again to follow the steps below.)

Joint analysis and visualization

Creating a network collection

Dynamic visualization and animation of a network collection

Statistical modeling of network dynamics