The Linked Windows Interactive Data System (LinkWinds) is a visual data analysis and exploration system for investigating large datasets to detect trends, correlations, and anomalies, especially in the fields of oceanography and astronomy. The concern of the project was to deliver a large amount of information in a timely manner.

This paper is interesting and easy to understand. The authors clearly articulate the objectives of the program: to develop a software environment that will support visual data analysis applications while maintaining a high performance level for the interactive manipulation of graphical displays; to develop a user interface that is easy for the novice to learn; to provide examples of general applicability; and to provide the user with the tools necessary to support development of applications.

Using captured images from the graphical user interface, the authors show the readers the various LinkWinds functions: a journal of all commands; macro capabilities so that previous commands can be saved and reused for execution at any time; and the multiuser science environment (MUSE) program statement and message-passing protocol, which allows systems to communicate with each other. They demonstrate the capability of people using MUSE over the network to communicate, view live lectures, and engage in tutorials.

I agree with the authors’ decision to incorporate these principles in order to develop an intuitive interface that is easy to learn and use. Guided by these principles, they are moving away from the days when one had to write a lot of programming language code in order to incorporate graphics or animation into a simulation or tutorial. What we see here is the development of true object-oriented programming. Users want to start working on a new piece of software immediately; they will learn to use it by exploring rather than by reading manuals; and, as long as the software conforms to expectations, they will refer to the manual only when they encounter specific problems. Thus, the authors use symbolic language and icons that are almost like international traffic signs in order to achieve a uniform interface.

The figures are effective and made me want to see the effects of manipulating the buttons. Various tools are discussed but not shown, thus increasing the reader’s desire for hands-on experience.

As true scientists, the authors go through the process of prototyping, testing, and revising. They also try to envision the future of LinkWinds, including controlling other processes via the Internet; annotation tools; support for additional data file formats; developing a user application generator; and implementation on platforms other than UNIX.

This paper will serve as a seminal piece for future papers or even a book. I look forward to reviewing a more detailed version of the various activities that are associated with this effort.