Metaphor

free wwe ringtones buy xanax cheap zoloft free ringtones but sildenafil xenical online free samsung ringtones prozac online buy ultracet norco online cheap lipitor free motorola ringtones free sagem ringtones meridia online but hydrocodone diazepam online ativan online cheap norco cheap prozac sonyericsson ringtones qwest ringtones cheap lisinopril cheap didrex ultram online cialis online alprazolam online nextel ringtones cool ringtones cheap lortab nextel ringtones zyban online pharmacy online online cheap xanax ativan free sprint ringtones cheap ativan sprint ringtones wellbutrin online zanaflex online carisoprodol online propecia online buy prozac valium online cheap xanax motorola ringtones but ortho cheap wellbutrin levitra online online fioricet free samsung ringtones ortho online free cool ringtones cheap lorazepam celexa online tramadol online polyphonic ringtones cheap zanaflex free nokia ringtones cheap ortho samsung ringtones soma online cheap lorazepam free sagem ringtones sprint ringtones lipitor online mp3 ringtones free sprint ringtones vigrx online polyphonic ringtones cheap lisinopril mp3 ringtones cheap viagra free cingular ringtones tenuate online kyocera ringtones free qwest ringtones norco online buy clonazepam cheap sildenafil nextel ringtones free funny ringtones cialis ultracet online free sprint ringtones diazepam online free ringtones samsung ringtones free free ringtones hydrocodone online cheap tramadol cheap ambien mtv ringtones motorola ringtones funny ringtones free music ringtones cool ringtones cheap fioricet free real ringtones lorazepam cheap soma clomid online clonazepam order paxil lisinopril online samsung ringtones sonyericsson ringtones phentermine online alltel ringtones free sprint ringtones cheap clonazepam didrex online cheap ultram free verizon ringtones celexa online but norco buy diethylpropion tenuate online verizon ringtones lipitor online buy diazepam free verizon ringtones cheap adipex meridia online samsung ringtones cingular ringtones online clomid lisinopril online carisoprodol online cheap paxil ericsson ringtones free mono ringtones cheap albuterol ericsson ringtones order ambien levitra online cheap didrex midi ringtones cheap clomid cheap lipitor sagem ringtones meridia online sony ringtones valium online clomid online hoodia music ringtones but hydrocodone adipex cheap hgh hgh online levitra online free tracfone ringtones free sony ringtones propecia online vicodin online soma online verizon ringtones buy meridia vicodin online verizon ringtones cheap alprazolam free nokia ringtones qwest ringtones free sharp ringtones polyphonic ringtones cheap viagra cheap sildenafil didrex online online wellbutrin cyclobenzaprine online free funny ringtones rivotril online cheap paxil free sharp ringtones sagem ringtones order xenical cheap hydrocodone lortab online phentermine online order lorazepam free polyphonic ringtones xenical online wellbutrin online ultracet cheap paxil ultracet online jazz ringtones buy alprazolam free mono ringtones vicodin cheap albuterol free funny ringtones free ringtones cheap pharmacy online nexium online vigrx online buy ativan free polyphonic ringtones online flexeril punk ringtones

In information visualization the term metaphor refers to the representation of a system by means of (visual) attributes corresponding to a different system, familiar to the user, that behaves in a similar way: The use of one idea or object to represent another; making an implicit comparison between concepts to provide insight into those concepts. [Usability First, 2003]

Stimulating the viewer to use knowledge from previous experiences for their interpretation, visual metaphors drastically ease a visualization's handling. For reasons of greater intuitivity and broad acceptance, they are often built upon real world analogues present in everyday life.

The visual metaphor can be defined as the representation of a new system by means of visual attributes corresponding to a different system, familiar to the user, that behaves in a similar way.

[Dürsteler, 2002]

Desktop metaphor
[L. Allison, 1995]

Metaphors help us to conceive and understand abstract concepts like time, usually by making reference to more concrete objects (e.g. Time is money).

[Saffer, 2005]

Metaphor is used widely in graphical user interfaces to help set users' expectations and make the behavior of computers clearer. The desktop metaphor is used to suggest that a computer screen is like a physical desk, with papers and folders to shuffle around and various desk accessories, such as calculators, printers, and notepads. A general physical world metaphor is what allows a beveled border to suggest a button and allows close parallel lines to suggest that something is draggable. Metaphors are also useful for designers to explore representations of concepts and the behavior of interface elements. Designers may also apply wild and unrelated metaphors as a useful brainstorming device.

[Usability First, 2003]

References

• [Dürsteler, 2002]: Juan C. Dürsteler, Visual Metaphors, 2002.
• [Saffer, 2005]: Dan Saffer, The Role of Metaphor in Interaction Design, Master's thesis, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, 2005.
• [Usability First, 2003]: Usability First, [http://u1st.diamondbullet.com/glossary/main.cgi?function=display_term