Visual information retrieval with the supertable + scatterplot

We present a new visualization approach for metadata combining different visualizations into a so-called Su-perTable accompanied by a Scatterplot. The goal is to improve user experience during the information seeking process. Our new visualizations are based on our experi-ences developing a visual information retrieval system called INSYDER to supply small and medium size enter-prises with business information from the Internet. Based on extensive user tests the original visualizations have been redesigned in two different design variants. Instead of offering multiple visualizations to choose from the Su-perTable + Scatterplot combines them in a new way. Therefore, the user has the feeling that he is working with one single visualization in different states. Further the SuperTable solves a problem which seemed to be imma-nent to visualizations in document retrieval: the change of modalities