Abstract: A GUI is disclosed including a set of visualization routines designed to improve display, visualization and manipulation of multi-dimensional data. Many of the routines combine 2D and 3D renderings with domain selecting criteria and stacking criteria with line segments connecting variable values between records in a given dataset or between corresponding variable values in records of related datasets. The GUI also employs active, persistent and slider variables to probe variable relationships, group relationships and dataset relationships.
Abstract: A search engine is disclosed that utilizes both record based data and user activity data to develop, update and refine ranking protocols and to identify words and phrases that give rise to search ambiguity so that the engine can interact with the user to better respond to user queries and enhance data acquisition from databases, intranets and internets.