Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to implement gamification of applications and activities. The approach can be used to create gamification for any application/activity. In some approaches, gamification is provided such that an application is not modified to include the game features. Instead, an external stand-alone gamification mechanism is provided to include the game features, where the external gamification mechanism is used in conjunction with the activity/application.

Abstract: Data visualizations include first and optionally second containers representing first and second time periods, respectively; each container encloses icons representing data entities associated with the container's time period. Icons from the first and second containers may be moved to the other container to change the time periods associated with data entities corresponding to the moved icons. Additionally, changes to attributes of data entities made via the data visualization may be shared with other users. A level indicator representing data entities associated with the first container aggregate attribute value changes in response to icons being added to or removed from the first container. The containers may be visually styled as cups, the level indicators as liquid and/or a straw contained in the cup, and the icons as bubbles or other objects in the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to implement gamification of applications and activities. The approach can be used to create gamification for any application/activity. In some approaches, gamification is provided such that an application is not modified to include the game features. Instead, an external stand-alone gamification mechanism is provided to include the game features, where the external gamification mechanism is used in conjunction with the activity/application.