Beta

What are the different versions of SpatialKey?

You can view our different versions on the Solutions page of SpatialKey.

What is a visualization template?

SpatialKey visualization templates are unique ways of looking at geotemporal (location+time) datasets. Our technology preview includes four visualization templates:

• Animation/Playback
• Map Comparison
• Drill Down
• Temporal Heat Index

Can I visualize my own data?

Join our beta to stay up-to-date on SpatialKey releases. In the future, we plan to release a desktop AIR application that allows you to load your own geotemporal datasets (through an importer that geocodes addresses if necessary) into the visualization templates. For now, our Gallery page highlights a selection of sample datasets that can be visualized in the templates. Back to top

What kind of data can be visualized?

Any locational data can be visualized with SpatialKey. Currently, our tools support the rendering and filtering of point data. We will also support data aggregated to administrative boundaries or arbitrary units (like states or census blocks). The SpatialKey importer will automatically geocode addresses (or even just city names) if latitude/longitude columns are not found.

SpatialKey was designed to work with geotemporal data: data with recorded location and time information. The latter can be as precise as dates recorded down to the millisecond, or as general as months or years. The temporal component of data can be used to filter or playback data, and the Heat index visualization component can reveal complex time-related trends. Back to top

Where is the data stored?

For the examples in our technology preview, all datasets are loaded client-side from a special CSV format. Even large datasets, like the 7300-line Sacramento burglaries dataset, load in just a second or two. Optionally we offer our Enterprise and Custom solutions with server-backed versions of SpatialKey, running against databases with millions of rows. The ability to easily plug in local CSV data combined with the power and scalability of the server route show the flexibility of our visualization solutions. Back to top

Are there server-side dependencies?

As noted here, SpatialKey can be used with local CSV datasets, thousands of lines long, or can be backed by server datasets with millions of rows. When visualizing CSV datasets in SpatialKey, as in the examples for our technology preview, there are no server-side dependencies, and all filtering and rendering is performed client-side. Back to top

What are the system requirements?

SpatialKey requires only a browser and the Adobe Flash Player plugin, and has been tested to work well with a variety of OS/browser/Flash player combinations. To ensure you are getting the best experience and performance, please make sure you have the latest version of Flash Player. Back to top

Known Issues

SpatialKey works with Flash Player version 9.0.115 or higher.

There is only one known Flash Player version that we don't support: the beta release of Flash Player 10 version 10.0.0.536 (also known as the beta 2 refresh) that was released on Adobe labs on 07/07/2008. This only affects the Mac version of this release. All known builds of Flash Player 10 work on Windows. A new version of Flash Player 10 (not yet publicly available) is also know to work across all operating systems. If you are running Flash Player 10 on a Mac and have access to the Adobe prerelease program, you can upgrade to the latest release candidate of Flash Player 10 to resolve this issue. Otherwise you will have to downgrade to Flash Player 9.

What are the available map renderings?

SpatialKey visualizations utilize three different map renderings or symbolizations.

• Heatmap: continuous color surface highlighting the densest areas in the loaded dataset
• Heat grid: a colored grid representation, wherein individual data points are aggregated to grid squares
• Graduated circles: circle size is proportional to the number of data points. In less dense areas, true point locations are shown.

These three renderings are available in all templates with all datasets. Switching between them can reveal different patterns and complex trends in the data you are visualizing.

Heat Map	Heat Grid	Graduated Circles

How fast is SpatialKey?

Check it out for yourself. Though SpatialKey is browser-based and runs through Flash Player, it loads, filters, and renders thousands of points nearly instantly. Thus it combines the performance of a desktop application with the flexibility that comes from utilizing the Flash Player. SpatialKey also handles thousands of data points where other internet based solutions rendering client side data are only able to render hundreds of data points. Back to top

How is SpatialKey different from it's competitors?

Because SpatialKey runs in Flash Player, it is not tied to any particular operating system, and can be used on almost any computer with an internet connection. It is also quite lightweight compared to other mapping, GIS, and visualization applications, and loads in just a few seconds. Among mapping applications, SpatialKey's advanced temporal tools -- including the histogram/timeline widget and advanced heat index component -- stand out. Further, SpatialKey is backed by a team of experts in visualization, GIS, cartography, and software development. Our development is iterative, and client feedback is taken seriously as new features are new features are added and existing ones are improved. Back to top

What's next?

Join our beta to stay informed about SpatialKey news, including a planned release of a version that will let you load your own datasets into a few of the visualization templates. We will continue to update the SpatialKey Blog with interesting data stories and example use cases for the visualization templates. Also, continue to check out the Gallery for new visualization templates and example datasets. Back to top