Method and apparatus for displaying data stored in linked nodes

A method for creating a highly connected network of nodes indicative of computer-readable data, including the steps of:

• capturing data contained in at least one legacy database;
• structuring the captured data as a set of linked nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes at least one link to another one of the nodes, and the set of linked nodes is structured such that when one of the nodes is designated as a point of view, representations of the nodes can be displayed as a sea of node representations;
• and
• implementing a query, said step of implementing the query including the steps of:
• (a) establishing a first point of view and displaying said representations of the nodes as a first sea of node representations whose point of view is said first point of view;
• (b) invoking a command which determines the query;
• and
• (c) in response to the command, displaying a changed sea of node representations which emphasizes information having greater relevance to the query and deemphasizes information having less relevance to the query, wherein step (c) includes the step of displaying a smoothly changing sea of node representations which changes from the first sea of node representations to the changed sea of node representations with smooth changes in visual state, so as to provide information to a user regarding speed at which displayed node representations change and regarding which parameters of displayed node representations change.