InspireData 1.5 is an above-average graphing application that makes it easy to create all sorts of graphs, from simple to complex. Its has the ability to help students explore and understand how data relates, and how using different methods of displaying this relationship can offer significant insight into its meaning. Unfortunately, InspireData 1.5 isn't a particularly versatile program, and its relative dearth of exporting abilities make it difficult to recommend whole-heartedly

The program includes over 50 pre-made data sets that cover a wide variety of topics in four basic categories: Science, Math, Social Studies and More. The More category is a catchall that includes data as varied as Major League Baseball salary statistics and Emmy Award winners. These pre-made data sets can provide insights into a subject and demonstrate the effectiveness of displaying such information graphically.

You can create your own data sets by importing information from the comma- or tab-separated files that most database and spreadsheet programs can produce. You can also use InspireData's built-in database application, called Tables, to input data. Tables can also be used to collect data from others; you can set up a table-based survey and have participants enter their data directly within Tables. For even greater flexibility, you can use InspireData to publish a survey as a Web page, which allows anyone with Internet access to participate. These e-surveys are hosted on Inspiration Software's web site, and once you have finished collecting data, you can download the information directly into InspireData for analysis.

You can use Venn, Stack, Pie, Axis and Time series graphs and charts to visualize your data. InspireData's charting system excels at letting you see relationships that would be difficult to discern from raw numbers alone. You can manipulate each type of plot onscreen and view the results immediately. You can also save plots as GIF, PNG or JPG files for use in presentation programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote.

InspireData 1.5 is a handy tool for exploring data relationships, but its limited ability to export data to other applications prevents it from having a useful life outside of a learning environment.


Pros: Easy-to-use graphing capabilities, Web-based data collection capabilities
Cons: Poor export options, limited import options