Sorting and Compare

The uBIQUITY platform allows users to reorder search results according to different criteria, in order to facilitate consultation and comparison. The available criteria vary depending on the type of search and the metadata associated with the results.

Available sorting criteria:

Interface behavior

• The sorting criterion can be changed at any time via the dedicated menu located at the top of the results list.
• Once a criterion is selected, the table updates automatically in real time.
• Sorting does not modify the original data, but only the current visualization of the results.

The Compare function is one of the core components of the UBIQUITY platform and allows direct comparison of up to three results selected from the search list. The user can select from 1 to 3 results using the checkboxes next to each item.

Once the selection is made, the Compare button in the top toolbar is automatically enabled. When opened, the system displays the first available comparison mode, but the user can freely switch between four different visualization modes using the buttons located at the top of the compare window.

The modes, in order, are:

This is the first view that automatically appears after activating Compare.

Characteristics

• The selected texts are displayed in adjacent columns, one for each result (up to a maximum of 4 columns: the searched text + the 3 selected results).
• Each column reports:
  • author
  • work
  • reference (chapter, verse, paragraph, etc.)
  • textual excerpt
• Only matches are highlighted, through the Matching Word Count icon: a light-blue indicator showing the number of occurrences found between the result text and the Searched Text.
• Differences between texts are not highlighted: the visualization focuses exclusively on calculated matches.
• Side arrows allow the user to move columns left or right, facilitating comparison between adjacent texts.

This mode is ideal for immediate analysis of lexical correspondences between texts.

The Variant Graph mode represents relationships between texts in the form of a variants graph. Each textual element is displayed as a node connected to its variants, allowing immediate analysis of divergences between the selected results.

Main features

• Each word is represented as a node, connected to variants present in other texts.
• Branches highlight divergences, alternatives, or variants documented in manuscripts or textual editions.
• The following graphical buttons are available:
  • Zoom In
  • Zoom Out
  • Center View

(available only in Variant Graph and only if present)

The Variant Graph mode may include two additional buttons:

• Entries
• Witnesses

These buttons are always visible in Variant Graph mode, but are active only if at least one of the selected texts has a critical apparatus.

Entries

Opens a side panel showing the apparatus entries associated with the selected passage. When available, it is possible to:

• view entries;
• read variants, notes, or documented traditions;
• copy contents using the dedicated button.

Witnesses

Displays the list of witnesses (manuscripts, codices, textual traditions). Each witness includes, when available:

• Name
• Settlement (location)
• Repository (library or archive)
• Shelfmark
• Dating

If none of the texts includes an apparatus, the Entries and Witnesses buttons remain visible but disabled, as no content is available to display.

This mode provides an abstract visualization of the entire text, useful for quantitative or overview studies.

Characteristics

• The text is represented as a sequence of colored squares.
• Blue → presence of the searched word or phrase
• Light grey → absence of the searched word or phrase
• Each row represents a work or a version of the text.

This view allows quick identification of areas where the term is present or absent within the compared works.

This mode represents the comparison structure in the form of a node-based diagram.

Characteristics

• At the center, the searched text is displayed together with the applied criterion.
• Each selected work is visualized as a connected node, including its textual excerpt.
• It is possible to:
  • move and drag blocks;
  • zoom;
  • visually explore the comparison structure.

This view is designed for analytical reading of hierarchical relationships between criteria and results.

All modes can be activated and alternated using the dedicated buttons in the top toolbar. The user can therefore choose the most suitable mode for their analysis, quickly switching from textual comparison to graphical representation of variants, up to abstract and structured models.

During visualization in Compare mode, the interface provides a set of additional panels and tools that facilitate result analysis.

The main ones are:

Each modification applied to the visualization is maintained locally as long as the session remains active and can be saved as part of the Flow to restore the same configuration in the future.

From the Compare window, the user can perform several operations related to the management of comparison flows (Flows).

Flow creation and saving

When the user saves a comparison for the first time, the system displays the “Create Flow” button. Through this command, a new Flow is created containing:

• the selected texts;
• the visualization mode;
• graph settings.

Once the Flow has been created, the button automatically changes to “Save Flow”. The “Save Flow” command allows saving modifications made to an existing Flow without creating a new one.

The flow is stored in the user database and becomes part of the history accessible in the Flows section.

The “Flows” button opens the window dedicated to managing all saved comparisons. From this screen, the user can:

• rename a flow ();
• view the modification history ();
• delete a flow ().

It is possible to:

• modify the name of an existing Flow;

All actions are applied immediately and confirmed through notifications or status messages displayed in the lower part of the Compare window.