What is your preferred graphical representation of a sequence of events for an investigation?
What tool do you use to make the presentation?
We use i2 Analyst's Notebook, primarily because we have licenses for it already and use it heavily in charting relationships between entities. I have to say I find the timeline functionality a bit clunky; since we don't have the need to prepare them too often it's not a big issue for us.
If you're specifically interested in timelines I think there are better tools around. I recall seeing demos of some case analysis tools aimed at the legal market that looked pretty slick when it came to timelines. Unfortunately I can't remember their names (
There is also competitor of i2 Analyst's Notebook, named Sentinel Visualizer. If you are looking for a tools to timeline, correlate and analyze thousands of entitles, both tools will be ok.
But I think in small cases it would be like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut..
I am also very interested in timeline and relationship software. However, is there any that are freeware? I really have no interest in paying 2500 bucks just to make pretty timelines.
I am also very interested in timeline and relationship software. However, is there any that are freeware? I really have no interest in paying 2500 bucks just to make pretty timelines.
Have you considered log2timeline (free)? I don't have a lot of experience with it, but found it very useful in one case and the author of the tool (Kristinn Gudjonsson) was very helpful with some initial issues I was having. From his website, "log2timeline now supports exporting data in a XML document that can be read by timeline visualization tools such as CFTL (CyberForensics TimeLab) or SIMILE timeline widgets."
The website is http//
If you use/like it consider contributing to this open source project.
I was not aware that log2timeline had that capability. I'll play with it.
I think, though, that I am looking for something more focused. If I export from log2timeline, I'll get a wealth of information. I guess I had in mind just adding a few specific and notable items, rather than everything.
For simple stuff, I like BeeDocs Timeline for Mac.
http//
–Chad
I was not aware that log2timeline had that capability. I'll play with it.
I think, though, that I am looking for something more focused. If I export from log2timeline, I'll get a wealth of information. I guess I had in mind just adding a few specific and notable items, rather than everything.
You can plug as much/little as you want. Its really up to you.
I was looking for something like beedocs timeline but for Win.
I currently use Visio, Excel etc. to create them, and for presentation, or documentation they are very . . . unprofessional looking.
My primary presentation is paper, not video or web interface therefore, although some of the solutions look really nice, I need something that makes a good printed timeline.
jhup, I turned to excel myself when beedocs dropped their windows port project and the following tips certainly improved the look of what I was producing
hope that helps..