Glossary

A

API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols and tools for building software applications. TimeTiles provides a REST API for programmatic access to data import, query, and export functionality.

C

Chronicle
An interactive timeline that combines geospatial data with temporal visualization to tell a story or document events over time. The core concept behind TimeTiles.

Clustering
The automatic grouping of nearby events or data points to improve visualization clarity and performance. TimeTiles clusters both spatially (by location) and temporally (by time).

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
A file format used to store tabular data. One of the primary import formats supported by TimeTiles.

D

Dynamic Filters
Interactive controls that allow users to filter and explore data in real-time without page reloads. Includes time range, location, and custom field filters.

E

Event
A single data point in TimeTiles representing something that happened at a specific time and place. Events are the basic building blocks of chronicles.

G

Geocoding
The process of converting addresses or place names into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude).

GeoJSON
A format for encoding geographic data structures using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON).

Geospatial Data
Information that includes location data (coordinates, addresses, place names) along with other attributes.

I

Interactive Chronicle
A dynamic, explorable timeline that allows users to navigate through time and space to understand how events unfold. The primary output of TimeTiles.

Import Pipeline
The system that processes uploaded data files, validates coordinates, detects schemas, and converts data into the TimeTiles format.

J

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
A lightweight data-interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write. Supported as an import format in TimeTiles.

K

KML (Keyhole Markup Language)
An XML notation for expressing geographic annotation and visualization. Originally developed for Google Earth, now supported by TimeTiles.

M

Map Clustering
The visual grouping of multiple events that are close together geographically to prevent overcrowding on the map interface.

P

Payload CMS
The content management system used by TimeTiles for managing data, users, and configurations.

PostGIS
A spatial database extension for PostgreSQL that adds support for geographic objects and spatial queries.

PostgreSQL
The open-source relational database system used by TimeTiles, enhanced with PostGIS for geospatial capabilities.

R

React Query
A library for managing server state in React applications. Used by TimeTiles for efficient data fetching, caching, and synchronization.

S

Schema Detection
The automatic process of analyzing uploaded data to identify date fields, coordinate fields, and other important columns without manual configuration.

Spatial Query
A database query that involves geographic locations and relationships between them.

T

Timeline Navigation
The interface controls that allow users to move through time, including play/pause controls, time range selection, and temporal zoom.

Temporal Data
Information that includes time-based attributes, showing when events occurred.

Turbopack
A fast bundler for JavaScript and TypeScript, used by Next.js 15 in TimeTiles for improved development performance.

U

URL Parameters
Web address parameters that store filter and view states, allowing users to share specific views of their chronicles.

V

Visualization
The graphical representation of data, including maps, timelines, charts, and interactive elements that help users understand patterns and relationships.

W

WebSocket
A communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection. Used by TimeTiles for real-time updates during data import and processing.

This glossary covers key terms specific to TimeTiles and geospatial data visualization. For general web development or database terms, consult external technical dictionaries.