In the last few issues of this newsletter I've discussed graphics-based Web services that use visual techniques and metaphors to present complex data in ways that improves its accessibility and comprehension.

There's been a recent surge of companies trying out new representations of the Web and in this issue I have a very new player in this market, Yoowalk. France-based Yoowalk - slogan "Walk around the Web" - is focused on the European market.

The presentation is a Flash-based virtual world that doesn’t require you to install any software to use - the publishers repeatedly claim that Yoowalk is a “no-download virtual world” which is just plain ridiculous as you have to download something to see any Web site (in Yoowalk’s case it is a lump of Flash).

Yoowalk’s virtual world presents a selection of Web sites in an isometric view of a grid-like streetscape albeit a very simplified one. Lining the streets are boxes (analogous to buildings) that stand for Web sites and that are decorated with some kind of representation of the site. Your avatar can perambulate around this environment, enter the virtual buildings or take “elevators” to other locations.

You can choose which “country,” “village” or “walksite” to be in and a mini-map shows your locality. You can also jump via menus to a list of predefined places.

You move around the Yoowalk world by circling your mouse around your avatar until the cursor points in the direction you want to go and then clicking. The camera orientation relative to the Yoowalk world never changes so all buildings are on the far side of every street.

In Yoowalk your avatar is a tiny figure that you walk or fly around to change your location.

The behavior of the avatars is odd. When at rest they occasionally alternate between a rather fey “weight on one hip” stance and an “at attention” pose – neither is even vaguely cool and there are no avatar behaviors you can use such as jumping and dancing. If you want to fly, your avatar transforms into a generic butterfly … again, not really cool.

In Yoowalk you can see the avatars of other users if they are visiting the same location as you and “chat” with them. You can also instant message using either the built-in chat services or log in to AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN so you can instant message people outside of Yoowalk.

Mark Gibbs is a consultant, author, journalist, columnist and blogger.