Create non-bar chart with categories on x-axis

Hi everyone

I need to create a graph showing pairs of value. One item from each pair is a single value, the other one is supposed to show a range of values (my idea was to plot the mean value with error bars to indicate the range's max and min, but I'm open to better ideas). The x-axis has no purpose other than giving the names of the various categories (just like in a histogram) - all that matters are the y-values.

I am pretty sure I could create something like this (value pairs and x-categories) using histograms, but boxes just strike me as wrong in this case.

Is there a way to create such a graph? If so, could you please point me in the right direction?

Thanks a lot for your time!


PS: I have already asked this question on stackoverflow, but I guess it's not really the right forum for gnuplot questions. There, however, I have also included a rough sketch of my desired graph, and some further details. The link is: http://stackoverflow.com/q/8371993/475845 Thanks again!