data visualizaton — Tufte — sparklines — javascript — jQuery

Posted on by killips

Edward Tufte

Edward Rolf Tufte is an American statistician and professor emeritus of political science, statistics, and computer science at Yale University. He is noted for his writings on information design and as a pioneer in the field of data visualization. Tufte in wikipedia
A typical type of item used by Tufte as Collected/Referenced historic data visualization example:
Minard 1869 — Losses of the French Army in the Russian Campaign
Inline image 2
A few years ago, I went to hear Tufte speak in Portland, Oregon — Scott 
Tufte is a Yale professor, speaker, author . . collects and promotes data visualizations.  He hates PowerPoitnt.  Promoter of high-density data written and pictorial.  Spurred understanding and electronic creation of “sparklines” (because they look like a little spark.  Also called micro-graphs.

“A sparkline is a small intense, simple, word-sized graphic with typographic resolution.” — Tufte’s words  

sparklines

simple sample of sparklines:
Inline image 1


javascript

JavaScript (JS) is an interpreted computer programming language. It was originally implemented as part of web browsers so that client-side scripts could interact with the user, control the browser, communicate asynchronously, and alter the document content that was displayed.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  javascript   IS NOT   Java programming language
they just share the name java


jQuery — “write less, do more”

Quick way to leverage many, many lines of already written javascript libraries into useful web applications that are browser tolerant   We no longer have to program for a articular browser or version of brwser.  Frees developer to cosentrate on content.
jQuery official site
jQuery is a fast, small, and feature-rich JavaScript library. It makes things like HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, animation, and Ajax much simpler with an easy-to-use API that works across a multitude of browsers. With a combination of versatility and extensibility, jQuery has changed the way that millions of people write JavaScript.
jQuery API Reference multiVersion with Search
jQuery 1.8 API Cheat Sheet — from Future Colors
===========================================================================
The Best !!

jQuery and Sparklines —- Together

I’ll share more with you as I learn about this part myself. — S.KILLIP

Inverted Pendulum(s) and Agile Aerial Robots — TOGETHER

Posted on by killips

About a year ago, I was excited about processor controlled inverted pendulum projects and robotic quad-rotor (quad-copters) —- since then it’s gotten even BETTER.
Double Inverted Pendulum                                                                                  http://www.dump.com/2010/11/25/double-inverted-pendulum-video/
In his lab at University of Pennsylvania, Vijay Kumar and his team build flying quad-rotors, small, agile robots that swarm, sense each other, and form ad hoc teams– for construction, surveying disasters and far more.  http://www.ted.com/talks/vijay_kumar_robots_that_fly_and_cooperate.html
now . . putting it TOGETHER — Inverted Pendulum(s) and Agile Aerial Robots
These quadcopters are juggling an inverted pendulum  http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/these-quadcopters-are-juggling-an-inverted-pendulum-20130222/
Enjoy

Project Management Triangle

Posted on by killips

The triad constraints, (also known as the “Iron Triangle”) 

  • SCOPE
  • COST
  • SCHEDULE
Traditional vs. Agile
1) WATERFALL: We define the scope and plan cost and time. Since cost and time are our variables, we need to control their variance towards the baseline through EVM* or buffer (if using a critical chain project management approach) 
2) AGILE: We define cost and time (a.k.a Time Bucket Approach) and plan the scope. Since scope is our variable, we need to control its variance towards the baseline (using tools like the a “ Functionality Backlog”) 
*EVM = Earned Value Management

App: Technical Brown Bag — session one

Posted on by killips

DETAILS:

Scott plans to cover all of these in the first session with a small set of examples for the use of each. You are invited to test them out before hand.  Here is the list and locations.

  • Freemind        tree graphing application
  • PureText         format stripper
  • MWSnap         image capture
  • Notepad++      a very good find-in-files search
  • FireBug           web devlp tool plug-in for Firefox
  • PwdCorral       password and link vault
  • ThinkingRock  personal task tracker 

Goto My Blogs about these apps

 

App: PureText

PureText is a format remover.
download available from http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext/

 App: MWSnap

MWSnap  is an versatile mini application for screen captures and even color matching needs.

You can download MWSnap 3 safely 

App: Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad alternative that supports several languages.  (You don’t have to replace Notepad.  They can coexist.)

read more about Notepad++ at http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/

App: Thinking Rock

Thinking Rock is a java application that has Thinking Rock is software that is based on a productivity methodology
described in the international best selling book “Getting Things Done”
(GTD) by David Allen.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/thinkingrock/

Excel Formula Palooza 1

Posted on by killips

in Excel:   
        “splitting on a space”
example:
                A                                           B                                                 C
nano dwarf, very small                      nano                                 dwarf, very small
nano dwarf, very small                   =LEFT(A1,FIND(” “,A1)-1)                      =MID(A1,FIND(” “,A1,1)+1,255)

in Excel:
      ~ is a special character, so special in fact, that you can’t find and replace it w/o escaping it with itself !
               so Find what: ~~   and Replace with: †  WORKS!!

in Excel:   
        “folding multiple columns into a single string”
example:
          A            B          C           D                 E                               F 
         Sir      Walter      P.       Mitty         Esquire       Sir Walter P. Mitty, Esquire
         Sir       Walter       P.       Mitty         Esquire         =CONCATENATE(A1,” “,B1,” “,C1,” “,D1,”, “,E1)
a bit more refined:
=CONCATENATE(TRIM(A1),” “,TRIM(B1),” “,TRIM(C1),” “,TRIM(D1),”, “,TRIM(E1))

maybe something more common:
          A               B                        C                                       D
       CITY            ST            POSTAL CODE
    Baltimore      MD             21234-5529            Baltimore, MD  21234-5529
    Baltimore        MD             21234-5529           =CONCATENATE(TRIM(A5),”, “,TRIM(B5),”  “,TRIM(C5))

App: MWSnap

Posted on by killips

MWSnap  is an versatile mini application for screen captures and even color matching needs.

  • Snap any rectangular area
  • Snap fixed pixel area
  • Color picker (including HTML color code)
  • Copy/Paste or Save as (bmp, jpeg, gif, png, -or- tiff)
  • and more

You can download MWSnap 3 safely from cnet.com
        http://download.cnet.com/MWSnap/3000-2072_4-10524228.html

I suggest turning-off the preview feature
             Tools
             . . . Settings
             . . .  Snapping [tab]
              . . . un-select   Show snap preview window (F6 Toggles)
While you are in Settings, also go to
             . . . Auto-saving [tab]
            . . . choose one of five formats 
                         (that is Copy/Paste format as well, not just Auto-Capture)

  • bmp
  • jpeg
  • gif
  • png
  • tiff

app developer is Mirek Wojtowicz (Mirosław Wójtowicz)
http://www.mirekw.com/index.html

Introducing GIS

Posted on by killips

At least 2 years ago, I spotted a book in a used bookstore on GIS.  I had heard of it being used by Forestry Majors while at OSU as a key tool to mapping tree lines and forest growth patterns.  It interested me, because of its GPS component.  “How cool would it be to track something in the physical world and overlay it on a map?”

Now, as I am surrounded by Advancement Office requests for data, I began to consider the possibility of GIS as a tool for visualizing select populations.  So, I pulled out the book and am reading it with a new purpose in mind.  I will blog about key points in the area of GIS, and specific applications when I can.  “GIS, it’s not just for forests!”  I did not know that.

"The Viking Report"

Posted on by killips

This week marked the beginning of my third month, and I am getting into the rhythm of the work.  On this particular weekend, a situation presented itself and with it an opportunity for total immersion in the issues and systems that I was hired to maintain, The Viking System.

Today was a monthly staff meeting, and I saw it as the perfect opportunity to wear my hat . .

I carried the hat in a box and put it on during my portion of a staff meeting.  I donned my hat and the crowd of 12 staff members erupted in laughter.  I introduced the event in typical SNL style, “and this is The Viking Report . . .”  It was a hit.

Viking Report upload.jpg
I finished with, “and believe it or not, I did not have to make this hat for this meeting.  This is just something I had around the house.  You can ask my ‘why?’ later.”

App: Notepad++

Posted on by killips

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad alternative that supports several languages.  (You don’t have to replace Notepad.  They can coexist.)

It is very useful for catching an illusive syntax error.
It is easily switchable between languages/styles.
Customization allows you to create User-defined highlighting
and Style Configuration allows you to make it your own.

read more about Notepad++ at http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/

Chuckle: Toothpicks and salt

Posted on by killips

One day before break, I was having lunch in a nearby diner (in Independence, Oregon).  In walked two older gentleman and I couldn’t see them because my back was to the door.  They were very friendly and exchanged a series of greetings with the regulars and sat down.

The waitress was busy between two rooms of customers and when she got to their table ready with her order pad she said, “Can I get you fellows something?”

“No. It’s fine.”  replied one gentleman, “We just came by for some toothpicks and salt.”

The waitress along with the entire room of patrons burst into laughter.  How can something so simple be so funny?  It was simply funny.