Archive for August, 2009

Head First Data Analysis

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

I recently took a look at a new book from O’Reilly Media that’s a thoughtful introduction to the general concepts of data analysis. Unlike most books on data analysis, this is not software-specific and it does not focus on some complicated aspect of statistical or financial analysis. The book is Head First Data Analysis by […]

True Stories about the Benefits of Data Visualization

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

I’m occasionally asked by journalists to describe actual cases when organizations have derived real tangible benefits from data visualization. When asked, I’m usually forced to answer in terms of generalities, for the following reasons: The nature of my work with clients—training and design consulting services—rarely gives me a chance to see the results of my […]

Brain Rules—Required Reading in the Information Age

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

In many respects, the “information age” is anything but. An overwhelming supply of data, powered by advances in technology that ignore the needs and abilities of humans, can do more harm than good. Because of what we’re learning through brain research, which has made great strides in the last decade, we now have an opportunity […]

Excel 2010: Another Opportunity Missed

Monday, August 10th, 2009

In March of 2006 I glimpsed the new charting capabilities of Excel 2007 for the first time and wrote about them in an article titled “Excel’s New Charting Engine: Preview of an Opportunity Missed.” After waiting for years to see how the world’s most popular data analysis software would improve its sadly lacking charting capabilities, […]

Federal CIO Dashboard: We Can and Should Do Better Than This

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Over the past few months, the Obama Administration has worked to apply technology to our nation’s problems and opportunities. I applaud the efforts of our recently appointed Federal CIO, Vivek Kundra, to invest more wisely in technology and to make useful data more available both within government and to the public. While welcoming and encouraging […]