On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 6:25 PM, Rob Adams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > There's nothing wrong with data grids per se. Tufte himself recommends > the use of data tables on numerous occasions. That's why we have one > in Flex. > > The problem arises when people use data tables just because they are > (supposedly) easy to design and implement when another form of > representing the data would be more effective at answering the > questions the viewer has about her data. I find it is always valuable > to ask yourself what these questions are likely to be, and whether the > information visualization you chose is an effective way of answering > them.
To comment on this - yes, exactly. They are a versatile tool, and that's very much it - our IAs who are just stretching their arms into RIA-related things such as Flex and various Ajax frameworks will often reach for the spice on the rack which is most readily available, easily identifiable with previous experience, and more easily understood by developers who are newcomers to the framework as well. In some ways this resembles Alan Cooper's "Dancing Bear" example - hey, we can do it at all! In extended effect - at least in my limited local experience - it does get overused in design, but also honestly has provided more depth to desired application goals, even if we should seek to explore better suited options. Scott -- 'Life' plus 'significance' = magic. ~ Grant Morrison ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
