Thanks Google for another nice free product. Here is how it can be imporoved:
1) Scatter plots - Often we want to connect data points with lines. For example, a trajectory of GPS data consists of an ordered set of lat,lon coordinates. If the path becomes convoluted (self-crossing / zigzag / etc), just looking at the data points does not convey the path properly. 2) Scatter plots - Instead of allowing one extra data set to convey a one-dimensional vector (of magnitude = point size) for the single series of data points, the chart type should support any number of series. And each series should consist of: - 2 data sets for the 2D coordinates. - Up to 4 or 5 data sets for point annotation. The user would designate one (if desired) for the point size of the plotted marker as is done currently. The next 3 would be used to designate the point colour. Ideally, the user would have the choice of using either RGB or HLS colour dimensions. Lastly, would be a unicode string to use as an ordered lookup to chose the point marker. Combining these two features, one could, for example, plot the paths of two separate sailboats during a race, with each marker having a size corresponding to the boat's instantaneous "ground" speed, whilst the colour used has a saturation relating to the magnitude of the wind speed and a hue relating to the wind direction on a colour wheel. 3) "Radar" Plots - First, come up with another name. I suggest that you use "Spider" plots, as has been suggested by some Mac users. I say this because the name "radar" implies the abilty to plot in polar (angle, radius) coordinates, which is not the case. The angle that you use in the dataset is a fixed fraction (depending on the point count), and not an independant variable. 4) And while you're at it, implement a polar plot. (i.e. Radius, Angle). Do not be tempted to use the cartographer's convention of going clockwise from the top for 0 to 360 degrees. Instead, use the mathematician's convention of going counterclockwise from the right. (And give an option for radians vs degrees as well.) And when you develop it would be a good time to make sure that it can handle multiple series, with 2 data sets for the base data and 4 or 5 for point annotation as descibed above for your re-vamped scatter plots. BTW, a polar plot *could* be properly called a "radar" plot if the points are not connected by lines. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Chart API" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/google-chart-api?hl=en.
