What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com? This question tops my personal FAQ list. So here is the answer, in fable form! The Brothers WordPress “How many times must I tell you, it’s not about the money!” WordPress.com was fuming, mad at his older brother WordPress.org for not understanding. .Org turned to face his […]
Reorienting, how can I help you get more value out of the web?
One summer during my undergrad years I was hiking with a good friend in western Maryland. We're both eagle scouts and had taken this hike a dozen times. So, when heading back to the car, we decided to take a shortcut. Funny thing about being lost, you often don't know you are until it's too […]
Technical Difficulties
I have a sketchbook in my pocket (Value ~ $3). If I were to drop it out the window from the top of my house it would be ok. I also have an ipad (Value ~$400). Dropping that out of my backpack from about 2 feet off the ground means needing a new one. I […]
Early Kermit and visual thinking
Is it strange that I’m in research but my greatest heroes are puppeteers, cartoonists, and kids’ book authors? I’ve been reading and watching a lot of Jim Henson stuff lately. I bet if he had lived another decade, with his love for new media and experimentation, he would have been tearing it up on the web. […]
New Year’s ambition: to create something outstanding
In 2013, I plan to create something outstanding. I have a few ideas that I've allowed to fester in my mind for far too long. This year I make them a reality.
Choropleth maps and data visualization instacritics
It’s pretty easy to tear down a data visualization. Between Tufte’s traveling show and any number of solid data visualization blogs, we’re creating a hive of instacritics that are currently laying down a path of destruction through unsuspecting visualizers. I try to limit my critiques these days. As easy as it is to tear down […]
It’s a Christmas cartoon clip show!
Apparently this is my 200th freshspectrum post going back to March of 2010 when I started this blog. Looking back it’s been an evolution for sure. To celebrate, I’m going to do what they do on TV, clip show it, Christmas style!
Simple strategy: from 3D bar chart to donut chart
People don’t use pie charts because they think it’s the most effective way to display the data. They use pie charts because it is an acceptable way to add a little color to a technical piece of work. When you look at it this way, 3D pie charts are understandable. They are just jazzier versions […]
Innovators are everywhere
Most companies, academic fields, nonprofits, governments, and associations move forward at a snail's pace. Any attempt to change 'the way' is quickly discouraged. In these environments the null thrives. But there is hope. Within these environments you will also find rogue innovators. People who cannot help but seek to change the status quo. These are […]
Settling for the next best thing
When you need an image for a power point presentation or a training document, what do you do? My guess is that you turn to Google, ultimately ending up with something that sort of fits. Next time try something new. When you need an image, reach for some markers or your camera or open the […]
Invention is only the first step towards innovation
Blogs have been around since the late 90s. But for many academics and professionals the idea of having a blog is still very new. Innovation is most often just the application of past invention in a new context. This is why a lot of innovators don't really think of themselves as such. They're not inventing […]
Does the academic world need a Seuss up?
The Cat in the Hat was written as an alternative to the school primers that were the null in the 1950s. Books like Dick and Jane delivered all the requisite material just without the imagination. If we simply judge the books by what’s covered, there is little difference. But there is more to great communication […]