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136 comments on Has Fossil Fuel Consumption Within the EU Peaked?

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jengatao on July 10, 2008 - 1:33pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I agree it's a good analysis, but contrary to Luminara's comments I have to beat up on the graphs. For good graphs see Gail's posts. They're clean, simple, and emphasize the actual data. Heading Out has used way too many graphics and even shadowing on data lines (where is the actual data point, on the line or the shadow?). Rule number one: when graphing data, don't use more dimensions than the data itself has. With shadowing you've tried to use three dimensions to display two dimensional data.

HO, I recommend a visit to www.edwardtufte.com for valuable instruction on designing data displays.

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Gail the Actuary on July 10, 2008 - 5:29pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

One thing I learned from consulting was that most audiences can't understand more than one variable on a graph. We may have a little more sophisticated audience here, but I still make two or three separate graphs, rather than try to put too many ideas together.

Also, when the graph is complex to begin with, a pictured background adds to the complexity. Where does the graph end and the background begin?

Another trick I learned in consulting is to always number every graph and illustration--Figure 1, Figure 2. It is embarrassing when you have a client in the room and need to say, now page back a little. It also makes graphs easier to refer to when a person writes a post, or when someone wants to ask a question in the comments.

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136 comments on Has Fossil Fuel Consumption Within the EU Peaked?

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