[IxDA Discuss] Evil Datagrids! ( was RE: Fwd: Thoughts on AlanCooper's Keynote )

[Rob Adams]

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.

There is a very nice set of graphical charting components in Flex as
well, btw. Be sure to consider them in addition to DataGrid, and let
me know off list if there are other ways we can help you visualize
your customers' data.

Rob
Design Researcher, Flex product line
Adobe

On Feb 13, 2008 4:47 PM, W Evans <wkevans4 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Another thing - start by not thinking about rows of data filled with
> records. Instead start with the fundamental unit -
> A person in a HR system
> A book in a library
> A car in used car lot.
>

-- 
Rob
http://usereccentric.com/