ggplot Basics: Mappings And Geoms

This is part two of a series on ggplot2. In today's post, we will look at some of the basics of ggplot.  As mentioned in the previous post, ggplot has a number of layers.  In today's post, we will look at two of these layers:  the basic mapping layer and the geometric object (geom) layer.…

The Grammar of Graphics

This is part one of a series on ggplot2. I'm starting a new series on using ggplot2 to create high-quality visuals. But in order to understand why ggplot2 behaves the way it does, we need to understand a little bit about the grammar of graphics.  Leland Wilkinson published The Grammar of Graphics in 1999, with…

Passing VARBINARY Models Into ML Services

This is the final part of a three-part series.  In part 1, we built an R model using ML Services.  In part two, we saved an R model using ML Services and also showed how to deal with multiple model types.  In this final part of the series, we're going to try getting results for…

Saving An R Model Using ML Services

Last time, we looked at building a simple Poisson model to forecast sales.  Today, we're going to expand upon this, building out a model that we can store in the database.  We'll also introduce a second type of model for a more frequently-purchased item. Storing A Model Let's say that we want to take our…

Building An R Model Using ML Services

This will be part one of a three-part series.  During the course of this, we will look at building a simple model in R, extending our process to cover two models, and then making predictions on already-existing models.  In this first post, I will build a simple model. Telling A Story Let's say that you…

The Feasel Challenge

This is part eight of a series on dashboard visualization. Well, at this point we've nearly crossed the finish line.  The last part of this series covers The Feasel Challenge, which has given rise to the single most important dashboard I have:  the Victory Burrito dashboard.  My challenge is to eat a Victory Burrito in 50…

Types Of Visuals, Part 2

This is part seven of a series on dashboard visualization. Yesterday, I covered useful and interesting (and sometimes both!) visuals.  Today, I cover visuals which are fun to hate. Pie Charts Of course I'm going to start with pie charts.  Pie charts are the whipping boy of data visualization and for good reason. The best…

Types Of Visuals, Part 1

This is part six of a series on dashboard visualization. Today, we will look at a few of the many types of visuals available to us.  For each of these, I'll cover some general information about the visual, as well as good uses on a dashboard.  All of my examples here will be in Power…

Visual Principles, Part 2

This is part five of a series on dashboard visualization. Yesterday, I covered three visualization principles:  cognitive load, the idea that less is more, and a quick look at where the eye looks.  Today, I'm going to look at three more principles: The Rule of Thirds Glanceability Color Vision Deficiency The Rule of Thirds We…

Visual Principles, Part 1

This is part four of a series on dashboard visualization. Today, I'm going to look at three important principles when it comes to visualization.  In the next post, we will look at three additional principles.  There are certainly more principles, but also there's only so much time in a presentation, so go with me here...…