Category: DataViz Team 2016

Comparing Various Mapping Tools

Posted on Author Kaitlyn Sprague

MapMe

BatchGeo

Google Fusion Tables

Of the three mapping programs, BatchGeo was my favorite. In addition to being the most aesthetically pleasing, it was by far the easiest to use. I was easily able to import my data and I did not have to reformat my Excel document in any way. However, the free version does not support more than 250 entires, so I was not able to geocode all food establishments in Hartford. Thus, I chose to just map restaurants around Trinity. I also appreciate that BatchGeo uses Google Maps as its source.

On the other hand, MapMe was the most difficult. In order to import data, I had to download their Excel template, and then I had to transfer all of my data into the template for it to be imported. This took a considerable amount of time.

In regards to Google Fusion Tables, I’m not exactly sure how I feel yet. I think that it is the most difficult to learn, but will eventually yield the best results once learned. I have just learned how to set a column to “location” and I am still struggling to embed this map.

Knox. Community Gardens Point Map

Posted on Author Doris Zhang

Google fushion table:

BatchGeo:

MapMe:

Marking the same data set on different software, I found out different tradeoffs from Google fushion table, BatchGeo and Mapme.

Google fushion table has more freedom in terms of filtering out the actual information we need. Also there are some features that we can self custom, such as the color of the point, shape and also the column that needs to be mapped on.

BatchGeo:
BatchGeo is an easy and fast operated mapping software. An easy process of data import can help user complete a standard point map. Nevertheless, the features that user can change due to self-need is sort of limited and photos cannot be added on in the data profile.

Mapme has an easier and clear layout that the software itself has designed for us. Few essential features are listed on the left side. User can add in data point one at a time if it’s a small dataset and just needs to type in the information as well as pictures that needs to be presented. User can also import data directly, whereas the software takes time to read the data smartly.

Special Education Prevalence in Hartford surrounding area 2008-2013

Posted on Author Doris Zhang

The continuous lines show the trend of how the overall special education prevalence trend has changed from 2008 t0 2013 in Hartford surrounding area, including Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Willington. The X-axis shows the years, and Y-axis shows the prevalence in percentage. Different trend lines show different regions and can be filtered on the right side of the chart. This graph can lead the Education Department into deeper and broader research on improving special education system in Connecticut.

 

Percentage of Homes without cars in Hartford Neighborhoods

Posted on Author Mike Walsh

This Bar Graph shows the percentage of zero vehicle households in the various neighborhoods of Hartford. I can use this graph to infer where more people rely on public transportation and walking, and will most likely have a harder time getting to a store with nutritious foods. The name of each neighborhood is on the x-axis, while the percentage of zero vehicle homes is on the y-axis. I found this data from CT Data Haven, a website that collects and interprets data about Connecticut.

Data Haven 2014 Hartford/West Hartford Neighborhood Estimates