RE: Google Charts

["McKown, John" <John.Mckown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nathan Andelin
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 5:52 PM
> To: midrange list
> Subject: Google Charts
>
> > From: "DeLong, Eric"
> > Someone posted a link to Google charts last week.
>
> I posted the link after following-up on the suggestion from 
> Raul A Jager.  I see Google charts as kind of a cool & 
> disruptive innovation.  Just add an <img> tag to an HTML page:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2pfjld
>
> and let Google's Web service generate a chart for you.
>
> Why is it a disruptive innovation?  First consider heavy PC 
> based charting engines that are packaged as ActiveX 
> components.  Rather than create a thick client using a PC 
> based charting engine, you can simply embedded a reference to 
> Google's engine in an HTML page, and let Google's Web service 
> generate a chart for you.
>
> It's also disruptive to a number of Flash based chart 
> engines, which again are heavy on client-side requirements, 
> and tooling needed to generate Flash executables.  I can 
> think of a couple pricey vendor charting solutions that could 
> be impacted by this.
>
> Then consider Google's simplified approach to offering the 
> Web service.  All parameters and data you send to the chart 
> engine are simple URL query string parameters in the <img> 
> source attribute.  Consider all the tooling that IBM and 
> Microsoft embed in their IDE's to support "web services", 
> using XML and SOAP based protocols.  It's as if Google 
> snubbed their nose at complex Web service interfaces and just 
> made it easy.
>
> Nathan.

I agree that this looks really nice and rather easy. My usual paranoia
asserts itself as to what I can do if Google makes a incompatable change
or decides to stop offering the service or is just "down" for a while.

--
John McKown 
Systems Engineer IV
IT

Administrative Services Group

HealthMarkets(r)
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