Interactive charts for Mac
Touch is an interactive data analysis tool
friedEgg's new version of friedEgg Touch, an interactive data analysis tool for Mac OS X. This latest release added several features to simplify the interactive data analysis. Charts can now be created by simply dragging the dimensions from a list of data columns onto a chart template. Once assigned, dimensions can simply be dragged between data columns and from the chart template back to the data columns.The chart template indicates the status of the chart as the dimensions are assigned, highlighting if the chart has insufficient dimensions assigned, or no data selected for subsequent chart steps. This release also includes several internal changes to use Leopard features that speed up the display of the charts and improve saving and loading of analysis data. This Leopard only release will provide a solid foundation for future enhancements to the product. Other enhancements include a comprehensive upgrade of the user help, plus many performance improvements and bug fixes.
friedEgg Touch differs from other basic charting tools in that it allows the user to interact with their data by directly manipulating a chart. This enables complex analysis, across many dimensions, in a few simple steps. Using the provided Automator actions, friedEgg Touch is easily integrated into an analysis workflow.
Consider an analysis process with a traditional spreadsheet - A table of data is prepared and filtered with expressions or by selecting items from a list. This is either presented as another table of numbers or as a simple chart. If the user wants to change the chart, this requires changes to either the expressions or items selected in the lists, followed by the re-generation of the chart.
friedEgg Touch revolutionises this process. Charts are created and changed by simply dragging symbols representing the data columns to the chart dimensions. The user changes the filters directly in the charts, by either clicking on objects or by dragging a filter panel across either of the three chart dimensions. The selected data is then available for another step of the analysis, maybe applying different data columns to the chart dimensions. By visually indicating when an item is selected, the user has more control over what is being filtered.
Large multi-column data tables can be viewed and analysed. By using additional analysis steps, maybe assigning different data columns to a chart dimension, the user can drill down on the information they need. This simple approach allows non-technical users to mine their data on their own desktop, without the the overhead of more complex and expensive tools.
Common analysis steps can be saved as templates, to apply against similar structured data tables. Both the selected data and the chart image can then be exported to other applications.
The major activities in creating and saving an analysis, together with the exporting of data and chart images, are supported by a number of automator actions that are provided with friedEgg Touch. These, together with the AppleScript support, make it even easier to integrate friedEgg Touch in an analysis workflow.
A sample data table is included with the application to enable users to evaluate the key features.
Feature Highlights:
* Create and adjust charts by simply dragging data columns to or from the chart dimensions
* Apply filters by dragging panels within the charts
* Comprehensive validation of chart structure at each analysis step
* 3D graphical interface for user to select data
* Selected data is carried to the next analysis step, enabling complex analysis, across many dimensions, in a few simple steps
* Automator actions for workflow integration
* Automatic formatting of data to simplify presentation to user
* Internal changes, to take advantage of Leopard features, improve the speed and reliability of the analysis tool.
* Export selected data as comma separated (csv) text file to other applications
* Export charts as either TIFF, JPEG2 or PNG images for presentations
Pricing and Availability: Single user licenses for may be obtained, from the Kagi store accessed from within friedEgg Touch, for just $39 (USD) and the upgrade to version 1.3.5 is free for existing license holders.
friedEgg Touch 1.3.5
* Download friedEgg Touch: Touch_1.3.5.dmg
friedEgg Limited is a UK based Mac developer, dedicated to providing the most easy to use data analysis tools for non-technical small business and educational users. Copyright 2009 friedEgg Limited All Rights Reserved. Apple, and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries. - London, UK - Published on 04/20/09
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