Comments on: How Many Computer Scientists Does It Take to Screw Up a Pie Chart? http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/ Business Charts, Done Right Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:15:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Worst pie chart ever | Glen Turpin: The Identity Question http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-808 Worst pie chart ever | Glen Turpin: The Identity Question Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:00:59 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-808 [...] designers really really really really really don’t like pie [...] [...] designers really really really really really don’t like pie [...]

]]> By: admin http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-807 admin Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:20:26 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-807 Blue: you are right, this isn't a pie chart. In fact, this isn't a chart at all. This is a stupid idea, and just because it uses new tools doesn't make it less stupid. But hey, it's a free country, and if you think that something that goes against basic human perception laws can help you, feel free to use it! Blue: you are right, this isn’t a pie chart. In fact, this isn’t a chart at all. This is a stupid idea, and just because it uses new tools doesn’t make it less stupid. But hey, it’s a free country, and if you think that something that goes against basic human perception laws can help you, feel free to use it!

]]> By: Jon Peltier http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-806 Jon Peltier Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:11:25 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-806 Perhaps it's not an "official" pie chart, but that's beside the point. Jorge was pointing out an example of someone starting with something bad (a pie chart) and making it worse. Perhaps it’s not an “official” pie chart, but that’s beside the point. Jorge was pointing out an example of someone starting with something bad (a pie chart) and making it worse.

]]> By: Blue http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-805 Blue Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:21:39 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-805 It's like hearing someone from the 1930's complain that today's cars are really stupid cause they try to run on something other than steam... This isn't a pie chart, if you were too busy trying to sound smart to notice something as basic. It’s like hearing someone from the 1930’s complain that today’s cars are really stupid cause they try to run on something other than steam…

This isn’t a pie chart, if you were too busy trying to sound smart to notice something as basic.

]]> By: Chris Pounds http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-804 Chris Pounds Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:38:33 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-804 The Economist newspaper likes the semi-circular graph when looking at different parties in a legislature or election. If they had flipped these so these were two semi-pies perhaps with one above the other and the diameter at the bottom you might be able to make some comparisons, but the current view is unintelligible. The Can't Rate in Blue should be "Can't Read" with this background. The Economist newspaper likes the semi-circular graph when looking at different parties in a legislature or election. If they had flipped these so these were two semi-pies perhaps with one above the other and the diameter at the bottom you might be able to make some comparisons, but the current view is unintelligible. The Can’t Rate in Blue should be “Can’t Read” with this background.

]]> By: admin http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-803 admin Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:55:15 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-803 Jon, one of these days I'll try to put that "tolerance" towards pie charts in context. Regarding this example, I felt almost insulted by the "exposing complex relationships" thing when all they have to offer is a grossly wrong doughnut. Tomas, great ideas, thanks for sharing. I believe they'll contact you shortly to help them with the SDC 2.0 (Stupid Doughnut Chart). Jayson, I believe you mean "196% bad instead of 200%!" :) Jon, one of these days I’ll try to put that “tolerance” towards pie charts in context. Regarding this example, I felt almost insulted by the “exposing complex relationships” thing when all they have to offer is a grossly wrong doughnut.

Tomas, great ideas, thanks for sharing. I believe they’ll contact you shortly to help them with the SDC 2.0 (Stupid Doughnut Chart).

Jayson, I believe you mean “196% bad instead of 200%!” :)

]]> By: Jayson http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-802 Jayson Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:40:53 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-802 One item you didn't touch on is the fact that the data on the inner pie is completely impossible to compare. The red side should have the darker red items start at the top. then it would only be 98% bad instead of 100%! :-) Ate Mais Jayson One item you didn’t touch on is the fact that the data on the inner pie is completely impossible to compare. The red side should have the darker red items start at the top. then it would only be 98% bad instead of 100%! :-)

Ate Mais
Jayson

]]> By: Tomas Greif http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-801 Tomas Greif Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:24:21 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-801 Great chart - I sent this blog to all my team members so they can learn something new. Maybe I can further improve their idea using at least 3 time-series in one pie chart. Personally, I'm missing some cool 3D effects and default excel colors. We all should join a vote this chart for the best idea of the century. Great chart – I sent this blog to all my team members so they can learn something new. Maybe I can further improve their idea using at least 3 time-series in one pie chart. Personally, I’m missing some cool 3D effects and default excel colors. We all should join a vote this chart for the best idea of the century.

]]> By: Jon Peltier http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/how-many-computer-scientists-does-it-take-to-screw-up-a-pie-chart/comment-page-1/#comment-800 Jon Peltier Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:38 +0000 http://www.excelcharts.com/blog/?p=328#comment-800 I don't think you've missed anything. You're the charting expert who is most tolerant of attempts to use pie charts, so I know you gave this approach more thought than it deserved. As soon as the chart deviated from one pie = 100%, they distanced themselves from any valid (if misguided) use of pie charts. BTW, after watching the everpresent graphic of pie charts in the left margin of http://fivethirtyeight.com, I've decided that pie charts are an effective way to show two percentages that add to 100%, if they meet at 12:00, or even three percentages if the two larger ones meet at 12:00, the third percentage is small, and it is located between the other meeting place of the two larger percentages. I don’t think you’ve missed anything. You’re the charting expert who is most tolerant of attempts to use pie charts, so I know you gave this approach more thought than it deserved.

As soon as the chart deviated from one pie = 100%, they distanced themselves from any valid (if misguided) use of pie charts.

BTW, after watching the everpresent graphic of pie charts in the left margin of http://fivethirtyeight.com, I’ve decided that pie charts are an effective way to show two percentages that add to 100%, if they meet at 12:00, or even three percentages if the two larger ones meet at 12:00, the third percentage is small, and it is located between the other meeting place of the two larger percentages.

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