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Study Notes 7.23.16

7/31/2016

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from Tableau 201
 
First, holy cow! What an awesome resource Ryan has put together!! 
Shaping data
  • It's optimal to have one column representing one field (layout is vertical not horizontal)
  • One recommendation for time: if it's presented as 1Q16, add a column to data for the actual date (3/31/16) 
Measures vs Dimensions
  • Measure is quantitative and dependent (i.e Sales by itself just gives you a total but a  dimension will give it context (sales by region) 
  • General rule of thumb: measure is a number, dimension is what to slice & dice by
  • A good question to ask when you have numbers as data items, does it make sense to sum it up? If yes, then measure. If no, then it's likely a dimension. 
  • When null is the first value, Tableau may misclassify because the first value is a string. 
Discrete vs Continuous 
  • Discrete is blue, continuous is green pill (Emma Whyte would smack me for using the incorrect term of pill).
  • Discrete fields draw headers (which can be sorted) while continuous draw axes (cannot be sorted).
Level of Detail for a View
  • The detail marks card allows you add a dimension which can take a view from a high level of aggregation to be more granular (defined by that dimension). 
    • It's not the only way but another way that may help the viz process flow better. 
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Gettin' Schooled

7/27/2016

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I have been wanting to focus on building my technical skills for awhile now. I go in fits and starts but I know that I need to be consistent so I can can capitalize on my learnings. My challenge: limited time given my work, my mom status, & my fitness which is just as, if not more, important to me. So, I'm developing a plan with the help of a few friends to help me stay on track.

The Plan
To balance my life, I'm planning to spend three-five hours per week on data viz. it's not a lot compared to what others might spend, but I think it's realistic for me (and that's what's important).
Review trainings available such as
  • Ryan Sleeper's Tableau 201
  • Review the Qualified Associates test materials
  • www.learntableau.com
  • Finish reading Ben Jones's Communicating Data with Tableau
  • Read Andy Kirk's book, Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design
Practical Application
  • Weekly viz, typically focusing on a certain training aspect
  • Monthly viz

​Document Learnings
Each week, I'll recap my notes in a basic blogpost which will range from good reminders I want to remember to new concepts I've learned.

While this is my personal study notebook, I hope others might also find it useful!

Now, time to hit the books!
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July 24th, 2016

7/24/2016

0 Comments

 
From Tableau 201

First, holy cow! What an awesome resource Ryan has put together!!

Shaping data
  • It's optimal to have one column representing one field (layout is vertical not horizontal)
  • One recommendation for time: if it's presented as 1Q16, add a column to data for the actual date (3/31/16)
Measures vs Dimensions
  • Measure is quantitative and dependent (i.e Sales by itself just gives you a total but a dimension will give it context (sales by region)
  • General rule of thumb: measure is a number, dimension is what to slice & dice by
  • A good question to ask when you have numbers as data items, does it make sense to sum it up? If yes, then measure. If no, then it's likely a dimension.
  • When null is the first value, Tableau may misclassify because the first value is a string.
Discrete vs Continuous
  • Discrete is blue, continuous is green pill (Emma Whyte would smack me for using the incorrect term of pill).
  • Discrete fields draw headers (which can be sorted) while continuous draw axes (cannot be sorted).
Level of Detail for a View
  • The detail marks card allows you add a dimension which can take a view from a high level of aggregation to be more granular (defined by that dimension).
  • It's not the only way but another way that may help the viz process flow better. 
0 Comments

Gettin' Schooled

7/24/2016

0 Comments

 
​I have been wanting to focus on building my technical skills for awhile now. I go in fits and starts but I know that I need to be consistent so I can can capitalize on my learnings. My challenge is the limited time I have given my work status, mom status, & my fitness which is just as, if not more, important to me. So, I'm developing a plan with the help of a few friends to help me stay on track.

The Plan

To balance my life, I'm planning to spend three-five hours per week on data viz. it's not a lot compared to what others might spend, but I think it's realistic for me (and that's important).

Review training available such as
  • Ryan Sleeper's Tableau 201
  • Review the Qualified Associates test materials
  • www.learntableau.com
  • Finish reading Ben Jones's Communicating Data with Tableau
  • Read Andy Kirk's book, Data Visualization: A Handbook for Data Driven Design

Practical Application
  • Weekly viz, typically focusing on a certain training aspect
  • Monthly viz

Document Learning

Each week, I'll recap my notes in a basic blogpost which will range from good reminders I want to remember to new concepts I've learned.

While this is my personal study notebook, I hope others might also find it useful!

Now, time to hit the books! 
0 Comments

You Rock

7/13/2016

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It's that magical time of year when Tableau opens up Zen Master nominations. What are the criteria? Check out the image below which I snapped from Tableau.
Picture
I'm encouraging everyone to nominate folks. The deciders may not know how awesome someone is unless they see the nomination. I've got three tips that I wanted to share when nominating someone. This is my advice/opinion only (not Tableau's).

1. Use the questions as considerations

Is there some other relevant consideration that you think should be included? I say, add it. I *think* it helps the deciders have sufficient, relevant information. Only think the person meets three of four questions, but rocks the F out of those three? Make the case.

2. Show demonstrated performance

Use data (whaaaaaatt!!). Provide evidence that the person you are nominating has demonstrated their zen-ness. Blog all the time? Tell them. Present all the time? Provide links. I think you get the idea.

3. Proofread

This one is actually just a pet peeve of mine. Make sure your message is not distracted by poor spelling and grammar.
Now, my biggest piece of advice!
Picture
One reason why I hosts events like The Vizzies or the Tableau Fringe Festival is that we have a kickass community and I want to highlight the people in it. Zens have a platform others don't (Zens on Tour, the Zen track at conference). All of the really awesome folks can't be Zen Masters. And that's okay. Being a Zen Master doesn't mean you are the best person. Some Zen Masters demonstrate better leadership qualities than others. It doesn't define how nice you are, whether you are smart, a good family member, or a fantastic data storyteller. So for all the people out there who are hoping to attain or retain their Zen Master status, my message to you is this:

You Define Your Worth

If you want to be a Zen Master and you've demonstrated those qualities, I hope you get it. But if you don't, don't fret.

You Rock!

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