Releases · USGS-VIZLAB/vizlab

This release finalizes our October 2017 Sprint, with follow up through February 2018, by Appling, DeCicco, Oliver, Read, Wernimont, and Zwart

In future vizzies, you should…

DON'T bother with createProfile() or createMakefiles(), or using make to build. DO:
- run vizmake() in the R console to build the viz, no configuration required
- run vizid <- vizmake('vizid') for one ID to build that step and its dependencies
DON'T bother with log files for diagnosing problems. DO:
- add browser() lines to use as breakpoints during vizmake() runs, or
- add browser() lines during vizmake('vizid') for a single viz id, or
- add RStudio breakpoints and call fetch('vizid') (or process, etc.), or
- get the read-in output of individual targets with vizid <- vizmake('vizid')
DO read and edit the vizlab wiki - we added a lot, including:
- rules of engagement for viz sprints
- a style guide
- an explanation of fetch and fetchTimestamp
DON'T set a default like viz=as.viz('viewbox') in fetch/etc. methods. DO use this format:
fetch.viewbox <- function(viz)
and then call
debug(fetch.viewbox); fetch('viewbox') or
debug(fetch.viewbox); vizmake('viewbox')
to run the method
DO create fetch items that depend on process items when needed
DO try out fetch.usgs_watermark, readData.shp, and readData.svg
DO try out publish.json and publish.tabular for preparing data for use with d3 or jquery
DO use the new hovertext function from inst/js/tooltip.js, which keeps itself visible and moves around smoothly

Improved thumbnails
- Simplified information required in viz.yaml
Fixed embedding
Switched from make to remake
- vizmake acts much like remake::make but with bonus features
- Fetch items can depend on process items
- Prints time at start and end of each build
- Timestamps are better tested and sure seem to be working
- The build may be faster. Skipping unnecessary steps (see timestamps ^^) definitely makes it faster
Improved built-in tooltip support
- Moves smoothly with mouse
- Doesn't get clipped by the edges of the svg
- Multiple svgs are possible
Added data-handling functions
- fetch.usgs_watermark - grabs USGS letters and wave for watermark placement
- readData.shp - assumes 1 layer in the shapefile. More specific shapefile readers with indexing capabilities will be created for vizstorm
- readData.svg - should work for any svg
Upgraded our analytics
- Added DOI analytics code
- Upgraded to new Google Analytics system
- Added a tracker or two
Improved our branding
- Retina favicon on viz & landing pages
- Removed OWI logo from landing page
- Added "U.S. Geological Survey" to footer
Curated the issues
- Issues at https://github.com/USGS-VIZLAB/vizlab/issues