Choropleths for all

[daguar]

Make a simple web interface that lets anyone (targeted at folks with no coding knowledge) easily make web choropleths (maps with different geo areas shaded to represent data; see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choropleth_map ).

Preliminary work happening here: https://github.com/daguar/easy-choropleths

I think the MVP would be:

• A user can provide data with a location column, which can be:
  • Zip code
  • State abbreviation (or full name)
  • Country name
• The app then generates a choropleth with a default color spectrum

Colors could be taken from: http://colorbrewer2.org/ (probably start with a single color scale that has, eventually letting the user choose one of 2-5 color scales)

Could potentially use @jlord's Fork-N-Go pattern ( http://jlord.us/fork-n-go/ ) to let users provide data via Google Spreadsheet and generate the choropleth on GitHub Pages.

Can host shapefiles on GitHub (pretty limited set)

The trickiest issue is likely to be optimizing the user experience for people who aren't familiar with web development/mapping/GitHub. Some quick prototyping to put in front of more "analyst"-y folks (my perceived muse) would be good.

[daguar]

cc @jlord @bergeoisie

[hampelm]

+1!

[hampelm]

(aka let me know how I can help)

[daguar]

Thanks @hampelm! I'm cobbling together a prototype, but since I'm sort of a dog-with-chemistry-set Javascript programmer, I'd love your review & feedback on how to make it better once I've got an experimental version going.

(Mostly I'm not used to the scoping, but applying OOPy principles helps me keep it clear.)

[daguar]

I'm putting my work (SUPER early-stage) here: https://github.com/daguar/easy-choropleths

(Mostly because @bergeoisie is interested in helping)

[daguar]

I've got a little prototype going on here:
http://daguar.github.io/easy-choropleths/
easy-choropleths.herokuapp.com/?key=0Ah8tYWLqUd7wdE9qV2RHaW1abExwVUtCMVFmZWNQdnc&scale=9&color=blue

I also did a little Vine teaser for the gist of functionality:
https://twitter.com/allafarce/status/422996077747646464

[jlord]

So rad!

Also, Vine teaser is such a good idea!

[daguar]

Thanks @jlord! Laziness is a virtue. ;D

Just pushed a nicer design for instructions (read: added CSS and took out extraneous text) Would love if you took it for a spin and had any feedback:
http://daguar.github.io/easy-choropleths/