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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Can we get your feedback, please?

63 replies

GeraldineMumsnet · 04/02/2011 15:05

If you have two mins to spare, please could you have a look at this page and let us know what you think about this sort of visual representation of data?

We've chosen a slightly random topic as a 'taster' example, but it could, for example, be widened to include more foods, so you can see what's getting more/less expensive in your weekly shop? Or to show what's happening to the price of children's clothing?

Or would data on money-related stuff eg utility bills, or interest rates on mortgages/credit cards etc be useful?

Please let us know what you think.

And thanks to Simon Briscoe at Timetric for compiling and supplying the graphs.

By the way, the buttons at the top right of each graph show how you can manipulate them (zoom in to one particular date etc).

Cheers Wine

OP posts:
MNHQ
GeraldineMumsnet · 07/02/2011 10:17

Thanks very much for constructive criticism and the suggestions for the sort of info you'd like to see represented in this way (car insurance, energy costs etc).

This one isn't particularly 'for' anything, more just to give you an example to respond to, IYSWIM.

Thanks again. Any more comments welcome.

OP posts:
Itsjustafleshwound · 07/02/2011 10:21

I am sure that some posters would find this useful, but the short answer is that I don't see myself finding a use for the graphs ...

I would suspect that most graphs regarding costs would be postive slope - it would just be the degree of slope that would vary ..

stealthsquiggle · 07/02/2011 10:36

interesting but other than boring people at dinner parties I am not sure what I would do with this info, or similar info on other products (and I am sure the grape thing is about price-matching as they are basically a loss-leader product for supermarkets).

Personally, I like the graphs and find them easy to read [geek]

I also think you need to give Norman his cup of tea emoticon soon, or there will be mass playmobil protests and you will find MN Towers surrounded by a large crowd of small but very cross people. I am sure he would agree to a compromise of sharing an emoticon with coffee-drinkers.

IngridBergmann · 07/02/2011 10:37

Slightly off topic but could we possibly have school reviews?

And preschool, and other settings. Obviously within the bounds of libel/etc! But maybe a star rating system a la schoolsnet? (which I'm not sure many people have heard of).

nickelbabe · 07/02/2011 10:45

The visuals on the page are good, but I don't think it's a good plan to lump different seasons in together when it coems to cost - okay, the general trend is upwarsd, but apples are cheaper in season, so form October to December.
What you should do, is have a graph that show only the cheapest season for the fruits (if you're lumping different fruits together) - that's because bananas and oranges andstrawberries and apples all have different seasons, plus, bananas in general are more expensive than apples (eve in season)

MmeLindt · 07/02/2011 10:47

I think a comparison of the prices that farmers receive(d) for their produce and the price of that produce in the supermarkets would be very interesting.

senua · 07/02/2011 10:48

The axes need proper labelling.
The last graph has too many lines: it is difficult to differentiate 8 colours.
In fact, do you need to use colours? If, for any reason, I wanted to print this info then I would want to use the black cartridge, not the colour one. Could you use a variety of dotted/dashed/broken lines instead of colour?

senua · 07/02/2011 10:50

ooh, just played with the zoom in/out function. Very clever.

Hassled · 07/02/2011 10:51

Very interesting in theory but yes, there's nowt worse than an unlabelled axis. You'd get marks deducted at GCSE for that, I'm sure.

Eglu · 07/02/2011 10:52

I like it. I like graphs and spend a lot of time at work displaying data this way.

TheProvincialLady · 07/02/2011 11:24

I like it.

swallowedAfly · 07/02/2011 11:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 07/02/2011 11:34

Pretty much the same comments as other people

  • Unlablled axis needs attention.
  • Colours are fine - maybe have a B&W print option for those who can't live without printing it off.

I know this is just a taster and understand it will be used for other data, but I just cannot see what we will use it for? We know how much things cost and they cost what they cost - how is charting any of this going to help anyone?

maryz · 07/02/2011 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatyMac · 07/02/2011 12:32

Love the graphs

Hate the font in the box under the picture

HighPriestessBoo · 07/02/2011 12:46

I like graphs (really not sure if I should be admitting this). I think these are easy to read but I echo the comments about labelling the axes.

I like the zoom feature too.

alegre · 07/02/2011 12:53

To be honest, all looks lovely to me but I wouldn't be bothered analysing a graph myself. I understood a lot more from the written word and I probably just got a glazed look on my face when I looked at the graphs. Did enjoy playing with the cursor over the graphs though - at one point even managed to delete a whole graph (the top one)by clicking on it somehow :o.

everythingchangeseverything · 07/02/2011 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MandyC2 · 07/02/2011 13:21

Hi, I love the idea, but am not a fan of these types of graphs. I find bar graphs easier to read for my lil pea brain. I understand the graphs just need a while to get my head around them. This might just be me...

Sometimes I quickly read through articles, and if I saw this when I wanted a quick read, I'd bypass the graphs and read the analysis which is fine by me..

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/02/2011 13:40

Very interesting but I prefer numbers and bar graphs.

fruitshootsandheaves · 07/02/2011 14:05

They are a bit mathmatical and unfriendly looking imo, sorry

Agree with KenDoddsDadsDog, bar graphs would look nicer.

CyclingOverMelons · 07/02/2011 14:32

Well, this content looks fine to me.

However, I have just enrolled on your site... after I had spent AGES composing a lovely message about cooking with children, but the site wouldn't let me post the message without regisering... fair enough, and I indeed DID. But now my message has GONE. ARRGH. Can you please help and tell me where it has gone, I have tried 'arrowing back' from my original page(I opened new links on new tabs just in case) but still it is gone. Very disappointed. Alice x

Rindercella · 07/02/2011 14:32

I think that the last graph should actually be presented first and then each section broken down appropriately. It's a bit confusing to see all that data in the final graph when the previous graphs have been relatively straight forward and easy to understand.

If the price is in pounds and pence, then it should be labelled as such. I dislike the units in 000s.

Keep it as simple as possible would be my tip.

I understood that this wasn't about apples and pears Wink

TheNewStig · 07/02/2011 14:33

I 2nd MmeLindt.

Waves @ Norman! Persistent as ever :o

NormanTheForeman · 07/02/2011 14:56

Well, I'm trying to spread the word, NewStig!

Actually I think a comparison of the price of apples in supermarkets and the price of apples in the local greengrocers would be interesting. As would a comparison of the food mile those apples have travelled.