Learning by Example - Real Data Visualizations with Real Data Now Available

If you're like most people, one way you like to learn new stuff is by example. So recently several people at Tableau Software put together over 40 different examples of data visualizations based on many different types of data. Each is accompanied by a Tableau packaged workbook which contains additional visualizations and the data behind them. Everything is available as free downloads.

Visually Analyzing College Football's BCS Rankings

The 2007 college football season ended with LSU hoisting the $30,000 Waterford Crystal BCS Championship Trophy.

If you're unfamiliar, BCS (Bowl Championship Series) is the organization that determines which teams play in the major college football bowls – including matching the top two teams against each other for at least a share of the national championship.

Four of the five BCS bowl games this year were blowouts, including a lackluster title game. These match ups were decided using a formula that consists of three equally weighted components: the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive College Football Poll, and an average of six computer rankings. Despite the controversy that surrounds it, there is one thing the BCS does do right – it waits until mid season to release its first rankings rather than judge a team on what it did last year or its weak pre-conference opponents.

When Customers Delight Us

I think many companies today work hard at trying to delight their customers. (I know Tableau certainly does and that's one of the things I love about working here.) But it's such a treat when a customer delights us - as our customer Piort Motyka of Kwantum did.

Comparing Standardized Math Tests: Check Out Your WA School District

I was quoted today in a Bruce Ramsey editorial at the Seattle Times about needing quality math instruction to help our children be competitive in the global economy. Much to my surprise, Bruce included the fact that I work at Tableau Software. He probably saw the tie to the global economy. Like all successful startups, Tableau Software is hiring. We also compete globally so we definitely want our job applicants to have a solid background in mathematics. However, my quote was as a private person.