VizWorld.com

FlowingData has some nice reviews of the recent Strata Conference (Sold out, and already with next year’s in planning!).  There was a visualization track at the conference, but apparently it was more on UI than actual data visualization.

This is what I expected at a “big data” conference though, so not a huge deal. I mean, my roots are still stat, so it’s always entertaining to listen to people talk about how they’re making use of data, whether it be visualization or analysis. And for the most part, speakers were good about not getting into the nitty gritty details and keeping an eye on big picture.

He has some nice videos from presenters and links to a few slide decks.  If you couldn’t make it,

via Data talks and keynotes from O’Reilly Strata conference.

Science conference, strata

This week at Strata, Stanford announced a new app called “Data Wrangler” to make cleaning data easier.  Looking very similar to the previously discussed “Google Refine“, it allows you to quickly and easily reformat and clean data for import into Excel, R, Tableau, and Protovis.

You can read about the creation of the tool in this Whitepaper.  Unlike Google Refine’s design of “Search for data, then Clean it as a batch”, DataWrangler seems to work on something called the “Wrangler Transformation Language” which looks a bit like SQL.  Two different methods to achieve the same result, I guess only time will tell which one wins.

Watch the demo below.

Wrangler Demo Video from Stanford Visualization Group on Vimeo.

Data Wrangler.

Science datawrangler, software, stanford, strata

O’Reilly’s StrataConf 2011 is wrapping up today, but that just means now you can hit their website to view the Keynotes and presentations online at your leisure.  In fact, for $495, you can get their “Online Access” pass to get video archives of all 3 days, 6 essential books, and advance registration to three new conferences in 2011.

I wasn’t able to make it to Strata, but if you were then tell us about it in the comments!

Strata 2011 – O’Reilly Conferences, February 01 – 03, 2011, Santa Clara, CA.

Science conference, oreilly, strata

O’Reilly’s Strata 2011 Conference is coming soon, and O’Reilly has updated their site with a great interview with LinkedIn Senior Scientist Pete Skomoroch.  A short 4-minute video, he discusses important skills every data scientist needs ranging from statistics to knowledge of external API’s.

The first skill, as you might expect, is a base in statistics, algorithms, machine learning, and mathematics. “You need to have a solid grounding in those principles to actually extract signals from this data and build things with it,” Skomoroch said.

Second, a good data scientist is handy with a collection of open-source tools — Hadoop, Java, Python, among others. Knowing when to use those tools, and how to code, are prerequisites.

The third set of skills focus on making products real and making data available to users. “That might mean data visualization, building web prototypes, using external APIs, and integrating with other services,” Skomoroch said. In other words, this one’s a combination of coding skills, an ability to see where data can add value, and collaborating with teams to make these products a reality.

Registration for StrataConf is still going strong, and using the special VizWorld conference registration code ‘str11vzw’ you can get 25% off, dropping the current $1895 price tag down to $1421!

Or, much to my disappointment again, you can use O’Reilly’s own str11rad code for 30% off.

3 skills a data scientist needs – O’Reilly Radar.

Science interview, linkedin, strata

Don’t forget folks, the Early Registration discounts for the O’Reilly Strata2011 conference end this Sunday (2 days!). If you miss it, that’s an extra $250 you’ll have to pay to get into what looks to be the premiere conference on open data, analysis, and visualization.

Also don’t forget, you can use the special VizWorld conference registration code str11vzw to get an impressive 25% discount, dropping the $1645 entry fee down to $1235, a savings of $400. That’s like a free hotel room!

Plus, just look at the lineup.  They’ve got some of the biggest names in the industry from The New York Times to bit.ly, Amazon to Reuters, Google to NASA Ames.  Go sign up now!

Registration: Strata 2011 – O’Reilly Conferences, February 01 – 03, 2011, Santa Clara, CA.

Science conference, strata

Don’t forget that today is the last chance to enter to win a free registration to the Strata2011 Conference!  All you have to do is go to the page below, and post a comment telling us you favorite visualization resource of 2010.  If can be an infographic, a website, a twitter personality, or even a piece of software.  Nothing is off limits, but I pick the winner at Midnight tonight!

StrataConf2011 – 25% Off, and a Contest! | VizWorld.com.

Science contest, strata

O’Reilly has been hard at work promoting the upcoming Strata2011 Conference in Santa Clara, and it really looks like it’s gonna be a great show.

Big Data is here, and it changes everything. From startups to the Fortune 500, smart companies are betting on data-driven insight. Get control of the new data opportunity at Strata—immerse yourself in three full days of hands-on training, information-rich sessions, and a sponsor pavilion filled with the key players and products. This new O’Reilly conference brings together the people, tools, and technologies you need to make data work.

They’ve got tutorials onsite for Data Visualization, UI design, Graphing, Hadoop, and more, and several sessions scheduled on data privacy, portability, and several real-world scenarios. Register using the code str11vzw (or this link) and you can get in with an impressive 25% discount (improved from the previous 15% discount).

But that’s not all!  O’Reilly has given me a free-registration code good for a full-conference registration at no cost!  If you want this code (equivalent to the big $1700 Registration), here’s all you have to do.  Look over the wealth of graphics, visualizations, and data that came out as part of 2010, and pick your #1 “Best Visualization Resource of 2010″.  For starters, definitely look over:

• VizWorld.com’s Science Category and Infographics Category
• VisuaLoop
• FlowingData

That’ll get you started.  Once you’ve picked your #1, just comment here on this post!  When the ball drops on New Year’s Eve I’ll pick the winner!  Here’s the rules:

• Change your entry as often as you like, but I’ll only count your name once!
• In your comment, be sure to leave a link to where the visualization or data can be viewed, and why you think it’s #1
• Make sure you leave some valid contact with your comment (email address, twitter acount, Facebook Account).
• Once the winner is selected, you have 7 days to claim your prize (respond to my contact)
• Prize includes Conference Registration only, you’re on your own for travel & lodging still

So let’s get started and get those entries in!

Science conference, contest, feature, strata

O’Reilly is still gearing up for the big Strata Conference in February, and every day through to Christmas they’ll be publishing a new “Strata Gem”. Today it’s a nice list of 5 data blogs.

Whether your interest in data is professional or casual, commercial or political, there’s a blog out there for you. Feel free to add your own suggestions to the comments at the bottom.

We didn’t make the list, but that doesn’t matter, you can still register with our special registration code (str11whir) and get 15% off!

Of course, that’s very little incentive when you can use their own ‘str11rad’ code and get 30% off.

via Strata Gems: Five data blogs you should read – O’Reilly Radar.

Science conference, list, strata

O’Reilly media is opening a new conference focused on data and visualization in Santa Clara next February, and registration has just opened!

Unprecedented computing power and connectivity are bringing new layers of experience to our lives: a change that brings both opportunity and the challenge of new technologies and skills. The future belongs to those who understand how to collect and use their data successfully.

Strata will provide three days of training, breakout sessions, and plenary discussions—along with an Executive Summit, a Sponsor Pavilion, and other events showcasing the new data ecosystem.

If you look the speakers and topics, you’ll see a wide variety of topics including:

• Dealing with distributed Data
• Data Acquisition & Cleaning
• Machine Learning
• Training & Education of Data Scientists
• Privacy, Policy, and Protection laws
• Visualization & Design

And much more.. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about visualization, or perhaps you want to know how better to integrate visualization into your organization, then this is the conference for you.

But that’s not all!  VizWorld is proud to be one of the StrataConf Media Sponsors, and that means we have a special Discount Code for you!  When you register, simply use the code ‘str11vzw‘ and get a nice 15% Off!

In addition, I’ve got a special free registration code that will go to one lucky VizWorld reader!  Be sure to keep coming back and I’ll be announcing how you can get the code soon!

via Strata 2011 – O’Reilly Conferences, February 01 – 03, 2011, Santa Clara, CA.

Science conference, feature, oreilly, strata

All good things come in two

Well the subheading can actually be taken quite literally in this case. The truth is that I had actually written up a review for Strata Live 3D CX version 1.2. Well… it did not really have any similarities with the ease of use of the Strata Enfold 3D CX and Strata Design 3D CX applications at all.

Being a java-based application none of the ‘normal’ operating system conventions are retained. So you’ll have to dig exactly where in a normal system listed directory your desktop folder actually is because it will not be show in a nice icon way like usually is the case. This will throw you off at first and will make you search for paths on your system you never thought where there in the first place. So to tell it is a smooth ride, no… I would not say that.

I went on with my review to actually take it a bit further and say that the current version was actually not that very useful for the key audience that I see for the Strata Design Suite: the graphic- or package designer that wants to extend his communications into the realm of 3D without having any, or little prior knowledge of 3D software.

Read more…

Graphics feature, software, strata