Use OpenHeatMap to introduce the world to your data.

             I recently came across a great visualization tool similar to the Heat-maps produced in Google docs. This program is called OpenHeatMap. It is a great visualization tool that was created by Pete Warden a former employee of Apple Inc. It is very easy to use open source software that is free to use. If you would like to try out this software please go to the following website:

http://www.openheatmap.com/

            There are a few examples on the website of how the program works. The one pictured below was created by Pete Warden and shows how the political views of each state have changed over time. This created a video of the data starting in 1868 and progresses through the political standpoint of each state up through recent history. It shows how much the political views have changed across the nation which I found to be very interesting. I have included a picture of what the start of this video looks like but if you would like to see the actual video please click this link:  OpenHeatMap

 

            Another really interesting map already on there shows the unemployment rates for each county across the USA. This map shows several other features of the program which allows you to zoom out to see the entire country such as the top picture below. The next photo shows a slightly zoomed in map to show the state of Alabama.  I have placed the mouse clicker over Madison County and as you can see at the bottom it displays the unemployment rate of 2.7%. This type of map could be extremely useful in representing nationwide survey data to see if certain states or even cities had certain needs that other cities might not want or need.   

 

              If you would like to check this map out please click the link below and just move your mouse over the area you are interested in.

OpenHeatMap - US unemployment by county

I also found a great website that gives step by step directions on how to use OpenHeatMap. I have provided the link to the instructions below this paragraph. In approximately 60 seconds or less you should be able to set up your own map using your own data. There are several programs out there that offer similar features but very few are as easy to operate as this one.

“HOW TO VISUALIZE YOUR DATA ON A MAP WITH OPENHEATMAP”

http://www.movements.org/how-to/entry/how-to-visualize-your-data-with-openheatmap/

           Most of the reviews I read about this program have said that this is a great program but a few complained about it occasionally freezing up but did say that Mr. Warden responded to emails quickly about issues with the program. I personally didn't have any issues with the program while I was using it but it did seem to take a little while to load some of the maps when they included huge amounts of data such as the unemployment rate map. I hope you find this program as useful as I have.