Grapherator Goals

Here are my goals for the Bullet Grapherator, in rough order of how they filter through my noggin:

• support the standard Bullet Graph design idiom presented in Stephen Few's specification; see also Bullet Graph Design
• make the Grapherator flexible and easy to use, with multiple access methods
• support the obvious Use Cases, those where someone would want a Bullet Graph generated from their own data
• support the non-obvious Use Cases (obviously, although these will be secondary)
• provide the means to customize the Bullet Graph visuals, to a reasonable degree (this is a twisty path to start on; there are dozens of things that can be customized, as I've learned during my tweaking)
• create the Java classes that implement this functionality (nothing against other languages, but Java's an old friend)
• create a solid policy for customization options i.e. formalizing the sequence of customizing data sources that are applied e.g. class default values, properties on
• provide an online app that can be used to generate the Bullet Graphs (should be obvious)
• generate the Bullet Graphs in SVG as a starter (I like SVG even if it's not the world's favorite)
• add other outputs and graphic types e.g. png, gif, jpeg
• use appropriate technologies where they add value, e.g.
  • StringTemplate or FreeMarker as the SVG generator (better than building Strings)
  • Batik for generating other graphic formats from the SVG
• implement all of the Bullet Graph variations, including:
  • vertical BGs
  • non-zero based scales
  • multiple comparative measures
  • ?

and I'll think of more stuff...