Google graphing tool outgrows sheltered childhood

A Google visualization tool that converts raw numeric data into charts, graphs, tables, maps, and plots has outgrown its initial ties to the company's online spreadsheet application.

The Google Visualization API (application programming interface) previously could construct the graphics only from data stored on Google Spreadsheets. Now any Web-based data source, including databases and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, can be used, Google said.

Google made the announcement in conjunction with Salesforce.com's Dreamforce conference Monday. Salesforce.com is adding its own new tools and technology atop the interface so its customers can more easily employ the visualization feature. For example, the tools can be used to create new customized dashboard-like monitoring and control panels.

[mmichaels]

Betcha this was an interesting article. Except for the fact that it was completely blocked out by a stupid NetApp advertisement that didn't have a close button.

[renGek]

LOL, the ad probably did have a close button but it was 1 pixel in width and happens to be the same color as the background and you have only 5 seconds to click on it when it loaded.

[tzviziv]

Google also publicize the Google visualization data source protocol and structure, which is used by SF (and Google spreadsheet) to convert the data to a format that can be read by Google visualizations.
A very nice implementation for PHP, .NET and JAVA developers can be found in www.gvstreamer.com