Creating and publishing interactive charts no longer requires expensive software.

Forget about building simple line graphs. Using Chartle.net you can create any number of visual charts to display your data online.

Here are a few examples of the types of charts you can make using Chartle.net:

Using Chartle.net does not require registration and is free.

Every chart you build can be published, shared and embedded on your website or blog.

Data for your chart can be entered manually or inputted using an excel spreadsheet via the ‘import’ feature.

You can also adjust the size of the chart you create to fit your site.

Before you publish your Chartle you’ll be asked to give it a

? Title

? Author

? Description

Click here to view an example of this interactive Chartle.net chart.

Need to make a modification to your chart? You can create a new chart using the data stored in a currently published chart.

Hilary Fosdal is the Interactive Content Manager for Barrington Broadcasting Group. She blogs at hilaryfosdal.com and tweets @hilaryfosdal.

Interactive timelines are a great visual way to inform and engage users about your news topic.

Dipity timelines can do more than display simple text. Adding photos, links, and pulling in RSS feeds are just a few of the fun features you can play around with.

Timelines created in Dipity can be displayed using a standard linear graph or in ‘Flipbook’ mode which is similar to a multimedia carousel or ‘List’ which displays the content in a cataloged format.

Whether you are detailing a series of events that lead up to a major news event i.e., the spread of the swine flu, or providing a historical and chronological display of events i.e, the History of the New York City Marathon timelines are no longer confined to the boring textbooks of yesteryer.

HOW TO START CREATING YOUR OWN DIPITY INTERACTIVE TIMELINE

Go to Dipity and create a free user account.

Click ‘Add a Topic’

A window will appear asking you to choose a method to craft your timeline: Web search, RSS Feed, Blank.

To begin creating a standard timeline choose Blank.

The window will allow you to give the timeline a Title, Desciption, upload a timeline profile picture, add SEO tags, pick a theme, a timezone, and allow you to determine who you will allow to view your timeline.

I would suggest picking a free theme and allowing anyone to view your timeline.

To start creating events on your timeline click the blue button ‘Add an Event’.

A new window will appear that asks you to include a:

• Title
• Date
• Description
• Upload a picture or paste an image URL
• Add a link
• Include the location of the event (Dipity will generate a map for the location of the event)
• Add a video URL

Once you click ‘Save’ the event will be added to your timeline which you can view in the standard Timeline format, as a Flipbook, List or on the Map.

You can always go back and edit or delete any of the fields by clicking the event located on your timeline.

You can click ‘Add a Source’ to feed other online account data into your timeline i.e., Flickr, Tumblr, FriendFeed and Yelp, to name just a few.

Once you have completed adding in all your ‘events’ you can embed your Dipity timeline into your website, blog, or Facebook. Dipity will generate a customized embed code when you click ‘embed widget’.

Dipity is also social media savvy and allows other Dipity users to comment on your timeline and has Twitter, Facebook and a host of other social networking apps to help you spread the word about your cool new timeline.

Still have more questions? Check out the Dipity FAQ.

If you experiment with the RSS timeline feeds you’ll discover that Dipity automatically pulls in the images embedded into your posts or articles. Personally, I think this is a great feature – one less field for me to fill in!

Examples of Dipity interactive timelines:

• All things SPJ
• H1N1 Vaccine
• Apollo Timeline

Hilary Fosdal is the Interactive Content Manager for Barrington Broadcasting Group. She blogs at hilaryfosdal.com and tweets @hilaryfosdal.

I’ve been asked by many reporters how much it cost me to learn how to design a website, edit digital video, use Photoshop, produce digital slideshows, and now create animated graphics and logos.  Well it was cheaper than you think.

Almost two years ago, I went full force learning everything I could about multimedia tools right after I lost my television reporting job in Dallas. I thought I needed to learn more, but for as little money as possible.  My husband is supporting us, but I didn’t want him to think I was going hog wild on my spending.

I “Googled” everything, and quickly learned there were many multimedia and digital media workshops being taught by professionals.   I thought wonderful until I saw the price for a one week workshop.  Digital video classes in New York City were one thousand bucks! Photoshop classes were nothing cheap. Video editing classes in Los Angeles were also a hefty price.  This didn’t include hotel and airfare expense. 

So I put my reporting skills to work and started looking in my backyard.  I found a community college in Dallas that offered all the classes I needed.  I’ve now taken three web design classes, one Photoshop class, and currently I’m working on two animation classes.  And guess what?  Each class has cost me $124 dollars.  

Do the math; I’ve spent a little over 700 dollars on six classes.  Remember, I found classes for 1,000 dollars for ONE WEEK.   So there’s no need to spend lots of money on learning the new digital media. 

Here’s another tip if you don’t have a community college in your area offering you what you need.  A videographer friend asked me to do a workshop for some of his clients.  I told him I’d do it for free if he taught me the basics of Final Cut Pro.  He got something and I got something.  When all else fails—share your talents.

I do have my “special class money ” jar where I have funds saved up for that one class I know I need to spend a little extra on.  My choice is the Poynter Institute.  I’m headed there this week, and will blog in the near future about my experience there. 

 Until next time!

Rebecca Aguilar