Shape your Data into Insights with this Humble Bundle of Dataviz Ebooks

Data Visualization x Wiley Humble Bundle: "Pay what you want. Get $989 in books. Support charity!"
Data Visualization x Wiley Humble Bundle: „Pay what you want. Get $989 in books. Support charity!“

I’m honored to support Girls Who Code along with Nathan Yau, Zach Gemignani, and many other great data visualization authors.

Pay what you want and get your dataviz humble bundle here.

More from the Humble Bundle website:

Make insights & analytics take shape

Learn how to give your raw materials form and substance with books like Visual Analytics with TableauData Fluency, and Visualize This from Wiley, filled with expert advice on the tools and techniques you & your organization need. Plus, your purchase helps support Girls Who Code!

Complete list of data visualization books in this humble bundle:

Data Viz Humble Bundle complete list
Data Viz Humble Bundle complete list

UPDATE July 25, 2022: Along with other data visualization book authors, we already raised over $23,000 in donations for Girls Who Code through the Dataviz Humble Bundle: https://bit.ly/DataVizBundle

Exploring the Cascading Wonders of Franklin Falls Trailhead: A Must-See Hike Near Seattle

Scenic beauty of Franklin Falls Trailhead, showcasing the towering trees, and lush greenery.
Scenic beauty of Franklin Falls Trailhead, showcasing the towering trees, and lush greenery.

I love the Pacific Northwest of the United States, where the mountains meet the sea and adventure is always just around the corner. If you’re looking for a breathtaking hike that’s not too far from Seattle, look no further than the Franklin Falls Trailhead.

As someone who has spent countless weeks exploring Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest, I can tell you that the Franklin Falls Trailhead is one of the most rewarding hikes in the area. This easy-to-moderate trail winds through old-growth forest and alongside a babbling creek before reaching a stunning 70-foot waterfall.

The trailhead is located just an hour east of Seattle, making it the perfect day trip for both locals and visitors alike. The hike itself is only 2 miles roundtrip, with an elevation gain of just 400 feet, making it accessible for hikers of all levels.

But don’t let the short distance fool you – this hike packs a punch. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Snoqualmie River Valley, as well as lush forests filled with ferns, moss, and towering trees. And of course, the highlight of the trail is the stunning Franklin Falls, which cascades down a rocky cliff into a pool below.

If you’re visiting the Pacific Northwest, the Franklin Falls Trailhead is a must-see destination. And if you’re like me and consider this corner of the world a second home, it’s a hike you’ll want to revisit time and time again. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable Pacific Northwest adventure.

But our adventure doesn’t end there. Our next stop is Vancouver, a vibrant city just a few hours north of Seattle. With its stunning waterfront location, world-class cuisine, and endless cultural attractions, Vancouver is a city that truly has it all.

Mastering Power BI: A Step-by-step Guide to Enabling Power BI’s Preview Features Including Azure Maps

Power of Power BI's Preview Features: Power BI Desktop running on Windows 11
Power of Power BI’s Preview Features: Power BI Desktop running on Windows 11

Explore the Power of Power BI’s Preview Features

Microsoft’s Power BI is known for its data visualization capabilities, but many exciting features are not enabled by default. These under-the-radar features are known as Power BI Preview Features, and they often have the potential to significantly enhance your data analysis efforts. Some of these exciting features include Azure Maps, which is essential for creating impactful Skyscraper Maps with Power BI.

Follow this Step-by-step Guide

To leverage the power of these Preview Features, you need to enable them in your Power BI interface. Here is a quick guide to help you activate Azure Maps and other Preview Features:

Step 1: Navigate to the File tab on Power BI’s menu bar. Note: There is no need to have a data connection, the opening modal can be closed.

File tab on Power BI's menu bar.
File tab on Power BI’s menu bar.

Step 2: Choose Options and Settings from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: From the subsequent options, click on Options.

Power BI's Options and Settings menu.
Power BI’s Options and Settings menu.

Step 4: In the new dialogue box, select Preview Features from the list on the left-hand side.

Power BI's Options dialogue box.
Power BI’s Options dialogue box.

Step 5: Check the box next to Azure Map Visual to enable it.

Step 6: Confirm your changes by clicking the OK button.

Power BI's Preview Features section.
Power BI’s Preview Features section.

If you change the Preview feature settings, Power BI may require you to restart the application to implement the changes. Once done, you are ready to start creating your Skyscraper Map using the Azure Maps feature!

Current Power BI Preview Features

Power BI’s Preview Features evolve over time, with new features continuously being tested and added. As of now, the current preview features you can enable in Power BI include:

  • Shape Map Visual
  • Spanish Language Support for Q&A
  • Q&A for Live Connected Analysis Services Databases
  • Azure Map Visual
  • DirectQuery for PBI Datasets and AS
  • Modern Visual Tooltips
  • Power BI Desktop Infrastructure Update
  • Web Page Connector Infrastructure
  • Modify Visuals Settings for Mobile Layout
  • Sparklines
  • Scorecard Visual
  • Field Parameters
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Power BI book cover

For more such enlightening tutorials, check out my latest book, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Power BI (Amazon)!

The world of Power BI is a treasure trove of powerful capabilities waiting to be explored. Share your experiences, creative applications, and insights as you navigate this exciting realm:

„Mastering Power BI: A Step-by-step Guide to Enabling Power BI’s Preview Features Including Azure Maps“ weiterlesen

Visual Tracert: How to use GeoTraceroute to analyze, visualize and embed internet traffic routes

Visual traceroute from Frankfurt to Ukraine shows redirection via Russia
Visual traceroute (aka. tracert) from Frankfurt to Ukraine shows redirection via Russia

Earlier today I read the news from NetBlocks (via Reuters) that since the weekend parts of the Ukrainian internet traffic are rerouted via Russia. To be precise, it’s about Ukrainian Kherson Oblast, which is occupied by Russia since March.

Now I wanted to trace the internet route myself and ideally visualize it. Here I came across the service of GeoTraceroute, which does a great job in visualizing traceroutes (aka. tracert). For the trace, I chose Frankfurt as starting point, and skynet.ua, the local internet provider in Kherson, as the endpoint.

Of course, you can also include the URL of GeoTraceroute as a web element in your Power BI report or Tableau dashboard and parameterize it for dynamic interactions. You can see the format as in my example:

https://geotraceroute.com/?node=2021&host=skynet.ua

Our Research featured in Der Spiegel: An Overview of Russia’s Cyberattack Activity in Ukraine

Der Spiegel features Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab Ukraine report
Der Spiegel features Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab Ukraine report

Our research was picked up by German news magazine Der Spiegel, one of the largest investigative journals in Europe. We analyzed incredibly large amounts of data to gain insights into Russia’s cyberattacks in Ukraine.

Read the Spiegel article, which in turn has a link to our report: Microsoft zählt bisher 237 Hackerangriffe auf die Ukraine

And here’s a direct link to the underlying report, which was produced by Microsoft’s Digital Security Unit and is based on insights from the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center and data analysis from our Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab: Special Report: Ukraine – An overview of Russia’s cyberattack activity in Ukraine