Re: dynamic image generation

I ended up buying a product called RChart (homepage:
<http://www.java4less.com/charts_e.htm>). It's a Java applet (can also be used
as a servlet and standalone I believe) that we store on the IFS; my CGI
program creates parameters for the applet to use on page load. Now that I'm
using it, I'm glad to be doing things this way rather than static image
generation. The applet allows for scrolling and zoom in/out, features I
believe our users will appreciate.

I did have a peek at Netcharts (homepage:
<http://www.visualmining.com/products/netcharts.html>) recommended by Michael
Skvarenina on the web400 list. It has a lot of features and chrome, and
operates in the same manner (Java applet). Just starting out, I could not
justify the price.

Rchart cost us $52 (Rchart Gold), including source. It has fewer chart types
and features, but the basics are there, and is flexible enough for our needs.
It's available for as little as $22 (slightly fewer features, binary only). A
demo download is availble.

Netcharts costs about $1400, didn't check if it was binary only or sourced
also, but it appears to be in the high end of applet charting.

Loyd

On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 15:54:59 -0700, "David Morris"
<David.Morris@plumcreek.com> wrote:

>I know this was a while back, but I went to a page that had
>a graph on it and researched how they do it. I found that
>the image was generated from a Servlet. In that case
>they generated a jpeg using the com.sun.image.codec.jpeg
>package.

--
"Why, you can even hear yourself think." --Hobbes
"This is making me nervous. Let's go in." --Calvin
loyd@blackrobes.net  ICQ#504581  http://www.blackrobes.net/