// $Id: README.txt,v 1.1 2008-07-07 10:59:51 brmassa Exp $ Charts ====== Charts module provides a unified data scheme to build any kind of charts of any chart provider. Each chart solution found on internet, like Google Charts and Open Flash Chart, have a specific data scheme. Its very hard and even impossible to build a unique chart data that would be used in more that one chart provider. Or users get binded to a solution forever or they have to rewrite all exported data again. Thats why Charts is so great. It uses a standard data scheme do describe charts data and thru filters, it converts automatically to each solution. You might change to another solution at anytime. The Chart schema is very similiar to Drupal's Form API schema. Chart Providers =============== Out of the Box, you will be able to use 3 chart solutions. Which one of them has particular advantages and disadvantages. * Google Charts: Google solution is very peculiar since it's charts are static images generated in their servers. Its the most simple one but it will work without any further configuration. Note: Google limits the number of generated charts per day. The number is very big, but it might not be a good solution for heavy sites. * Open Flash Chart: This open source project have a single Flash file tha generates several types of charts. These charts also have some special effects. Note: the flash file is not included with this module. It should be downloaded separatedly. * FusionCharts: FusionCharts also uses Flash and it has the most complete set of chart types and effects. The FusionCharts filter works with both free and complete versions. Note: the flash file is not included with this module. It should be downloaded separatedly. HELP! ===== If you need some assistance, doubt or problem, go to the module's page on Drupal site: http://drupal.org/modules/charts. There you can find a link to the documentation, some tutorials to help you integrate your module and the issues system to post bugs and ask for more features.