09-04-2010, 08:15 PM
Bluyck, the more the merrier. I know about the Divine Cosmos forums but I am not active on there at all, so I appreciate the cross-reference.
As you know, every computer program can be thought of in terms of input -> processing -> output. Input is simple: date of birth entry with "30 days hath September" validation. The only question is how to get a data entry form in front of the user. Processing is trivial, one modulo division. Output is a bit tricky, how to generate a graph and display it? If the program runs on a web server, some kind of graphics library would need to be called to generate the chart image. If the graphics are generated by the client, then there needs to be a version for each type of operating system, or the use of a cross-platform library.
Thinking out loud here, maybe a Flash file would be a useful type of implementation. It could be added to any website with no server load beyond hosting and transferring the swf file, and run on any type of computer except the latest iPhone/iPad. (Their lack of Flash support is a whole other can of worms. I declare that issue is deferred to version 2.0 of the Ra Power Days Chart Drawing Utility.)
Here is an example of an open source chart component for Flash: http://www.fusioncharts.com/free/gallery/. With a component like this, a competent Flash hacker should be able to wire up the date entry to the chart display in short order. Unfortunately, I'm not a competent Flash hacker. Care to give it a shot?
As you know, every computer program can be thought of in terms of input -> processing -> output. Input is simple: date of birth entry with "30 days hath September" validation. The only question is how to get a data entry form in front of the user. Processing is trivial, one modulo division. Output is a bit tricky, how to generate a graph and display it? If the program runs on a web server, some kind of graphics library would need to be called to generate the chart image. If the graphics are generated by the client, then there needs to be a version for each type of operating system, or the use of a cross-platform library.
Thinking out loud here, maybe a Flash file would be a useful type of implementation. It could be added to any website with no server load beyond hosting and transferring the swf file, and run on any type of computer except the latest iPhone/iPad. (Their lack of Flash support is a whole other can of worms. I declare that issue is deferred to version 2.0 of the Ra Power Days Chart Drawing Utility.)
Here is an example of an open source chart component for Flash: http://www.fusioncharts.com/free/gallery/. With a component like this, a competent Flash hacker should be able to wire up the date entry to the chart display in short order. Unfortunately, I'm not a competent Flash hacker. Care to give it a shot?