SPIKE: amCharts prototype for all metrics

[adonahue]

We have licensed the amCharts graphics package in order to have access to a wide range of visual representations. Currently, we only have one of our graphics utilizing amCharts - the network graph. Ultimately we would like all of our legacy graphics (talk time, influence, and timeline) to also use amCharts, for the purposes of code cohesion / simplicity / maintenance and visual cohesion in the UI.

Acceptance Criteria

• [x] Limit the spike to two days.

• [x] A visual prototype of the EDU dashboard where all graphics are rendered with amCharts (can use dummy data, this does not have to be fully integrated w. the back end).

• [x] An investigation into the pros and cons of moving all the graphic to amCharts in terms of code impact, organization, and maintenance. In particular, this should take into account the need to toggle metrics on and off, based on their display context (e.g. network graph should display in EDU dashboard, but not Riff platform). The finding should be written in a short summary to be shared with the rest of the team.

• [x] A rough estimate of how long it would take to convert each legacy graphic to use amCharts.

[adonahue]

@brecriffs - I think this covers what we talked about yesterday. If any of this seems problematic or out of scope, LMK. Thanks!

[adonahue]

@brecriffs - where are you on this? I know you had some stuff built, is there much more to close this spike out?

[brecriffs]

I did a bit of a spike over the weekend with a prototype to show you. I will message you this afternoon about a good time for me to show you.

[adonahue]

Accepting as complete. We now have a prototype for all existing and new metrics in amCharts. One possible issue that came out of this spike is the load time for a dashboard with lots of amChart graphics. We will need some continued investigation about what is causing this issue and how to mitigate it.