Data skills test

(click to enlarge)

This graph portrays Nigel de Jong's performances, during the 2010 World Cup, through the use of statistics in a graph format.

de Jong was an integral part of the Netherlands' success in the competition and this graph explores his actions throughout.

The legend shows several aspects of his game and the vertical axis portrays the amount of times that he completed these aspects.

With new developments in technology, we can now discover just how much of an impact a player can have in a football match. We can see how many passes they complete, how many tackles they put in and even how many yards they have covered throughout the game.

I collected such data from the Guardian's online Data Store and then transformed the relevant information into a graph (via Google Spreadsheets).


SOURCES:

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/jul/12/spain-netherlands-world-cup-statistics
• http://www.mcfc.co.uk/players/midfielders/nigel-de-jong

Practice data skills test

This is a pie-chart of the top five Premier League clubs of 2008/09 who had the highest arrests for ticket-touting.

I created this chart in Microsoft Excel 2007 by inputting the data into a spreadsheet, highlighting it and then selecting the chart option.

Maps skills test

View LEP stories in a larger map

This is my map skills test for an assignment.
The task was to locate four local stories on Google maps and create a placemark for each one, which included a link to the Lancashire Evening Post online article plus another related website.
We also could attach an icon to the placemark and a brief description of the story.

Video skills test

This is a video (edited via Windows Movie Maker) of Christopher Oatway, discussing the upcoming musical production of Guys and Dolls at the Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham, Manchester.

The Haymarket Consumer Media: Mark Payton

Editorial Director, Mark Payton, discusses the changes that have taken place in his company since they began to utilise online marketing.

Image skills tests

This is the original photograph that I took of the University of Central Lancashire.

(640 x 480)

This is an edited version of the original photo.
(100x100)

This is another edited version of the original.
(300x400)

And another...

(200x500)

Talk about a love-hate relationship.

Yesterday, I spent my Sunday afternoon watching football (shock horror!). This isn't out of the ordinary in any way. In fact, it's how I normally spend my Sundays; much to my mother's distain.


However, yesterday signalled the end of the Championship season and I know what you're thinking: 'You're a Man City fan. Why would you care?'


Well, I care because the end of the season can be an emotional day for thousands across the country. A few years ago, City left it to the last game of the season to clinch promotion away at Blackburn Rovers. As if that wasn't bad enough, they were a goal behind at half-time. Luckily though, Blackburn hit the bar and post FOUR times throughout the match and City managed to make them regret it by scoring four, themsevles.


City always like to make it hard for themselves. Who could forget Wembley '99 - the play-off final with Gillingham? Two-nil down with ten minutes to go; they pull a goal back in the last minute and equalise in the fifth minute of injury time. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't been interested in football up to that point so I wasn't there. My dad was though. And I've watched the videos. I don't think anything can describe the mixture of emotions that took place in every City fan that day. Excitement, nervousness, heartbreak, disappointment.. and suddenly, sheer ecstasy! That's the sort of thing that makes it so wonderful to be a football fan. And, as a City fan, I know exactly how it feels.


So, yesterday, as I turned on BBC One to see the crowd at Hillsborough and to listen to the immense noise that they made to spur their team on. Amazingly, what had happened throughout the season just didn't matter anymore. It all came down to this: Sheffield Wednesday against Crystal Palace. For the Owls, it was win or bust. This was it.


My other half is a Sheffield United fan. And, as much as I tease him for it, I admire that he supports a team that has hardly any financial backing, a poor stadium and a team that has suffered so much with injury that the majority of the squad are loanees from other clubs. He loves his team and, for that, he has my respect.


However, yesterday, his lot were playing away to Ipswich - who, let's face it, have been pretty dire this season. He was going to go, bless him, but the ridiculous ticket prices of £38 were decidedly too much. And that's completely understandable.


But when I listen to him say that he's considering going to Hillsborough to watch Sheffield Wednesday instead, I couldn't quite believe what I heard..


Now, as a City fan, I know exactly what it's like to hate your neighbours. I absolutely despise Manchester United. But I would NEVER go to watch them (even to see them suffer), especially while my own team is playing.


As a Sheffield United fan, I imagine that the temptation to see Sheffield Wednesday possibly get relegated is quite strong. Yet, to disregard your own team's match for your rivals just doesn't make sense to me.


He says that he would love for Wednesday to get relegated. And I understand that. But, then, what would he have to look forward to next season? Every fan eagerly seeks out the date for the derbies when the fixture lists are printed. And he won't have that next season, now. Perhaps they'll face Leeds. But that's not as local..


Realistically, with the way that the Blades have performed this season (and, yes, I have seen them live), unless they make serious changes over the Summer, they're not going anywhere.


And another thing, Shaun turns to me, the other day and says: "Another reason that we want them to go down is for the World Cup bid." Erm, what?! He reckons that, since Wednesday have been relegated, that Bramall Lane will automatically become the best ground in Sheffield - wrong. Hillsborough is miles better (again, I've been to both)


According to my deluded significant other, Bramall Lane is set to be extended to 44,000. I couldn't believe it when he told me. They only half-fill it now, as it is, which averages at about 26,000. Even if they somehow got into the Premier League, they'd never get 44,000!


Sheffield United fans share the delusion that they are a bigger club than Sheffield Wednesday. And, yes, they may be a league higher than their rivals. But they're definitely not 'bigger'. Wednesday have much more history, a better stadium and a much better fanbase. Just like Man United, really - although, I, as a City fan, can admit that.


Hatred and arrogance, it appears, may cause delusion. So beware, football fans!