Re: [matplotlib-devel] How to move beyond JET as the default matplotlib colormap

I am a bit wary of doing a 2.0 _just_ to change the color map, but when
every I try to write out why, they don't sound convincing.  We may end up
with a 3.0 within a year or so due to the possible plotting API/pyplot work
that is (hopefully) coming.

If we are going to do this, I think we should do the 1.4.3 release
(scheduled for Feb 1, RCs in mid January), then put one commit to change
the color map on top of that, tag 2.0 and then master turns into 2.1.x
(targeted for right after scipy?).

There is also the thought to get the major c++ refactor work tagged and
released sooner rather than later so maybe we want to do 1.4.3, 1.5.0 and
2.0 in Feb with 2.0 based off of 1.5 not 1.4.

On Fri Nov 21 2014 at 12:52:03 PM Benjamin Root <ben...@ou...> wrote:

> As a point of clarification, is this proposed 2.0 release different from
> the 1.5 release?
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2014 at 12:32 PM, Phil Elson <pel...@gm...> wrote:
>
>> Many of you will be aware of there has been an ongoing issue (#875,
>> http://goo.gl/xLZvuL) which recommends the removal of Jet as the default
>> colormap in matplotlib.
>>
>> The argument against Jet is compelling and I think that as a group who
>> care about high quality visualisation we should be seriously discussing how
>> matplotlib can move beyond Jet.
>>
>> There was recently an open letter to the climate science community
>> <http://www.climate-lab-book.ac.uk/2014/end-of-the-rainbow/> asking for
>> scientists to "pledge" against using rainbow like colormaps (such as Jet),
>> and there are similar initiatives in other scientific fields, as well as
>> there being a plethora of well researched literature on the subject.
>>
>> As such, it's time to agree on a solution on how matplotlib can reach the
>> end of the rainbow.
>>
>>
>> The two major hurdles, AFAICS, to replacing the three little characters
>> which control the default colormap of matplotlib are:
>>
>>  * We haven't had a clear (decisive) discussion about what we should
>> replace Jet with.
>>  * There are concerns about changing the default as it would change the
>> existing widespread behaviour.
>>
>> To address the first point I'll start a new mailinglist thread (entitled
>> "Matplotlib's new default colormap") where new default colormap suggestions
>> can be made. The thread should strictly avoid "+1" type comments, and
>> generally try to stick to reference-able/demonstrable fact, rather than
>> opinion. There *will* be a difference of opinion, however the final
>> decision has to come down to the project lead (sorry Mike) who I know will
>> do whatever is necessary to make the best choice for matplotlib.
>>
>> The second point is a reasonable response when we consider that
>> matplotlib as a project has no *clear* statement on backwards
>> compatibility. As a result, matplotlib is highly change averse between
>> minor releases (to use semantic versioning terms) and therefore changing
>> the default colormap is unpalatable in the v1.x release series. As a result
>> I'd like to propose that the next release of matplotlib be called 2.0, with
>> the *only* major backwards-incompatible change be the removal of Jet as
>> the default colormap.
>>
>> As a project matplotlib mustn't get caught up in the trap of shying away
>> from a major version release when the need arises, and in my opinion
>> helping our users to avoid using a misleading colormap is a worthy cause
>> for a v2.0.
>>
>> Please try to keep this thread on the "how", and not on the "what" of the
>> replacement default colormap, for which there is a dedicated thread.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Phil
>>
>> (#endrainbow)
>>
>>
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