While, I don't have anything against FortiusOne or the "neogeography" work that they create.  I do have something against shoddy examples.  Here is a shining example from a recent feature they have added to their GeoCommons project.  First, though, I'm not entirely sure what a proportional shapes map is supposed to be.  I don't know if the values are changed.  In their description of map types, it sounds appropriate but the image they show is just a "color map."  So I'll let that go.  The problem I see is the example they are using.  The map the total number of children under 16.  The TOTAL number of children under 16.  Look at what states are the darkest and have the highest number of children under 16.  Wow, you just created a map of the most populous states.  They should have mapped the proportion of 16 and under.  I realize this is just an example.  When you are demonstrating something to novices, you should in the least create correct examples so you are not at fault for showing them incorrect information.  Or, at least, qualify that you are a novice.  Google Visualization API does this same thing in their examples.

Now...Don't read any other entries in this blog or else I will probably be found at fault for this too.  I hope that I qualify that I'm not a programmer at least on my programming tutorials.