title: Why is there so much fuzz about d3 and alike?
body: <p>Sorry if this question is considered trivial but I am a bit lost:</p>
  
  <p>Why is there so much discussion and efforts in working with d3 for data visualization?</p>
  
  <p>In python we have matplotlib (MPL). It can to so many things. Especially for publication ready graphics (PS, PDF)?</p>
  
  <p>Or is the target these new initiatives are trying to achieve the web-visualization and interactivity, only?</p>
  
  <p>And how is the question of report generation (e.g. preparation of a printable report) tackled?</p>
  
  <p>E.g. I have a website with a dashboard for graphics.
  I zoom in, retrieve data etc. How to I store the figure together with the data table behind to a report?
  IMHO, easy to achieve with the "old" MPL based way.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance for your clarifications and hints on this hot topic.</p>