Getting the details right in an interactive line graph

Mike Bostock just posted some examples on more accurate line graph mouseovers:

http://bl.ocks.org/mbostock/8027835

Generally I like google finance's approach of showing mouse over data. Static legend, with everything displayed in one row so it doesn't take up too much horizontal space.

https://www.google.com/finance?q=INDEXDJX%3A.DJI&ei=DfOxUpCA...

I think the graph is way too busy with the interactive elements and animations. Get rid of the legend box hopping over the data I want to see. In fact, the whole interactivity is pretty useless: the user does not really interact with anything, you're just hovering stuff over the graph. Just utterly pointless.

"Utterly pointless" is a bit harsh. Interactivity in a line graph is useful because it helps the user understand the value of any chosen point.

But I do agree that one way to improve this is to make the key static, moved off to the side so that it does not obfuscate the graph.

I'd suggest not moving the legend box (2nd chart) but simply updating it with mouse movements. This will reduce distraction & also provide necessary information. The points on the graph are valuable to see values at a particular space in the graph.