There are lots of influences from Tufte, the image you link was one of them for sure. We tried to incorporate other ideas like fully integrated text, numbers, and graphics and showing comparisons and causality. Bret Victor's work was also a big influence. If you are interested in what the design and implementation looks like and are in the Boston area there's a meet up this Thursday where we talk about building this: http://www.meetup.com/Data-Visualization-in-MetroWest-Boston...