One of the current biggest issues (since 2014) is the Overview of items stored in the Logistics Network. It seems, that might be fixed soonest in v0.14...
On the other hand: The pure number of topics about it needs me to think a bit more about it, than other subjects, cause not every info-view/statistic that is wanted can be implemented.
Other games display information like: they take some pre-calculated information out of the memory or they summarize or do complex stuff with it. They look at the map and summarize some information in the area.
In most games, the information you can view is more or less fixed. That makes it easy and that is also the problem. Cause it makes no sense in Factorio; in Factorio you want to have sometimes more detailed statistics. But you don't need it always. But it is expensive to calculate always statistcs if you never need it.
The solution which looks like a very good compromise and also looks like the next logic step is to use the circuits.
Look at
http://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-123
and combine that with
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6327 Grapher
The result is then, that we have an entity on the map (and maybe a button in the GUI, or a configurable display in the GUI or a display like the logistic info now), which can collect and display us some information. ANY information. You can also calculate other values. For example you can have a statistic for every logistic network about the usage of robots. Or how much items are stored in a network. Or a chest. How much items are produced in a network. How much energy is needed in a network.
(taken from viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31304 Show lamps on map)
Obviously we still need global statistics etc, but the main idea is to enable the player to generate his needed statisic by himself and/or enable him to use a blueprint to build some kind of circuits that creates some pre-defined statistics.
This approach enables us to implement nearly every of the below wanted graphs/statistics. Optimization can then follow in form of mods, blueprints etc.
That is just my opinion (based on deep insight of course ). Here are the others:
About General Info Display
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1916 View overhaul and collection of ideas [also a nice idea to collect information without a network]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6327 Grapher [attach an item/entity to an entitiy to graph a certain attribute about - this is btw. already planned, see http://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-123 ]
viewtopic.php?f=67&t=8401 Be able to see your electric networks wherever you are
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12301 export data to csv, excel...to be able to compare and visualize
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16858 Overview of items stored in the Logistics Network
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=18093 Roboport/Logistic Network/Robot enhancements
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=18153 Information-Layers (for map and/or normal view) [Another frequently suggested topic, especially around alarms or resources...]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21237 Graph generator (Logic Information gathering and display)
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24249 Electrical GUI improvements
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26964 Allow seeing production of a single item
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=38585 So what is on this belt?!? (show contents in text please)
I found also some posts that mention some kind of forecast and/or tendency beside the statistics, which makes much sense to me. It would be great, if such kind of "forecast" could trigger a signal back into the network.
Also related here are how alarms/alarming will work. That is a completely different topic.
Adding New Types of Graphs/Changing Graps / Signs
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=842 Display of Time of Day
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1010 Thoughts Graphs and Charts. [this is quite old, but only partly implemented]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1137 Network & Inventory. GUI [sadly missing the pics (one more reason to insist on uploading it here), but I think I remember that it was just a tab-view per network]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1481 Accumulator Controls
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1611 Production info improvements [still very useful ideas in it, what I suggest here is - despite from many other things - an integration of Foreman (see below at tools!)]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3121 Statistics for stored energy
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3258 Stats [Some interesting graphs]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3386 Pollution [and Liquids] added to the production overview
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3723 Consumption/Production / Electric Network Info / Power Meter
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4404 Statistics: unit-sorting by longest time-slot [sorting follows longer intervalls]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4714 Military Info Screen [Statistics over the number of military entities]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4780 Complete production statistics
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5036 Energy graphs on electric network info
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8925&hilit=statistic%2A Distribution of robots [only a side effect of that suggestion]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10223 Effectivity statistics [Statistics on buildings]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12647 Custom Signs
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12684 An Additional Statistic Needed [links also to Forman (see below at tools!)]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16307 More in depth menu's
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16948 Amount display "sign"/"monitor"
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16967 The Electric network infoscreen is counter-intuitive [seems to be still a problem]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17302 Storage tank trend graph
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17870 Accumulator charge graph
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18206 Production Graphs Suggenstion
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20738 Power supply/demand/storage chart in power panel
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21246 [Metagame] Real-world-like economics stats.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22782 info about the maximum power output of a device
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23492 Production Info: Compare Max vs. Produced
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=25901 Convenient statistics of production (P button)
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26802 Per-item production rates and bottleneck detection
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29940 Logistic network fluid conditions
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30193 Per-factory statistics
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31304 Show lamps on map
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31410 More information
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=32418 Fliuds statistics
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=32493 Count Items: in or on Transport / in Devices
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35554 Digital display in map view
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35740 Markers on graphs
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=40200 Stat sheets and books
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41743 Graph all the things!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44803 Modular armor battery status when hovering
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44908 Add a logarithmic display option for production/consumption graph.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45536 Save electric network info filters
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45591 A functionality to check variations in signal strengths
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46778 Pollution Sources and Statistics Window
About the ALT-Mode or Better Display of Information
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1499 The Alt Key
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3129 HOT Pipes [not directly related here]
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3691 integrating the "alt-mode" into the default graphics
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3984 More Info button
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5926 Ability to see turrets range as green circle
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6831 Connectedness needs to be clearly indicated f. Power Poles
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=28009 Maximum stack size in item tool tip
Logistics Info
See viewtopic.php?f=80&t=17779 Detach Logistic Item Listing From Right Pane
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1222 Logistic overview on the right side
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2583 Logistic network, Storage Infoscreen
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=2632 Cannot view all logistic system storage items
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4706 Logistics Statistics Screen
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5749 Logistic bot network usage statistics
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9957 Logistic System Informational Window
... plus some more in the other thread above...
Mods
There are many Helper Mods, that display more information, as example:
https://forums.factorio.com/forum/viewtop ... 92&t=14388 Advanced Logistics System
https://forums.factorio.com/forum/viewtop ... 92&t=13837 EvoGUI (Evolution Factor Indicator)
Tools
viewtopic.php?f=69&t=5576 Foreman Factory optimization tool
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=19987 More Game Information (Statistics, Monitoring, Graphs)