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CAR

09.07.10

Hosting #wjchat — Finding the story in the data CAR, data visualizations, django, programming, web | (2)
UPDATE: More later, but if you missed the geekery and fantastic exchange of knowledge that you get with a phenomenally sharp, inquisitive and dedicated group like the #wjchatters, you can find the transcript here. Tomorrow, Wed. Sept. 8, we'll be discussing "Finding the story in the data" at #wjchat, and I have been tapped to host. (One might ask why, they must really be running low on people....I kid, I kid.) This issue is extremely important, and one that must be addressed by the Web journalism groups. There's a difference between telling a journalistic story, but lacking ...
07.11.10

First LAT app (or the butterfly on my windowsill) CAR, data visualizations, django, programming, projects, theory, web | (0)
http://projects.latimes.com/prop8 So, there's that. First launch! My checklist: Figure out what part of journalism inspires me. CHECK (Data, programming) Find place where I can learn about it from others, but have freedom to try out my ideas and learn from knowledgeable and patient folks. CHECK (LAT) Use this opportunity to learn enough about programming to create at least one app. CHECK (See first line of post) That was a good time. I'm planning a post on best practices for creating a searchable database application like this, with examples, and technical geekery, and all that, and I'd love your thoughts in the meantime. Let me know if you ...
07.11.10

Data Delver: Andy Boyle, St. Petersburg Times CAR, data delvers, data visualizations, programming | (0)
The last Data Delver I have on tap is Andy Boyle. If you're in the online journalism sphere on Twitter, you know this name, or at least, @andymboyle. But let's say you don't. If I introduce him as a reporter, that's not the full picture. A developer? That's not it either. Web-savvy journo? Still, nope. All of the above, and then some? Now, we're getting somewhere. I'll just put it this way. Andy, you've been an inspiration. Watching your work while I was a student at Medill, and how much you enjoyed it, I knew some day I could do anything, ...
07.11.10

Data Delver: Cheryl Phillips, Seattle Times CAR, data delvers, data visualizations | (0)
Programming note: This Data Delver series was a lot more regular before I actually became a "Data Delver." This is one of two interviews that's been sitting in my draft pile. I spoke to Cheryl Phillips back in March 2010, and the below interview should be interpreted in that context. Sorry for the delay, Cheryl, but better late than never (I hope.) One of the areas in journalism most ripe for data work, as I see it, is enterprise stories. At papers with small CAR staffs, there's often a serious strain on the time of CAR reporters and editors seeking to ...
05.12.10

Spreading the data word…via Poynter CAR, data visualizations | (0)
If you didn't see it on Twitter, or on poynter.org...I'm writing articles for Poynter's website on data journalism. The first is on how to use OutWit Hub, a Firefox extension to help you scrape Web sites even if you don't have programming knowledge. I just needed something to do with my ever abundant free time, obviously. Alright, since we know that's not true, the real reason is that it will help spread the data journalism message. There are a lot of skills to learn, and a lot of questions to be answered. The more of us intelligently exploring these options, the better ...
04.11.10

Data Delver: Paul Monies, The Oklahoman CAR, data delvers | (1)
In journalism, we talk a lot about the concept of the "one-man band." The idea often refers to multi-platform journalism -- it means being able to deliver a story in print, video, audio or online format. You must be able to do it all, and do it all well. But in the CAR world, plenty of data teams remain a one-man band operation, but in a different sense. Know how to ask questions of information, sort through databases, post data online, create data-driven applications, teach others how to bring the data to their reporting, advocate for ...
04.07.10

Columbia’s new joint MS: Good start, but no panacea CAR, data visualizations, education, programming, theory | (3)
We've been retweeting it and raving about it all day in the data community - Columbia has made a big, big step forward in data journalism education by offering a new joint masters in journalism and computer science. We can add modules to existing curricula all we want, but this is a giant leap. There is a subset of journalists who need to learn to code. This certainly can't hurt, and can only help journalists, right? What will be interesting is what the graduates actually do with the degree. I didn't retweet it for a few hours, because, for once, an ...

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