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 Read More...
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 Read More...
Today, at sunset, the Jewish people mark the end of Passover. I know the High Holy Days are the most, well, holy, but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Passover. The English major in me likes that everything has symbolism (salt water, matzo, lamb bone, etc.), the journalist in me loves a good story and roots for the underdog and the Jewish part of me likes the cooking and the eating and the communing and the eating Read More...
Using programming to enhance and improve journalism is often thought of as a new phenomenon -- the rise of the pro-jo, or programmer-journalist. But as anyone in the CAR community can tell you, using computers for reporting is far from a new idea. One of the pioneers of the movement, decades ago, was Phil Meyer Read More...
It's all very simple for me to sit in front of my computer and proclaim myself a data journalist, or a programmer-journalist for that matter. I've spent a lot of time discovering my love for creating data-driven applications. But for many CAR reporters, the role of Web developer has chosen them as the field has developed Read More...
The nature of CAR is shifting each day, as data analyzers and Web developers alike prepare to converge on Phoenix later this week. But for those who've been in this for the long haul, the essence of the field remains what it always has been. That's the message ProPublica's Director of Computer-Assisted Reporting, Jennifer LaFleur, imparted to me during our interview Read More...
I've spent the quarter compiling and analyzing data exploring the persistence of Chicago art galleries, as a way of exploring CAR for the arts. I found a list from the Chicago Artists' Coalition of 96 such businesses that existed in 1990, and tracked their fate. A story summarizing the trend follows (an assignment for my Arts Reporting class) Read More...
I was recently asked to write a guest post sharing some of what I've learned about data from my studies, random experimentation and musings that consume my life. This is part of Adam Westbrook's Fresh Eyes series, where he asks people within and without journalism with non-traditional perspectives to talk about how journalists can improve their craft Read More...
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