Notice how your Google reader got a bit emptier than usual? Didn't think so. But it recently occured to me that I haven't posted in eons. Why is that? Part of it has been the chaos of moving, spending time exploring LA. The other part is that I'm finally walking the walk every day. I stepped out of the Medill bubble, valiantly tried to explain to my friends and family what I'm doing out in California Read More...
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 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...
So, you think data journalism and programming are some valuable skills you'd like to learn. Unfortunately, your school doesn't offer this as a track, or maybe you're not even in school anymore. You know people will help you, and you think it all seems cool, but it can be difficult knowing just where to start 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...
Using data as part of a package that drives user interest needs a strong team, and cross-collaboration between reporters, editors and web developers. At the Los Angeles Times, two key people who work to bring it all together are Web dev duo Ben Welsh and Ken Schwencke. It's their job to enhance and enrich the various reporting and projects done by reporters and make sure it's interesting and accessible to you on the Web Read More...
"If you truly love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." That was the main theme of the faculty speaker at my high school graduation back at Palatine High School in 2004. It personified my pursuit of knowledge, and of a career, up until that point, and I've thought about those words each day in the almost six -- six? -- years since then Read More...
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