08.19.09
05.18.07
Phoenix Area data
Check it out. It’s our new database index page for AZcentral. We have full control of the page now and we will be adding things on a fairly regular basis. Tell me what you think and what we might add/change:
http://www.azcentral.com/datacenter/datacenter_index.html
02.27.07
Public Records Clearinghouse
While I was engaging in a good ‘ol public records request, I thought of an idea that’s been rattling around in my head for a few years.
Wouldn’t it be cool to make a web site that was essentially a free distribution network for public records? It would require a ton of work. I’d have to create a non-profit, raise a bunch of money for attorney fees, records acquisition and hosting costs. But the end result: a web site where public records could be downloaded for free by anybody, would be amazing.
The site could accept records from media outlets that have already acquired it or used it. The organization could actively seek information itself too. There’s a lot of sites that offer specific records for a fee. But the fee is a barrier to entry. It forces decisions to be made for budget reasons instead of public interest reasons.
Someone tell me why this idea wouldn’t work. Other than the obvious reason like money.
01.17.07
My First Useful Python Script
Adapting a python script by Derek Willis, I built a script that pulls down county by county results for the 04 U.S. Presidential election.
You can see the script here
Thanks to Derek and Ryan for getting me through some rough spots.
I’m working on another new script based off of the Willis base that will do another cool task for one of our reporters. More wrinkles though which means more to learn. I’ll post it when I have it done.
01.10.07
Rise of the Data Monkeys
Hey everybody. This is Ryan and I’s contribution to the world of CAR reporter blogs. At first, it will just be a place to show what we’ve been working on. We’re also going to use the site to work on web development skills so we can help out with the whole Information Center initiative here at Gannett.
Stay tuned.