{
  "id": "1994-november-second-generation-databases",
  "slug": "1994-november-second-generation-databases",
  "url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1994-november-second-generation-databases.html",
  "year": 1994,
  "month": "November",
  "monthNum": 11,
  "headline": "Second-generation databases",
  "kicker": "The CAR Lot:",
  "author_name": "Ronald Campbell",
  "author_title": "computer-assisted reporting specialist",
  "affiliation": "The Register",
  "summary": "The Register's computer-assisted reporting program uses Dell computers running DOS/Windows with FoxPro databases and MapInfo mapping software, led by a single CAR specialist who has produced investigations into campaign donations, lending discrimination, and other data-driven stories.",
  "keywords": [
    "reporting",
    "software",
    "journalism"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Investigative Methods",
    "Technology",
    "Data & Databases"
  ],
  "technologies": [
    "FoxPro",
    "Excel",
    "MapInfo",
    "XDB",
    "Aldus FreeHand",
    "Crosstalk",
    "PC Tools",
    "Nine Track Express",
    "SPSS",
    "SAS",
    "XyWrite",
    "DOS",
    "Windows",
    "OS/2",
    "CD-ROM",
    "modem/BBS"
  ],
  "full_text": "The Register launched its computer-assisted reporting program in January 1991. We're on our second computer and second generation of software. Personnel: Me. I'm supposed to spend 80 percent of my time on CAR, and occasionally I really do. Efforts to train others have been sporadic and short-lived Hardware: A Dell 466-T (486 computer, 66 megahertz top speed) with 16 megabytes of RAM and a gigabyte hard drive. I also have a Qualstar tape drive, a leftover from the bad old days, as well as a CD-ROM reader and a tape backup system. The Register slowly is replacing its ancient Atex terminals with Gateway 200-mb personal computers. As the PCs spread throughout the newsroom, I hope to find converts to CAR. Operating system: DOS and Windows 3.1. The Register is shifting to OS/2. Database: FoxPro 2.6 for Windows. I switched to FoxPro from XDB a couple of years ago and have never regretted the change. FoxPro is incredibly fast, easy to use, and flexible (also brave, clean, and reverent, but that's another story). Spreadsheet: Excel 4.0. Mapping: MapInfo 2.0 for Windows. MapInfo easily handles FoxPro tables. But for more than a year, we couldn't make publication-quality maps. We solved that problem by buying MapInfo for the Macintosh (the graphic artists' computer of choice). Now I create a map on my PC, transfer the map and accompanying workspace and tables to a diskette, and walk them across the hall to Graphics; the artist loads the diskette to the Macintosh version, dresses up the map, and transfers it to Aldus FreeHand for final touchups. Not a very elegant solution, but it works. Word processing: None, unless Windows Write counts. I'm getting Xywrite for Windows soon. Communications: Crosstalk software operating on a U.S. Robotics Sportster 14,400-modem. I recently began exploring the Internet through the Register's \"node.\" Utilities: PC Tools. Other: Nine-Track Express. This is essential for CAR and likely will remain so as long as government agencies resist the trend toward compact discs. Nine-Track is easy to use, though the documentation isn't much help when something goes wrong. (Hint: If you're saddled with a Qualstar, check that first when problems arise.) Notable stories: I've sliced and diced political campaign donations dozens of ways, establishing among other things the surprising role that female professionals played in the election of California's two U.S. Senators. I've also written about discrimination in home-lending by banks, toxics, and the census. Wish list: Statistical software, such as SPSS or SAS. A decent tape-drive. Ronald Campbell can be reached by telephone at (714) 664-5030 or by e-mail at rcampbell@ocrl.freedom.com",
  "provenance": {
    "extracted_by": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6",
    "extracted_at": "2026-07-05",
    "verified": true
  },
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  "html_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1994-november-second-generation-databases.html",
  "json_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1994-november-second-generation-databases.json"
}