Four days in Florida? Sounds like a junket. But in June? Investigative Reporters and Editors' annual conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami June 8-11 will include panels, discussions and hands-on computer-assisted reporting training at all levels. There won the time for little umbrella drinks. We're offering intense training on the conference's Optional Day, Thursday, June 8: The program is divided into three tracks that will run simultaneously. Each track contains five sessions. The rundown:

An introduction to computer-assisted reporting

1. Quick-hit story ideas for every section of the paper. 2. Getting started: Where to get training, what equipment to buy, what software to consider, getting editors interested. 3. Power Up and Plug In: On-line bulletin boards, government databases not covered in beat sessions. 4. Introduction to Spreadsheets. 5. Introduction to Databases.

Computer-assisted reporting on the beat

1. Crime: Cyber sources for crime reporters, plus how to track gun violence in your community and how to find out how bad crime really is. 2. Education: Cyber sources for school reporters, plus how to rate your school district's performance. 3. City Hall: Cyber sources for city hall reporters, plus how to ferret out zoning abuses. 4. Courts: Cyber sources for legal reporters, plus how to rate the performance of judges. 5. Politics: Cyber sources for political reporters, plus how to use the Federal Election Commission database to track campaign contributions.

Special skills

1. Introduction to Internet. 2. Florida's open government: Electronic records available to journalists. 3. Polling: How to write survey questions and build on what pollsters provide. 4. Visualizing information: Mapping, charting, investigative graphics. 5. Access: Electronic data - What you're entitled to and how to get it.

In addition, Philip Meyer, author of The New Precision Journalism, will teach a session for those with advanced skills.

Internet demo room

Multiple hookups to the Internet in a room staffed with experts. Find out how to better use this exciting research and communications tool. For information and to register, call IRE at (314) 882-2042.