New subjects, new panels, new faces. NashCAR, our national computer-assisted reporting conference in Nashville, Tenn., March 6-9, has been programmed by NICAR and the local committee from the Tennessean to have all of these.
In the past year and a half, CAR has grown dramatically and in different directions. The Internet, through the World Wide Web, has not only become a worthwhile and constant source of data and information, but also a way to distribute databases within a news organization.
Reporters have become more savvy about software programs, math and how to slice national data for local stories. Steps have been taken toward better visualization of information - so that it can be better understood.
During this time, different levels of teaching have been required. Introductory training continues for those just getting to CAR, but NICAR has also developed new curricula for the intermediate and advanced journalists.
All these changes need to be reflected at NashCAR, and they will be. Among the topics will be:
Using the Internet for quick hits in broadcast. Using Intranets and Lotus Notes to distribute data to the whole newsroom. Finding free data on the Internet. Making federal data useful for local stories. Using math and statistics without making critical errors. Using CAR for international stories. Managing CAR projects.
We will have panelists from throughout the country and from news organizations who have never spoken before. There will be more speakers from broadcast on our panels and panels for special concerns of broadcasters, who have less time and space to work with.
We also will have few key experts from outside journalism who can tell you about hidden sources of data.
At the same time, we will make sure to cover the basics and include the knowledgeable veterans of CAR, who have been learning and teaching for the past decade.
You will be able to get the best ways to start in CAR and hundreds of good story ideas to which CAR can be applied.
As you enter this new arena, there will be panels on the legalities and ethics in the world of CAR to help guide you. And there will be panels on how to present the story so that it doesn't get lost in numbers or overloads of data.
Meanwhile, our hands-on training is the most ambitious ever. We are offering 20 different classes in four days ranging from beginning searches of the Internet to using statistical software to analyze datasets.
We also will provide tutorials and specialized workshops in our demonstration rooms, have dozens of reprints and video clips of stories to share, and will offer seminar for impromptu gatherings on particular subjects.
Last, NashCAR will have the first ever job fair to connect those looking for the right place and those looking for the right journalist. So don't miss this great event and the chance to get on the fast track to better journalism.