Bits, Bytes and Barks — Uplink Archive

IRE offers audio tapes from Indiana CAR conferences, maintains multiple mailing lists for journalists, and provides access to databases including IRS exempt organization records and FBI crime statistics. The Campaign Finance Information Center provides free access to campaign finance data from thirteen states with plans to release a universal search engine.

Indiana CAR Audio Tapes

Audio tapes from the sessions at Indiana CAR are now available for ordering. For more information or an order form, point your browser to www.ire.orgiresources/nicari conferences/indianalaudio.html

Mailing Lists

IRE maintains a number of mailing lists, some with longstanding presence and some just getting started. To subscribe to IRE-L or NICAR-L, send an e-mail to listproc@lists.missouri.edu. In the body of the message, type: subscribe NICAR-L <yourname> subscribe IRE-L <your name>

To subscribe to CFIC-L, the newly formed Campaign Finance Information Center listserv, send an e-mail to majordomo@campaignfinance.org. In the body of the message, type: subscribe CFIC-L <your e-mail address>.

To subscribe to the INTRACAR mailing list, which discusses running and developing Intranets, send an e-mail to majordomo@nicar.org. In the body of the message, type: subscribe intracar <youre-mailaddress>.

Also, check out the IRE-L and NICAR-L mailing list archives on our Web site at www.ire.orgfresources/ire-U index.,html and www.nicar.org/resources/nicarinicari.html You can see posts to both lists organized by thread, author and date. The list archives are available in .html or plain text format.

Data Library Additions

NICAR's database library has recently added two databases to its collection. The IRS Business Master File database contains a listing of exempt organizations. Some fields include the organization name, address, exempt classification category, primary function of the organization, asset amount and income amount.

As well, the library has acquired the 1996 FBI Uniform Crime Report databases: six separate databases gathered from law enforcement agencies around the country. They are arranged by reporting agency and broken down by month. The library can be reached at (573) 884-7332.

Campaign Finance Information Center

Campaign finance data from thirteen states is freely downloadable from the CFIC at www.campaignfinance.org. We also have links to ten online search engines hosted by other non-profits and state boards of election. We will soon release our "universal" online search engine so you can type in a contributor from your state and see where else they are giving.

The more inclusive this database, the better for everyone. So if you have state or local campaign data you want included, contact CFIC Coordinator Jack Dolan at jack@nicar.org or (573) 882-1982. The CFIC credits everyone who contributes data.