Bits, Bytes and Barks — Uplink Archive

This journalism newsletter announces upcoming Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) training seminars in Columbia, Missouri covering database design and mapping software, along with information about an IRE regional conference, job listings, and updated hazardous materials data.

Bits, Bytes and Barks

Upcoming advanced CAR training

Intermediate CAR Camp Sept. 17-19, 1999 - Columbia, Mo.

This seminar will cover data cleanup, database design, and construction of front-ends. We will use FoxPro and Access for our software while concentrating on the principles that can be used in database manager software. Actual data will be used. This is an intense, hands-on seminar for those who have mastered querying in database managers and have some knowledge of building databases.

Mapping CAR Camp Oct. 21-24, 1999 - Columbia, Mo.

This three-day seminar will offer intensive hands-on training using mapping software for stories. We will also look at past stories that have used mapping programs. The sessions will include address geocoding, thematic mapping, overlaying and spatial analysis.

All lessons are based on government data. Participants are asked to have a basic knowledge in using relational database programs such as Access or FoxPro. Participants are also encouraged to bring local data to work on during open lab time.

IRE Regional Conference

IRE's next Regional Conference will be in Washington D.C. on Jan. 14-16. There will be more than 50 panels featuring experts from print and broadcast sharing tips and techniques for better stories. The NICAR staff will hold daily sessions on CAR topics in the Computer Demo Room. Watch www.ire.org/training/conferences for more details.

New job?

IRE's Job Center (www.ire.org/jobs) lists some of the hottest jobs in journalism, especially news reporting, editing, producing and researching Employers like the fact that they reach the best in the business through this site - and they have the space to offer lots of details at no extra cost. Also, take a look at the latest in fellowships, scholarships and grants aimed at journalists and journalism educators.

NICAR Data Update

An update of the following data set is now available through IRE and NICAR's data library. Prices and years of all available data sets can be found at www.nicar.org or by calling (573) 884-7711.

The Hazardous Materials Incident Report Subsystem database (Hazmat) now extends from 1970 to 1998. It includes nine tables with incident reports of unintentional releases of hazardous materials for all modes of transportation.