{
  "id": "1999-september-bits-bytes-and-barks",
  "slug": "1999-september-bits-bytes-and-barks",
  "url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1999-september-bits-bytes-and-barks.html",
  "year": 1999,
  "month": "September",
  "monthNum": 9,
  "headline": "Bits, Bytes and Barks",
  "kicker": "",
  "author_name": "",
  "author_title": "",
  "affiliation": "IRE and NICAR",
  "summary": "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.",
  "keywords": [
    "training",
    "data",
    "journalism"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Investigative Methods",
    "Technology",
    "Journalism & Newsroom"
  ],
  "technologies": [
    "FoxPro",
    "Access"
  ],
  "full_text": "Bits, Bytes and Barks\n\nUpcoming advanced CAR training\n\nIntermediate CAR Camp Sept. 17-19, 1999 - Columbia, Mo.\n\nThis 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.\n\nMapping CAR Camp Oct. 21-24, 1999 - Columbia, Mo.\n\nThis 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.\n\nAll 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.\n\nIRE Regional Conference\n\nIRE'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.\n\nNew job?\n\nIRE'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.\n\nNICAR Data Update\n\nAn 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "provenance": {
    "extracted_by": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6",
    "extracted_at": "2026-07-05",
    "verified": true
  },
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      "slug": "1998-april-bits-bytes-and-barks",
      "score": 0.432
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  "html_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1999-september-bits-bytes-and-barks.html",
  "json_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1999-september-bits-bytes-and-barks.json"
}