“Data, data everywhere,” a special report from The Economist on managing information is worth a look here. “The open society” segment of the special report makes a persuasive argument for the role open records and transparency play in accomplishing public policy goals.
Double-check the Big, Game Changing Claims – Here’s Why
Yesterday, The New York Times ran a piece discussing the decision by Henry Holt & Company to stop printing and selling The Last Train from Hiroshima. Publishers have consistently claimed that fact checking book-length works is too cumbersome and that ultimately authors are responsible for the content of their work. Regardless of how the book publishing industry opts to come to terms with fact checking challenges, the Times piece contained a good rule of thumb for public records researchers.
When Private Records Become Public Records
While the majority of public records begin as government documents, there are instances when private records are backed into the public record via court filings.
Google Constantly Refining Search Algorithms to Provide Best Generalized Search Results
Last week we discussed some of the specialized and niche search engines that have emerged to compete with Google. This week an article in Wired explains how Google is continually refining its search algorithms to provide the best results of a generalized search engine.
Expanding Search Engine Technology and Efficiency
As the amount of information available online increases and people become more reliant upon the Internet for information, technology companies are developing new features for search engines that can process an incomprehensible amount of data into organized, user-friendly results. New search features are constantly developed to deliver targeted results and ultimately make Internet research as efficient as possible.
FOIA Appeals In a World of Diminishing Newsroom Budgets
he New York Times reported yesterday that despite reduced budgets, big media companies such as Hearst and the Associated Press continue to fund FOIA appeals and lawsuits.
Hyperlocal Web Sites Use Public Records to Provide Targeted Information
With the ever-increasing availability of freely accessible government datasets, developers are seizing opportunities to reprogram these public records into Internet applications that are more relevant for the general public. One such trend is hyperlocal news web sites, such as EveryBlock. EveryBlock aggregates (and makes searchable) civic information from multiple public records dataset.
Legislative Data Becoming More Widely Available Online
In the past week, Maryland Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch have announced that Maryland legislative committee level votes will be posted online within a few days after they are cast. Maryland is following several other states in making committee level votes readily available to the public.
Inventor of World Wide Web Launches Web Site for British Government Offering Unprecedented Public Access to Government Data
After being hired by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last June, World Wide Web creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee last week launched a free web site that offers access to a wide range of data from the British government. The web site, Data.gov.uk, has been heralded for offering the public unprecedented access to government information ranging [...]
Lack of Paper Trail Creates Controversy Over Use of Blackberry PIN Numbers
States are taking notice of newer forms of “record-less” electronic communications that may circumvent public records laws. Blackberry PIN messaging is drawing scrutiny when used by officials whose correspondence is otherwise subject to open records release and retention.
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Oakland, CA 94612
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Oakland, CA 94612
(p) 510-208-3390 (f) 510-208-3398
inquiries@vrresearch.com
