Looking for the
three I’s
A selection of the informative, innovative, interesting
In surveying more than 100 newspaper Web sites, we found a vast range of databases that provided information that could be useful, whether that use was in every day living, monitoring government, tracking a special interest, or just learning more about your community. We also found ourselves at times surprised or intrigued or charmed by what we found. There was data we didn’t know was being kept, information we didn’t realize was being kept in any organized manner, and records we hadn’t previously found online. The database compilers and webmasters had come up with innovative and intriguing ways to provide the information and help people use it.
Below, we present some of the more interesting, informative and innovative databases we came across. The URLs and snapshots we provide below are are in most instances specific to the database highlighted, but in some instances, where we list several databases offered the newspaper’s site, the URL and snapshot are to the central database page.
At the end of this report, you’ll find a complete list of the newspaper Web sites surveyed and what we found at each site, including a complete list of the databases and links that each provides, sorted into one of 11 common categories.
In addition, using those same 11 categories, we’ve provided a complete list of all of the databases found, whether self-created or linked. We believe this will give you a sense of what can be achieved through an aggressive effort to build a strong database page that pulls in the many public records available and potentially available online.