RE: [CTPP] BEA data vs AFF2 and its well-known faults

Am I the only one that doesn't have a problem with AFF2 and actually finds it pretty easy to use and navigate?? Justin Brunetti Transportation Planner CT Dept. of Transportation Bureau of Policy and Planning Systems Modeling and Forecasting Census/Modeling Section, Room 2330 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06131 Email: justin.brunetti(a)ct.gov Tel: 860-594-2028 Fax: 860-594-2056 Hours: 7:00-3:30 *This message is intended for the sole use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended addressee, nor authorized to receive for the intended addressee, you are hereby notified that you may not use, copy, disclose or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete the message. From: ctpp-news-bounces(a)chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Messen, Dmitry Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:00 AM To: 'ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net' Subject: RE: [CTPP] BEA data vs AFF2 and its well-known faults Jonathan, Thank you for your post. Can't agree with you more. AFF2 is a total disaster; it's just incomprehensible how a product that bad survived through years (?) of internal review-total abdication of managerial responsibility on the part of the bureau's execs, in my opinion. No one has the courage to admit a mistake, cut the losses, and move on in the right direction. Dmitry Messen H-GAC From: ctpp-news-bounces(a)chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Jonathan Lupton Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 2:42 PM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] BEA data vs AFF2 and its well-known faults I know it's a lost cause to expect the Census Bureau to see reason and dump AFF2, which sometime this fall will become their only portal for census and ACS data. But anyone who believes a data searching and downloading product has to require tutorials and special training, or has to be clunky, needlessly complex, visually confusing, and counter-intuitive should visit the BEA's new web site, and try downloading economic data for his/her local area. The steps are quick, the icons are clear and intuitive, and you can get to some pretty complex stuff in a series of steps that leaves you feeling smart. By comparison, speaking only for myself, I always come away from AFF2 either feeling dumb, or like a shoplifter who actually got away with something useful, despite the risks I had to take and the danger of complete failure. However, I do appreciate the efforts of Elaine and others to provide tips and data-downloading alternatives to AFF2 - thanks! Jonathan Lupton AICP Research Planner Metroplan Little Rock AR 501-372-3300