RE: [CTPP] 2010 1-year ACS due out Sept 22nd.

Hello! I was at the Pennsylvania State Data Center User Conference today. One of the breakout sessions was "A Functional overview of AFF2" given by Jeremy Melissari, a survey statistician with the US Census. First off, the room was packed and you could almost see the pitchforks and torches. However, he did an excellent job of walking through the retrieval of data via AFF2. So well, in fact, all the murmurs of problems at the beginning were quieted as we all suddenly got it. Second, he announced the changes to the AFF2 happening on Sept 22nd: • download of spatial data (he mentioned shp files, but it could be more) • Narrative profiles • Download in RTF or JPG • Sort on Multiple columns • Enhanced deeplinking • Crawlable by external search engines (Google!) • Display Geography Notes • Update to search using economic codes • Increased download threshold Third, he announced they were moving to a quarterly release schedule of the AFF2. Their goals with this are to: • increase usability • Simplify the search process • continue to improve the system performance Fourth, he showcased some upcoming data releases: 2010 Census: • DP - Geography Update to include SF1 geographies • SF1 - Puerto Rico (Sept 2011) • SF1 - National (Nov 2011) • SF1 - Same Sex Couple Households SF (Sept 2011) • SF2 - States (Dec2011- Apr2012) Econ: • 2010 Annual Survey of Manufacturers (Nov 2011) ACS: • 2010 ACS, 1-Year Estimates (Sept 22 2011) • 2008-2010ACS, 3-Year Estimates (Oct 2011) • 2006-2010ACS, 5-Year Estimates (Dec 2011) ****All data releases from here on out will be via the AFF2**** One of the most important things he discussed was that they are making feedback from us, the users, as a high priority. He said they have been directed to carefully read each and every bit of feedback and comments from the popup surveys and the angry emails. While it may seem like "they're just saying that", believe me, the look on his face when he was explaining this said they were really doing it. He finished up the session by going through three "real world" examples using a live internet connection. Watching him go through it seemed to alleviate a lot of people in the room's misgivings. Personally, I think he did a pretty good job. I certainly feel a lot more confident using the AFF2 now, and showing others as well. When I get a copy of it, I can make the presentation available to anyone on the list... The second item I have to report is that Dr Robert Graves himself gave the keynote to our group. He also did a very good job explaining what they were doing and sharing our frustrations with the AFF2. He reinforced that working to increase the usability of the AFF2 is their main priority. "What good is the data if we can't get to it?" I will also make his presentation available when I can get it. They are being very pro-active when it comes to looking at new ways to get the data out to the masses. One of the projects they are doing are mini "hack-a-thons" where they assemble a room full of young programmers, present them with what they have and what they want to do, and set them loose to create applications. He said we will be seeing a boatload of apps for smartphones, iOS and Android, very soon as a result of these "hack-a-thons" All in all, it was actually a great conference with a lot of good information. And for once, I have something to contribute to this mailing list instead of being a casual observer learning from the sidelines from all of you. :) Mike Baker GIS/Planner Erie County Department of Planning Erie County Courthouse, Room 111 140 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: (814) 451-6017 Fax: (814) 451-7000 -----Original Message----- From: ctpp-news-bounces(a)chrispy.net on behalf of Ed Christopher Sent: Thu 9/15/2011 4:19 PM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] 2010 1-year ACS due out Sept 22nd. I found this is my email today from an undisclosed source. I would think that the data will only be released in Factfinder2 but I haven't heard anything for sure. If anyone on the list is part of the State Data Center network and knows more please let us know. For now I guess we will just have to wait and read about it in our newspapers. --------------- Sept 20, 2011: Media Webinar: 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates - at 3 p.m. EDT, the Census Bureau will hold a Web conference to discuss the Sept. 22 release of the 1-year American Community Survey estimates. The webinar will include guidance on how to access and use the upcoming 1-year estimates, a review of selected findings and a question and answer session. The Web conference will consist of a simultaneous audio conference and online presentation. Dial-in and access information will be announced closer to the date. Only media with current embargo passwords may join in. (News release embargoed Sept. 20 for release Sept. 22.) -- Ed Christopher FHWA Resource Center Planning Team 4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600 Matteson, IL 60443 708-283-3534 (V) 708-574-8131 (C) _______________________________________________ ctpp-news mailing list ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net http://www.chrispy.net/mailman/listinfo/ctpp-news