National Archives (NARA) Joins iTunes U.
From the NARAtions Blog: The National Archives just joined iTunes U, a dedicated area within the iTunes Store giving users public access to thousands of free lectures, videos, books and podcasts from learning institutions all over the world. If you already have iTunes on your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or computer, you can search for “National Archives” on iTunes U to find our channel, or visit us at http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/national-archives-and-records/id438983411. Our initial collections feature selected archival documents, lesson plan materials, podcasts by the Presidential Libraries, videos from our “Inside the Vaults” series and more. (Via INFOdocket.com) Continue reading
EPA Launches Green Products Web Portal for Pollution Prevention Week
From EPA HQ: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is observing Pollution Prevention (P2) Week (September 19-25, 2011) by launching a new tool designed to provide Americans easy access to information about everyday products like home appliances, electronics and cleaning products that can save money, prevent pollution and protect people’s health. The new green products web portal is available at www.epa.gov/greenerproducts. [Clip] Using the new tool, consumers can find electronics and appliances that have earned EPA’s Energy Star label and can browse WaterSense products that help save energy and water. Additionally, consumers can find information about cleaning products that are safer for the environment and people’s health. These products bear the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) label. The website will also help manufacturers and institutional purchasers with information on greener products. via INFOdocket.com Continue reading
U.S. Census Releases 2012 Statistical Abstract of the United States Online
Via INFOdocket: The 2012 files are now available at: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/ Direct to 2012 Edition PDF Files: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html Direct to Earlier Versions: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/past_years.html See Also: A Roundup of Press Reports/Opinion Pieces About the Possible Elimination of the Stat Abstract (via Water Librarians Blog) Continue reading
House Revamps Floor Feed
Eric at Sunlight Foundation Labs reports on a massively improved feed of live updates from the House floor.
- House Revamps Floor Feed, by Eric, Sunlight Labs, (09/27/2011).
- Feed of Live Updates
- XML feed
Private Sector Supports Public Data
A recent Farm Foundation Forum, sponsored by The Farm Foundation, addressed the issue of "Data Collection on Agriculture in a Time of Fiscal Constraints." A presentation [pdf] by Tom Wegner of the private company Land O’Lakes, Inc. addressed the value of public data, the challenges to data collection, and the impacts and consequences of cutbacks in the collection of public data. Wegner noted that public data from the USDA is reliable, objective, consistent, timely, and unbiased, and widely available for all. He said that Land O'Lakes uses public data for business planning, risk management, and evaluating policy options. He concluded by saying that Land O’Lakes is strong advocate of continuing public collection of agricultural data. An audio file of the Forum is available. It is very nice to see the private sector recognizing the value of public data at a time when many politicians are challenging, not just the funding of data collection, but the very idea that the government should be involved in such activities. See also: Farm Foundation Briefing Focuses on Agricultural Data, COSSA Washington Update, Volume 30, Issue 17 (September 26, 2011) The Consortium of Social Science Associations. Continue reading