Free + Info
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Free Stuff: Clocks & Gizmos for Your WebSite.
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How to set up a free Google website
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How to set up a free Google website
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Fact Checks:
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Political Fact Checker
- The Annenberg Political Fact Check accepts NO funding from business, unions, parties, or lobbyists. It monitors the accuracy of major U.S. political players.
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Public Agenda: Issues Guide (for the Press)
- An organized collection of facts, graphs, and links on the major social issues.
- Spinsanity fact checker
- The Disinformation Encyclopedia of Propaganda
- http://www.keepinggophonest.com/
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Political Fact Checker
- About Government
- Archives
- Statistics
- Quotes: GPO All Presidential Documents
- CRS Finder: Not working presently (Find Congressional Research Service Reports)
Free Clocks etc.
Nation Debt Clock |
ND Clock
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Gas-Price Widget |
Gas_Widget
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Iraq War Cost |
Iraq_Widget
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National Debt Clock
1. Choose a Widget. 2. Copy the Code. 3. Customize it !!
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national debt
Get this one. |
national debt
Get this one. |
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national debt
Get this one. |
national debt
Get this one. |
Mix, Match and Modify -- any way you want. | |
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The debt: national debt
in an iFrame.
Get this one. |
The debt: national debt as a raw number.
Get this one. |
Gray
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Widget Goes Here
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White
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Widget Goes Here
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Blue
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Widget Goes Here
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Red
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Widget Goes Here
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# in iFrame
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Widget Goes Here
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Raw Number
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Widget Goes Here
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Customize It
Customize the national-debt widget by setting values that control, speed, size, color, and title. You can see how this is done by looking at the indented code lines for any widget.
For good luck, remember these simple rules:
- Every value setting, e.g. title = 2; must end with a semicolon ( ; ).
- Don't add units such as px for pixels.
- Optional comments should start with // and must end with a semicolon.
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Don't ever use a double quote ( " ).
- E.g. Do NOT write debtColor = "#990"
Here's a complete list of parameters, an example setting them to their default value, and their allowed value ranges.
- type = 3; // 1: raw number, 2: in iFrame, 3=> Title and number ;
- tickRate = 3; // Clicks per second [ 0.01 -- 16 ] ;
- cents = 0; // 1=> show cents [ 0, 1 ] ;
- size = M; // Small, Medium, Large [ S, M, L ] ;
- widith = 134; // Width in pixels [ 50 -- 500 ];
- height = 46; // Height in pixels [ 10 -- 125 ];
- title = 1; // 1: National Debt 2: Gross National Debt 3: Total National Debt;
- titleBgClr = #EEE; // title background color ;
- titleColor = #55F; // title color ;
- titleSize = 12; // Title font size in pixels ;
- titleBold = 0; // 1=> bold
- debtBgClr = #FFF; // title background color ;
- debtColor = #900; // title color ;
- debtSize = 12; // Title font size in pixels ;
- debtBold = 0; // 1=> bold ;
- flip = 0; // 1=> debt on top and title on the bottom ;
- borderColor = #000; // border color on type 2 or 3 ;
- downShift = 3; // don't show week-ago data [ 0, 1 ];
The best way to find exactly what parameter values do, is just to try them out.
In case you don't know HTML colors, here's a short lesson. Common color names usually work -- black, white, yellow, red ... But to get real control you need to use the red (R) - green (G) - Blue (B) color numbers. The short version works like this: 0 = black, 1,2,3,...9,A,B,C,D,E,F are increasingly bright. So #F00 is bright red, #0F0 is bright green, and #00F is bright blue. #FFF is white and, #FF0 is Red-Green, which makes yellow.
The long version uses 2-digit color numbers: 00 is black, and FF is brightest. So #FF 00 00 is bright red, but write it as #FF0000.
If you want two National-Debt Widgets on one page:
Change the two ID numbers in the second one to both be 2. Like so: id="zf26_2" and ?id=2
Trouble ??
The National-Debt Widget runs on JavaScript -- a language that every browser knows. But controlled environments, such as a faceBook, do not allow you to use it.
Blogging software, like Blogger and Wordpress, almost always allow it. But they usually make you put it in a special box. This is not usually a hard feature to find.
If your widget does not work, try this.
Put the "Standard" (not customization) widget into a page. View the page where you put it in your browser. Hit Control-U, or the Apple equivalent.
This will pop up a new web page showing you the HTML that's actual in your page. If you don't see the widget code that you put in, then your system does not allow it and took it out. If you do see it, look closely to make sure it is all there and has not been altered by some robot.
Best of luck,
Steve
Gas Price Widget
1. Choose a Widget. 2. Copy the Code. 3. Customize it !!
| gas price history Get this one. | gas price history Get the Big One. |
| gas price history Choose me! | gas price history I'm the best! |
| gas price history Just right. | gas price history Last but not least |
Standard
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Widget Goes Here
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Big One
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Gas-Price Gizmo Goes Here
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Blue and Gold
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Gas-Price Gizmo Goes Here
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Minimalist
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Gas-Price Gizmo Goes Here
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Red
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Gas-Price Gizmo Goes Here
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Green
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Gas-Price Gizmo Goes Here
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Customize It
Customize the gas-price widget by setting values that control, speed, size, color, and content. You can see how this is done by looking at the indented code lines for any widget.
For good luck, remember these rules:
- Every value setting, e.g. title = 2; must end with a semicolon ( ; ).
- Don't add units such as px for pixels.
- Optional comments should start with // and must end with a semicolon.
-
Don't ever use a double quote ( " ).
- E.g. Do NOT write debtColor = "#990"
Here's a complete list of parameters, an example setting them to their default value, and their allowed value ranges.
- tickRate = 40; // states per minute [ 0 -- 80 ] ;
- width = 120; // width of widget box in pixels [ 80 -- 500 ] ;
- height = 220; // height of widget box in pixels [ 50 -- 700 ] ;
- fontPix = 11; // font size of most text in pixels [ 8 -- 24 ] ;
- title = 1; // 1=> Gas Prices, 2=> Today's Gas Prices ;
- titleBgClr = #135; // title background color ;
- titleColor = #FFF; // title color ;
- space = 1.3; // vertical spacing between lines [ 1 -- 2 ] ;
- mainBgClr = #FFFDF0; // background color of main box ;
- textColor = black; // Color of all text but title, and today's prices ;
- hideDate = 0; // don't show the date [ 0, 1 ];
- hideWeek = 0; // don't show week-ago data [ 0, 1 ];
- hideYear = 0; // don't show year-ago data [ 0, 1 ];
- hideEnter = 0; // don't show the enter-state box [ 0, 1 ];
- todayColor = #C00; // color of today's prices;
- borderColor = #9AB; // color of outer border;
- lineColor = #CCC; // color of two separator hair-line;
The best way to find exactly what parameter values do, is just to try them out.
There are very slight differences in line height between browsers, so height may need to be set 4 or 5 pixels higher for some widgets to show properly in FoxFire or Internet Explorer, than is needed in Chrome. If height is too small, the bottom border will not show.
In case you don't know HTML colors, here's a short lesson. Common color names usually work -- black, white, yellow, red ... But to get real control you need to use the red (R) - green (G) - Blue (B) color numbers. The short version works like this: 0 = black, 1,2,3,...9,A,B,C,D,E,F are increasingly bright. So #F00 is bright red, #0F0 is bright green, and #00F is bright blue. #FFF is white and, #FF0 is Red-Green, which makes yellow.
The long version uses 2-digit color numbers, 00 is black, and FF is brightest. So #FF 00 00 is bright red, but write it as #FF0000.
If you want two Gas Widgets on one page:
Change the two ID numbers in the second one to both be 2. Like so: id="zf10_2" and ?id=2
Trouble ??
The Gas-Price Widget runs on JavaScript -- a language that every browser knows. But controlled environments, such as a faceBook, do not allow you to use it.
Blogging software, like Blogger and Wordpress, almost always allow it. But they usually make you put it in a special box. This is not usually a hard feature to find.
If your widget does not work, try this.
Put the "Standard" (not customization) widget into a page. View the page where you put it in your browser. Hit Control-U, or the Apple equivalent.
This will pop up a new web page showing you the HTML that's actual in your page. If you don't see the widget code that you put in, then your system does not allow it and took it out. If you do see it, look closely to make sure it is all there and has not been altered by some robot.
Best of luck,
Steve
Iraq War Cost
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This is not all costs, but only the costs based on the budget authority. Data is from Congressional Research Service. |
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Needs just three lines of code:
1. The clock tag makes this: $964,948,195,656 Here's the code that makes this clock: |
<span id="IWC" zF="8">###</span> |
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You control the clock with the zF setting in the clock tag.
<span id="IWC" zF="A,B,C,D"> How to use the zF settings: You can skip inputs A, B, C, or D, but you must leave space for those skipped over if you use a later one, e.g. <span id="IWC:" zF="2,,0"> This means: 2 clicks/sec , default cents , No dollar sign. |
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Details:
• Put the JavaSript line last. <a href="http://zfacts.com/p/447.html" id="zF12" |
Help / FAQ
General Questions |
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How do the counters stay up to date? Each time your web page is visited the visitor's browser downloads the JS clock program from zFacts.com. This program is updated severl times per week semi-automatically. zFacts pays for the downloading bandwidth and the updates, so the clock is completely free for you. |
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Does the link need to be inside the clock? No. It just needs to be on the same page as the clock. |
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What format do I use to specify colors with the JavaScript variables? Colors can be specified by keywords or with hex codes like those found here  . Color codes must be surrounded with quotes. Some basic examples are: "black" = "#000000" "white" = "#FFFFFF" "red" = "#FF0000" "blue" = "#0000FF" |
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Where can I learn more about CSS Styles? CSS styles are used for formatting and coloring in some of our examples. For a reference of CSS properties, see this page |
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What if I can't get it to work or have other questions or Comments? Please email Steve(at)zfacts-dot-(om. |
Social Security Clock Questions |
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Does the link have to be to zfacts.com/p/784.html ? Yes. Right now it does. And, it must include id='zF' in the tag. |
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What If the Bottom Part of the Two Clocks Doesn't Fit in the Table? If the National Debt clock does not fit and disappears from view, or partly disappears, your browser is making the table before it checks the size of clocks. Here are two possible fixes: 1) Put this in place of the line that ends the first table row and starts the 2nd: 2) Put the whole table inside of a pair of 'div' tags like this: |
Numbers / Stats
US Economics:
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General US historical data: St. Luis FRED , With Excel
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Treasury's National Debt to the Penny
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DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics
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BLS Current Populations Statistices (Gov. vs Private employment)
International Economics
- Top World Incomes
- IMF historical data: IMF
- OECD: Easy Stats Statistical Links
- Foreign labor statistics (at the US BLS)
General Data:
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CIA World Factbook
- Summary of many polling reports
Clean-up in progress
Government Printing Office, Budget etc. also, Economic Report of the President
Archives
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New York Times Articles (1881 - Present)
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Time Magazine
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Christian Science Monitor
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Washington Post Archives
Policy Data Bases:
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Sunlight Foundation Tracks Lobbyists
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National Archives and Records Administration An independent Federal agency that acts as America's national record keeper.
- http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov
General Information:
Military Information:
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The National Security Archive, GWU Documents obtained under the freedom of information act.
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Periscope "One-stop shop for open-source defense and military information. Periscope databases include usni military database, pentagon blue tops, daily defense news capsules and special reports."
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Defenselink U.S. Defense Dept Press Resources (news releases, photos, transcripts, slides, etc.).
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GlobalSecurity.org CIA surrogate (non-profit).
CRS Report Finder
To search inside almost every CRS report on the whole web (and very little else)
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Enter the following text in the search box below (including the quotes):
- "CRS Report for Congress" www.crs.gov | "order code"
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Enter the words or phrases-in-quotes that you want to search
- Put these in front of the above text in the search blank.
- Leave a space between your search terms and the above text.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the policy research arm of the US Congress. With its $100 million budget and ~800 employees, it issues about 3,000 briefs, reports, short issue papers and longer position papers per year.
An arm of the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service is renowned for its non-partisanship and in-depth analysis, but it does not make its reports available to the public. However, it cannot prevent members of Congress from giving them out individually and some government agencies from posting reports they find relevant. Perhaps 1000 have become available on the web.
If you don't find what you want, look through the list of reports at PennyHill.com Press. If you find one you want, copy its Order Code and search for that here (e.g. RL31250 or "98-505 GOV"). (You must use RL31250, not just 31250.) If it's on the Web, this will find it. If not, you can pay Penny Hill $29.95.
Odds & Ends
WinMail Fix
And WMDecode is here and Better!
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A better program for Windows XP I have found that Fenton does not always work under windows XP. So far, when Fenton fails, this program workds: WMDecode.exe. Click here for the zipped version.
If you drag and drop a winmail.dat file onto WMDecode.exe it will extract the attachments into the folder with WMDecode in it. It should work for 30 days, then you can download it again for another 30 (that's what they say.) You can buy it for about $10 here. |
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Fix the WinMail.dat Problem with Fenton First step is to download the fentun.exe file . It says it’s only for Win95/NT, but it works great on both my Win98 and WinXP machines. Save that file somewhere, I just put it in my program files directory (c:Program Files).
Next step is to open Thunderbird and find an email with a Winmail.dat file, and upon finding it, double click on it, (the winmail.dat file I mean.) A “Opening Winmail.dat” box will pop up, and you should select “Open with” and click on browse, then simply browse to wherever you saved fentun.exe and select it. Be sure you tick the checkbox that says “Do this automatically for files like this from now on". That’s it. from then on, double clicking on a Winmail.dat file in Thunderbird will automatically open Fentun which will show you what files are in the archive and offer you an “extract” button. Just extract the file in question. |