Geolytics does have a web interface<http://geolytics.com/USCensus,OnLine,Categories.asp>, but the search mechanism is actually worse than the CD/DVDs.  It is more awkward to browse the indicators than from the optical media.  Also, the server seemed to crash a lot, requiring a call to Geolytics to reboot it.  Also, it only works in IE, not other browsers. I don't know to what extent these issues are being addressed, but just link the optical media interface the online interface tends to never change.

Whether you're using online or hard media, I would strongly recommend looking closely at documentation (like, how the indicators are derived) to make sure you're getting what you expect.  See the bottom of this page for links to the some of the documentation<http://guides.library.duke.edu/gisdata_census>, under Neighborhood Change Database.

The products have a lot of potential which perhaps isn't fully realized.

Besides Geolytics and the project from Brown University that Jeff Essic mentioned, another place with normalized census boundaries is SimplyMap, but you run into similar issues in trying to figure out how they derived their variables from the original census indicators.  I'm guessing that the Brown project (and the derived files like what Phil did at UNC) will soon make the commercial products unnecessary for getting normalized data.

--Mark
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark A. Thomas, GIS, Map, & Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Librarian for Economics and Geography
233C Perkins Library / 919-660-5853 / [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



From: Maps-L: Discussion Forum for Maps, Air Photo, Map Librarianship, GIS, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Weessies, Kathleen
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2014 1:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Social Explorer vs. Geolytics

I thought Geolytics was developing a web interface ....? I stopped monitoring their activities years ago, I rely on the online products mentioned by others.

Kathleen Weessies
Geosciences Librarian; Head, Map Library
Coordinator; Collaborative Technology Labs
Michigan State University
Main Library
366 W. Circle Drive, W308
East Lansing, MI  48824
517-884-0849

From: Maps-L: Discussion Forum for Maps, Air Photo, Map Librarianship, GIS, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of March, Greg
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 11:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Social Explorer vs. Geolytics

Hello,

Is it necessary to keep any of our Geolytics census disks if we now have Social Explorer?  Specifically, should we hold onto the Geolytics Neighborhood Change Database (NCDB) disks if we also have Social Explorer Pro?  Our Geolytics disks rarely get used, but I wonder if Social Explorer provides the same detail for Neighborhood Change that the Geolytics data provides.  Any information is appreciated.

Thanks!

-Greg

Gregory H. March
Associate Professor
Map & Geospatial Data Librarian
University of Tennessee
236A Hodges Library
Knoxville, TN 37996
865-974-3878