Chapter 1 - History of the DataFerrett

In 1997 the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the first version of a Federated Electronic Research, Review, Extraction and Tabulation Tool (FERRETT).

This was a generalized search system for extracting and tabulating data across heterogeneous statistical data sources. DataFerrett was redesigned from the internet version to an applet / browser using the internet to access the ever increasing datasets. The DataFerrett application incorporated many statistical functions.

The next version of DataFerrett was an application that aimed to further enhance on-line statistical analysis and attract participation of statistical agencies at all levels of state, federal and local governments. This required installation of the software as an application and was run by clicking on an icon.

DataFerrett Applet

The current version of DataFerrett is launched from the DataFerrett website as a java applet and uses a browser (FireFox, Internet Explorer) to access the data stored on TheDataWeb network of servers. The applet version is using a java run-time environment that is more secure and easy to install for user. Requires a Security Policy install that must be placed in user's profile.

DataFerrett's Release Notes will give an overview of all the bugs, enhancements, and changes that have been made to the DataFerrett.