Blog Posts

10 June 2012 Sprint: Data Access Code Completed

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Over the past couple of days, I have been working on completing all of the PHP code required to query the WWDTM Stats Page database. Tonight, at the end of my two week sprint, I have reached that all important milestone and have successfully written a test to make sure it works.

Warning: this following contains a fair amount of programming talk. If you are not a programmer, please ignore the rest of this post ;)

The current version of the WWDTM Stats Page code has grown into a real mess and has become more and more difficult to add new features. The primary goal with version 2.0 is to write almost everything from scratch using proper class objects and breaking up code into manageable modules.

First, I also decided to move to the newer PEAR::MDB2 database access API from the older PEAR::DB package. Next, I wanted to build a new class that uses a Singleton code pattern to eliminate the need to create new database connections for each query and to reduce the amount of redundant code.

I have also decided to not depend on stored procedures as that would allow for easier database query optimization and allows me to possibly change out the underlying database with something different that may not support stored procedures.Continue reading“10 June 2012 Sprint: Data Access Code Completed”

Blog Posts

Sneak Peek: Database Design for Version 2.0

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For all of the Wait Wait fans out there that also are into database designs, you are in for a small treat. Below is an EER diagram of the recently updated database used to house the statistics and other information for the Stats Page. You can view the diagram in its full-sized glory by clicking on this link.

My goal is to get the database data and tables as normalized as possible by way of mapping tables. As you can see from the “ww_showpnlmap” table that I have fields for recording: how many points each panelist had, how many points each panelist had before and how many questions the panelists answered correctly during the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank round. I don’t have data for every single show or panelist at this point.

Right now, there is one additional mapping table that I will need to create before I can start entering data about where each show was recorded.

That’s all that of a sneak peek I have for you today. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them as comments.

Blog Posts

Launching the wwdt.me Blog!

‎Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! Fans, I would like to announce a new blog dedicated to the ongoing development of the WWDTM Stats Page. Also, I have started working on a new version of the Stats Page that will incorporate some of the most requested features, including: the locations that each show is recorded at, Bluff the Listener information and breaking down panelist points.

Please come check out the new blog at http://wwdt.me/blog and feel free to post any comments, questions or feature requests.

Blog Posts

Kicking Off Development of WWDTM Stats Version 2.0

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First and foremost, I would like to welcome you to the new wwdt.me blog! I have started this blog as a means to announce that the design and development of version 2.0 of the Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Stats Page has started. This blog will also provide some insights into what will go into the new version and maybe a few peeks behind the curtains.

I don’t have any set milestones or timelines for the development and launch of the new version; but, I hope to have something like an alpha version ready by July 26th. What’s so special about July 26th? Well, let’s just say that I’ll be in Chicago that day ;)

N.B.: Please note that this blog, like the new version of the WWDTM Stats Page, is still under some development. Not all of the design elements have been finalized and some things are a bit rough around the edges.

Archived Blog Post

WWDTM Stats: More and more data entry

 

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about updates to the Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Stats Page, but I have been making a little bit more progress on a couple of things.

First thing is that I have been able to locate MP3s of Wait Wait shows from early 2003 through early 2006, stopping where the first show was made available as a podcast. My goal is to listen through each show and fill in scores and other information that is currently missing.

Along with that, I will be entering in not only which panelist had the correct bluff, but also the panelist that the listener chose. Once I get that information entered, I will find a way to display both on the page.

Next, I have been slowly collecting where the show has been recorded and will be entering that into the database as well. I will also have to figure out how to display that on the page.

I will also be working on filling out the panelist scores when they start the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank round and how many they got correct. This will eventually make it on to the page as well.

In the meantime, I will be working on building up a new version of the site. I’ve got a basic mock-up built, but it isn’t quite ready to be made public… yet :)

Archived Blog Post

Wait Wait Stats Update: Not My Job Data

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I have finished entering the list of Not My Job guests into the Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Stats Page database; although, I have not included any guest scores as that will be a nice process of listening to the older shows.

I am now working on adding in show descriptions for shows, filling the void between 2000 and 2004. This process will probably take a couple of weeks to complete. Thankfully, it isn’t quite as tedious as entering in the list of Not My Job guests. Please note that I am basing the show descriptions on what is listed in the show archives on NPR.org, so the level of detail may vary dramatically.

Once that has been completed, I will work on filling in the data for shows prior to 2000. It’s just easier to do it in chunks, particularly when the really early show information pages aren’t as easy to parse.