Our regular roundup of timely ideas and information. In this digest: New Google tools, how to succeed at failing, inspiring data visualizations, and more.

<a href="http://www.ijnet.org/stories/five-google-tools-journalists-dont-use-should" target="_blank">Five Google tools journalists don’t use but should</a>
A short list of deep-Google tools that can make reporting easier and presentation snazzier.

<a href="http://www.nten.org/articles/2011/case-study-an-accidental-techie-fail-story" target="_blank">Case Study: An Accidental Techie #FAIL Story</a>
Lessons from failure; changing culture takes more than a good idea even when it is in the best interest of the business. Posted early 2011; a use case with shelf life.

<a href="http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/local_tv_news_meet_the_internet.php" target="_blank">Local TV News, Meet the Internet</a>
Steve Waldman asks “Why are broadcasters trying to block political campaign transparency?”

<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/12/there-is-no-next-facebook-how-multiple-social-networks-will-peacefully-coexist/250601/" target="_blank">There Is No Next Facebook: How Multiple Social Networks Will Peacefully Coexist</a>
Atlantic writer Alexis Madrigal offers fresh perspective: the social media biome’s ability to sustain niche networks. Worry no more about being on the social platform that will survive.

<a href="http://flowingdata.com/2011/12/21/the-best-data-visualization-projects-of-2011/" target="_blank">The Best Data Visualization Projects of 2011</a>
Data can be sexy - bringing maps, planets, wifi, indexes and charts to life. Experience art and information in this inspiring collection of visualizations.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/technology/lawsuit-may-determine-who-owns-a-twitter-account.html" target="_blank">A Dispute Over Who Owns a Twitter Account Goes to Court</a>
Tweet at work? Watch this lawsuit, possibly precedent-setting on social branding, employees who build the brand, and ownership of social media accounts.

<a href="http://sinker.tumblr.com/post/15050642729/hacker-journalism-2011-a-year-of-show-your-work" target="_blank">Hacker-Journalism 2011: A year of "show your work"</a>
New ways to deliver the news. Dan Sinker of Knight Mozilla partnership offers examples from sites like the Guardian, ProPublica and Chicago Tribune who have shared code or tutorials.

<a href="http://www.borrellassociates.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&amp;product_id=991" target="_blank">Budgeting for 2012: Local Online Advertising Forecasts and Key Growth Opportunities</a>
“Forecasting 18% overall growth as local online advertising goes from $15.7 billion this year to $18.5 billion.” Download the executive summary for free.