The most sophisticated freely available database of New Zealand news online has passed another key development point.

The new Scoop Gold interface provides access to an XML database and incorporates a new user friendly panel on the left, and very powerful search tools enabling word searches on parts of the database returning chronologically ordered results.

The software was developed by Scoop's Andrew McNaughton as part of his Newsagent software system

E.G. You can now select Scoop-Editorials and news coverage (dating back to 1997) and then search for specific words e.g. Kevin Roberts, Health, Jenny Shipley, Dinner, Iraq - alternatively. If you want Alliance releases mentioning Winston Peters you have them. ACT releases on Christine Fletcher, they are .

Use of the database requires registration which you will be prompted for if you push on the Scoop Gold button in the Scoop control panel. Your email address is your userid and this can also be used to turn on and off Scoop's free daily feed of Scoop Headlines.

Recently Scoop Gold went live with the insertion of Scoop's current material database - begun June 12 into the system on a nightly basis.

The Scoop Gold project is not yet complete and the next phase involves insertion of new databases into the system with historical material dating back as long as it is available.

Scoop invites discussion and suggestions on the new software. At this stage Scoop is proud to offer librarians, students, researchers, communications staff and the general public what we believe is a great leap forward for the usefulness of the online media.

Watch this space.

The Scoop Team.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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