ecoresearchers

Yahoo has launched a website that tracks the number of compact fluorescent light bulbs sold all the way down the the ZIP code level. From what I can tell, Nielsen is providing the statistics on how many bulbs have been sold. The information can be shown in an in-line map. Not a bad idea, but I’m always kind of skeptical about this kind of “up to the minute” data. Big, confident numbers flashing across a screen basically make me assume that it’s more of a vague estimate. In order for those numbers to be correct for my ZIP code, the supermarket where I just shopped today would have to somehow accurately let Nielsen know how many CFLs they have sold. My experience today was that they couldn’t even keep their scales zeroed. The idea for the website is somewhat clever but I’m going to stand by my assessment of its overall hokiness. And, the fact that there are two major typos on the site gives it a slapped-together feel. I’ll send $5 to the first person who can email me what those typos are.