I’ve been following with interest as Derek Willis explores Caspio, a sort of hosted data-driven web app tool for journalists. The following started out as a comment on his blog, but soon ballooned, so I’m posting it over here where it’ll have more space to breathe.

Of course, for this to make any sense, you should read Derek’s articles first:

1. Outsourcing Database Development, or the Caspio Issue (be sure to also read Caspio CEO David Milliron’s comments, too).
2. On Trials, Software and Otherwise

Like Derek, after reading David Milliron’s reply, I went to go poke at Caspio, and had a very similar experience to Derek, who writes: