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

Five Google tools journalists don’t use but should
A short list of deep-Google tools that can make reporting easier and presentation snazzier.

Case Study: An Accidental Techie #FAIL Story
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.

Local TV News, Meet the Internet
Steve Waldman asks “Why are broadcasters trying to block political campaign transparency?”

There Is No Next Facebook: How Multiple Social Networks Will Peacefully Coexist
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.

The Best Data Visualization Projects of 2011
Data can be sexy – bringing maps, planets, wifi, indexes and charts to life. Experience art and information in this inspiring collection of visualizations.

A Dispute Over Who Owns a Twitter Account Goes to Court
Tweet at work? Watch this lawsuit, possibly precedent-setting on social branding, employees who build the brand, and ownership of social media accounts.

Hacker-Journalism 2011: A year of “show your work”
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.

Budgeting for 2012: Local Online Advertising Forecasts and Key Growth Opportunities
“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.