1. A computer-implemented method for sampling distributed streams of data, the method comprising computer-implemented operations for: receiving a data element at a coordinator device, the data element comprising a binary string generated by a site server of a plurality of site servers in communication with the coordinator device; examining the binary string to determine whether to assign the data element to a lower sample or to assign the data element to a higher sample; determining if the lower sample comprises a predetermined number of data elements; and taking an action, in response to the determining.