The goal of mainstream multimedia is to have an "active audience" in their attempt to modernize or upgrade their online publications. The media must engage in what the younger audience's interests are like music and the arts. Too many publications limit their focus to news that they lose sight of the entertainment value that a news outlet possesses. The mainstream media attempts to modernize these online publications to younger viewers by appealing to a broad range of tastes. The problem with this is that there is often a lack of coverage or personal involvement of readers dedicated to the topic.
While, the media is certainly getting the attention of the younger audience, it might not be the best way to go about it. I would focus on lighter news as a means of capturing the web-savvy younger audience. After all, that's what our generation cares about. We don't want to hear about income taxes, we want to know why Kid Rock attempted to punch out Tommy Lee at the VMAs. The solution is appropriate content for the appropriate generation. The younger audiences want timely, accessible and interactive material like online polls, quizzes, videos and mp3 downloads to engage in while on the website.
I don't know that I would change the news that is reported to younger audiences as much as I would tone it down and make the delivery lighter and more appealing. Young people want the news "on their terms" when they can fit it into their busy schedule. This is a major advantage for online publications because users can access it whenever the time allows. Andrew Heyward , president of CBS News, calls young people "information impressionists," because of the way they go to different sources for news, and then reassemble it in a way that is relevant and convenient. In this case, I would change how news is reported by reporting what is relevant to them in simple terminology and user-friendly technology.
These publications should be put together online using creative expertise to engage the reader and "talk the language of their audience." The younger audience tunes out when they don't understand what you are talking about. Also, student reporters would contribute to readership with emphasis on using multi-media like YouTube and iTunes to view and download audio and video packages. Finally, online news for younger audiences would definitely need a place for user-contributed content, so the readers feel like they have a say in what is reported.
Beyond technology, news would be published with an unconventional flair for younger "twenty-something" audiences. This would included provocative columns and a long list of resources about bars and music specifically which bars are hot, which are too crowded, and which have the best drink specials. I can't think of a better way to modernize and update a stale online publication intended for younger audiences!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Web 2.0: The Future of the Net?
What is the internet ? The internet "is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol." What does this mean in layman's terms? The internet teaches its users through fast and accessible knowledge and interaction with others. Being connected means involving the user. Whether it is buying ringtones, chatting on a web cam, or watching a user-contributed video, the viewer is engaged.
The internet is more than just the World Wide Web. It is MySpace. It is Facebook. It is eBay. It is social networking. It is the iPhone. It is the Blackberry. It is mobile technology. I never thought the day would come that you could access the internet on a cell phone. But, that day did come. With the dot-com bubble burst in 2001, Web 1.0 was on its way out and a new era was dawning for the internet. Web 1.0 was boring. It was outdated. And it did not involve collaborative effort on the part of the user. Web 2.0, on the other hand, is a "participartory web."
Web 1.0 versus Web 2.0 is the biggest step forward in the evolution of the World Wide Web . It is reading versus writing, companies versus communities, client-server versus peer to peer, home pages verus blogs, lectures versus conversation, advertising versus word of mouth, HTML versus XML. You get the idea. It's old school versus a "perceived second generation of web-based communities." Web 2.0 also creates a social element where users can generate and distribute content. Web 2.0 is utilized through sites like YouTube and Digg in allowing users to contribute and share their own content. The media could gain from Web 2.0 by using it as a platform to engage interest in their companies because it relies heavily on user interactivity. It will be interesting to see where the web will take us next..how much more interactive can we get?
The internet is more than just the World Wide Web. It is MySpace. It is Facebook. It is eBay. It is social networking. It is the iPhone. It is the Blackberry. It is mobile technology. I never thought the day would come that you could access the internet on a cell phone. But, that day did come. With the dot-com bubble burst in 2001, Web 1.0 was on its way out and a new era was dawning for the internet. Web 1.0 was boring. It was outdated. And it did not involve collaborative effort on the part of the user. Web 2.0, on the other hand, is a "participartory web."
Web 1.0 versus Web 2.0 is the biggest step forward in the evolution of the World Wide Web . It is reading versus writing, companies versus communities, client-server versus peer to peer, home pages verus blogs, lectures versus conversation, advertising versus word of mouth, HTML versus XML. You get the idea. It's old school versus a "perceived second generation of web-based communities." Web 2.0 also creates a social element where users can generate and distribute content. Web 2.0 is utilized through sites like YouTube and Digg in allowing users to contribute and share their own content. The media could gain from Web 2.0 by using it as a platform to engage interest in their companies because it relies heavily on user interactivity. It will be interesting to see where the web will take us next..how much more interactive can we get?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
First man walks on the Moon
The race to the moon is over. NASA celebrates the first man in history to walk on the Moon's surface. Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins made up the Apollo 11 team that blasted off from Kennedy Space Center four days ago. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon. The two went down on the Lunar Module, called the Eagle. Collins stayed in orbit while performing experiments and taking pictures. The astronauts walked around for three hours. They also did experiments, picked up bits of Moon dirt and rock and placed a U.S. flag on the Moon. All three astronauts came back to Earth safely. It has taken less than 10 years. President Kennedy's wish has come true. Man has walked on the Moon.
Multimedia
- Video of the astronauts in orbit and landing on the moon's surface
- Photo slide show of the astronaut's preparation for the mission
- Pictures/Bios about Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins
- Pictures/Descriptions/Samples of the experiments and data collected on the mission
- Timeline of NASA space mission history
- Interview with astronauts via satellite in orbit
- Interview with doctors/space mission team
- A link to buy: Apollo 11 mission biography
- Online poll: Did you expect NASA to be the first to put a man on the moon?
- User-contributed media link (message boards)
I would like to talk to/get facts from
- Doctors that prepared the men for space
- NASA's Apollo 11 space/control crew
- Armstrong/Aldrin/Collins on their first-hand experience
- engineers that built the spacecraft
- President Kennedy on his thoughts for the Apollo 11 mission
- personal accounts from the astronaut's family members
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sex Apnea: People that commit violent sex crimes in their sleep
Stanford researchers believe that a medical disorder known as "sleep sex" is the cause of a medical disorder caused by glitches in brain waves during sleep. It causes rape-like behavior towards bed partners. Behavior ranges from disruptive moaning to full on physical sexual attacks while in the dream-like state.
"One man actually tried to strangle his wife while on the throes of one of these disturbances. Another victim tried to stop the behavior by using restraints. He broke two fingers while attempting, in his sleep, to escape. " Sex apnea is treatable . Some people both men and women have been putting themselves and others at risk for years. The disturbances have gone unreported because of fear and embarrassment. Many sufferers believe that nothing can be done, but the disorder can be treated. Sex apnea can be treated with Valium or even treatment used for people with sleep breathing problems.
Recently, Dr. Michael Mangan wrote the first and only book about sleep sex, Sleepsex: Uncovered . The author discusses how people feel about the problem, possible causes and dangers - for instance, legal implications. Some people have been falsely accused of rape and assault while in the throes of an attack of sleepsex. "Currently sleepsex has not been classified as a unique type of sleep disorder." He goes on to explain that it is, in fact, a variant of sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is classified as an arousal disorder, and, more generally, as a parasomnia. He covers the negative experience and the positive experience including another look at the dark and bright sides of the disorder. Finally, he has some suggestions as to things one can do about sleepsex.
Dr. Simone O'Gorman is currently putting together an international documentary on sleep sex. The world’s leading experts on this sleep disorder have agreed to be involved in what will be a scientifically accurate investigation into sexual behavior that occurs in sleep. Some people seem to enjoy it and view it with a sense of humor. However, it can be disturbing, annoying, embarrassing and is a potentially serious problem for some couples and individuals.
Cosmo would benefit greatly from a story about sex apnea. It would be an eye opening experience for its audience about a disorder that often gets swept under the rug. The article would be featured in the Health Check section of the magazine under real-world stories of Cosmo's readers. The sex apnea article would appeal to all ages because it is a health concern that has very little research done to educate the general public. Readers would also have the opportunity to purchase Dr. Mangan's book and participate in Dr. O'Gorman's documentary on sleep sex. The article would also feature multimedia options to further interest the reader including:
"One man actually tried to strangle his wife while on the throes of one of these disturbances. Another victim tried to stop the behavior by using restraints. He broke two fingers while attempting, in his sleep, to escape. " Sex apnea is treatable . Some people both men and women have been putting themselves and others at risk for years. The disturbances have gone unreported because of fear and embarrassment. Many sufferers believe that nothing can be done, but the disorder can be treated. Sex apnea can be treated with Valium or even treatment used for people with sleep breathing problems.
Recently, Dr. Michael Mangan wrote the first and only book about sleep sex, Sleepsex: Uncovered . The author discusses how people feel about the problem, possible causes and dangers - for instance, legal implications. Some people have been falsely accused of rape and assault while in the throes of an attack of sleepsex. "Currently sleepsex has not been classified as a unique type of sleep disorder." He goes on to explain that it is, in fact, a variant of sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is classified as an arousal disorder, and, more generally, as a parasomnia. He covers the negative experience and the positive experience including another look at the dark and bright sides of the disorder. Finally, he has some suggestions as to things one can do about sleepsex.
Dr. Simone O'Gorman is currently putting together an international documentary on sleep sex. The world’s leading experts on this sleep disorder have agreed to be involved in what will be a scientifically accurate investigation into sexual behavior that occurs in sleep. Some people seem to enjoy it and view it with a sense of humor. However, it can be disturbing, annoying, embarrassing and is a potentially serious problem for some couples and individuals.
Cosmo would benefit greatly from a story about sex apnea. It would be an eye opening experience for its audience about a disorder that often gets swept under the rug. The article would be featured in the Health Check section of the magazine under real-world stories of Cosmo's readers. The sex apnea article would appeal to all ages because it is a health concern that has very little research done to educate the general public. Readers would also have the opportunity to purchase Dr. Mangan's book and participate in Dr. O'Gorman's documentary on sleep sex. The article would also feature multimedia options to further interest the reader including:
- Video Clips of an interview with sex apnea expert Dr. Mangan
- Bios on individuals suffering from sex apnea
- Online poll: Do you believe sex apnea is a diagnosed and treatable disorder?
- A link to purchase Dr. Mangan's book Sleepsex: Undiscovered
- A link to participate in Dr. Simone O'Gorman's international documentary on sleep sex
Monday, November 12, 2007
Social Networking: Facebook versus MySpace
MySpace and Facebook are two of the biggest social networking systems on the net. Personally, I prefer the latter of the two. I think the appeal is widespread for most internet users. It's obviously a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. Beyond that, they are user-friendly and a healthy way to express your creativity. There are, however, a few drawbacks to these programs.
There are definitely elements of both networks that are better than the other. Facebook is the most familiar to me since I use it everyday. The privacy settings are superb and the user-customization features make the program individual to your own personality. I liked how Facebook was originally open only to college students and alumni. That was what set it apart from MySpace. It was like the club everyone wanted to be a part of. It felt exclusive. Now, any idiot can join. "Facebook is becoming a bunch of bullshit. I liked it when it was just for us college elitist snobs. Now the pothead losers who dropped out of high school or the jocks working at Mcdonalds want in and are ruining it," one Digg user commented.
In contrast, MySpace is almost distracting with the wide variety of options available to the user. There are far too many options for design. "MySpace would be so much better without the huge glitter text, tacky backgrounds and horrible music. Basically, they need to destroy the current infrastructure and start fresh; the current one can't be saved," another Digg user added. In terms of actually keeping in touch with friends, MySpace falls short. It should instead be used for musicians who want to promote their music, which was its original purpose to begin with.
The problem is not that the sites are missing anything at all, the problem is that they are overloaded with applications. "It is the choice and variety of applications and the information being pushed at us that makes it overwhelming. The next phase should be cleaning up and making things easy to use. Most importantly, Facebook needs to make it easier to communicate, which could be as simple as making the Wall more prominent," Alex Iskold writes. My biggest frustration with using Facebook has been the news feed application. It's distracting and invading. Bottom line, Facebook should not bombard you with other people's pictures, videos, and applications they've added. It's not the clean, simple and focused Facebook I originally joined.
How could these sites be made better? Facebook has taken a giant leap toward the answer. "Facebook’s strategy is almost the polar opposite from MySpace. While MySpace frets over third party widgets, alternatively shutting them down or acquiring them, Facebook is now opening up its core functions to all outside developers," Tech Crunch's Michael Arrington. I don't know that promotional advertising for these sites is the answer. That only opens up a whole new set of frustrations. I think both sites should go back to their original platforms and intended purposes. Because in 10 years, where will these sites be? Time will only tell..
There are definitely elements of both networks that are better than the other. Facebook is the most familiar to me since I use it everyday. The privacy settings are superb and the user-customization features make the program individual to your own personality. I liked how Facebook was originally open only to college students and alumni. That was what set it apart from MySpace. It was like the club everyone wanted to be a part of. It felt exclusive. Now, any idiot can join. "Facebook is becoming a bunch of bullshit. I liked it when it was just for us college elitist snobs. Now the pothead losers who dropped out of high school or the jocks working at Mcdonalds want in and are ruining it," one Digg user commented.
In contrast, MySpace is almost distracting with the wide variety of options available to the user. There are far too many options for design. "MySpace would be so much better without the huge glitter text, tacky backgrounds and horrible music. Basically, they need to destroy the current infrastructure and start fresh; the current one can't be saved," another Digg user added. In terms of actually keeping in touch with friends, MySpace falls short. It should instead be used for musicians who want to promote their music, which was its original purpose to begin with.
The problem is not that the sites are missing anything at all, the problem is that they are overloaded with applications. "It is the choice and variety of applications and the information being pushed at us that makes it overwhelming. The next phase should be cleaning up and making things easy to use. Most importantly, Facebook needs to make it easier to communicate, which could be as simple as making the Wall more prominent," Alex Iskold writes. My biggest frustration with using Facebook has been the news feed application. It's distracting and invading. Bottom line, Facebook should not bombard you with other people's pictures, videos, and applications they've added. It's not the clean, simple and focused Facebook I originally joined.
How could these sites be made better? Facebook has taken a giant leap toward the answer. "Facebook’s strategy is almost the polar opposite from MySpace. While MySpace frets over third party widgets, alternatively shutting them down or acquiring them, Facebook is now opening up its core functions to all outside developers," Tech Crunch's Michael Arrington. I don't know that promotional advertising for these sites is the answer. That only opens up a whole new set of frustrations. I think both sites should go back to their original platforms and intended purposes. Because in 10 years, where will these sites be? Time will only tell..
Saturday, November 3, 2007
meeting with Peggy
I set up my phone conference with Peggy Collins for Friday October 26th at 4:00 pm. When I first emailed her to set up a "meeting" time, I asked her what I should be preparing for the conversation. Peggy told me to think of any questions I might have about Online Journalism and what I had gotten out of the class this semester. Immediately, I panicked. The thoughts had not even crossed my mind. But, when I really sat down and thought about it, the answers were simple. Online Journalism has catapulted my mind into areas of journalism I never knew existed.
I will never forget the first day I walked into class. I was an "add in" so I had missed the first lecture. Staci Wolfe , our classroom lecturer, was standing at the front, but another woman was speaking live via satellite from a projection screen. First, I was confused and second, I was intimidated. What in the world had I gotten myself into? Why did my class have two teachers? And why was I a junior in college and had virtually no experience with the programs we were going to be using?
As the weeks rolled on, all of my trepidations about JEM 222 disappeared. Peggy, our online lecturer, has been a big help in working with our class. She gave lecture notes and helpful tips to improve our writing. Peggy also collaborated with Staci to build the class curriculum and keep the assignments fresh and interesting. I have learned more about myself as a writer in taking this class than ever before. Online Journalism has allowed me to use the skills I have practiced for years and finally produce a product.
My favorite assignment was the magazine writing assignment. I studied Cosmopolitan magazine's website. I was blown away by the effort that went in to online appeal for magazines. I would love to take a class that focused primarily on online magazine development. Online Journalism has been the bane of my existence at times and the most rewarding class at the same time. I have worked so hard on developing my writing and becoming a better journalist. Compared to the beginning of class, I have a new appreciation for online journalists, a profession I never knew existed.
Peggy's phone conversation with me went better than expected. I was a little nervous when she first called, but the more we talked, the more I wanted to open up. She offered helpful advice about making my stories "flow" and not sound quite like a book report. Peggy also gave me an opportunity to voice what I liked and didn't like about the course. I did not care for the weather story assignment because I was unsure of the graphic portion to the story, but I loved the one- on-one interview. Peggy even commented on my strong interviewing skills. Maybe I have found my calling after all! We ended the conversation with aggreance on both sides that the semester had been successful thus far. I'll be interested to see what the remainder of the term has in store..
I will never forget the first day I walked into class. I was an "add in" so I had missed the first lecture. Staci Wolfe , our classroom lecturer, was standing at the front, but another woman was speaking live via satellite from a projection screen. First, I was confused and second, I was intimidated. What in the world had I gotten myself into? Why did my class have two teachers? And why was I a junior in college and had virtually no experience with the programs we were going to be using?
As the weeks rolled on, all of my trepidations about JEM 222 disappeared. Peggy, our online lecturer, has been a big help in working with our class. She gave lecture notes and helpful tips to improve our writing. Peggy also collaborated with Staci to build the class curriculum and keep the assignments fresh and interesting. I have learned more about myself as a writer in taking this class than ever before. Online Journalism has allowed me to use the skills I have practiced for years and finally produce a product.
My favorite assignment was the magazine writing assignment. I studied Cosmopolitan magazine's website. I was blown away by the effort that went in to online appeal for magazines. I would love to take a class that focused primarily on online magazine development. Online Journalism has been the bane of my existence at times and the most rewarding class at the same time. I have worked so hard on developing my writing and becoming a better journalist. Compared to the beginning of class, I have a new appreciation for online journalists, a profession I never knew existed.
Peggy's phone conversation with me went better than expected. I was a little nervous when she first called, but the more we talked, the more I wanted to open up. She offered helpful advice about making my stories "flow" and not sound quite like a book report. Peggy also gave me an opportunity to voice what I liked and didn't like about the course. I did not care for the weather story assignment because I was unsure of the graphic portion to the story, but I loved the one- on-one interview. Peggy even commented on my strong interviewing skills. Maybe I have found my calling after all! We ended the conversation with aggreance on both sides that the semester had been successful thus far. I'll be interested to see what the remainder of the term has in store..
Sunday, October 21, 2007
BLACKOUT
It's her 5th studio album.
It's her 1st album in 4 years.
It's her infamous comeback.
It's BLACKOUT
Britney Spears much anticipated comeback album BLACKOUT hits stores October 30, 2007. Since her debut album Baby One More Time (1999), Spears has sold over 83 million records world wide according to Zomba Label Group .
With all of the media scrutiny surrounding Spears, the album's title is questionable with reports spreading of "habitual and frequent drug and alcohol abuse" by the pop star. BLACKOUT refers to "blocking out negativity and embracing life fully," according to Spears' label Jive Records .
The album was originally due to be released on November 13, 2007, but the date was pushed forward when several unauthorized online leaks of the songs were posted. In an effort to combat song piracy and due to the success of the lead single "Gimme More" , Spears' album will drop a reported two weeks early.
There was a lot of confusion as to the title of the album. Spears ran a competition on her official website for fans to vote for the album's title, however none of those suggestions were used. Spears will not do any promotion for BLACKOUT other than her 2007 Video Music Awards Performance.
People magazine got their hands on four snippets of songs to be featured on the new album.
People magazine got their hands on four snippets of songs to be featured on the new album.
The four songs include "Gimme More," "Radar," "Piece of me," and "Heaven." I'm not quite sure what I expected these four teasers to sound like, but honestly I was blown away. The sound is best described as a techno/club/dance music mix. The beats are futuristic and pulsating. I have no doubt this album is going to soar. The Britney haters are going to eat their words. This album is radio friendly and keeps the public wanting more.
"She may no longer dance with flair, lip-sync on cue, keep her dress down, or even be judged a suitable mom, but Britney Spears can still turn up on some slammin' new songs," Jim Farber of the New York Daily News writes.
Britney's work ethic is clearly evident from the album's pop magic qualities. She has gone through a lot in her personal life and her professionalism in the studio has created a "dance masterpiece." Spears reportedly worked tirelessly on the album even at 8 months pregnant with her second son. BLACKOUT shows a lot of growth for Britney as a performer. Her vocals are stronger and the electro/Eurodisco approach works for the dance-themed high energy music.
Recording artist T-Pain who arranged the music and gave background vocals for "Hot as Ice," was particularly impressed with Spears' ultra professional work ethic. "I thought she was going to be sitting on the couch eating Doritos or nachos or something," he said, "but she came in, shook my hand, gave me a hug and went right in the booth. She got in there and put it down," T-Pain writes.
The title track "Piece of me," is Spears' mission statement in the album in which she sings by dissecting her own media coverage. It's a slap in the face to the extreme media scrutiny she endures. "Radar" is emulating a video game, but keeps the sound fresh and the lyrics dangerous like "she's on the prowl." Pharrell Williams produced her closing track "Why Should I be Sad" that reportedly speaks to her ex-husband Kevin Federline. He was also complimentary of Spears' hard work on BLACKOUT.
"She's going through a lot that people don't recognize," Pharrell said. "You got to understand, she was a child star and she's held on way longer than most people can. You got to understand the pressure. Her record is cool, but you got to give her a second to get things back together. You're seeing a reality show that no one's producing, that no one's directing, and that's a problem."
Sean Garrett who co-produced and sang on Track 8 "Toy Soldier," said it best.
"Obviously, she has something special. She's just down-to-earth. She's her. She's not trying to be nobody else but her. And she makes mistakes — we all make mistakes — but you gotta love her. She'll have the world dancing for her, if you give her an opportunity to show what she's made of."
Bottom Line- BLACKOUT will be Britney's comeback.
I'd love to hear what you think! Feel free to Post a comment on my blog..
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