I've blogged over at the Media 140 blog on online rudeness, bullying, Brumplum-gate and the problems of moderating communities if you're interested in that sort of thing.It was a timely post as I'd sent the words over on Friday, and then after the whole Fry affair kicked off on Saturday it needed a fair amount... Continue Reading →
No news to report? Are you sure about that?
A tweet by Jay Rosen led me to this online news story by the Jackson Sun, which says that there have been no newsworthy incidents in the area overnight. So far, so boring right?I wonder. Because I have also played the 'there is no news' card - and there was a very calculated reason for... Continue Reading →
Speaking Freely "This is a test from SpinVox…" (<<<< that’s their headline btw)
"This is a test from SpinVox to my blog to see how long I can talk before, before it runs out of characters and how many if any mistakes it mate cos in that time. I am speaking very slowly and clearly there's no background noise. So everything should work perfectly well past experience." spoken... Continue Reading →
Google Wave, transparency* and engagement
I've been using Google Wave for about a week now and every time I log on I discover something new. I've read a few gripes about things being broken, or it being too confusing, or too quiet, but for me the biggest problem is having time to play around with it enough to learn everything... Continue Reading →
Using animation to tell a news story
No, I'm honestly not suggesting a return to those horrible stilted avatars reading the news headlines, but I do like the idea of using some animation to bring a reader into a story - particularly if the story is the latest in a long running saga and a handy recap of the tale-to-date would be... Continue Reading →
The problems with second-guessing our online audience
Trying to second-guess what a newspaper's online audience wants from its website is a tricky business. Apart from those who come to our sites for information there are huge numbers there purely for commercial services, and who find our sites through searches, not unflagging loyalty. The second most viewed news article on the Echo site... Continue Reading →
Guest-blogging on Media140
I wrote a blog post last week which you won't see on this site. It was about how and why I use the Favourite option on Twitter, what its uses are, and different was of checking out other users' Favourites, and when I finished it I pinged it off to the Media140 blog to use... Continue Reading →
Five phrases to outlaw in newsrooms
I was reading a translated version of the Internet Manifesto (you can find it here) when I was suddenly and unexpectedly struck by an attack of cynicism. Because I agree with the statements it makes but the huge, clanging problem with the 17 stated fundamental points, basic as they are, is that they are on...... Continue Reading →
Paywall drives sales for Newport Daily News
Back in June I blogged some thoughts about newspapers, paywalls and and online subscriptions, with the conclusion that regional newspapers, in my view, were some way off being able to charge for content. The post was the result of some research I'd been doing around linked questions, and as part of my wander through the... Continue Reading →
Why the RSS river of news drowns Facebook and Google Reader
My Facebook page has had a serious clear out. I junked my Twitter feed, Friendfeed and Mento links (along with a host of other stuff that I never liked or really wanted but which I acquired every time a friend sent me something).The reason was simple: whenever I logged on I was faced with an... Continue Reading →
Alison Gow | Building the New 