AP Stylebook for iPhone

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — For those who want the AP Stylebook wherever they go, there's now the stylebook for the iPhone.

At $28.99, I think it's too pricey.

(Remember, comment here or send me a similar link and get into the extra credit contest).

College journalism workshop this weekend

Update 10:37 a.m.: I received a message from one of the organizers. There's no problem if you sign up the day of the event. Also, the start of the day goes like this: 9:15 a.m. coffee, welcome remarks 9:45 a.m., first session 10 a.m.  

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Interested in learned new journalism skills and brushing up on ones you already know? The Michigan Collegiate Press Association is hosting its fall workshop “ABC Easy as Attitude, Basics and Convergence” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Eastern Michigan University.

The slated sessions include “Going Online Only” and “Adapting to a New Media Environment.” The cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. An RSVP deadline was Sept. 18, but I would think they'll be flexible (I'm checking into it).

If anyone goes and writes about what they learned from one of the online sessions for a posting here, it'll be worth three extra credit points (Please email if you plan on doing that).

The eyes have it

YPSILANTI, Mich. — Marla D. sent this link about Web site usability and how eyetracking studies have helped in Web site design (I'm posting this from Eastern Michigan University, where I'm also teaching a feature writing class). Here are her comments:

“I was astonished after reading this article on usability of a web page. The technology that was used to follow a readers eye patters on a home page or photos really proves that the content, layout, colors and graphics play a huge role in how effective the information is being relayed. I can relate this article to the comparing website assignment we just did. I thought one of the home pages was far too cluttered and my eyes kept jumping around.
Enjoy,

Marla”

Freep wins another Emmy

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Detroit Free Press captured yet another Emmy for its multimedia journalism with this project about a foster home for boys in Detroit. I think I might later make this a topic of our Discussion Board … but don’t let that stop you from checking out what’s setting the standard. And if you want an extra credit point, post a comment here after taking it in.

My take on Week 3 readings

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — I can’t say it any plainer than we’re witnessing journalism being completely reinvented and no one sure is how the story will turn out. This week’s reading just continues to reinforce that.

These chapters detail how the Internet has transformed the news business forever in print and broadcast. Some is new to me. I never heard of a Fisher Grid (developed by the authors), although it makes sense to these evolving situations. From a reality standpoint, however, in a newsroom, I can tell you, figuring out what’s best for print vs. the Web just happens. No one typically diagrams it. There isn't time.

Blackboard back up, but extension remains

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Blackboard is fixed, and while you can certainly turn in your essay this evening, I'm going abide by my extension for 11:59 p.m. Monday. I think given the circumstances that is fair, but in the future if Blackboard goes down on a deadline day I would like everyone to e-mail their assignments to me as an alternative (Aspiring journalists need learn to be resourceful to make their deadlines).

But in this case, for all of you who were in need an extra day, fate has smiled upon you. Use your additional time wisely.

- Chris

Outage extends deadline for essay

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Because of an unexpected outage of Blackboard today, I’ve decided to extend the deadline for the essay an extra 24 hours.

The assignment is now due at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. The Blackboard outage might also affect when next week’s assignments are available. I will keep everyone posted the best I can.

If Blackboard is not up tomorrow, you can submit the essay to me at cmachnia@umflint.edu as an attachment via e-mail (a backup process that we will also now follow for future assignments).

Please email or call me at (810) 730-5565 if you have any questions.

- Chris

Second link focuses on Web design

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Here’s Trina M.’s submission:

“I've been reading “What Web designers can learn from publication design.” I found it made some good points about design and content:

1) Web and publication design should share a rigid design template that determines the look and feel of the content.

2) Great publication design allows the designers to find creativity and flexibility within the template system.

I've have been using some of these ideas in addition to those covered in the text for our assignment to evaluate web publications.”

Our first link is about ‘FYLP’

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Well, it took only a few hours for one of you to submit the first link in our contest — an E-Media Tidbit from Poynter Online about the multimedia magazine FYLP. It's from Kaitlin D. Trina M. submitted a link on another topic by commenting on the posting about the contest a minute later than Kaitlin’s e-mail. While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I've asked Trina to resubmit hers via e-mail before I repost it here.

Here's what Kaitlin said with her link:

“Working for my high school newspaper for two years, I know how important the cost of making a newspaper is. There were many times when we actually had to shorten our newspaper or cut stories and fill it with ads just so we could have an issue.

Link, comment your way to extra credit

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — As promised, today I'm announcing an opportunity for extra credit in this class through a contest designed to enhance everything we do in our assignments and on our discussion board.

This blog is dedicated to online journalism and you can earn extra credit by helping me add content and discussion. Tally enough points by submitting links to me related to online journalism and by commenting on posts from others in this blog and you can boost your grade.

Here's how it'll work. There will be two ways to earn points. They are:

My Take on Week 2 Readings — Back to the Future

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — As promised, here’s my take on this week’s readings (feel free to post a comment, but it’s not required. We'll keep the graded discussions on Blackboard).

Chapter 2 of “Principles of Convergent Journalism” says you have to broaden your knowledge and skill base to make it in today’s converged journalism world. It's no lie — at least locally. But an important factor driving the changes, in my view that the book doesn't address, is the contraction of resources at news outlets.

My take on Week 1 readings

As promised, here’s my take on this week’s readings (feel free to post a comment, but it’s not required. We'll keep the graded discussions on Blackboard):

For journalists, the future is here and they all better get used to it or decide to do something else.

Welcome

Hello everybody,

I created this blog to serve as another teaching tool for this class (You’ll be creating your own blogs later in the semester). For today, that means I’ll shortly post my take on this week’s readings. In other weeks, I might use this site to post audio and video to add to the topics we’re reading about, or when we look at Twitter, you can come here to read my example tweets.

- Chris