In the news
Here are a couple places the News & Record is being written about today.
The first, on the Associated Press Managing Editors site, is an article about recent "best practices" of newspapers that have emphasized recommendations of The Readership Institute. Aside from the comments about us, I'm intrigued by this from Fort Worth: "Editor Jim Witt has rethought the Fort Worth Star-Telegram with his well-publicized all-refer page one on Sundays and Mondays. But the change goes much deeper, with a fresh approach to content designed to make younger readers feel smarter and give them things to talk about. My favorite: 'Do I Look Fat?', their weekly health and fitness section. Did you know that if you drink one extra 12-ounce can of soda per day, you will gain 15 pounds over the course of a year? And that 20 minutes of daily in-line skating will burn it off? See: you're smarter and you've got something to talk about when you go home tonight, thanks to the Star-Telegram."
The second is from Mark Glaser of Online Journalism Review. As you may recall, Glaser's description of the media company he wants to work for inspired me. His piece is entitled "How to succeed as an online journalism editor." (It doesn't help that Lex's mug shot is at the top of the page!:))
From Dan Gillmor: "This is going to be a process of mutual discovery. People will learn from each other's moves, which is kinda cool." True that is.
And: "Even if 'pure' bloggers sneer at the mainstream media's stutter-steps toward blogs and citizen media -- and would laugh at a set of guidelines for editing them -- the newspaper companies feel this is their best chance to grab a younger audience and survive in a world of dwindling circulation."
Wait a minute. Y'all are sneering?
Comments (12)
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I don't believe that you can blog "wrong." Sure, you'll get your "pure" bloggers that think that they own the rights to correct blogging because they've been doing it longer, ie..Chewie and Hoggard...but it's like being first-time parents, as long as you're doing the best that you can, you can't be wrong.
"Purists" shouldn't be so quick to label themselves as such, nor should they bloghop and tell others their self-righteous opinions on what or what not to say.
Another peeve is "purists" that comdemn the anonymous blogger. They need to get over it.
Posted on March 23, 2005 11:47 PM
I AGREE. Blogging is about free speech and open communication, so no way is the right way.
But (big but), blogging in its purist and most noble form is also about accountability. Anonymous bloggers who attack other bloggers - be it deserved or undeserved - loose credibility when they jab or insult and then retreat back into the ether.
When one is attacked - be it John Robinson, or me, or anyone else - the natural, instinctive, HUMAN response is to go into defensive mode. Now, sometimes that generates a great discussion and sometimes it does not.
I sign my name to my posts. I do it because I own my thoughts & opinions. I do it because I refuse to be afraid. It's a choice.
But anonymous bloggers have their own reasons for being anonymous (frequently very good reasons) and I respect that . . . to a point.
Bloggers hop & post from blog to blog. That's the beauty of blogging - shooting off your mouth whereever you want, whenever you want. About anything.
No blog post - from anyone - is a "waste of bandwidth, electricity or server space". Still smarting from that one.
Posted on March 24, 2005 8:42 AM
Dr. Mary,
The Guilford County Health Board is seeking a new Health Director.
Interested? From the posts over at "The Inside Scoop" it's an interesting job.
Posted on March 24, 2005 10:03 AM
To Anonymous Blogger: Even first time parents innately know not to abuse their baby.
My position on the merits of civil discourse extend way beyond blogging.
Posted on March 24, 2005 11:13 PM
Right after going on at length about your adherence to AP style, you say there are a "couple places" to check out?
What say you, AP Stylebook?
couple of -- the of is necessary. Never use a couple tomaoes or a similar phrase.
(Sorry, it's a compulsion.)
Posted on March 25, 2005 8:57 AM
Thank you. I am a great supporter of our copy editors, who know style front and back. Unfortunately, I'm not one and one didn't read the post before it was posted.
Posted on March 25, 2005 9:03 AM
Re: The Guilford County Health Director job . . . I could post for days about accountability and open government on that one.
My understanding is that the Health Board doesn't really want a doctor. They want an administrator with an MD. There's a BIG difference and I'll pass. Just call me a purist.
But thanks for the suggestion:):):)
Posted on March 25, 2005 9:41 AM
It's so cute that you little ones confuse leaving a comment on the News & Record's webpages with blogging.
When you own and operate a blog, that's when you're a blogger, and that's when you're blogging. Squatting and expelling your opinions on someone else's site (as I am doing now) is not blogging.
By the way, David should never be lumped into the same category as me. From his posts and comments, I see only a true gentleman.
The Internet is a rough neighborhood. Get over it.
Posted on March 25, 2005 11:28 AM
There you go again, Chewie.
Not confused, really. Just disappointed in some of the "big ones".
I like the neighborhood. I wonder though, about some of the neighbors.
www.DrJshousecalls.blogspot.com
Happy now?
Posted on March 25, 2005 11:47 AM
Actually Dr. Mary, and I know this doesn't always come across in my comments, but I really am very glad to see that you've started a blog. It's a great outlet, I think you'll enjoy it, and you'll end up spending a ton of time doing it, even to the neglect of other things, but you'll feel like it's worth it.
My comment above was really addressed to Anonymous Blogger.
So anyway - welcome.
Posted on March 25, 2005 2:44 PM
While I love having you visit and comment, Chewie, I thought you were going to Asheville. What the heck are you doing online when you could be enjoying the mountains?
Posted on March 25, 2005 8:02 PM
She had to stick around long enough to squat and expel, and defend my honor.
Now, go, Chewie.
Posted on March 25, 2005 9:57 PM