A small investment into a big future
My wallet is $100 lighter today, and I couldn't be happier about it.
I paid out to the first person who completed my New Year's challenge today. Among other things, designer Mel Umbarger created a copy desk wiki for a style book, schedules and more; created personal profiles on several social networking sites, learned Soundslides and Flash; blogged; and posted all sorts of content to the Web site.
The idea behind the challenge is to embrace all the tools available to extend our journalism. The personal upsides are that the staffers learn new skills and invest in their own future. For us, we get savvier digital journalists. Some of the learning that Mel took on was more useful than others. Everything she did was well-done, though.
For $100, I think I got the good end of the bargain. Thank you for taking it on, Mel.
Comments (5)
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I know it sounds like I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, but I got a whole lot more out of it than $100. Aside from the added job security or extra cushion on my resume if I'm ever laid off, it's gotten me excited about finding ways to use the different tools in my job.
Posted on July 29, 2008 5:34 PM
A copy desk wiki? Hmmm....
Posted on July 30, 2008 9:35 AM
Intrigued by the copy desk wiki idea. Would Mel be willing to share suggestions or ideas on how to get started for our own papers? I don't have $100, but I'm willing to ship homemade cookies or brownies fresh from the Chicago suburbs!
Seriously, delighted to hear newspapers are fighting to stay alive thanks to folks like Mel.
Posted on July 30, 2008 9:05 PM
Way to go, Mel! Tell John he should make it $200, at least.
Posted on July 30, 2008 10:22 PM
Hey, Joyce, e-mail me at melissa.umbarger@news-record.com, and I'll tell you all about it! :)
Posted on July 31, 2008 1:33 AM