Hunger in America is a big problem, even here in Alachua County. My latest Soundslides project, called “Filling in the Gaps” is about the struggle to keep hungry people fed. It contains photos from Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, St. Francis House and Gainesville Community Ministries, all in Gainesville. These agencies sometimes struggle to get the food they need to provide for the people who depend on them. The people who receive the food really appreciate it, as you’ll see in the part of the story about Willie Stewart, a very nice man who was able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year thanks to Gainesville Community Ministry. I hope you enjoy the show!
Making data fun - or at least user-friendly November 24, 2007
Last week my multimedia journalism class discussed data handling, charts, infographics, etc., and how they can revamp the way newspapers cover topics. One of our primary readings was a blog post titled “A fundamental way newspaper sites need to change,” by Adrian Holovaty. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. Would big chunks of data really be all that interesting to people? Would they adequately inform and educate people newspaper readers and Web site viewers?
Well, I think the answer to these questions is really…no. Lots of data alone, even in nifty chart forms, won’t do the job, even if you can manipulate it and search it backwards and forwards. But, the beauty of the idea really comes in combination with stories, photo packages or blogs that will grab someone’s interest on a certain topic and make them want to know more. If these banks of data are updated regularly, people will probably start to come to them without being attracted to a new story or photo package first.
I like the idea because it lets people use the data the ways that work best for them. I think this will get people interested in information they might otherwise bypass and hopefully get people a little more engaged in their own communities and in the world at large. One of the cool things about putting data into these malleable forms is that people can have just as much interaction with info that relates to their local community as with data that relates to some far away place. Two examples that we studied in class demonstrate that idea pretty well. The first is an interactive database/map of crime in Chicago (developed, I believe, by the previously mentioned Adrian). The second is an interactive map about Islam in Europe, from MSNBC.
I really like the structure of each of these projects. I’ll admit, my initial response when someone tries to interest me in a big bunch of data is - NO THANKS. But the graphics and cool stuff you can do with the data masks the potential boringness of the information, making it something fun for people to play with. I have to admit, that’s what news writers like myself struggle with sometimes - how can I make this info - which actually is relevant to people’s lives (like the crime data) or maybe it’s just interesting info about the world at large (like the MSNBC map) attractive to people? I think Adrian is right - this user-friendly, manipulation-minded approach to big chunks of information has to be a growing part of newspapers’ approach to news.
Problems with audio equipment November 14, 2007
I was quite happy today when, after nearly two hours at the local food bank working on my Soundslides 3 project about hunger in America, I had several interviews, some nat sot (natural sound on tap), and lots of photos done. It was a good start to the project, I thought, until I got into my car and listened to my audio. Thankfully, my main interview was there, but some secondary ones I did with guys who unload the truck at the food bank were not. Neither was my nat sot. Curse the audio gods!
It was lunch time, I was hungry, and I didn’t want to just do the interviews again only to end up with the same result, so I left, determined to find out the reason for my missing audio before I returned.
What could have happened? There were two audio files full of silence. I know I didn’t fail to push record because the recorder created the files…for some reason, there just wasn’t any sound. My only thought is that perhaps I just held the mic too far away? But I wasn’t standing THAT far away from the interviewees or the sound…I didn’t think I’d end up with nothing.
Anyone have any thoughts/tips? I’m frustrated and feeling a little stupid.
Learning about Search Engine Optimization November 14, 2007
I recently read a blog post by Darren Rowse about search engine optimitzation. Rowse’s suggestions about getting inbound links to my blog are great…but…as I read these, I just kept wondering if anyone, aside from maybe my classmates, will want to link to my blog.
My blog is largely about my experiences and work as a graduate student in journalism. While I like it and I think it might be of interest to other journalism students or people who may want to view my work (ie, potential employers), I feel that perhaps I’m not really writing anything authoritative. I’m writing about my own work and my own questions, etc. Will this really interest other people? How much would other people really learn from my blog? I guess this train of thought leads me to conclude that in order to have other people take my blog more seriously, I need to take it more seriously.
I have to say I’m a bit confused about the directories idea, and that the whole idea of buying links really turns me off. It seems like cheating! Or, at the very least, quite ingenuine. I want others to link to my blog because they like it, not because they’ve been paid. Of course, that whole discussion assumes that I could actually afford to do that….ummm, no.
The part about using keywords in strategic ways makes a lot of sense, I just need to train myself to be in that mindset more. I also like the suggestion about linking to interesting, relevant outside sites - it seems like this would enhance the quality of your reader’s experience and boost your site with search engines at the same time. Bonus!
Another thing I need to keep in mind: length of my posts - sometimes I think they are too long and maybe a bit rambling.
Getting to know Mr. Goodbike November 7, 2007
My second Soundslides project is quite a step up from my first, I think. (Sorry, I had to take the link to my first project off the page because there wasn’t enough room on the server)
It’s about a bicycle shop called Mr. Goodbike (that’s also the name of the Soundslide). Mr. Goodbike grabbed my attention one of the first few times I passed it. You can tell from the outside - with brightly colored walls, goofy looking bikes and lots of rocks and foliage - that this is a place with character.
A trip inside gives the same impression. The place is a bit crowded, but if you look around, you’ll see lots of unusual items that give the place a feel all its own.
In this Soundslides, two employees talk about Mr. Goodbike’s unique personality, the shop’s friendly employees, loyal customers, and fun activities - like weekly night bicycle rides.
It’s definitely a place with a character all its own.
