Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Final class session
In regards to news photos, altering a photo's general composition is unethical. Only tighter cropping that does not omit essential subjects in the photo with the intention of eliminating space, or minor tonal curve adjustments for printing purposes are ethical practices. Video editing to change the understanding of what happened is also unethical.
The second portion of the video talked about media hype. Funneling audience interest into articles aimed at drawing in attention through fear or hype built up by media, is unethical as it works to sell articles, but editorializes to the extent of potentially giving audience members an unhealthy perspectives with low validity.
In the third section of the video, discussing junkets, the issue of influencing journalists by car companies was talked about. My belief is that junkets, though sometimes seen as a "necessary evil," are not necessary, and unethical.
In regards to media hoaxes, I believe that news organizations that pick them up reveal their work ethic as sensational reporting oriented, and show a lack of investigating facts thoroughly. The hoaxes in the video lead me to believe that internet hoaxes will be just as prevalent in internet news media. Because citizen journalism is becoming more technically refined and advanced, in respect to new media technology and editing software that enable changing the meaning of visual content, manipulation or fabrication of stories can be made even easier, as attention to blog-type and Web 2.0 media seem to be weighted heavily.
The second portion of the video talked about media hype. Funneling audience interest into articles aimed at drawing in attention through fear or hype built up by media, is unethical as it works to sell articles, but editorializes to the extent of potentially giving audience members an unhealthy perspectives with low validity.
In the third section of the video, discussing junkets, the issue of influencing journalists by car companies was talked about. My belief is that junkets, though sometimes seen as a "necessary evil," are not necessary, and unethical.
In regards to media hoaxes, I believe that news organizations that pick them up reveal their work ethic as sensational reporting oriented, and show a lack of investigating facts thoroughly. The hoaxes in the video lead me to believe that internet hoaxes will be just as prevalent in internet news media. Because citizen journalism is becoming more technically refined and advanced, in respect to new media technology and editing software that enable changing the meaning of visual content, manipulation or fabrication of stories can be made even easier, as attention to blog-type and Web 2.0 media seem to be weighted heavily.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Linden Lab announces new virtual meeting platform for businesses
Nov. 16, 2009 – The virtual world is becoming the new corporate conference room--at least that is what one internet company is offering customers through their new Beta program centered around secure, online meeting scenarios.
Linden Lab, creator of the Second Life virtual world, announced the release of their new, more corporate-friendly version of the less-secure, more public program on Monday, called Second Life Enterprise.
With the release of the of the Beta program, the company revealed the $55,000 price-tag for the product, as well as a plans to launch a platform for virtual goods exchange and an enterprise application marketplace.
According to the company’s product website, customers of Linden Lab’s new “behind-the-firewall” product are entitled to features not available in the original Second Life platform, including security and privacy per world grid, the ability to create regions and the option of creating custom names or using real names for avatars.
Among some of Linden Lab’s clientele using the Second Life Enterprise product are IBM, Northrop Grumman, Case Western Reserve University and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.
Brett Atwood, a web content strategist for Linden Lab, said some of the attractions to the product can be traced to reduced travel expenditures by companies flying representatives to distant conferences.
“We’re in an environment with a high cost of travel,” Atwood said. “This is a significantly cheaper way to bring people together in real-time.”
Atwood said the uses of Second Life Enterprise extend past virtual meetings into other uses, including holding socializing “water-cooler” activities, company recruiting, new-hire orientations, scenario-based training and multimedia and 3D presentations.
Other features, Atwood said, like Telepresence, the phenomenon of how we perceive simulated presence, are unique attributes of the Second Life server.
In the company’s press release, Linden Lab also reported that the up-and-coming Second Life Work Marketplace virtual environment will boast new features, including giving the customers the ability to browse, test and purchase content from third-party developers.
According to the announcement, the Second Life Work Marketplace is set for a 2010 launching.
Linden Lab, creator of the Second Life virtual world, announced the release of their new, more corporate-friendly version of the less-secure, more public program on Monday, called Second Life Enterprise.
With the release of the of the Beta program, the company revealed the $55,000 price-tag for the product, as well as a plans to launch a platform for virtual goods exchange and an enterprise application marketplace.
According to the company’s product website, customers of Linden Lab’s new “behind-the-firewall” product are entitled to features not available in the original Second Life platform, including security and privacy per world grid, the ability to create regions and the option of creating custom names or using real names for avatars.
Among some of Linden Lab’s clientele using the Second Life Enterprise product are IBM, Northrop Grumman, Case Western Reserve University and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.
Brett Atwood, a web content strategist for Linden Lab, said some of the attractions to the product can be traced to reduced travel expenditures by companies flying representatives to distant conferences.
“We’re in an environment with a high cost of travel,” Atwood said. “This is a significantly cheaper way to bring people together in real-time.”
Atwood said the uses of Second Life Enterprise extend past virtual meetings into other uses, including holding socializing “water-cooler” activities, company recruiting, new-hire orientations, scenario-based training and multimedia and 3D presentations.
Other features, Atwood said, like Telepresence, the phenomenon of how we perceive simulated presence, are unique attributes of the Second Life server.
In the company’s press release, Linden Lab also reported that the up-and-coming Second Life Work Marketplace virtual environment will boast new features, including giving the customers the ability to browse, test and purchase content from third-party developers.
According to the announcement, the Second Life Work Marketplace is set for a 2010 launching.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Flu shots on campus
October 16, 2009
While other students were passing by to visit the bookstore or chatting with friends on their way to class, Mike Turi sat down and began to fill out all the necessary medical paper work attached to the clipboard -- the first step after expressing interest in getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu virus.
Representatives and graduate student volunteers of the Student Health and Wellness center advertised and administered seasonal flu vaccinations in the lobby area of the CUB as part of a flu vaccine outreach.
Erika Miller, a second year pharmacy student helping with the immunizations, talked to students walking through the CUB about the vaccine.
Miller said some of the students taking advantage of the Student Health and Wellness tables were attracted by the convenience of the location.
Turi, a third-year computer engineering PhD student, was one such student who signed up for the vaccine at the tables.
Turi said he usually gets the vaccine, and with there being a convenient location from where he could receive the shot, there was little reason not to get it again. “The earlier, the better,” Turi added.
While some students in the CUB took the opportunity to get the vaccine, others chose not to.
David Rayfield, a freshman criminal justice major, said despite the attention given to the current flu season and the H1N1 flu virus, he chose not to get a flu shot.
“I don’t get them, and I’m usually fine,” Rayfield said.
Despite the differing viewpoints on the seasonal flu vaccine, Miller said that students were appearing at the outreach table in numbers average in comparison to last year.
Miller also addressed some of the concerns that students expressed to her.
“Some people are worried about it being uncomfortable,” Miller said. “It’s not just for your self, though. It’s looking out for your community.”
People interested in the seasonal flu vaccine should also consider the H1N1 flu vaccine, which is offered separately and targets the respective virus only, she added.
According to the CDC vaccine information statement sheet that is required literature handed out to all students receiving the shot, those considering the shot should be aware of the risks involved in receiving the protection.
The CDC paper states that though the vaccine could cause serious problems including allergic reactions, the risk of a vaccine inducing severe reactions is rare and any reaction is usually within minutes of vaccination.
For any severe reaction, signaled by symptoms like difficulty in breathing or high fever, Miller advises that recipients of the vaccine call or get to a doctor immediately.
Miller, who as a pharmacy student in Washington State can administer the shot, said the vaccine takes about two weeks to protect the patient from the seasonal flu.
The Student Health and Wellness services are offering the vaccine on campus at the health and wellness center and various locations like the CUB for $25 to students.
While other students were passing by to visit the bookstore or chatting with friends on their way to class, Mike Turi sat down and began to fill out all the necessary medical paper work attached to the clipboard -- the first step after expressing interest in getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu virus.
Representatives and graduate student volunteers of the Student Health and Wellness center advertised and administered seasonal flu vaccinations in the lobby area of the CUB as part of a flu vaccine outreach.
Erika Miller, a second year pharmacy student helping with the immunizations, talked to students walking through the CUB about the vaccine.
Miller said some of the students taking advantage of the Student Health and Wellness tables were attracted by the convenience of the location.
Turi, a third-year computer engineering PhD student, was one such student who signed up for the vaccine at the tables.
Turi said he usually gets the vaccine, and with there being a convenient location from where he could receive the shot, there was little reason not to get it again. “The earlier, the better,” Turi added.
While some students in the CUB took the opportunity to get the vaccine, others chose not to.
David Rayfield, a freshman criminal justice major, said despite the attention given to the current flu season and the H1N1 flu virus, he chose not to get a flu shot.
“I don’t get them, and I’m usually fine,” Rayfield said.
Despite the differing viewpoints on the seasonal flu vaccine, Miller said that students were appearing at the outreach table in numbers average in comparison to last year.
Miller also addressed some of the concerns that students expressed to her.
“Some people are worried about it being uncomfortable,” Miller said. “It’s not just for your self, though. It’s looking out for your community.”
People interested in the seasonal flu vaccine should also consider the H1N1 flu vaccine, which is offered separately and targets the respective virus only, she added.
According to the CDC vaccine information statement sheet that is required literature handed out to all students receiving the shot, those considering the shot should be aware of the risks involved in receiving the protection.
The CDC paper states that though the vaccine could cause serious problems including allergic reactions, the risk of a vaccine inducing severe reactions is rare and any reaction is usually within minutes of vaccination.
For any severe reaction, signaled by symptoms like difficulty in breathing or high fever, Miller advises that recipients of the vaccine call or get to a doctor immediately.
Miller, who as a pharmacy student in Washington State can administer the shot, said the vaccine takes about two weeks to protect the patient from the seasonal flu.
The Student Health and Wellness services are offering the vaccine on campus at the health and wellness center and various locations like the CUB for $25 to students.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Frontline analysis
The Frontline documentary exposing journalism and news in the contemporary offered some very interesting angles. I took a particular interest in how the documentary took a "backstage" perspective, interviewing leading names in news presenting.
The segment covering the Los Angeles Times took me by surprise. With a huge profit margin, greater than that of fortune 500 companies, the argument for the LA Times to be making budget cuts, to my shock, was to appease share-holders. I guess I didn't realize the business well enough or was too naive to realize why papers were having cuts in scenarios like that of the LA Times.
The discussion about "citizen journalism" was also interesting. I've heard a good deal of arguments concerning who owns journalism (the professional or the average citizen) and it was good to hear boht sides of the argument presented next to one another.
The segment covering the Los Angeles Times took me by surprise. With a huge profit margin, greater than that of fortune 500 companies, the argument for the LA Times to be making budget cuts, to my shock, was to appease share-holders. I guess I didn't realize the business well enough or was too naive to realize why papers were having cuts in scenarios like that of the LA Times.
The discussion about "citizen journalism" was also interesting. I've heard a good deal of arguments concerning who owns journalism (the professional or the average citizen) and it was good to hear boht sides of the argument presented next to one another.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Hate crime statistics: how Pullman measures to other Washington cities
According to the data found on the US Department of Justice Hate Crime Page, Pullman's most frequent hate crime is sexual-orientation based in nature, with four reported cases in 2006, the same number as Seattle. In 2007, the hate crime reports that Pullman saw three fewer sexual-orientation-motivated hate crimes, but a switch from having no racially motivated hate crimes in 2006, to having four reported cases.
In checking out the Follow The Money website, I learned that Christine Gregoire raised the most, raking in $12,002,778. For the gubernatorial candidates, Gregoire received her largest contribution from anonymous donors, and the same with Rossi, contributing a total of $10,736.
Video Recorder Link: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=Qh5aAAAAEBAJ&dq=Digital+Video+Recorder
Social Networking: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=EYASAAAAEBAJ&dq=Social+and+Networking
Automobile: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=N_VhAAAAEBAJ&dq=Automobile+Frank+Duryea
In checking out the Follow The Money website, I learned that Christine Gregoire raised the most, raking in $12,002,778. For the gubernatorial candidates, Gregoire received her largest contribution from anonymous donors, and the same with Rossi, contributing a total of $10,736.
Video Recorder Link: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=Qh5aAAAAEBAJ&dq=Digital+Video+Recorder
Social Networking: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=EYASAAAAEBAJ&dq=Social+and+Networking
Automobile: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=N_VhAAAAEBAJ&dq=Automobile+Frank+Duryea
Monday, October 5, 2009
Example of a quote lead -
New York Times
"Still Fragile, Haiti Makes Sales Pitch"
The writer used a quote lead to show the reaction of the business-elite upon seeing Haitian poverty, drawing in the reader through an almost juxtaposed image that is painted of the rich and poor separated only by the doors and windows of a vehicle. This lead is hard to follow until the story unfolds further down the page, but is still effective. The lead probably could be improved. A summary lead may not be the best fit as a substitute, however. A narrative lead might also accomplish the same objective as the quote lead that is given.
Example of a narrative lead -
New York Times
"Fight Nights and Reggae Pack Brazilian Churches"
The lead uses narrative and observation to gain interest from the reader, while not fully divulging all of the information. A nut graph follows the lead in the fifth paragraph to tie the narrative into the hard news. The lead seems to be the best fit for the story. Improvements don't seem necessary. A summary news lead would not be fitting for the story, as the environment depicted in the story appears to require more initial attention than the basic who, what, where, and when. A quote lead could also be effective if a solid quote was present.
New York Times
"Still Fragile, Haiti Makes Sales Pitch"
The writer used a quote lead to show the reaction of the business-elite upon seeing Haitian poverty, drawing in the reader through an almost juxtaposed image that is painted of the rich and poor separated only by the doors and windows of a vehicle. This lead is hard to follow until the story unfolds further down the page, but is still effective. The lead probably could be improved. A summary lead may not be the best fit as a substitute, however. A narrative lead might also accomplish the same objective as the quote lead that is given.
Example of a narrative lead -
New York Times
"Fight Nights and Reggae Pack Brazilian Churches"
The lead uses narrative and observation to gain interest from the reader, while not fully divulging all of the information. A nut graph follows the lead in the fifth paragraph to tie the narrative into the hard news. The lead seems to be the best fit for the story. Improvements don't seem necessary. A summary news lead would not be fitting for the story, as the environment depicted in the story appears to require more initial attention than the basic who, what, where, and when. A quote lead could also be effective if a solid quote was present.
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