Information In The Palm of Your Hand, Literally

Mobile Content is on the Rise

By: Anthony Austin

GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

Cell phones are not just for talking anymore.  Mobile Content is desired more than ever.  Ring tones, logos, and wallpapers are becoming a thing of the past.  There are some new kids on the block.  Users are gravitating towards more complex applications like interactive java games, stock tickers, mapping systems and video on demand.

However, these applications are costing a pretty penny for the average consumer.  A survey conducted by ForceNine Consulting and Wirthin Worldwide found that about 40% of adults who use these applications tend to have higher than average bills.

The mobile content services that make the most money today followed the pattern of ring tones and wallpaper through the Asian model.  Now, this is quickly shifting to the more complex applications.  Mobile content providers are in luck.  A well developed single service can be delivered to millions of paying customers at a very small price.

50-word Summary for Mobile Device

Cell phones are not just for talking anymore.  Mobile Content is king.  Users are gravitating towards more complex applications like interactive java games and video on demand.  Mobile content providers are in luck.  A well-developed single service can be delivered to millions of paying customers at a very small price.

The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr: Does anyone actually remember?

Was the Death of MLK that Newsworthy?

By:Anthony Austin

      GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

 This Friday marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Television specials are being advertised and articles are popping up everywhere commemorating his death.  Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.  He fought to end segregation and racial discrimination in a non-violent manner.  I asked several people if they could remember the death of MLK.  The answers surprised me.  It left me wondering if anyone actually remembers his death.

Linda Grandison was 11-years-old in April of 1968.  She was in 5th grade at the time in a small Texas school when Dr. King was shot.

“I didn’t hear anything until I got home and saw it on the news”, said Linda Grandison, “I don’t remember it being that big of a deal here, not even the next day.”

Grandison is black.  The town she grew up in and still lives today is mostly white.  However, there is one death that she  remembers vividly.

“I will never forget the death of JFKand his brother”, said Grandison, “Everyone was so sad here for a long time.”

Her 73-year-old mother doesn’t remember the death of King either.

“I heard it the same way she did,  on the news that evening.”  said Ruby Mackey.

Mackey worked in a doctor’s office and doesn’t remember anyone saying a word about it.  But like her daughter, there is one death she remembers quite well.

“The death of JFKwas major around here”, said Mackey, “I remember one lady with a sad look on her face coming into the doctor’s office saying did you hear?!, did you hear!? JFK is dead!”

While the death of JFK is a memory engraved in their brains, the death of Dr. King is not.  The impact they said he had on the world was important.  However, they just didn’t feel a connection with him.

“It’s a shame we can’t remember his death”, said Linda Grandison, “but he just seemed like another man at the time fighting for what he believed in.”

Prisons Putting Religious Books Back on the Shelves

Banned Religious Books hitting the shelves, Again.

By:Anthony Austin

      GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

The federal Bureau of Prisons has decided to return religious materials to prison chapel library bookshelves.  This comes after intense pressure from religious groups, civil libertarians and members of Congress.  The bureau removed the materials after a 2004 Department of Justice report mentioned that religious books that incite violence could be in chapel libraries.

The Chapel Library Project created a list of acceptable books in June 2007.  It’s intent was to weed out books that might incite violence.  But the list grew to tens of thousands causing the bureau to compile a list of acceptable material instead.  The plan identified about 150 items for each of 20 religions or religious categories.

“This is a positive step,” said Bob Moore, spokesman of Aleph, an advocacy group for Jews in prison,”But our position is there should not be a list of what should be on the shelves, but what shouldn’t be.”

National Civil Rights Museum Receives Makeover

Samuel L. Jackson and Hampton Hotels’ Program Helps

By: Anthony Austin

GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee is receiving a renovation thanks to a famous actor and some helping hands. The famous museum is the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated almost 40 years ago. Samuel L. Jackson and the Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark program are pitching in to help.

The renovation is the largest in the program’s nine year history. Samuel L. Jackson and more than 100 Hampton Hotel volunteers from the area will work together to restore the Hotel. Volunteers will paints wall, replace wallpaper, repair displays, and upgrade the exterior and the landscape. The program plans to complete most of the project by the 40th Anniversary of Dr. King’s death which is April 4th.

“Landmark Legends” is the name of Hampton’s 2008 campaign. The program is devoted to restoring sites honoring influential American such as Amelia Earhart, Jackie Robinson, and Hellen Keller. The list of legendary figures was chosen through a nationwide survey conducted by Hampton Hotels. Those chosen were Americans who have inspired change, overcome adversity, and made a difference.

“The National Civil Rights Museum is an important landmark in American History.” said actor Samuel L. Jackson, “I’m looking forward to working along the volunteers at Hampton Hotels and their Save-A-Landmark program in restoring the grounds.” Jackson actually served as an usher at Dr.King’s funeral.

Landmark nominations have been an important part of the Save-A-Landmark program’s success since it began in 2000. If you would like to nominate your own “Landmark Legend”, you can visit the Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark site at www.hamptonlandmarks.com and click on “submit a landmark” to enter a nomination for a legendary landmark.

Blogs and News: What’s the Difference?

Distinguishing Blogs from News

By: Anthony Austin

      GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

“I wandered into the office the morning after the Texas presidential primaries ready to talk about what I considered a stunning upset.Though I wasn’t necessarily championing Obama as my own candidate of choice–I was sure he was going to win the Democratic bid in Texas. And that would be OK with me. Right now, I would favor any one of the candidates over Hillary–save for Nader. But is he even still around? I think his name is forever blazoned on the ballot….”

     This is an excerpt from a blog on  myfoxdfw.com,the local fox affiliate website in Dallas.  The question was asked how do you tell the difference between a blog and a news article.  The answer is quite obvious to me.  You can tell above that the blogger uses the phrases like ,”I think”, “I considered”.  A professional journalist should never use those phrases.  We should always be objective.  You can tell that the blogger is inserting their personal opinion.  A journalist does not insert their personal opinion.  When you’re reading a news article, you should feel that the article is stating the facts, just the facts.

     Also, this blog was clearly labeled as a blog under the blog tab.  A profile of the person who blogs also shows up and a description of them.  A person can tell they are not an actual journalist.

The Five I’s

The story:  A student who attends your university is killed on the interstate as he returns to school after the Thanksgiving holiday. A tractor trailer was involved in the crash just a few miles before the exit that leads to your school. The stretch of highway that runs through the area has become increasingly dangerous, with six fatalities so far this year, five of which involved trucks.  Traffic doubled in twenty years.  And while the road was designed to carry 15 percent truck traffic, 40 percent of the vehicles that travel the two-lane highway today are trucks.

Scenario 1:  Facing a deadline with limited resources.

     Immediacy comes into play here.  I would have a reporter go and cover the accident.  That reporter would immediately put information on the website about the incident without pictures.  As he or she learns more, they would constantly update their story.  If time permits, they would get a picture of the deceased person.  The reporter would also try and get an interview with TxDot or any official that is over the roadways about the current and past accidents.  A timeline could also be set in place detailing the past accidents and where they took place.  A fact box could be added detailing the event.

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Scenario 2: in a more flexible time frame with a staff of artists, programmers, and multimedia journalists?

     This is where Interactivity, Integration, and In-Depth Opportunities would be best used.  I would have the reporter talk to the victims family and friends about the sudden death.   We would then get more pictures and create a slideshow of the victim’s life.  The reporter would get more in-depth interviews with city officials about the interstate and why so many accidents have occurred there.  Why is 40 percent of vehicles that travel the interstate trucks when it’s only designed for 15 percent?  I would want information about whether a meeting or anything is going to be held to discuss the situation.  We would attend that meeting also.  We would also try and talk with family of the past 6 fatalities to see if they are doing anything about the death of their loved one.  The reporter would take pictures of the stretch of highway and include pictures of the past accidents.  A blog would be put into place for readers to blog about experiences of that stretch of highway.  They could talk whether they have had any possible wrecks there.  We would also get video of traffic on the interstate, especially of trucks.  I would also include a poll to ask readers whether or not they think that stretch of road is safe.

United States at the forefront on Darfur Crisis

President Bush Remains Dedicated to Ending Genocide

By: Anthony Austin

GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

The United States is leading the world in responding to the crisis in Darfur. President Bush is providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, enabling the deployment of an international peacekeeping force, and promoting a lasting political settlement. Bush named Richard S. Williamson as a special Envoy to Sudan to spearhead these efforts.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement is being pushed by the US. It calls for democratic national elections before July 2009 and deployment of troops away from the border. The CPA was signed in 2005 and ended 21 years of civil war between the North and South. Economic sanctions have been place on Sudanese individuals responsible for violence in Darfur. Also, 160 companies owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan has had sanctions placed by the US.

President Bush has put a considerable amount of money into peacekeeping. The president has called for the rapid deployment of 26,000 UNAMID peacekeepers. Since 2004, the US has spent more than $15 million to airlife over 11,000 peacekeepers to and from Darfur. $100 million dollars has been sought to assist in the training and equipping of African peacekeepers. This is to make sure that they are properly prepared, equipped, and on the ground.

Bush is in the process of renewing a political process between the Government of Sudan and the rebel groups that did not sign the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement. The process supports full implementation of the DPA as it creates broad structures for a political solution. This program will allow millions of people in Darfur to return to their homes and rebuild their lives in peace.

Poynter Institute Study

EyeTrack ’07:  How do we actually read?

By: Anthony Austin

GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

      The Poynter Institute released their study about how people read newspapers and online content.  The first thing they noticed was that people read what they wanted to read.  Did it really take a study to figure that out?  However, they were surprised at how much people actually read.  Online content is the major winner with readers reading 77% of what they chose on the Internet.

     Readers were given alternative story forms.  Story forms like Q&A, a fact box, timeline, or a list drew a higher amount of visual attention.  In print, readers look at big headlines and photos first.  Online they go for navigation bars, teasers and other things that are considered directional advices.  Also, readers seem to like action photos and could care less about staged photos and mugshots.  They also like their photos in color and not in black and white.

     With these findings,  I would recommend that newspapers and online news websites concentrate on simple yet bold layouts.  Stories should be shorter since most readers read in a methodical way.  Headlines should be big and bold as well as photos.  I think photos should show some type of action and not be so static.  More colors photos should be added bigger and bolder throughout the whole newspaper not just the front page.  Fact boxes and list and things of that nature should be added to major stories.  It helps the reader understand what they just read and also remember it better.

     Online news websites should consider improving their navigation bar.  People actually like taking direction.  If the navigation bar is simple and clear readers will read more content.  Also, teases should be stronger and interesting so that readers continue reading stories either for the following day or within the website.

For more information about The Poynter Institute EyeTrack study, click below.

    

RadioShack is ready to help

RadioShack Gearing up for Digital Television Transition

By: Anthony Austin

GeorgeAnthony86@gmail.com

This time next year it’s going to be out with the old and in with the new, for your television that is. Analog signals will be a thing of the past. Digital is the new kid on the block. You’ve probably asked yourself this question, What if I still have an analog tv? Don’t worry, your local radioShack is here to help you..

“We understand consumers often turn to the knowledgeable sales associates at their neighborhood Radioshack first,” said Peter Whitsett, RadioShack executive vice president and general merchandising manager, “We are uniquely positioned to offer customers the necessary products, accessories, information and personal consulting to help make the transition from analog to digital broadcasts as seamless as possible.”

Starting next week, almost 5,000 neighborhood RadioShack stores and participating dealers will have digital tv accessories to help keep analog televisions receiving over-the-air broadcasts after the switch on Feb. 17, 2009.

The National Telecommunications and Information Association is expected to begin distributing $40 coupons next week good toward a certified DTV converter box. Radioshack is offering two different brands with prices starting at $59.99. That’s $19.99 with the government coupon.

Customers do have other choices when it comes to the DTV transition.

–Obtain a DTV converter box that will allow an analog television to receive digital signals.

–Use an analog televison with a cable or satellite subscription service provider.

–Upgrade to television with a built-in digital tuner.

Other factors may come into play when deciding what kind of digital tuner or accessories are need. A local RadioShack store should be able to assist you.

“Customer education is, and remains, the number one challenge to ensure we have a smooth transition next year,” Whitsett said.

Customers also have the option of having their converter boxes sent directly to their home free of charge by using RadioShack’s Direct to you ordering system. Bilingual sales associates will also be on hand.

For more information you can call 1-800-DTV-2009. Or visit , www.dtv20009.gov.

Crowdsourcing

Deal or no deal? It’s no Kidd to Dallas Mavericks trade – for now

George blocks trade that would have brought Kidd to Dallas

     This article was in the Dallas Morning News by Eddie Sefko. News broke yesterday that The Mavericks and New Jersey had signed off on the swap that would have sent Devin Harris, four other players, draft picks and cash to the Nets.   The Mavericks would have gotten Jason Kidd.  Well, now Devean George is saying he’s not going anywhere.  I think you could include a message board for readers to discuss the trade.  I know a lot of people have a lot to say about this particular trade.  Also, readers could blog about the trade.  I think it would be good to include pictures of all the players that are involved.  A poll could also be used to see what people think about Jason Kidd possibly coming to Dallas.  Also, another article could be written about Dallas’s trade history.  Links could be put on facebook or myspace to share with more people.