New era of publishing and broadcasting – 4 June 2008

I looked at the Guardian’s blog for content to discuss in this post. You will note that the BBC is looking at content on portable viewing devices such as iPhones as viewers increasingly demand content that can be viewed anywhere at anytime. I put it to you that users are driving the rapid conversion to emerging media technologies. The phrase word of mouth may next be coined power of text or something similar to encapsulated the essence of this sort of viral marketing which will see the boundaries being dramatically reduced and more content accessed globally.

The link below to the blog on the Guardian website highlights the post talking about new media platforms and new eras of broadcasting and publishing.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/digitalcontent/2008/06/why_the_new_media_world_looks.html

Connecting people – 27 May 2008

An example of blogs connecting people was an article I read on the ABC website http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/content/2006/s2264716.htm

The article was interesting as it profiled three very different people geographically distanced throughout Australia however connected via their blogs. Their blogs can be accessed via the links below.

Simon's blog - http://simonbedak.journalspace.com
Annette's blog - http://artlifechooks.journalspace.com
Dirk's blog - http://flinthart.journalspace.com

This is just another example of how blogs connect people and give you a voice.

Wary employers are considering if blogging could potentially damage their employment branding - 27 March 2008

An article in the Media and Marketing section of The Australian on Thursday, 27 March highlighted the potential dangers of blogs. Many workplaces have considered placing blogs on their websites as well as utilizing new technologies such as social networking sites in an attempt to attract technology savvy generation Y candidates. Many of these organizations have chosen not to enter the blogging and social networking ‘world’ due to the uncontrollable nature of anonymous posts. While the potential for good publicity is there, the even bigger potential for negative publicity also exists.

The article in The Australian is based on blogs contributed to by those in the advertising industry. One agency boss is quoted in the articles as saying “Because our industry is based on subjectivity it (a comment on the blog) will affect a career, a pay packet, job prospects. People do read these things.” I agree with this and wonder to what extent new media platforms such as search engines, social networking sites and blogs will have in the future in the attraction, research and profiling of candidates, competition and simply to gather information about people.

Beijing Blogs – 16 March 2008

In my first post about blogs, I commented on the similarity of a blog and an online diary. I read with interest an article on the ABC website about the gags being placed on Olympic athletes competing in Beijing.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/17/2164887.htm

Some of the restrictions placed on the blogs include that athletes cannot discuss the performance of other competitors, cannot sell blogs to newspaper or other websites and that there are restrictions on the use of moving pictures and sound.

I agree that athletes shouldn’t be allowed to sell their blogs to newspaper and other websites and I also agree with restrictions within reason as to the appropriate use of moving pictures and sound however, to some extent I disagree with the restriction of discussing competitor’s performance. I think that an athlete within the grounds of common law so as not to defame someone should be able to comment on the performance of competitors. Is it any different to commenting in an interview? I’m not so sure.

What are your thoughts?

Web logs, Blogs and Blogging – new terminology for me - 10 March 2008

Web logs or blogs as they are commonly known was a term I’d heard of but never experienced prior to undertaking Issues in Publication and Design. To understand the concept of blogging, which was new to me, I logged onto www.blogger.com. I soon learned that a blog was an online diary, a record of your thoughts; an opportunity to engage and gather thoughts from others, a blog gives you your voice on the web.

When asked to contribute to my own blog the task was somewhat daunting. Posting my views and thoughts online and being open to comments, opinions and criticism from others was a new concept. However, it is this concept which is also very exciting.

This blog aims to share my thoughts on media, design and publishing issues; with particular reference to the ABC Radio National Media Report and The Australian Media section.

A blog where the postings are short summaries of articles, views related to theoretical concepts and my own comments. A blog of my own thoughts…….well here goes.

To find out more about blogs, check out the following websites:
http://www.blogger.com
http://www.thoughts.com
http://www.ojournalism.blogspot.com/
http://blogpulse.com