Archive for the ‘ Tools of the trade ’ Category

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5
Jul

A small paper’s take on Google+

This is a very raw post on some preliminary thoughts on Google’s new toy. I’ve been playing with Google’s latest venture into the social media realm, Google +, for several days now and I really like it. Then again, I really liked Wave too so bear that in mind. My favourite feature so far is definitely the Hangout area where you can easily connect to several people in a video chat and share in there.Sure there are other video chatting options out there that folks have been using for ages, but Google makes it so simple that even my grandmother could figure it out.

There are some things I’m still trying to figure out, such as how to truncate long comment streams on some of the more popular users (like Scoble) – I’m sure there is a way, I just haven’t figured it out yet. I ended up removing him from my stream altogether even though I like his posts. The Circles feature would let me just view my family’s posts or just my friends’ stuff, but I kind of like having all my circles show up in the stream, so scrolling past hundreds of Scoble’s comments to see what my daughter just shared was getting on my nerves. And some posts DO truncate the comments, but Scoble’s never did and I can’t work out why.

I realize Google’s trying to roll this out slowly, but I really want to be able to add more people to my circles who can also use the service. So hopefully when it’s open for all, I will use it even more. And I’m really looking forward to the iPhone app. Safari mobile interface is ok, but can’t add photos.I haven’t played much with Sparks yet, but as an avid Google Reader user, I’m wondering if I need yet another thing I have to check all the time. I suffer from Notification Syndrome bad enough as it is.

Will I end up using G+ over Facebook in the future, or Twitter for that matter? Personally, I doubt it. Twitter is so integrated into my routines that it would be difficult to break the habit. And I have too many Facebook friends who won’t give two craps about Google+ because they’ll stay with what’s familiar.

Ryan Huff, in a comment on Jeff Jarvis‘ G+ stream said:

“I see G+ as the water cooler. Twitter provides the headlines, G+ provides the discussion. Facebook? They provide the gossip. With that said, what G+ becomes will depend on the tools that emerge. With integration into Seesmic and another established tools, it could morph into something more familiar.”

I completely agree.

Today, I managed to get my newspaper going on Google+, and that’s a whole different ball of wax compared to using it personally. I think it could be very useful if I can stream our headline tweets and Facebook fanpage posts into it. My philosophy for the paper is that we will bring you the news where ever you are. And if G+ is successful, we’ll provide our coverage there for you. But we’ll definitely need some API tools developed to coordinate everything. It took a long time to grow our Twitter followers and Facebook fans. I’m curious as to how quickly we can grow an audience and drive traffic on Plus. I suppose it’s finally time to add the +1 button into our stories :)

I hope it doesn’t fail. Google has a solid effort this time so here’s hoping.

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19
May

Just messing with an app

Checking out the WordPress app updates.

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24
Mar

iPads in the newsroom

So my long wait is over and I have a shiny new iPad 2. Yes I am a bit of a gadget whore, but in my defense I did force myself to wait for the 2nd generation iPad and I’m glad I did. I love this bloody thing.

But one of the reasons I justified spending some hard-earned dosh on it was that I hoped it could potentially be useful at work. My publisher has been talking about trying to get a couple for the newsroom and for advertising and so I thought, if I have one and bring it to work with me everyday, it’s usefulness would become apparent.

So far it’s great at telling me the weather. And testing site designs and how they look on it. I’ve been able to show it off a little and everyone agrees it’s a pretty gorgeous little machine, but so many keep referring to it as ‘Steph’s toy.’

At home, yes it’s been something of a toy while I play Plants vs. Zombies on it or watch some Doctor Who on Netflix while I’m on the treadmill, and my goodness, AirPlay is a brilliant app. But here’s a few ideas I have for making this more of a tool at work as opposed to a toy:

  • Our mobile web reporter could use it to make submitting stories on the road easier than typing it out on the Droid.
  • Any reporter attending city council or school board meetings can take notes easily without lugging a laptop in and with a 3G iPad, no need to worry about available wifi.
  • Ad reps can eliminate the need for paper-wasting flyers and packets by keeping various presentations on the iPad to show advertisers.
  • Online demos and ad banner prototypes can be shown easily and impressively.

I would love to hear from other newsrooms out there that are either using iPads or thinking about it to find out how they’re being used or to get more ideas on how to use them. Comments are open- Russian spammers piss off please, I’m sick of you.

- written with the WordPress iPad app which is really awesome :)