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Top 10 Twitter Tweets at NewsTools2008 Conference

Submitted by jburas on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 16:25.


10. @amylive: Good mix this session: videographers, citJ, nonprofit, journos, student, educator.

9. @amylive: How do you create a market for info that people need but don't nec. want? Learn how to make chocolate-covered broccoli!

8. @Digidave: @amylive is rocking the comments through newstools. 

7. @joshwolf is averse to advertising, which limits options

6. time for a tequila!

5. @acensky: glad to finally get on Yahoo!s wireless network.
4. @amylive: WSJ on MS's hostile bid to take over Yahoo today: http://snurl.com/26tz4. & we're here! But forbidden to speak to Yahooers
3. @joshwolf: In drupal circles Civi-CRM is like the F-word was in elementary school... I think I have to sit on the wall at the next recess now...
2. @joshsprague: Did I just hear, "Today's media...is like pornography basically?" Did that refer to legacy media?

1. @kegill: i first read the name as "new stools" and went "what?!?"


Personalization and localization through geo-technology

Submitted by jburas on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 21:07.


I'm here at the NewsTools 2008 conference in Sunnyvale, California and had the opportunity to sit in on a session with Paul Lamb of Man on a Mission Consulting. The topic of discussion was "Personalization, localization, geocoding, geotracking, geo-broadcasting." Through our discussion Lamb outlined his interest in leveraging technology for the social good, and the new technologies that will help us achieve this. To make sure we're all on the same page, here are some definitions provided by Lamb... 

"1. Personalization: Personalization is tailoring a consumer product, electronic or written medium to a uswer based on personal detals or characteristics they provide. Examples Newsfeed aggregators like Netvibes or Mixx. 

2. Localization: Local news and information with community and neighborhood relevant information. This includes both hyper-local search and community spedific sites like i-neighbors.org, the Gotham Gazette (New York City), and Everyblock. 

3. Geocoding: Geocoding or geotagging is the process of assigning geographic identifiers (e.g., codes or geographic coordinates expressed as latitues-longitude) to map features with other data records, such as street addresses. Examples include Google Mapsand Google Earth. 

4. Geotracking: Is the ability to track locations and peoplge using online mapping or place-based sensors like GPS, Wifi, cell phone triangulation, and RFID tags. Examples include Meetro, Imity and Myloki. 

5. Geo-broadcasting: Geo-broadcasting involves live video or audio broadcasting that is simultaneously tracked using online mapping and geotracking tools. Example seero.com"

Many of the people in our discussion group were curious as to how this geo-technology would be utilized by in low-income communities, after all, not everyone has a Blackberry or iPhone. Lamb explained how mobile technology is booming, even in third world countries. And that the beauty of this, is you don't need a computer to access. It's much more likely that someone from a low-income area will have a cell phone vs. a laptop or desktop computer. Thus, the window of opportunity for geo-tracking is widened tremendously in comparison to technology that is solely computer based. 

 

This idea is that people will be able to connect as a community to disseminate knowledge surrounding a specific geographic location. In most cases it would be up to members of the community to contribute information and keep the project rolling. An example of this citizen mashup would be in Michigan where drivers mapped out current potholes and recently patched potholes. Lack of moderation does raise a question of trustworthiness, but for the most part it's assumed that someone taking the time to contribute to the community really does care about the project being created. 

The affect this has on journalism is that news no longer has to live and die in one day, after being interpreted by one group of people. Instead it is able to continually grow as time passes with people contributing to its evolution. This is a process where news and information can live in a physical, geographic location. Lamb had an example of where the Berlin Wall formally stood. People can rent GPS devices that detect where the wall used to stand. As someone passes across the barrier they can hear speeches from the former Chancellor, or biographical stories of those affected by the wall. The story lives on and evolves in a physical place. 

The possibilities for this geo-technology seem endless, and it's exciting to see where it will move next. I'd just finally like to point to an advocacy mashup to show how powerful the use of this technology can truly be. Here is screenshot of the Crisis in Darfur project where Google Earth teamed up with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to draw attention, create awareness and spark action against the genocide in Darfur. 




It's All About Connections, Baby.

Submitted by jburas on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 18:29.
Whether you're launching your first start-up, or have been in the business for 20 years, any entrepreneur knows that connections are key. The right contacts can boost a company to new heights, opening doors along the way. Pairup.com is a social networking site dedicated to helping business flourish by "connecting business travelers." Users of the site can sign up and create profiles that show where they're planning on traveling, in hopes of connecting them with other people in the area.

Once signed up you can search your "network" to see who is attending the same event, in the same area, flying on the same day, working for the same company or working in the same industry. Whew, now that's a lot of potential connections! But pairup.com is certainly not the only social site of its kind, and with any great social networking site, no matter how great the idea, it will only flounder without an online community to back it up. Pairup.com is still in beta phase but if and when enough people join, this could be the starting point for new entrepreneurs to connect and get their ideas heard.  
 

Flotrack Goes Live!

Submitted by jburas on Tue, 04/15/2008 - 06:53.

If you're a runner, you know Flotrack. The online website has become a go to place for athletes and spectators alike to gain information about the sport of running. The site features news articles, blogs, interviews, videos, results, pictures and a popular running log, Flotrackr.
Flotrackr is a branch off of the social networking phenomenon, one specifically directed at the running community. Athletes are able to log miles, save workouts and track their progress while networking with other runners. Many universities and professionals have created private communities on the site to monitor members of their specific team. The Arizona State University track team is one such example.

 

 

Although Flotracr is quite popular, the site is best know for its video coverage or "Flocasts." They provide a wide range of current and archived video from races, special events and interviews with prominent members of the running community.
With the success of current Flocasts, creators of the website realized they could take their video coverage one step further and this Friday, April 18th Flotrack is going live! Over the past few weeks the crew has been experimenting with camera options, live blogs and streaming video. Here's the run through video for this Friday's launch. These new live Flocasts will offer much more than the traditional viewing, including a live blog where members are encouraged to help with the broadcast. Here's an e-mail excerpt from Mark at Flotrack describing how the new live blogging will work. "For example, you can ask our play by play announcers questions, answers their questions, help with splits or tell them to focus more on the battle between Fam and Slattery. The announcers will be reading and responding to your comments live, which I think is pretty cool. Get ready on Fri Night with some crunch and munch and maybe a fat tire, if your over 21..... and be apart of track history."You heard him, tune in Friday to see the first live coverage at the Mt. Sac track meet in California. The team at Flotrack have big ambitions and a lot in store, can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Interview with Matt McGraw of emusicinstruction

Submitted by jburas on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 14:49.


E-mail interview with Matt McGraw, president and founder of emusicinstruction. McGraw recently was awarded a grant through the Edson Initiative at ASU.

Q: What is emusicinstruction all about?

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