A new pen for reporters
Posted by: Mike in Noe Can Do on June 4th, 2009
For 10 years print journalists have asked me for software that would transcribe their notes. “Good luck,” was my canned response. Until now…
A sports reporter at Naples Daily News just showed me the Pulse Smart pen by Livescribe. The microphone and recorder are part of the pen. You do have to use a special notebook, but if you go back to review your notes you can point the pen to the place in your notes where you want to review the quote and the pen will play back the note.
You can also upload your notes to a web site as well as the audio. I wonder if anyone else has experimented with this equipment and software? Seems like a great deal for $200.
To Tweet or not to Tweet
Posted by: Mike in Noe Nothing on April 29th, 2009
If you told most newspaper publishers you knew of a way that they could eavesdrop on a conversation someone had about their product, do you think they woud be interested? If you also told them they could respond immediately to disgruntled customers, do you think they would jump at the chance?
Twitter offers that opportunity. Unfortunately, many people in the newspaper business are still scratching their heads saying they don’t see the value of the service. One journalist recently asked me, “Why would we encourage our audience to use Twitter rather than going directly to our site?”
I offer this example: Two days ago I tweeted that I was wrestling with building a report using the statistical web-tracking software Omniture. Within minutes I received this message: OmnitureCare@Mike_Noe Anything I can help with (regarding #Omniture)?
Though I didn’t notice the response for another couple of hours I was impressed that the company reached out to me. “Excellent customer service,” I thought.
Good advice from other unemployed journalists
Posted by: Mike in Noe Nothing on April 14th, 2009
Going to try to get back into blogging regularly. This was a great post the first time around: http://www.visualeditors.com/apple/2009/02/youve-just-lost-your-job-whats-next/. Edward Miller suggested it. Follow him on Twitter – http://twitter.com/EdwardDMiller.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-15
- ! going back to SLC #
- Contemplating when I should head back to Denver. Major storm forecast in SLC thru tomorrow. #
- At Utah State House where both leg and Senate just passed a bill eliminating need for patrons of bars or taverns to be members. #
- Keeping James Meadow’s family in my thoughts. #
- Snowboarding near Park City #
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-08
- Open letter to Apple: why can’t I select copy and paste it on iPhone? IDIOTS! #
- Open letter to AT&T. Why do I have to log into your web site every time someone sends me a picture or sound file thru mms? IDIOTS! #
- I just drove by an eagle swooping over something on the highway. Can you imagine the splat that would have left on windshield? #
- Nothing like going over the Continental Divide at 90. #
- Yay! He just exited! #
- Storm clouds ahead. And still the cop. We look like race cars behind a pace car. #
- Shaking my fist! #
- Why must Wyoming State Patrol torture me? #
- Driving through Wyoming. Stuck doing speed limit behind cop. Ugh!0 #
- Weird huh? They hated the Rocky but they sure love our readers. I’m curious how many they convert. DBJ will have to report. Post won’t. #
- Just got an iPhone on Friday. Love the apps but hate the battery life. It’s been unplugged for an hour and I’ve taken 2 calls. Half drai … #
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It’s strange covering your own funeral
Posted by: Mike in Noe Can Do on February 27th, 2009
Such a sad day covering the death of an organization I have loved being a part of for nearly 10 years. As Interactive Editor, I was the one to post the initial news story, then Twitter the announcement of our closure.
If you haven’t seen it, check out the video on the Rocky’s home page. I can still barely watch it.
As I write this, it’s 4 a.m. Why I’m still here? Because of what this organization stands for and what it’s given to me. Many thanks to Kevin Graves and Caleb Kropf who have stayed with me to the end. Good bye old friend.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-02-22
- Right…. #
- It’s just not a good day to be in journalism. Scripps cuts salaries (http://tinyurl.com/cvlqf3) and Post layoffs (http://tinyurl.com/araab8) #
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Rocky announcement expected soon
Posted by: Mike in Noe Can Do on February 19th, 2009
It looks like the wait is almost over. Scripps said this morning that it expects to announce its plans for the future of the Rocky Mountain News before March 31. I hope the announcement comes much sooner.
This waiting has been hard. I hope to see Scripps CEO Rich Boehne next week. Either the Rocky has a buyer or Rich announces it’s time to pull the plug on Colorado’s oldest newspaper. Either way, I’m looking forward to looking ahead.
More bad news for newspapers
It’s just not a good day for people in the news business. This morning I heard rumors of salary cuts for my colleagues at other E.W. Scripps properties. Later today, I took a phone call from my counterpart at The Denver Post. “I just got laid off,” he said. I couldn’t believe what I heard. The Rocky is the paper on the auction block. From my standpoint, Mark Cardwell had a secure job. I’m beginning to wonder if anyone will be working in journalism in a couple of years.
Post layoffs (http://tinyurl.com/araab8)