JOUR 307 Blog #5: ThingLink

ThingLink mobile is getting ready to launch next month for the iPhone and iPad.

It has already intrigued journalists, as the Washington Post tried the app out over the weekend at the White House Correspondent's Dinner.

ThingLink allows people to link other items such as videos, other photos, information links or just add caption to a photo and people can see the links right on the photo.

It allows people to have more interaction with the photo that they are viewing.

Journalists have found it useful for giving its viewers more information instead of just viewing a photo. Journalists also want people to be more interactive with the news that is put in front of them on a daily basis.

Jour 307 Blog #4: Journalism Drones

Photo by Zach Garcia
Was taken from the Missouri Drone Journalism Program website

The University of Missouri is now having journalism students test out the use of drones, courtesy of one of their professors, Bill Allen.

Allen hopes that the drones will assist in journalists process of performing watchdog duties and to help report the news.

The idea for the drones is to cover possible environmental stories, natural disasters, checking over crime scenes and other stories that would be unsafe for anyone to possibly get near.

One of the drones weighing only a few pounds and could cost around $500-$1000 depending on the type of camera that's attached to it.

This is an intriguing new possible tool to me, although I don't know if using them to go over blocked off crime scenes would be the best use of it.

Assignment #5: Mapping

This is my first map with the 2011 Top 10 Car Theft Locations in Tucson. Making this map wasn't hard at all. Was actually pretty interesting to see how maps can be made for specific sites.

Here is my Google Fushion Map on Tucson nursing homes, which seemed oddly more complicated than it probably should have been. Thanks for the help Mr. McKisson.

All in all this was an interesting process and I will probably be making more maps along with some of my future projects.

Thanks and play well,
                                   MYLO

Jour 307 Blog #3: Hashtags

Pic found at http://mediafunnel.com/facebook/overall-facebook-fan-value/

Twitter has used the hashtag to effectively since 2007 to bring people together that are talking about the same subject all across the world.


It opens conversation between people who may have never spoke under regular circumstances or people that would have had a chance otherwise.

The hashtag has also become a well used tool amongst journalists so they are able to see what is trending either in their area or what is popular in the state, nation or world. Nothing is more helpful than a broader view.

However, this feature may not be a Twitter exclusive anymore. Facebook is currently stated that they will be implementing the hashtag feature.

The photo sharing site Instagram uses the hashtag as well, Facebook did purchase this company last year.

When Facebook launches the feature the true curiousity is how much it would effect Twitter.

It could be argued either one way or the other, but for journalists I believe that it will be a good thing because what is trending on Twitter may not be what is trending on Facebook.

Personally I think this will be a good thing as it offers more options as well as the possibility that people prefer to use different social networks.

If you would like to read the short msn.com article click here.

Or you can read the article that was posted on the Wall Street Journal here.

Jour 307 Blog #2: iPad

The iPad has been an extremely useful device, especially this day and age. It truly brings everything to your finger tips.

Photo from thesucky.com

Laptops were seen as a the way to get all your information on the go. Then the iPad came along and made it even more portable.

It has been helpful for students, as it has allowed them to lighten their load of text books.

Schools have also had programs in place that enable students to receive iPads, that is how I ended up with mine, through a scholarship set up by Apple and the University of Arizona.

The University of California, Irvine implemented the iPad into its medical studies program by moving all of the curriculum over.

Blog 1: Bicol Video Review

Originally, I was not quite sure as to what I wanted to be the subject of this first blog for my JOUR 307 class. In all honesty I almost forgot about it, but remembered it on the day was due.

So, I frantically searched the Web trying to find something. I tried to find something to critique as I am not up to date on new digital tools for the multimedia journalist in 2013, I started by searching "Google."

Nothing that that popped up really caught my eye, so I tried browsing "YouTube."

Finally, I switched over to "Bing" and came across a multimedia project by Jun Pasaylo.

His multimedia project is on the rebuilding of the Bicol Express that was built in 1940s, but saw heavy destruction due to a typhoon in 2006.

 His project "Bicol Express: Riding Again," is mix of video and still photos with natural sound and he himself narrates over the video.