Too Many Ads

I love the Boston Globe. I've been reading it for years now. I've even followed it regularly since it began as an online publication. However, in looking at the overall design of the site, I must say there are too many ads scattered everywhere.

Yes, I know newspaper sites need ads to make money, but I believe too many can turn off visitors/readers. It's good to have ads, I guess, in case you may be looking for some kind of service. But most people don't want to be inundated by them. That's not why they go to a newspaper's online site. They want to see news, videos, and images. Not countless ads.

The Boston Globe's RAW

Are you an amateur photographer living in the Boston and New England area? Want to publish your work, have others critique it, and possibly win a money prize? Then check out RAW at the Boston Globe.

RAW is the Globe's interactive photography section where visitors can upload photos, nominate photographers for awards, and discuss topics related to photography. I really like this feature because it allows online users to interact in their community and possibly play an integral role in what cmakes the news. After all, who doesn't like photographs?

The Boston Globe's Halloween Guide

Say you live in Boston or are visiting the area around Halloween. Don't know what's going on and want to find out? Check out the Halloween Guide at the Boston Globe. You will find plenty of information regarding special events, such as costume parties and contests.

However, there are other features that appear on the Halloween Guide. You can check out the Globe's list of interesting places to visit, such as haunted inns. You can get costume ideas from the costume photo gallery and even upload images of a pet's costume to share with others. You can also skim through the Globe's recommendations of the scariest movies, songs, and books to get in the Halloween spirit.

I think people in the Boston and New England area can really appreciate this Halloween Guide. For one, the available information is pretty extensive. Secondly, it is constantly being updated. Yet again, these are (interactive) features that could only really appear online. So hooray for online journalism.

Election Polls

Polling services are an integral part of an election race since people constantly want to how their preferred candidate is doing as time passes.

If you check the Election 08 Political Dashboard at Yahoo.com, you can see how Barack Obama and John McCain are doing in every state. It also lets you create your own scenario for how the election may play out on November 4th.

I find this interactive feature interesting and fun. It not only informs people, it also lets them get creative. And again, it's a feature that can only be presented online.

Early Voting Map for South Florida

Early voting in south Florida began several days ago. A lot of people hoped this would cut down on the amount of time they would have to wait in line on Election Day. Apparently it hasn't. According to south Florida newspapers and news stations, early voting lines are ridiculously long.

Still, those who would like to cast their vote early instead of waiting till November 4th, but don't know where to go, should check out this interactive map featured on the Miami Herald. It lists all the different places one can go to vote early.

I find this tremendously useful and it's a feature that could only really appear online.

ESPN's College Football Gamecast

Want to follow a college football game that's not being televised? Say, for instance Oklahoma State against Texas? Then click on this link to access the College Football Gamecast at ESPN.com to see what's going on.

Third Party Candidates

Less than two weeks remain till Election Day and restlessness is already in the air. Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, are getting anxious to cast their vote and elect the next president of the United States. You can feel this anywhere you go.

The way this election race has turned out, it would seem as if only Barack Obama and John McCain were running for president. After all, the two mainstream candidates are the only ones that ever get mentioned by the media.

If you were to ask the average citizen about Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin or Cynthia McKinney, they would probably respond to you with a blank stare. That's because the press rarely mentions these third party candidates in their own bids for the presidency. And since these candidates are never mentioned, the public doesn't even know they exist. That's unfortunate because these candidates, along with Ralph Nader, often run on a platform that benefits Americans more than those of Obama and McCain.

I find it amusing and yet, terrifying, that the majority of people voting for Obama or McCain have no idea what each stand for. They know they want someone to implement change. What they don't know is that casting their vote for either of the establishment parties will only bring about more of the same from the last eight years.

That's why I was happy to come across an article by Alain Jean-Robert that mentioned the third party candidates and discussed how they may affect the race for the presidency. If more people in the news talked about these candidates, Americans would be better informed and better able to make an intelligent decision on Election Day. Sadly, they don't, so when we swear in our next president in January 2009, prepare yourselves for more of the same.

Alan Greenspan's Cynicism

According to an article by Mark Falsenthal, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is in disbelief over the state of the country's credit market. That has to be the most cynical thing I've heard in weeks considering Greenspan's policies directly led to the financial mess we are in.

During his tenure as Chariman of the Federal Reserve, Greenspan was widely considered a genius. And in a way he was, but not for the right reasons. As Chairman, Greenspan purposely kept interest rates low, which led to the housing bubble, and overall crisis we are in now.

I commend Falsenthal for writing this story. Though he doesn't directly accuse Greenspan of anything, he certainly points out what his policies were as Chairman of the Federal Reserve and puts them in perspective. Which is good because for far too long, people have praised Greenspan's every move.

Obama Rally in Downtown Miami

Last night, while CNJ 442 students were in class listening to guest speakers talk about the various ways multimedia technology can be used, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama addressed supporters in downtown Miami. This is what we missed.

Video courtesy of the Miami Herald.

Technology is King

For journalists, technology is everything. Especially for those who do most of their work online. In the last few years, technological advances have reshaped the landscape of journalism so drastically that, those that are a part of it, are trying to stay ahead of the game and figure out where they fit in the overall picture.

Apparently, the field of medicine is being redefined by technology as well. In a recent piece in the University of Miami Magazine, Lisa Sedelnik writes how telehealth technology brings highly unique medical care to patients in need.

Telehealth technology works through video conferencing, with a doctor on a screen speaking directly to a patient on the other end. According to Sedelnik's story, this has helped treat patients that otherwise might not be treated or diagnosed.

I found this article very interesting, since it shows how technology continues to affect everyone's lives in this day and age. Moreover, it hints at the endless possibilities that are always on the horizon.

The Works of Pablo Corral Vega

Last year I took a photography course here at the University of Miami with Professor Loup Langton. One day Dr. Langton brought in a guest speaker to class to speak to us about photojournalism.

The man was an Ecuadorian photographer named Pablo Corral Vega, whose award-winning images have been featured in National Geographic and the Smithsonian Magazine. After showing us some of his brilliant photographs taken in places like Cambodia, Romania, and Brazil, Mr. Vega talked to everyone about the importance of photojournalism in today's world.

Right before he ended his discussion, Mr. Vega told us about his website and how he regularly updates it with new photographs. Since then, I've stopped by his site from time to time to see all the new works he has published.

It's truly remarkable how intuitive Mr. Vega is at peering into the personal lives of strangers from different parts of the world. He may not speak the same language as any of the people he photographs, but his ability to connect with people of different backgrounds and beliefs is what allows him to be a master with the camera. I recommend that all of you visit his website and take a look at his works so you can see what photojournalism is like when it's done flawlessly.

Dan Rafael's Hopkins-Pavlik Multi-Media Package

Last night I went to a sports bar with some friends to watch a pay-per-view boxing match between Bernard Hopkins and Kelly Pavlik. Hopkins would box a very intelligent fight for 12 rounds en route to an easy unanimous decision over Pavlik.

At 43, Hopkins is an all-time great in the sport. For years, he has perfected his craft with tremendous discipline and grit. That's the reason why yesterday he was able to easily school a powerful puncher like Pavlik, who's only 26.

For those who didn't watch the fight, there was the option of following Dan Rafael's live punch-by-punch analysis to see what was taking place. Rafael, a writer for ESPN.com, regularly features these from his online blog.

Rafael recently began creating multimedia packages for the last several pay-per-view boxing matches featured on HBO. These packages not only feature his punch-by-punch analysis and fight score card, but also a large photo gallery, video interviews, and several interesting facts leading up to the fight itself.

Though I personally dislike Rafael, he is a great sports writer. Though at times Rafael is cocky and overly sarcastic, he is always very informative and analytical. If you take a look at the multimedia package he created for this Hopkins-Pavlik fight, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

Easy to Fix

One of the things I like about online journalism is that it allows one to easily fix stories being written/published.

If one published a story with errors or typos in the newspaper, it'd be impossible to recall all the printed copies in order to make the necessary changes to it. The same goes for if one simply wanted to reword a certain sentence or paragraph to make it sound better. But with a computer, any changes can be easily made, and that makes everyone's job a little easier.

Browsing Online During the 3rd Presidential Debate

I'm currently watching the third presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. As usual, I'm not impressed with either candidate. However, I will admit that this debate is turning out to be a little more interesting than the previous two. Maybe it's because of the format. Or maybe it's because Bob Schieffer of Face the Nation is a good moderator.

In any case, I wanted to go online to see what newspapers and news networks had featured on their websites for users like me who got online while watching the debate. A lot of them had similar features, such as quizzes, polls, videos, and feature stories with in-depth analysis. However, I must credit CNN.com for having two unique features on their site.

One is a constantly updated transcript of the debate, which I find very useful in case someone wants to track down every word a candidate has said thus far. And secondly is the Live People Meter, which shows people responding and grading both men by using a device with a knob that is turned up or down whenever a candidate says something that appeals to them.

Solid Gold

Forget the stock market. If you have money invested there, you'll eventually lose most of its worth. Maybe not anytime soon. But eventually you will, given the way our economic system is...failing. Mark my words.

If you want to invest in something solid, consider metals. Especially gold. Many Americans have seemingly forgotten the value of gold or are completely oblivious to it. That may be due to the fact that the gold standard was done away with under the Nixon administration. But I digress. If you want your money to be safe and actually worth something in the coming future, consider gold. Any real economist will tell you that.

If you've been following my blog entries, you'll notice I am fascinated by economics. You'll realize just how much it digusts me that our government interferes with nearly everything in the market. That is primarily the reason why our economy is in shambles. If the crooks in Washington D.C. were to keep their slimy hands to themselves, everyone would be better off.

That's why it really bothers me that many financial journalists tend to ignore important fiscal issues. I would expect them to stay on the heels of the thieves that are ruining our money. Or at least give people real advice in regards to money. But they don't. A lot of times they just write about pointless economic trends.

That's why I was very pleased to come across an article online that explained in simple terms why gold is so valuable. Especially in times of crisis. Kudos to David Ian Miller for actually writing something substantial.

Preliminary Step toward Socialism (Twitter Style)

Want to know what’s a preliminary step toward socialism? The government staking a claim to our banks.

Palin's Ethic Violations (Twitter Style)

Check the news. You’ll see the media can’t stop discussing a recent report claiming Sarah Palin abused her power as governor of Alaska.

The Miami Herald's New Look (Twitter Style)

Have you seen the new changes to the Miami Herald online? It was recently given a sleeker, more interactive look.

Interest Rate Fixing from the Fed (Twitter Style)

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates half a point today. Great. More manipulation of the market is just what we need in times of crisis.

Judging the 2nd Presidential Debate (Twitter Style)

For my next five entries, I will be blogging in the Twitter style. Here is my first of these posts:

I bet no one in the media grills either candidate for being so vague at last night’s town-hall debate. So much for all those good questions.

Scoop Jackson on the Hapless Chicago Cubs

If I had to name a journalist who inspired me to become one myself, I would have to say it's Scoop Jackson. Jackson is currently a feature writer at ESPN.com. However, I started reading Jackson's pieces when he wrote for Slam Magazine around the year 2000.

I remember when I was 13, I'd spend any money I had on an issue of Slam just to read anything Jackson had written. He was that insightful and deep. For a long time, I remember trying to write just like him.

Over the years, I've stopped reading Slam Magazine, primarily because Jackson no longer writes for them. However, I've still been able to follow his work wherever he's been, which is all available online.

Today I came across a very good story by him in which he breaks down the Chicago Cubs' latest playoff woes. For those of you who like sports and would like a good read, check it out. You'll see why I think Jackson is so talented. If you're a Cubs fan, it may be too painful to even skim through. Still, you'll have to admit Jackson makes some very strong points that can't be denied.

O'Reilly v. Frank

A few nights ago, Bill O'Reilly at Fox News got into a war of words with Democratic Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts over the country's financial crisis.

At first, the interview started off quite plain. But within seconds, O'Reilly became agitated and began harassing Frank. I was laughing the whole time, as I didn't know TV hosts were supposed to berate their guests, even if it is a dishonest politician like Frank.

Apparently, a lot of people found the interview as funny as I did, so it is now posted online for all to see. That's a good thing about online journalism. It allows one to see videos that aired some time ago.

Personally, I dislike Frank and O'Reilly even more. He is probably the least objective journalist in the business. But in this interview, he certainly confronts Frank with nothing but the truth. However, I think if he wants more people to take him seriously, he should lessen his tone.

Breaking Down the Biden-Palin VP Debate

According to Nielsen Media Research, the vice-presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin drew more viewers than the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.

In the days leading up to the debate, there was plenty of anticipation surrounding the event. Many wanted to see how Biden, who is known as a scrappy politician, would match up against an inexperienced rival. Many were curious to see how Palin would perform under intense pressure given that, in her latest interviews, she had sounded a bit incoherent. And of course, many were curious to see how a debate would turn out between a man and a woman.

Once the debate was underway, Biden and Palin shared lively exchanges that were much more interesting than those between Obama and McCain. I personally disagree with both candidates' views. However, I found watching Biden and Palin go at it somewhat amusing.

In the hours since the debate, news stations, online newspapers, and websites across the country have been buzzing about the event. Many have published articles regarding the nature of the event itself. Many have taken polls judging who won the debate. And of course, plenty have posted videos with interviews, asking viewers what they thought about the debate in general.

The consensus among viewers seems to be that both candidates performed quite well. Many were surprised Palin appeared calm enough to hold her own against Biden, who viewers believe seemed very knowledgeable. Here is such a video.

Keeping up with Shady Referees

About two years ago, the FBI launched an investigation against NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who was allegedly betting on games he was officiating and providing inside information to gambling associates. Donaghy was eventually charged as a felon and is currently serving a 15-month sentence.

Since then, the NBA has launched various investigations to see if there were more shady referees behaving like Donaghy. The investigation found that, while various referees had been violating many of the league's rules on gambling, none were as serious as the charges brought on Donaghy.

When Donaghy's illegal behavior first made headlines, people across America were horrified. For weeks, people couldn't stop talking about it. Anywhere you looked, whether it was on TV or in the newspaper, there was a story related to Donaghy. But like all things, big headlines tend to quickly fade from people's memories. Still, even though months have passed since Donaghy was charged and the NBA launched its latest investigation, many journalists have been following this story.

While any updates regarding Donaghy or the NBA's referee problem would certainly be considered news, they might only show up as blurbs in the paper (to save space) given that a lot of people have forgotten about the incident. One of the good things about online journalism is that individuals interested in following under-the-radar stories can since there's more than enough space for them online.

Crocodile Mutilated at UM

Yesterday when I was leaving campus, I saw dozens of police cars and news vans crowded around the Ponce de Leon Garage on campus. I had somewhere to go, but I tried to stick around for a bit to see if I could find out what all the fuss was about. However, no one seemed willing to answer any questions.

Later in the evening, I found out what happened. Supposedly, someone mutilated and killed an endangered crocodile that was living in a sewer canal near the Ponce de Leon garage. Coverage of the incident can be found in this brief video .

I was speechless when I saw this--I still am. This is beyond cruel. I ask myself what would motivate someone to hurt an innocent animal minding its own business? I just hope whoever did this gets caught and punished with the harshest of punishments.

Apparently, residents of south Florida are equally outraged. So I'm glad to see that since this news broke, the local television networks and newspapers, like the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel, have been following the story and updating the community with any further news.