Invisible Inkling

Ryan Sholin on the future of newspapers, online news and journalism education.

All About skillset

If you think online news is difficult…

June 16, 2008 – 10:01 pm

If using a Web-based content management system is difficult, try putting together a print edition in an old version of Quark and then come back and tell me how hard it is to push the Publish button.
If editing video takes too long, then go back to developing your own prints in the darkroom.
If exploring the [...]

Links that redefine news

February 19, 2008 – 12:24 pm

Wednesday night, I’ll be speaking with Steve Sloan’s New Media class at San Jose State University.
I’m planning to show off some of the best of your work.
Yes, you.
I’m looking for online news sites and projects that stray from the traditional definition of news.
I’m assuming these journalism students get enough Gloom & Doom handwringers from other [...]

A vote for change…

January 4, 2008 – 8:51 pm

We talk a lot in the circles I run in about a new skillset for reporters and about how a wired journalist in 2008 should be keeping up with the technologies and communities that are quickly looking like Michael Johnson in 1996, looking back at newspapers over their shoulder, smugly.
Yoni Greenbaum walks right into the [...]

Howard Owens will give you $100 to get with the program

December 27, 2007 – 4:56 pm

That’s right, if you’re an ink-stained, hard-nosed reporter who thinks all this New Media stuff is bunk, Boss Owens has a hundred Amazon bucks with your name on ‘em.
If you perform a few small tasks, of course.
Like, start reading blogs, get a blog, start writing, shoot some stills and video, upload them, join a social [...]

Only hire the best.

December 24, 2007 – 11:16 am

From Yoni Greenbaum, on the topic of outsourcing applications, the division of print and online newsrooms, and the hiring of online journalists:
“We all know that, increasingly, online is where the money is, but it will take talent to earn it. I would urge newspapers to make sure they’re paying their online employees appropriately; if new [...]