Why do we blog?

I've been watching the antics of many publications and so-called newsgathering organizations and everyone (including nwlanews.com) is doing the same thing -- promoting blogs.

Don't get me wrong, I like my share of www.marshallfannin.com as much as the next guy, but are blogs really the "journalism of the future?"

Also, are blogs written for the reader, or for the writer? More times than not, the latter is true.

Writes love to share their musings, and hate the confinement of journalistic and sometimes grammatical standards. If that weren't enough, news writers are frustrated with the "snippets" they are asked to write these days. "What do you mean keep it under 200 words?"

Personally, I blog to put my thoughts down in some permanent form -- before I lose them completely. It allows me the freedom to write about anything (even blogs). It is my hope that readers find my blogs interesting, even funny sometimes.

If you read, or if you don't -- I shall continue to write.. it is just what I do.

On another note
A friend of mine told me that a radio talk show host referred to Rep. Billy Montgomery as a "con artist" for voting for the Stelly Plan and now wanting to change and/or repeal it. I feel that was out of line.

Regardless of how you feel about Coach Montgomery's politics, to blame Stelly solely on him, or any other legislator is careless. I don't care if he did cast the deciding vote to put it on the ballot for the people to decide.

What? Let the people decide?

That's right, the Stelly bill/law was passed by the people of Louisiana. It was a constitutional amendment was on the ballot. We all claim to have been "duped" into voting for this thing. We blame the "liberal media" for shoving it down our throats. We blame an apathetic electorate for not defeating it at the polls.

Well, if it is possible for the "people" to be duped into voting for the thing, then why don't the legislators who put it on the ballot get at least a little "benefit of the doubt?" - and a little credit for trying to make it right or better now?

Just a thought... Perhaps we are all too stupid to be in a Democracy.

May the Blog Be with You

Stupid Computers

Have you signed up for daily updates from nwlanews.com yet?

If you have, then you didn't get an update today. Are you wondering why? It's because computers are STUPID.

I do the same process each day. Get stories -- send stories to list...

Computer sends them out -- everyone is happy. Not today. Computer says it sent them out -- but no one got emails. (I know because I am on the list too).

Maybe I just don't know enough about this particular program. Maybe there is some "disturbance in the force" that is keeping it from working properly.

How much do you want to bet it will work perfectly tomorrow and I will have changed NOTHING?

Ok, venting is complete. I can go back to work now.

May the Blog Be with you.

Too early to predict?

A group of media types were discussing the governor's race over lunch recently. While the obvious subject of John Breaux residency issue came up, there were no "clear cut" winners.

Here are a few of the things that were said. Of course there is no factual basis to any of this, merely speculation.

John Breaux will not run... Regardless of his residency issue, wouldn't Breaux have already declared if he was running?

Does John Breaux really want to take a pay cut?

Bobby Jindal will be in the runoff.

Walter Boasso will get enough Republican votes to force Jindal into a runoff with a Democrat.

Foster Campbell has a chance to make the runoff depending on how many Democrats enter the race.

A hurricane this Summer could really affect the elections and who people choose.

Where's Randy Ewing when you need him?

Edwin Edwards would probably make the runoff from jail.

With so many differing opinions, perhaps it is indeed too early to predict.

May the Blog Be With You.

Is it still news?

We didn't update the website yesterday. We meaning me. Update, meaning the Bossier Press-Tribune portion.

We have one of our largest editions of the year hitting the streets Friday and coordinating all the sections was quite an undertaking. And frankly, I didn't get around to it.

The first thing I did at the paper this morning was update the site with "Tuesday's news." As I posted sports stories about the weekend Mudbugs games, I wondered, "Is it still even news?"

This is the dilemma for a twice-weekly publication. How do you balance providing breaking news online without totally scooping your print publication?

If you miss a day of posting, it is just lost? Or do people still want to know your newspaper's angle on the story?

With some stories, those questions are easy to answer. For instance, no one else had the story about the new Plain Dealing Park. Regardless of the tardiness of its posting, people will still find it new (to them at least).

Other things are more difficult to answer.

I am looking forward to our special edition hitting the streets this week. It is one of those occasion where we will make a "big splash."

I just hope I can get it posted online in a timely manner too -- lol

May the Blog Be With You.

Fighting with computers

People who follow this blog know that computers and I don't always get along. However, what many may not know is that most of the things you see on the website www.nwlanews.com, are a result (in part) of my efforts. That's right, if you don't like it, blame me...

Anyway, I have been working on a way to deliver news headlines to the emails of people who want them. That way, you would know when the news is posted and can pick and choose what stories you would like to read. It's really a pretty cool concept.

One thing to remember when working with computers (or computer programs) -- things are never as easy as they should be and always take longer than they should.

We are not quite ready to launch the email updates yet -- but it won't be long (I hope)...

Next will be headlines to your mobile phone -- We may be big time by then.

May The Blog Be With You.