ISO interactive graphics

Posted on January 31, 2007 

I complained in an earlier entry about how hard it is to find multimedia on newspaper Web sites — but I’m also wondering: Why do a lot of papers choose not to create interactive graphics?

For example, this page on the New York Times’ site about Barbaro’s life and death, includes links to 2D print graphics that could easily have been turned into dynamic, interactive content.

Same with this story on NYTimes.com. The static graphic is even labeled “multimedia.”

Chicago Tribune’s interactive section just won a Digital Edge award (congrats to them!), but they, too, use recycled print graphics in this presentation, “China’s great grab.” (Read a great critique of this package over on Mindy McAdams’ blog.)

USATODAY,com, a paper known for it’s graphics, gets it. Most times, if there’s a graphic that needs to go online, they make it either a.) interactive or b.) look good on the page.

>> a.) This map, moves from a 2D graphic to one made for the Web. (Although, they could have taken it even a step further and let me hear the Q&A’s rather than read the quotes on those rollovers. But text keeps the graphic as a quick read, too.)

>> b.) And from the original story from which that map is linked, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Instead of using a small print graphic in a pop-up, they format it to be reader friendly for the Web.

Do papers think they’re not going to generate many page views? Are they not worth the return for the time investment? Or do we avoid it because it feels like shovelware?

Perhaps it’s all of the above?

But we’re missing opportunities to take advantage of the Web, and it’s the little steps we take that help move us away from being viewed by the readers as a text-only static site (aka, a print newspaper Web site) to an interactive multimedia generator and disseminator.

Share This

Our knight in shining armor?

Posted on January 31, 2007 

Plastic Logic is preparing to produce in 2008 a million sheets of e-paper at its new plant in Saxony, Germany, according to blackenterprise.com.

They say this “paper” will be portable, durable and have a long-lasting battery.

“Investors will be hoping that Plastic Logic’s new offering, which will become available in 2008, will transform publishing in the same way that music downloads and the internet have revolutionised the music industry.”

I hope and assume this won’t be a text-only product. Right off the bat, these should be WiFi-enabled and capable of publishing video and interactive graphics.

Wow. Yes, I’ve heard about this idea for awhile, but hearing news that production could start so soon gives me goosebumps. If investors are serious and publishers sign on, pushing ourselves now could pay off in ways we can’t even imagine in just a few years. Buckle up friends, this is going to be a fun ride.

(Link found via The Editor’s Weblog)

Share This

Frank Sandoval: A survival story

Posted on January 30, 2007 

“Frank Sandoval: A survival story,” published by The Mercury News last month, is a good online multimedia “read.”

In addition to the quality storytelling aspects of this package — the intro and video/still photo integrations are nicely done — I’m so impressed with the interactive flash elements in this presentation. They’re sharp and compliment the story well.

The little touches gives the otherwise static graphic and transitions between videos a bit of zip that creates an interesting visual element without overpowering the content.

(Found via mercurynewsphoto.com RSS feed. Brilliant!)

Update: I just came across this podcast interview with Richard Koci-Hernandez over at MultimediaShooter — thanks for letting me know about your site from a previous post, Richard. He’s the designer/producer of the Frank Sandoval package outlined above. Aha … this small world is starting to come together for me now … :)

Share This

Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park

Posted on January 30, 2007 

I like this page showcasing Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park, by the Seattle Times. It’s a great integration of interactive graphics, photos, video and audio.

What I like most:

>> The map is a fun way to display the site plan; a departure from the now seemingly standard Google-map display.

>> Love, love, love the walking tour podcast. It was the first thing I thought of when viewing the page, and sure enough, there are 20 (!) for me to download.

>> The 360-degree photos have accompanying ambiance sound — the combo is a nice alternative to video.

A few critiques:

>> At first glance, this page looks PACKED with info, but as I looked through it longer, I realized that a lot of the features in the interactive map were duplicated in the lists below. On the one hand, it’s good for readers who may miss the info on the map, but it frustrates me when I open a link that’s content I’ve already seen.

>> It looks like the map was made for print and modified for online. The type is so small, it’s hard to read the labels.

>> I wish I could download .pdf copies of the print version. Really?? The only way I can see it is to request a copy via snail mail??

Share This

Revisiting cameras in the newsroom

Posted on January 27, 2007 

In her post, “Shiny equipment blinds everyone to real quality issue,” Angela Grant asserts that training is the issue, not what kind of camera we purchase. Good video comes from a good videographer.

This is right along the lines of what I posted previously.

I did a lot of thinking about this issue this week, especially when it coincided with my getting the opportunity to test out a P&S for our Web site. It sparked some excellent debate in my newsroom. (Love this!)

I still think that better quality video is a bonus. If you have the money to pay for it, by all means, go for it. The compression limitations we face now will change, and with the pace of technological advancements on the Web, it might happen quickly — it wasn’t all that long ago that video seemed pointless because of bandwith constraints.

So do your research, get the very best that you can afford and concentrate on the training because a huge learning curve must be overcome as we introduce reporters to video. They need to learn about the technical aspects of using the camera and what makes good visual storytelling, and to grow as an industry, we MUST invest time in exploring how we can use video as a non-linear storytelling tool. Right now, we’re producing TV segments viewable on the Web. Whoopee!

I think what Angela has outlined is an ideal, long-term goal:

“To shoot a good video, you have to have multiple angles of your subject or action. Each angle must have multiple focal lengths. You must remember to shoot each stage of whatever action is happening, and shoot multiple angles of that action with wide, medium and tight shots. You must use restraint when pushing ‘record,’ so you’re only getting the video that you know you’ll use.”

Yup, agree on all points, but that ain’t gonna happen overnight. It’s going to take many small baby steps and lots of practice.

Not only for print reporters to learn visual storytelling, but once they get the hang of it, we have a huge production obstacle staring at us. Does the reporter edit the piece, too? Or the Web team? If it’s the reporter, how long can he/she spend on it and still make the print deadlines? If it’s the Web team, do we have the resources to have a full-time video editor? (Because you know once the reporters start, they’re going to all be wanting to play with the new toys.)

Given all that, for breaking news, I’d rather just get from the reporter a written paragraph brief, a one-minute video or audio clip of a witness account or something like that, and then go work on the longer version of the story for the Web and then for print. We have the luxury of NOT being TV. We don’t have air to fill with an edited, visually compelling 3-minute linear video about a story.

I tested this very idea on heraldtribune.com Friday with an eager reporter and a cheapo P&S camera. (The video is the “Witnessed describes hit-and-run” link.)

It worked OK. I’m still looking for a better camera. You’ll see that the video and audio quality is quite poor.

At this point in the game — and maybe always — the multiple angles and edited video will have to wait for the enterprise reporting.

Note: Will Sullivan and Mindy McAdams have already talked about how much time is needed to do video well.

Which makes me think even more so that even while we ohh and ahh over what Rob Curley did with Studio 55 or roanoke.com is doing with their TimesCast, we need to capitalize on the strengths of the Web and come up with ways to use video that isn’t just like TV.

Share This

Multimedia is too hard to find

Posted on January 26, 2007 

Anyone else have a hard time finding multimedia on newspaper Web sites?

I try to look at several sites each week to see what my counterparts are doing. It’s hard to make the rounds every day because my work week just gets too busy. (I’m hoping this blog will help some.) Even for a multimedia editor, finding new multimedia projects becomes too confusing and time consuming — imaging what it’s like for the reader!

So I’m wondering, how do you find multimedia examples? In addition to visiting individual sites, here’s what I mainly tend to use:

But I think the best way to keep up on new projects may be to help judge the contests. I learned SO much the past couple of years volunteering for the ONA awards. Looks like Angela Grant gets a lot out of judging the NPPA contest. Here’s one list and another describing some of her favorites from the December entries. (Thanks so much for sharing, Angela.)

All this is nice for the judges — but what about our readers? It’s truly a shame some of these pieces are buried or fall off the sites when you go to the individual newspapers. For example, I couldn’t find “The Simpler Life” slideshow starting from the homefront on Dallas Morning News.

(The Mercury News‘ use of tagging — along the right side — is quite helpful. I like that feature a lot.)

Really, we’re doing such a disservice to the readers by letting this happen. Plus, it’s a lot of time and energy that’s wasted. After all, are we producing these for the industry or the public?

Oh, and this is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black. One of my goals for this year is to redesign the heraldtribune.com multimedia page so it features more content and better.

Sidenote: How do you label multimedia?

Most sites I’ve found with a specific section, label it “multimedia,” but USATODAY.com calls it “interactive media,” and a few other sites bury the packages in “special reports” sections.

The San Antonio Express-News (Angela’s paper) and the Houston Chronicle are the only sites I’ve seen so far that not only list a multimedia section on the homefront, but they also list the subsections. From a multimedia editor’s perspective, that’s very cool. Could it be a Texas thing?

Share This

Pure genius?

Posted on January 26, 2007 

I found this on Romenesko just now.

In his entry, he states:

… a Chron staffer says of the podcast idea: “I’m a little stunned by it, but some people think it’s genius.”

Oh, I so agree.

So all you journalists — if you need a laugh, check out the San Francisco Chronicle’s new podcast Correct Me if I’m Wrong.

I don’t think readers realize there’s a human being on the other end of the line — or the e-mail — when they complain.

I love that the Chronicle is adding comments to this podcast, too. Something I want to start doing with our podcasts at heraldtribune.com.

In this case, it’s especially interesting to read the reader reaction to the reader reaction.

There’s always a silver lining: At least they care enough to complain.

Share This

3D interactivity

Posted on January 25, 2007 

What if future interactive multimedia projects we create became a 3D experience? What if they took a form where you could physically interact with the video you’re watching or move around the interactive graphic in front of you?

Well, we may have just taken one step closer to this becoming a reality with Nintendo’s new Wii News Channel debuting on Saturday, CNN reports. Consoles with an Internet connection will receive AP news headlines and photos.

Not far behind: Multimedia

“The AP has a two-year contract to provide news and photos to Nintendo, and would like to provide multimedia in the future, said Jane Seagrave, vice president of new media markets for the New York-based news cooperative.”

Are they referring to interactive graphics? Imagine the controller gamers use to swing a bat in a video baseball game becomes the controller that lets readers interact with the multimedia on your site. Now THAT would be cool.

I don’t know what the AP envisions, but I sure hope someone takes the advantage of this opportunity to use the game for something more than a game and to turn interactive graphics and multimedia into something truly interactive.

Actually, they have to for this to work, I think. After playing an interactive game, reading a 2D Web page just ain’t gonna cut it.

Share This

State of the Union interactives

Posted on January 24, 2007 

I found two samples of using word clouds with President Bush’s State of the Union address.

MSNBC.com’s State of the Union: Interactive analysis is, well, quite fun to use.

Watch the speech in its entirety and/or pieces, and see the word clouds change to reflect which words Bush uses most. And yup, you can skip ahead if you don’t want to sit through the whole video.

Another feature I like: Click on a section, and you can comment on that section right in the same screen.

The New York Times created a similar interactive, State of the Union in Words that while it isn’t as fun, it gives some more text-based detail to compare the context of the words used over the years.

It also has a nifty search box so you can search ANY word you’d like and see how that compares to the years past, too.

Interestingly, he used the word “war” 58 times and the word “peace” 49. He hasn’t mentioned “September 11th” since 2004. He’s discussed “Iran” recently, but he hasn’t brought up “North Korea” since 2003.

Share This

Introducing video cameras to the newsroom

Posted on January 24, 2007 

According to Howard Owens, Seth Gitner at Roanoke.com is investing in some Panasonic digital video recorders for reporters to use. Howard’s stance: Point & shoot cameras are a better option because reporters won’t be able to juggle all the equipment, and their primary focus is gathering the facts of the story.

I left a comment on his blog, but I wanted to expand on some thoughts here.

Seems to me that if you want to put video on the Web — and you’ve got the money to spend on the higher quality equipment ($600 for a few of these ads up quickly), why not do it well?

Poor quality does little to advance our skills and presentations. Besides, readers are so spoiled by HD and DVD quality on TV — and some projects already on the Web — a point & shoot camera isn’t going to satisfy.

The Panasonic doesn’t look too bulky, actually. And no need to necessarily have to set up the tripod and all.

I’d be more concerned about what type of video you’d end up with. There could be a large learning curve here. It’s hard enough sometimes transitioning photographers (who know about composition and visual storytelling) from print to video.

Reporters would have to learn a whole new skill set — and not just how to push all the buttons. They’ll need to learn what makes good video and why, even if it’s a “basic” shot for a breaking news event such as a fire or car accident.

Because if you’re going to invest to get better quality, a poorly shot video isn’t going to be worth that investment.

The other obstacle — getting print reporters to use them. Not because, as Howard suggest, they have to concentrate on getting the story. But because many are still thinking that their story is a print story.

Why can’t gathering the facts involve using the recorder rather than a pad of paper? Why does video have to be a secondary concern?

But reporters can’t start to do this without the equipment. So maybe putting a camera in their hands is another step toward trying to change the culture of the newsroom.

Share This

Next Page →

Close
E-mail It