Channel17

The Trasnformation of News for the 21st Century

Reading News On Your Smartphone

February 20th, 2012

If you have a smartphone you may already know that there are so many different things that you can do with it. One of the great aspects of a smartphone is it’s size. Smartphones are small, but they pack a lot of punch. A smartphone can double as a mini eReader and it is easy to read your favorite publications on your smartphone like magazines, books, and newspapers. They are a great solution for busy people who travel and like to read on the go. Downloading a news publication to your smartphone is easy, you don’t even have to stop to buy one at a news stand or a coffee shop. Newspapers are downloadable directly to the smartphone for the ultimate ease of access to get and read your morning paper.

One of the troubling aspects about newspapers is their size. Newspapers may be easy to read while sitting on your couch at home or at your kitchen table, but their size requires the reader to use two hands and spread out the paper in order to read it. Smartphones offer a way to enjoy reading your newspapers discreetly so that no one else even has to know that you are reading a newspaper. This can come in handy in a classroom, at work, or sitting on the train. Nobody will be distracted or bothered by your paper or comment on what you are reading.

If you travel on a subway or train it can be annoying to the people sitting around you if your newspaper is crowding their space. A better way to enjoy your newspaper is on your smartphone. You can still get the same news on your smartphone that you do in the actual paper, but it takes up much less space so you do not have to carry it around or bother other people with it’s size.

It is also possible to read many different newspapers on your smartphone. If you enjoy getting a variety of different news sources, reading them all on your smartphone is a much more streamlined way to read the news than to carry around 4 different newspapers in your purse or briefcase. There are also news posts that only exist on the internet and these are also easily readable on the smartphone. Because the new phone service theses days have internet your news of choice can be accessed in seconds and read through the phone.

Starting a Career as a News Reporter

January 15th, 2012

Becoming a news reporter is a great career path. These days it is still a challenging field of work but has become a lot easier from a research standpoint. Since everyone now has access to the internet, it is less of a daunting task to find information for writing a story or getting background information for an interview. For those looking to become a news reporter here is how to achieve your goal.

1. Start working to improve your journalism skills.
Reading books that help your overall writing skills is something that every person working towards becoming a news reporter needs. Be sure to read a few university level texts as well. On top of reading and staying informed, you’ll want to work on your writing skills.

One good way to start this would be by writing in a personal journal. You could either discuss what’s happening to you, or if you have nothing to write, you can write about the news. From there, you could bring your journal online so others can see your content. Your writing can always be improved.

2. Submit applications to online sites that accept work from new news reporters.
It is always a good idea to get your name out there. Getting your work recognized can be a big step in your career.

3. Build a portfolio
This should be a professional portfolio that includes some of your best work. They should be on various subjects in order to display your versatility. A portfolio should include about 15 pieces of work.

4. Get educated
Take college courses that can help you become a journalist. Make sure to take courses in journalism. It is hard to find a job as a news reporter without a college education.

Overall, becoming a news reporter requires education, impressive writing skills and a good portfolio that displays your best work. Getting into the industry is all about displaying good work and getting your name out there. Becoming a successful news reporter is all about gaining recognition. The best thing that an aspiring news reporter can do is improve their writing skills, get a good education and apply for jobs. It may take some time but your work will be recognized.

The Decline of People Reading Newspapers

December 4th, 2011

In recent years there has been a major decline of people reading newspapers. This decline is partially due to the increase in the prices of paper and ink which have driven up the price which everyone has to pay for a paper compared to the previous years. However, there are other reasons for the decline which include a change in habits due to the revolution of modern technology.

In the past the only real means of obtaining the news was to either read a newspaper or listen to the radio when it was broadcasting. Eventually, though the technology evolved and Televisions became more popular than radio’s. Part of the appeal of the TV over a radio was that now the listeners could see who was talking to them. The televisions visual appeal was found to be very entertaining in addition to informing the viewers of the latest news. The addition of TV broadcast increased the availability of the news much quicker to everyone in a different format than the typical radio broadcast or the weekly newspaper.

Then came the computer which changed the way people viewed the news even more drastic than ever before. It is what has effectively created the biggest decline of people reading the newspaper of all. Then came the development of the internet which enhanced the capabilities of the computer even further.

However, it was ultimately the combination of these two developments which have created the largest decline in regular viewing of TV, Radio, movies and newspapers overall. This is because it is the one device which is capable of replacing them all. With this invention the exchange of knowledge and news has become nearly instantaneously. It basically means you have now have the ability to look up news from around the world and read it just like you used to in the traditional newspaper only without waiting for the paper to come out on Wednesday or Sunday. You can now you can listen to music, watch any TV program, or movie on the computer only now you have more control over what you watch or listen to than ever before.

Saving Money on Big Screens

November 9th, 2011

Everyone loves to relax at home in front of a big screen television and watch their favorite sports, shows and movies. Finding a quality television at an affordable price can be a tricky, but possible task. When shopping for a big screen, there are a few things to keep in mind. With a little research and patience, you can have the television of your dreams, without breaking the bank.

The first thing the consumer should do is to decide how many inches they prefer the screen to be. Once that has been decided, chose what type of picture you prefer. Currently the two most popular are LED and LCD. Plasma is also an option that has slightly decreased in price over the past few years. Allow yourself a buffer in order to close in on the best deal. Being flexible when it comes to the details is a great way to save a few extra dollars. Research a few different brands and decide on at least two that you feel the most comfortable purchasing. Once the basics are out of the way, the shopping can begin.

A lot of brick and motor stores offer coupons and discounts in the Sunday paper but you can find deals ever day of the week online. Searing for Amazon promo codes is easy and can save you a lot of money when you shop online. Amazon is the biggest online retailer and is always have great deals on electronics. You can also sign up for there email list so that they can email you with the latest deals on big screens.

If possible, wait for the time of year that electronics go on sale. This is usually around Christmas and Super Bowl. Large Department stores usually offer deep discounts on televisions during this time of year, due to the fact that the demand is higher and they are able to move inventory at a faster pace than usual. This is the perfect opportunity to buy a well known, quality brand, in a decent size for a great price. If it is just not possible to wait for these specific times of the year, then some internet shopping might come in handy. Most stores offer a free site to store option that gives you a break on the shipping costs. Doing some research and comparing between stores with the specifics that you originally decided on will ensure that you are able to secure the lowest price. Although you might be anxious waiting for it arrive, the money saved will be worth the extra effort.

Important Equipment for News Teams

October 9th, 2011

If you are in the market for news team equipment, look for handheld options for optimum usability.

Binoculars
Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization Binoculars have optical image stabilizers that may be used with Canon video recorders for perfect viewing. Features include: dual transparent plates, independent vertical and horizontal sensors and dedicated microprocessor, and Vari-Angle Prism.

After dusk, Night Owl’s NOTG1 Goggles with head mount offer hands-free vision. High-performance 35,000x light amplification extends viewing to 225 ft. with infrared and 1x magnification precision.

GPS
Global positioning systems are an essential instrument used in finding new locations. News reporters like the Magellan MAP 330x is a 12-channel GPS receiver with built-in 8 MB base map of worldwide political boundaries, as well as domestic airports, cities, highways, national parks, railways, roads and waterways. Magellan MAP 330 GPS unit comes with MapSend Streets software, PC cable and vehicle-mounting bracket for use anywhere on the job.

International reporters are sold on the Garmin eTrex GPS receiver for continuous tracking via up to 12 satellites. At only 5.3 ounces with the batteries installed, eTrex GPS computes current and average speed, trip distance and time segments. An automatic track enables retracing of travel path.

2-Way Radio
Motorola 2-Way radios are commonly used on news location. The Motorola Spirit GT Plus Professional Silver 2-Way Radio ultra-light can be used up for 200,000 sq. ft. indoor and 4 mile radius outdoor transmission. UHF frequencies boost the two channel radio reception so that separate communication groups for simultaneous operation. Built-in interference eliminates unwanted channel fuzziness. The product uses a rechargeable NiMH battery for up to 9 hours.

The popular Motorola 2-Way T5100 (AA) Midnight Blue 2-Way Radios may lack the upgrateded features found of the Spirit GT, but deliver solid performance with a 31-segment LCD display icon interface, transmit LED indicator, and audio connect headset. Audible call alert offers cell phone quality notice of incoming calls. Motorola’s 2-Way radios come in black, green and red for news team crew identification

Scanner
Uniden’s BC245XLT Handheld Scanner scans by way of standard 29 MHz to 956 MHz frequencies, and interfaces with Motorola products. The size of a cell phone the 245XLT device tracks multiple trunked and conventional channels consecutively within a five-second trunk delay so that both sides of the conversation can be heard.

Whether a serious news professional, or merely starting out, new innovations in hand held technology are the right equipment choice for reporting.

How to Create a News Website

September 13th, 2011

Creating a news website is a very challenging task simply because you have to include a large amount of information into the website. Staying updated can also become a challenge. In order to create a successful new website you have to develop a good site. Website development presents a bit of a challenge but it will all worth it once your free website is complete. Follow these steps in order to create an amazing news site.

Step 1: Decide on what type of news your site will focus on.
You may be interested in current events, entertainment news or sports.

Step 2: Hire a web designer or become familiar with custom HTML.
If you have very little experience, designing a website hiring a website designer is a good idea. It is the perfect way to get a professional website developed.

Step 3: Find a hosting service.
You cannot run a website without a hosting service.

Step 4: Advertise your website.
It is a good idea to advertise on websites that have a similar demographic as the news that is on your site. This will draw more viewers and can help spread the word about your site.

Step 5: Use ads appropriately on site.
This can also help to bring in more viewers. Every successful website has a focus.

Step 6: Add polls and other viewer interactions on your site.
This is a great way to get viewers involved. It also adds that small about of informality that is needed with almost every news sites.

Overall building a news website will take some time but it can be done. With the right guidelines and resources, almost anyone can develop a great new site. Once the site is developed, advertise your site and gain more viewers. Popularity will take time but it is all part of the process.

How Televisions Are Made

August 3rd, 2011

One of the most amazing leaps in home entertainment has been the television set, a staple in the household for over 50 years. The process of building a standard Cathode Ray Tube set is quite ingenious in itself. The process consists of these major components:

-A Cathode Ray Tube, which houses several vacuum electrodes, powering the exchange of electrons to produce the picture

-A cabinet housing the Cathode Ray

-An aluminum backed sheet of glass coated with Phosphor, which is excited by the electrons in the television to produce a picture.

Actually, Cathode Ray televisions often contain far more components than a typical LCD or Plasma television. The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) was invented in 1879 and is made of a large glass bulb and electron gun. Hydroflouric Acid is sprayed to clean the glass bulb at an atomic level with Phosphor poured into the bulb. A conductive coating is painted on the inside of the glass bulb that will provide a path for the electrons to light up the Phosphor particles in the tube. Finally, all of the air is vacuumed out of the glass bulb with an electronic charge placed inside which evaporates the coating, providing a mirror-like coating on the inside.

The next, and most crucial steps for the CRT include a baking for a few hours of the bulb as well as the placement of the electron gun. Beading glass fuses the gun into position. The vacuumed tube is then heated for 2 hours and de-magnetized using a high voltage coil on the electron gun. The CRT is then connected to an amplifier and cabinet or housing to form a television in this sense.

Quite a complex process, huh?

Let’s compare this process to a Plasma Television. Flat and sleek, these monitors are actually filled with tiny cells of electronically charged ionized gas. The charged gas produce the crisp, vivid color associated with Plasma HDTV’s. An LCD contains liquid crystal displays ignited by voltage to produce display. Both allow a flat display and evoke the power of modern technology.