noodlepie

Track breaking news with me on Friday

Really need to do the self promotion bit a whole lot better... We have a few places left on the Track Breaking News Online course this coming Friday (21 Nov) at the Frontline Club in London. It's a great course - if I say so myself - you'll learn loads and have a small shedload of fun. If you need to know how to navigate the Internet to find what you need quickly and efficiently especially during a breaking news event using a bunch of tools you may not have previously used, then this is the course for you. And for foodies... there is an amazing lunch thrown in...

US election night live from the Frontline Club

Hoping to blog a bit, post photos a bit, send some audio a bit from the Monacle sponsored event at the Frontline Club here in London. No promises, technical snaffoos might get in the way.

UPDATE: I kept the video, tweets and pics coming, but no audio. Just too noisy here :)

Could really do with a long weekend in Seoul

Namdaemun Market, originally uploaded by sorak_san.

Voices from Kandahar

Kandahar by night, originally uploaded by alex_strick.

I'm helping out Alex, the only unembedded journalist/blogger based pretty much full-time in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan with a bid for the 2008 Knight News Challenge. Knight dishes out grants for innovative journalism projects on a yearly basis. There's $5 million up for grabs and we're hoping a wee bit of it will go to fund this local reporting project in Kandahar. If you're interested, take a look at the bid here. We'd welcome comments. The bid stage closes on November 1.

Why do I bother?

Soggy paper, originally uploaded by noodlepie.

I've been trying to defend print newspapers of late and talk up my recent re-subscription to a daily but that enthusiasm is being tested. Exhibit A (above) is this morning's soggy newspaper. This isn't the first time. You see, we live in one of those old three storey French apartment blocks and there's no outside letterbox. When the printing press is not on strike and my order is actually delivered, it gets shoved under the communal door to the street. Theoretically this isn't a problem. However, the street sprayers of France can be quite thorough. And roughly twice a week just enough water gets under the door to render my paper a sodden wodge of paper-mâché. It takes the best part of the morning for the thing to dry. Like I say, why do I bother... I should really use the radiator I suppose.

What happens to newspapers?

IHT, originally uploaded by noodlepie.

Martin posts a bunch of questions about the future for newspapers with the question What happens to newspapers? for a debate going on right at this very minute in London. It's a topic I've been working on a wee bit lately and I thought I'd have a stab at some answers. This is completely off the top of my head and should be treated as such,

• What is driving change? IT, social trends, competition?

All the above, but declining print sales and advertising revenue would appear to be the key indicators as far as print is concerned.

• What value do people get from newspapers? Has this changed?

Increasingly less sadly. Today's news that the Christian Science Monitor is going to end daily print production is yet another precursor to the end of print. Less people buy and read printed newspapers because they can get more for less - normally nothing - online.

Alexis said she never reads newspapers and probably never will. "I don't have more than two friends that read newspapers. If I wanted news I'd go online or watch TV, but if there's something really important, MySpace or Facebook is the last place I'd look because it's mostly teenagers that post there." link Feb 2007

However, I do think the online experience and the print experience are fundamentally different and online is not always better. It's easier to miss stuff online. Online news junkies don't like speed bumps in their tailored of news and a good print newspaper is packed with them. Yet, it's the speed bumps that often add the most value. It's been said before; the future of the newspaper is news-no-paper,

"The word newspaper is going to disappear. We'll talk about 'news' rather than 'newspapers' because there are going to be so many other ways that people get their news. link Dec 2006

• How has the moral authority of and trust invested in newspapers changed?

When the New York Times publishes an article posing the question; Is Jon Stewart the most trusted man in news? you know you're working in an industry in trouble. Not just print, but news.

• How is the relationship to broadcasters and other media, local news, wire services changing?

Newspapers are more reliant on wire services, even if some of them are dropping them, because they can't afford to send reporters anywhere to report.

• Who are the new competitors: non-UK newspapers, broadcasters, free sheets (eg: Metro, Short List), the Drudge Report, Daily Beast, Huffington Post, DayLife?

Traditional newspapers were slow to figure out how to grab the niche audiences online. They still don't know how to do it. They're still too big.

• Will all content be free and, perhaps, follow music into the ‘loss leader for physical experiences’ model?

Everything will be on the Internet, whether or not it'll be free is another matter. Possibly we'll see more hybrid models - some pay, some free. The only newspaper models that currently work online are paid for models. Although all the media tweaking theoreticians tell us pay for news is not the way to go.

• Why when we are wealthier than ever (OK, were) we have been so reluctant to pay for the products of the news media?

That's a good question... is it because newspapers were so eager to grab a slice of the online world they almost all went free online to build an audience without thinking what audience and how? And if that audience would attract advertising/pay for subs/ all in the hope that eyes would equal dollars? This is still the theory, but not the reality. And highly paid consultants have been saying this for nigh on a decade...

• What new editorial models are being developed: newspaper as curator/aggregator

Some very successful models in the highly niche aggregation sphere with some additional in depth original reporting. I was talking to one of them this morning called FeedInfo. Doing very well indeed.

• New other developments have we seen: MyTelegraph, Comment is Free, instant feedback and correction

None of which make any money or not enough money. Loss leaders to garner audience. Failed models if you're looking at this purely from an income perspective.

• What new business models are being developed: commerce related recommendation, exploiting the distribution chain to attract new forms of advertising (eg: Observer Sport Monthly), recommending local services

Narrow niches, carved deeply seems to be the way to go. Big newspapers won't survive as the broadbrush doesn't work on the Internet unless it is supported by other revenue streams.

• What technologies do newspaper publishers need, eg: e-paper

RSS feeds, iPhone compatibile site, feeds and blogs. They all need an app like the NYTimes iPhone app.

• What role does quality of experience have in newspapers: increasing materiality of print?

To me, a lot. A few months ago I subscribed to a daily print newspaper - first time since 1987. I don't regret it. I'm more informed. Print gets me out of the goldfish bowl of my work and personal interests. Makes me more globally informed.

• What ideas exist for radical change: oursourcing non-core competencies, etc.

Relocate, outsource, diversify income streams. Maybe The Guardian are onto something with this new Kings Cross place they'll have. Whatever they put on in the venue might help the news end financially at least a wee bit.

• Is there a role for ‘co-opetition’, between established and new/small publication?

I had to look that up... Oh absolutely. It could save some of the more useless big players. We'll see more of the big-media-buyingup-blogs-thing for sure.

Pro Bono by Seicho Matsumoto

I just discovered that next month sees the release of a new book by Seicho Matsumoto. I say new, but more accurately it's a new translation. Sadly, very few of the crime master's books have thus far been translated into English. He died in 1992, but was far more prolific than the paltry English language translations would lead you to believe. If you've never read his books, Inspector Imanishi Investigates is a good place to start - it's a classic murder mystery/police procedural that transports you into what feels very much like authentic 1960's Japan. It's also the only book I can think of that has an unhealthy obsession with train timetables and yet doesn't require an anorak to hold your interest. This Amazon review adds a third good reason to buy the book, one more relevant to this blog...

Published originally in 1961, this is a book that is reminiscent of its time (there's a technological twist and a highbrow cast of potential villains). It has stood up well, though, and makes for a substantial and satisfying read (like many Japanese novels, if you took out the details of the meals eaten by the main character it would be 30 pages slimmer!) link

Alors, I'm very much looking forward to recieving Pro Bono in December.

Vietnamese worry over small tits

DSC03866.JPG, originally uploaded by noodlepie.

The Vietnamese government has a colourful history of coming up with slightly whack plans, projects and laws that leave many of us a little phased. But today's is a new one on me. The Guardian reports that the Vietnamese powers that be are considering "a ban on small-chested people driving motorbikes". Interesting... a quick rummage through my rusty memory cells coupled with a dash of guesswork and I reckon that puts about 70% of the population off the road. As one blogger put it,

"From now on, padded bras will be bestsellers," said Bo Cu Hung, a popular Ho Chi Minh City blogger... "I'm not heavy enough. What am I going to do?" Le Thu Huong asked in a letter to the Tuoi Tre newspaper. "And what about people whose chests are small? Most of them are too poor to afford breast implants!" link

Fortunately, it appears the brains at the Ministry - yes, I KNOW... there is one - has realised the error of their ways,

The new health standard comprises of 83 prerequisites for motorists who want to ride motorcycles that are above 50cc, including an allowable chest size of not less than 72 centimeters regardless of the disabled. Deputy Chief of the Medial Treament, Tran Quy Tuong said the Ministry might reduce the standard by 40 prerequisites instead of 83... Tran Quy Tuong, the Deputy Chief of the Medical Treatment Agency under the Ministry of Health admitted to making mistakes in building the new standard. The ministry is going to re-consider the standard, as it might reduce it by 40 prerequisites instead of 83. link

Faggots from the Frontline

Faggots, peas, mash and gravy 4, originally uploaded by noodlepie.

I was at the Frontline Club (again) earlier this week for work (as usual) and among the stonkingly good dishes I tried (again) was this plate of faggots, peas, mash and gravy you can see above. Was great to catch up with colleagues, have a good natter with Richard and Robin and I look forward to heading back (again) on November 4 for the mega-Monacle sponsored US election party. May even attempt a bit of multimedia blogging from the all night party. Or maybe I can persuade Adam to whip out his Flip, maybe Chris can do some voxpops and the Headshift crew can cyberfy the Frontline Club ;) See you all there.

Bin the moose

It's not that often that a YouTube video leaves me quite literally open-mouthed. Well, more a combination of an open-mouth, uncontrollable laughter, with zero real humour, if that makes any sense. And it probably doesn't, but what do you expect? I've been watching Vice President in-waiting Sarah Palin discuss US foreign policy. The mind and everything else boggles. Thankfully, I'm not alone and the New Yorker sums it it very well... America, what are you thinking? Hopefully, not of voting for this mob (again).

The Tape

Was just listening to the radio when that bloody song came on. The one about Lemon trees and wondering why and wondering how... I'm not going to link to it such is my dislike for this song. Anyone who has lived in Hanoi or Saigon for any length of time knows this song - at least they will if they lived there around the turn of the century. All of which reminded me of THE TAPE. No wiser words were ever written about Vietnam,

Today my charitable impulses were re-ignited as my co-worker has decided to yet again play THE TAPE. Anyone living in Saigon knows what I'm talking about. Go to a pool hall, a coffee shop, ride a bus to Mui Ne, walk into a bookstore, anywhere you go, you hear it. It's the one tape with Western music that everyone has. Everyone. The Eagles. The Carpenters. Richard Marx. Unbreak My Heart. Come on, Saigon'ers, you know the rest. People here really love this tape. I've heard Hotel California more times in Saigon than on VH1. I didn't even really know who The Carpenters were until I moved to Saigon. I am not exaggerating saying I hear this tape at least 4 times a week. And it's not as if there is a lack of Western music in Saigon. Any CD shop in Pham Ngu Lao has a better selection of music than you could find in my hometown in the U.S. And, as for Vietnamese music, well, ok, the pop is a bit much, but they have a rich tradition and decent contemporary tunes, not to mention some nice jazz being played in Hanoi and on Le Loi. Thus, with the widespread overplaying of THE TAPE in mind, I have begun thinking of starting a charity, "(New) Music for Vietnam". The idea is to carry around tapes (CD) with your favorite Western mix. Anytime you hear THE TAPE, give whomever is playing it a copy of your mix. Or just remind them that Trinh Cong Son or The Bells are far preferrable to Richard Marx. link

I strongly suspect THE TAPE still infects the Lovely S Destination. Thirsty Thong, what's the word on the street?

links for 2008-09-23

• New UK-focussed contributor finding search engine « slewfootsnoop
  The above search engine is intended to help journalists get in touch with people who post their opinions and experiences across the social web.
  (tags: socialmedia media journalism onlinejournalism frontlinetraining search rss)

Superfish

Welcome to Superfish. Or to give it its slightly odd sounding full name "Masters Superfish" on 191 Waterloo Road in London. I arrive here via a recommendation from my old friend Dom, who in turn was recommended SuperFish by the legion of cabbies who seem to frequent this place - just look at the street outside... cabmungus. So, what you have here is a London cabbie approved fish n chip shop south of the river and it is ramming. There is a mix of nationalities, which is unusual in a British fish n chip shop, including a table of Japanese tourists and one of Chinese. The walls are filled with tacky photos of the owner shaking hands with D list 'slebs as they shovel a mouthfull of Masters Mushy Peas down their gobs. It's busy and it's noisy, so let's tuck in.

There is an extensive menu including "Masters Specials" and a takeaway delivery service - see the video below - If you sit in, as I did - see the video above - you get an aperitif of three prawns to nibble on while you wait for your order. And wait you might have to. took me ten minutes until my order arrived, but what an order it were. Size is certainly not a problem at Superfish. Although, in a way it is...

Superfish 16, originally uploaded by noodlepie.

 

It's the chips you see. Not the main act I know, but some of these fellas were half spud size which is fine if all you want is a potato lightly fried, but it's never what you want in a chip.The Mushy peas do look a bit gross I'll admit. A bit too green and a bit too fluid, but they were excellent. Looking back at my notes - yes, I did take notes. Yes, I know that's sad, but I was on my tod and if I don't take notes I'm liable to write any old rubbish... Moving on... Alors, referring to said notes, I see I scrawled, "Above workmanlike below excellence" which come to think of it is quite good for my notes. Especially, when I'm in that slightly paranoid, I know I look a bit of a freak writing in a notebook while I'm eating mode. Although looking at the plate above while I sit here in France, where the above is impossible to find, I do find myself disagreeing with my notes somewhat.

However, ever the fact stickler I'll stickle to what I wrote when I ate here. All that said, this is a great wee find. Excellent lived in atmosphere, decent British food I'd go back for and the waitresses walk around offering you pickles from a great big jar. Now that's service. Dos Hermanos seems to agree, confirms cabbie factor and liked pickles and Cheese and Biscuits who confirms Japanese tourist quotient and snagged a pic of the three prawns. I paid about a tenner for the above haddock, chips and mushy peas. The lunchtime menu is cheaper at £6.50. I will be back.

Late night

Late night, originally uploaded by selva.

I was just in the process of posting this over on Rob Crilly's From the Frontline blog and I thought it was rather a cool pic, with the right Creative Commons License, and so... why not let it sit here. The thing is, Rob is stuck on some godawful Canadian warship off the coast of Somalia staring at the harbour lights in Mogadishu with a flaky Internet connection meaning the realm picture of his bunk didn't make it to me over the ether. The above pic is as close as I can find to what I imagine a blogger on a bunk on a Canadian warship might look like.

Twitter Saigon

Thanks to Kevin for pointing this out - Saigon's first Twitter meet up. Although I doubt I'd get too excited about talk of Ubuntu and Windows at one of 'dem awful Trung Nguyen cafes... Alors, the blog scene in Saigon has clearly gone mental since I was there - Twitter meet ups, a Bar Camp Saigon this November, the ever present threat of a blog shut down and the scouge of sex blogs, a Vietnamese social bookmarking site - full of... sex... - it's whole different bottle of fish sauce in the onlineosphere in Vietnam these days. I also felt a bit of a nudge in the ribs as I've been meaning to start a Twitter/Blogee-coffee morning in Toulouse for ages. Now that the school's are back there is no excuse...