I am pleased to announce a piece of real journalism that I’ve done, that you can find on the Thunderbird, the UBC School of Journalism’s online publication. Please take a look at some of the other stories too - my classmates did some really good work on this project. We, like all news outlets, are always looking to build readership, so leave comments and make some student journalists happy.
My story is called “Don’t wait for wireless.” It is all about community-driven wireless Internet programs, particularly one just getting off the ground in Vancouver. Enjoy!
The loonie being on par with the US Dollar is everywhere in the news these days. Take this example from the popular gaming webcomic, Penny Arcade. They write a comic strip about videogames! And in the blog post that traditionally accompanies the comic strip, they’re talking about Canadian gamers getting “boned” and “boned thoroughly” by the exchange rate, so much so that “the bone may need to be surgically removed.” This is economic commentary from a video game site.
He’s got a point though. An extra ten dollars per video game, as compared to people in the States, probably does constitute some bone-age. Same goes for books, as people have been saying for a long time.
An article from today’s Toronto Star inspired this post.
In it, the author describes how “a fundamental disrespect for women (is) creeping into our everyday Internet experiences.” She mentions a “malicious sexist streak” that has crept into blog posts, forums and other social networking sites.
I have to say, she’s right.
I’m going to start this by telling the world: I am a huge geek. I’m a female geek too, which might strike some people as odd. I know there are others out there too who use the Internet in all its wonderful ways, even up to and including gaming. Now, I will definitely not claim that only women are abused as gamers. In the heat of the moment, all manner of insults are hurled against all manner of players. These range from the standard “fag” and “your mother!” types to unheard-of racial insults. I refer you to the following important theory.
Continue reading ‘Open season on women on the web’
I thought that title was cute, so I’m keeping it. It is my first post after all, and I somehow doubt that it will be read anytime soon. By way of a quick introduction, this is my very first public blog. I haven’t yet decided on an overall topic or theme for this blog, but I think it will generally stay on the current events and politics side of things. After all, they tell you to write what you know.
What I do know is that while visiting the CBC.ca page this week, I was most surprised by the new layout. I’ve read positive reviews, (on a CBC blog). I have to say that I am not a fan.
To me, the site design seems to emphasize advertisements: some paid advertising by outside companies, and some advertising CBC shows. The news, which I have always considered to be the “meat” of the website, is difficult to access. I realize that it has its own page, at CBC.ca/News, but I find that my eye is just as drawn to the ads on that page.
Mostly I’m disappointed at the lack of access to the Analysis & Viewpoints page. I love a good editorial, whether or not I agree with it, and I wish I could get to the editorial selection page without going through one of the authors’ pages. What would the world be without the brilliantly written, if arrogant and sometimes dogmatic, commentary of Heather Mallick?
