Applicants for Digital First Media’s ideaLab were asked to submit a 200-word explanation on how they would use a tablet, smartphone and laptop to change the journalism business for the better.
Here’s what I came up with, using Storify:
Here’s what I came up with, using Storify:
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York, PA — The young multi-platform business journalist choked on her stale newsroom coffee when the boss handed her an iPad and said he didn’t want to see her face in the office.
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York Common Cents | How do you use your iPad? How can I use mine to better report the news?
Yesterday, my editor handed me an iPad. I know, I know. Sounds pretty cool, right? But truth be told, I found it kind of intimidating. Ou… -
Lauren Boyer had only ever read about this phenomenon. But as she watched her colleagues, tethered to desks by spiraling
landline cords, she finally saw the writing on the cubicle walls, between which
no news had ever happened.
With vigor, she set off in search of stories (and, if luck would have it, a tastier cup of joe.) -
York Common Cents | We’re hanging out in Central Market today…come join us?
As I reported earlier, I have an incredible hatred for my cubicle. Today, I’ve decided that Central Market IS my cubicle. I’m setting up … -
She perused the interwebs for apps like 360 Pano shots and video, which transformed routine assignments, like this sale of Pfaltzgraff pottery, into cool online packages.
Twitter relationships began to facilitate real ones, which come in handy when you least expect it.
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“@paradelady I should be there at 9. I’ll be the freak carrying an iPad around. Say hi if you see me! #YorkPA #Iloveyorkcity
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“@laurenboyer OK, will look for you. I will likely be wearing something green in color
#YorkPA #Iloveyorkcity -
“Just ran into @paradelady . She picked up salt and pepper shakers from Acadia collection for 50cents each. #Iloveyorkcity #Pfaltzgraff
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She put her newsroom on wheels, trekking to the rural bounds of the county in her green Toyota. There, she found the little diner with a big personality.
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“Talking to Grover Cleveland McCoury, older brother of bluegrass hall of famer Dale McCoury. #YorkPA
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I didn’t know what, exactly, I was going to find when I walked past the sign on the door that read “no bare feet.” As it turns out, I did…
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A few days later,a surprise arrived in the mail.
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Got some fan mail today from Grover Cleveland McCoury, whom I met last week in Spring Grove. Cool old bluegrass pics. http://pic.twitter.com/YnMVo806 -
As time went on, social media BECAME her notepad.
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““York is small. We don’t have a wall street … What would you occupy?” #occupyyork
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““This is occupy York. What the hell are we going to Harrisburg for?” #occupyyork
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““I don’t think 25 people walking around York city right now will draw a lot of attention.” #occupyyork
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A notepad with attitude. A notepad that talked back.
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“On voting: If you agree, put your hands up like “spirit fingers,” woman speaking says. #Iloveyorkcity #occupyyork
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@parva_x @blandanace Spirit fingers = I vote yes at #occupyyork @xomelissasue @nomiddlenamemeg http://pic.twitter.com/WNvLEZa4 -
“@nomiddlenamemeg @laurenboyer @parva_x @xomelissasue ha. And heads explode. How do I vote? LOL
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“@BlandaNace @laurenboyer @nomiddlenamemeg @parva_x protesting with spirit fingers will surely add to them getting took seriously ha
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The story turned out pretty spiffy. (Well, someone thought so.)
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Occupy movement comes to York – The York Daily Record
More than 50 people attended Wednesday’s meeting, and some plan to head to Harrisburg Saturday for a protest. By LAUREN BOYER Daily Recor… -
“@stefanjbecket @BlandaNace This is the first time I’ve heard jazz hands being used in a political forum. It had to be noted.
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What’s next for Lauren? Ideally, ideaLab.
While she’s filed full-length stories on the iPad’s tiny keyboard, it wasn’t pretty — a factor that limits her mobile journalism to a once-in-a-while model.
A laptop’s keyboard, suitable for her “man hands,” would promote daily activity in a cubicle-free world.
The smartphone would live in her purse, summoning the abilities of the other two devices 24/7 for anytime coverage and instant editing of videos like this one and this one.
Journalism doesn’t stop just because her timecard says so.
She’s got a nose for finding stories just about everywhere — in the ladies’ room, grocery store, or bar.
And if you’re really lucky, she’ll embarrass herself on camera to tell one.
To start, we are going to equip 25 MediaNews Group employees with the latest tools and give them the time and money to experiment with them. Each member of the ideaLab will be equipped, initially, with a Smartphone, tablet and laptop.
The Company will carve out 10 hours a week from their regular jobs to allow them time to experiment with these tools and report back on how we can change our business for the better. And we will add an extra $500 per month to their pay. Other than that –there are no rules.
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