‘Maps Are Not Neutral Documents’
For a few years now, I’ve been keeping an eye on the Gel Conference, where people gather to talk about experience, perception and customer service.
One of this year’s speakers was mapmaker Connie Brown of Redstone Studios. Her one-off painted maps show not just geography but perspective. In her 20-minute presentation, she shows us how maps are both descriptive and opinionated. It’s worth watching, whether your preference is for the science or the art of cartography.
Enjoy.
New York Times Graphics Editors Describe Their Process
Graphics director Steve Duenes and graphics editor Archie Tse talk about what goes into the visual storytelling elements that The New York Times has become so known for.
The Ups and Downs of Social Networks
Who’s got the biggest social network per country? The BBC charted Nielsen’s figures from June 2010 and from a year ago. Facebook had the largest audience by far in both months, while MySpace has dropped quite a bit.
What’s more interesting is the change in the amount of time people are spending on Facebook every month. I’d really like to know the demographics of the surveyed population. Anyone have info?
(via BBC News)
Another Reason to Understand Data Analysis
I once knew a business editor who griped a lot about the typical story that would cross his desk: “You’re dazzling people with big numbers instead of telling them anything meaningful!”
My takeaway: Always create context around data.
When most people think of data, they think numbers. But most dictionary definitions define the term along the lines of “facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.” Remember that.
As the technical foundation of online journalism moves toward structured, semantic data examined by people with expertise (or at least curiosity), we will probably find ourselves wondering how many people we’re reaching and how it happens.
Site metrics is one way. Another is social network analysis.
Among the interesting tools out there is the Infochimps API, which is currently in beta. On their blog, you’ll see this:
It shows one Twitter user’s network and the connections between them. While the example was produced by someone running a business, it could easily be applied to a journalist interested in understanding their own networks (sources, readers, colleagues, etc.).
From the Infochimps blog post:
Coupling Influencer Metrics with Trstrank would enable a promoter to identify not only the users most likely to engage, but also the most influential of those users. Throw Wordbag into the mix and a promoter could also discover if users in the active, influential target population have a potential interest in their product.
What other examples can you come up with?
Have a Look at These New Sites Around the Web
Just wanted to bring your attention to some news-related projects that launched this week:
Reporters looking for advice from other reporters should take a look at ReportingOn.
Ryan Sholin’s revamped site is like a help forum for news developers and journalists, particularly beat and local journalists. Follow ReportingOn on Twitter. You’ll find me on ReportingOn too.
The hyperlocal news and data site Everyblock released its source code, much to the delight of Django developers everywhere.
Everyblock is the brainchild of Adrian Holovaty, one of the co-developers of the Django framework. Read more about the project, poke around and see what you find.
Personally, I’d also like to see the source code for the Everyblock iPhone app, but one thing at a time.
If you want to learn more about mobile site design, consider signing up for W3C’s first-ever live training session in Cambridge, UK.
The event takes place Oct. 13. Registration — at a hefty €399.00 (about US$558 at today’s exchange rate) — includes lectures and hands-on workshops, as well as access to the nine-part course. Read the full description, register online or read more about the W3C Mobile Web Initiative.
And finally, if you’re here because of the list of “100 Best Blogs for Journalism Students,” welcome!
Feel free to browse around. A few of the most popular posts on Ricochet include:
- Have Reporting Work You’re Proud Of? Enter the Online Journalism Awards (Hurry! Deadline is July 8.)
- 10 Golden Rules for Video Journalists
- How to Tell a Multimedia Story: The Pitch
What ideas and tools would you like to know more about? Drop a comment, or ping me on Twitter @MacDivaONA.
