Where Would We Be If Martin and Malcolm Were Not Ready?

Or did not use the best strategy they could think of.

Please excuse the candor of this post. Two recent conversations have brought me to one of those rants that many will agree with but few will say out loud! The Journalist and Media outlets in our community are failing themselves and our community,

I cannot understand anyone in the 18 -40 age group serious about employment not wanting to learn or making extra efforts to beef up their technology skills…but someone from a local paper telling me they could not download and open a PNG file sent via Gmail was the last straw!

Why do we refuse to be ready for life as it is today…

Few speak honestly of the issues within our community… looking good especially in a public setting is a cultural obsession and we go out of our way not to air issues in public…

We have an issue with local communications and media centers as represented by local press!

The local press is a vital link, be it micro radio (underground radio) or print formats. If you want to access our community, they are vital. Yet, pick up the papers or tune into the local stations. For the most part articles are of little substance; they are the white bread in the media menu… filling but of no nutritional value!

These outlets are often lucrative money makers for the individuals in charge! In some, even articles are often secured when you take an ad! Expect that from newsletters, which are more about fetes than about issues!

I, like most, pick up the local papers hoping for information on our community. To be honest I find the style of journalism – dated, articles and images are focused on individuals not issues.. the result – an ill-informed community that is years behind in progress!

Yet, I still pick up the latest issue hoping for change…

I opened my email this morning to find a note from a freelance journalist stating that the local paper needed an image to go along with an article or the information would not be printed!

Do not let the name fool you – Caribbean Life is a major access point to the local readers in Brooklyn! If you want to get information into the hands of the Brooklyn Community this and it’s sister publications are key!

I have not seen the article I am just hoping it is focused on technology and the work I do to help businesses rather than on me as an individual!

As it was, I was in meetings with project sponsors for 28Squared… (more on that later) which will allow us to access some of the latest tools from tech companies. I came home to have an early morning conversation with a young woman … on why she was not ready nor had not attended the free seminars, and discovered on opening my mailbox today an email telling me that the local paper could not download a .png file…

As I See It that’s pure BS!

.PNG is available in the paint program that comes pre-installed with any computer today… it is one of the most basic file formats!

So I fired off an email… which may illicit some comment from the 28Squared PR team but… addressing the “Digital Divide” is a platform I am intent on taking on this year!

A Copy of my Letter To Kenton Kirby Editor at Caribbean Life Newspaper
PNG comes in the paint program that is on each computer. It is ONE of the basic file formats. Have whoever cannot download this call me… I will come in and show them how to do their job!

I do not mean to offend anyone, however, if our community and businesses are to remain competitive; poor tools, policies, and usage by employees need to be addressed. Our press is a vital link in that information chain and I keep getting these basic questions and suggestions that a mid-school student would be able to do!

I was at meetings for our Black History Month special on “Bridging the Digital Divide” yesterday! While a piece in Caribbean Life would be great, the agenda is getting our community up to date with technology… it is more than an event, it is a platform and mission and I stand firmly behind it! That said, I have to address Caribbean Life and the lack of understanding of technology and what seems to be outdated knowledge and protocols!

It bothers me when those in charge with informing are not up to date with the basics. Far more, what is on the horizon, as far as developments in new media tools, formatting, protocols and practices.

These .png files very basic. Many media companies, actually prefer these because they are easier to work with. .Jpegs are lower quality! .Pngs are also transparent, so text can work around them!

The problem is most likely at YOUR end.
The download is basic and opening .png files could be done even in the public library by a 7 year old!

It is either the System Administrator for whatever reason has blocked certain file types.
The staff is unfamiliar with basic media formats and protocol in use today.
The individual downloading does not recognize that this is a basic file format in any image editing software (yes even the pre-installed paint program).
I would suggest that a Gmail Google APPS account be set up that would allow (company name) to access these. There seems to be a need in this office to understand new media and its manipulation.

You would be surprised the number of media companies and businesses taking advantage of Google apps for their business! www.google.com/a

I would also suggest that a review of the company’s policies as they relate to the latest trends and usage of media, for use by both it’s online and offline publications.
If for whatever reason the company chooses to accept media in a particular format that should be stated with any request!

Here are some links to articles.

I am sorry if this affects the inclusion of your article, but I cannot be silent on this situation!

I will gladly come in and show whoever cannot download this file how to do this simple task and/or give a presentation on where media and technology stands today !
Please feel free to share these links with any interested journalist.
http://podcamptoronto.pbworks.com/MediaArchive2009
Please note this Upcoming event http://2010.podcamptoronto.com/
Closer to home – FashionCamp NY; the technology unconference will be at
Parsons that weekend.

http://www.journalism20.com/
http://www.publish2.com/ PLEASE CHECK
http://publishing2.com/
the anatomy of a web 2.0 page and conversation or
What can your web page do for you?

The Caribbean Life is not the only paper whose dedication to it’s role I am looking at… they like many are getting the trappings on web 2.0 on their sites!

Not to be able to download a PNG … leave little hope for how these brands and papers conforms to the social and collaborative aspects of web 2.0 technology! When print space is limited how are they using the rss feeds or even exploring 2d codes to extend articles!

Let’s not even speak on the issue of business models and content and audience monetization as a part of that picture.

In 2004, I sat with the editor from another local paper who validated not covering Fashion, one of the largest local employers in our community as there was no valid, commercial value … So the paper still employs a connection, with a serious lack of industry knowledge to cover local and regional fashion! I can just imagine what else is happening in other sectors, health, business, real estate!

When will we get decent business and technology columns? Ones that are focused on current events and happenings, not pulled from generic online articles or simply press releases reformatted – articles that are researched or vetted. Articles that are not hidden behind walls or paid for by ad placements! When will our features not be glorified press releases from local companies with the correct connections!

If I cannot hope for the local press to be leaders in covering local news, I have little faith that they would educate the next generation of leaders!!

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