I've Learned More than James Caan

In 2003, Esquire magazine published an interview of 63-year-old actor James Caan called "What I've Learned." I read it over and over again, and pretty soon, it was burnt into my memory. What made this interview so unique and fun to read was that it wasn't your typical Hollywood interview-style article. No cheeky paragraphs about the actor's sharp Prada pants, latest film flop or flavor of the week. Instead, I read excerpts taken from Caan's career highlights, the most unforgettable snapshots of his personal life.

So, as an homage to Esquire, and in honor of one of my favorite actors, I've decided to create a "What I've learned" for Online Journalism 442. Although it won't include any stories about beer-induced bar brawls or an excessive use of expletives, it will hopefully capture my experience in a different way:

What I've Learned

No matter what anyone says or what what any book, article or mojo may tell you, newspapers are alive and kicking. They're just temporarily taking a backseat to the glitz and glam of online journalism and the rise of multimedia. You see, online news is the new Malibu Barbie in town-with her shiny blond hair and glossy lips. She's unique, exciting and drives a fast car. But one day, Malibu Barbie will realize the value of teamwork, recruiting the wiser, more experienced Vintage Barbie once again to take on the news world while harmoniously living together in Barbie's Dream House. Besides, she needs a roommate. Rent doesn't come cheap nowadays.

Journalists can blog and bloggers can be journalists. Everyone has a VOICE, but it's our job as readers to sort out fact from fiction. May the force be with you! In the meantime, buy earplugs...

The continuous news desk is located somewhere between heaven and hell. It's heavenly to read updated local stories online, receive breaking news text alerts on your blackberry, and track audience readership throughout the day to determine ways to get more page views. It's hell when you're actually part of the team trying to pull all this together. Sorry Shelley...

It's hard to come up with engaging, unique news stories to fill up one's homepage. That's partly why shovelware was invented. Hiring more writers good! Print Plus stories awesome! Relying on shovelware forever...not fun.

When it comes to writing breaking news, the Inverted Pyramid story structure works best for print and online. Period. If you want to invoke the literary, narrative spirit of Nathaniel Hawthorne and take up countless paragraphs to describe a ten car collision on I-95, please seek employment elsewhere.

Everyone should learn to code. That, and klingon. It looks good on your resume and makes for interesting cocktail banter. Then again, if I have to hear the word Tag one more time...

I have seen the future of human interaction and social growth. It's called Facebook. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Yes, I was terrified of this class from the beginning. How do I think I did? Let me get back to you on that one...

Potty Mouth

Speaking of the Local10.com Odd File, a story about kids and constipation appeared on their news site on Thanksgiving. Never in a million years did I expect to see this kind of quirky article posted on a local news site. Maybe a better niche is located between the online pages of a parenting or health magazine?

Though the article offers useful tips for parents to treat this painful problem, thanks to insight provided by local doctors and the Nationwide Children's Hospital, the intent is completely overshadowed by the ridiculously prominent pic of toilet paper appearing to the right of the story-just above additonal medical information. Kind of inappropriate, and kind of upping the gross out factor. I realize that everything has its place in the online news world, but I'm failing to grasp the relevance of this article when it is clearly presented as a joke piece.

Machete Maniac

The Local10.com homepage featured this story in its local news section early Saturday morning. According to the article, 46-year-old Tampa woman Annette Jenkins was thrown behind bars when she chased after a Thanksgiving dinner guest with a machete. And I thought turkey only caused excessive napping or football watching.

Anyways, Jenkins now faces aggravated assault charges for her maniacal behavior. Thing is, quirky artcles of this nature usually attribute a quote or two to a police spokesperson or local authority. Yet, this article simply recounts the "alleged" event and offers no additonal information or explanation. Kind of odd. For this reason, I wouldn't have posted this vague, rather weak story on the homepage. Instead, I would have buried it in local ten's "Odd File." Then again, maybe that's where it will end up...

Eye on the U Gameday Blog

It's Game Day and Miami Herald sportswriter Manny Navarro has launched his Eye on the U live blog. Though Navarro's opening paragraph notes that UM receiver Aldarius Johnson will not be joining his teammates against the North Carolina State Wolfpacks today for violating a team rule, he doesn't elaborate any further on the matter. I guess it's safe to assume that this is private, personal information. And I can completely respect that...

As usual, Navarro offers key tips/informative analysis to hopefully lead the Canes to victory, and as of 12:45 pm, has included first half thoughts and highlights. What's even better is that Navarro's live blog is actually "live" and filled with play-by-play action, making his readers believe they're actually at the game rooting for the Canes. He also engages MiamiHerald.com readers through the Comments page, encouraging a community forum/discussion, answering questions and providing additional insight into the game itself. I can definitely see why sports-related topics generate the most clicks/user traffic-closely behind breaking news-on the MiamiHerald.com site. It's fun to read, fast to post, and creates a sense of community.

Miami Herald Breaking News: UM Receiver Suspended

The Miami Herald.com breaking news section posted this story Saturday at 11:50 am, "Canes leading receiver is suspended," literally minutes before UM is scheduled to play North Carolina State.

Miami Herald reporter Susan Miller Degnan reports that the Hurricane's leading receiver Aldarius Johnson, a freshman hailing from Miami Northwestern High, was suspended Saturday for "violating team policy," according to UM sports information spokesman Mark Pray. Johnson's suspension is described as a big blow for the Canes, especially since today marks the final regular-season football game.

The short, concise article left me wondering what exactly a "violation of team policy" entails. The article "Miami Hurricanes have a lot to play for in finale," which is featured as part of the homepage's UM Football link, doesn't even mention Johnson, as this story was posted on Friday and has not been updated.

Will MiamiHerald.com do a follow-up piece later in the day, or will they just leave it as is? I hope to receive more information soon...

Gas Station Murder: Miami Herald v. Sun Sentinel

MiamiHerald.com posted a breaking news story Saturday morning about two men who shot and killed a Hess gas station clerk, before fleeing with a cash register full of money. When I clicked on the article, "Police release photos of gas station murder suspects," I had expected to see surveillance shots of the suspects, but instead received a recap of Tuesday's shooting and a message encouraging those with more information to contact local authorities. I guess the headline was a bit misleading for me. However, I enjoyed reporter Adam Beasly's narrative lede, which helped put a new spin on the crime scene and engage readers, since an inverted pyramid structure wouldn't have been as effective following several days of fact-based, no-nonsense coverage.

SunSentinel.com also covered this story in "Police release surveillance stills in fatal Hess shooting.". I liked the Sun Sentinel's detailed headline, and sure enough-when I clicked on the story-I was able to see a surveillance shot of one of the murder suspects, which the article noted was released by police on Friday. The article recounts the crime scene with effortless precision and a confirmed desciption of the men is attributed to a Hollywood police spokesman. The SunSentinel.com story also ends with a message urging those with more information to contact local authorities, yet unlike the Herald, it includes a link to the Hollywood Police Department site, which I believe is very effective in encouraging people to reach out and help police.

Sorry Ms. L, but I think SunSentinel.com did a better job in drawing people into their story than MiamiHerald.com. Maybe the Herald could post pictures/stills in its article to match the headline for their story?

I Want a Blackberry Storm!

Thanks Miami Herald reporter Bridget Carey for providing a 60-second review (pros and cons) of Verizon's new touch screen Blackberry Storm in the Multimedia Section. It really peaked my curiousity and helped explain why there were so many folks lined up outside Verizon stores in the cold last week.