Final project Outline-Sights around Lyndonville

For our team's final project, we will be visiting various locations around the town of Lyndonville. These locations will be the town's "hot spots", places that people frequent on a regular basis. We will combine the storytelling mediums of interactive Google maps and a video presentation.

We will interview students at LSC to get their thoughts on what they like to do with their life outside of Lyndon State, specifically asking them why they go to these "hot spots".

Lyndon State has a unique set of program offerings

Lyndon is a rare example of a college that is in the middle of nowhere but has strong programs that attract students from across the country. The television studies department, soon to become electronic journalism arts, is one of the few professional programs that draw these students.
Aaron Kormos, a sophomore at Lyndon, transferred here from the University of Connecticut at the start of this year to pursue his degree in TVS. Going into his freshman year at UConn, he was undecided as to which major he would choose. After taking a few general education courses, Kormos decided the path he wanted to follow was a concentration in television production. UConn did not offer this degree, so the college search began again for Kormos, this time as a transfer student.
Kormos found advice in his friend Tyler who was a student at Lyndon at the time. Tyler recommended LSC to him because it is one of a select group of colleges in the country to offer this program. Kormos decided that Lyndon appeared to be the right place for him. Kormos says he is quite pleased with the small class sizes and personable relationships he has with his professors.
One of those professors, Meaghan Meachem, a graduate of LSC, has similar feelings about the college. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Television Studies, and finished her education by receiving a master’s degree in Web communication.
Meachem has now returned to Lyndon as a member of the faculty. This is her second year as a professor here and she decided to make her return to the campus because of her familiarity with the school and love for the TVS program.
Television Studies is not the only professional program that excites students about the college. The Atmospheric Science major also brings students into the school from across the country. One freshman this year, Meaghan Fried, made the trek from the state of Montana to attend this education institution.
The ATM department is considered one of the best in the country, and the school’s student chapter of the American Meteorological Society consistently wins chapter of the year for their work putting on the Northeastern Storm Conference.
The Exercise Science department is another one of the strong and unique offerings at Lyndon. Exercise Science was recently certified by CAAHAP (the commission on accreditation of allied health programs) and NSCA (The National Strength and Conditioning association). LSC is one of only five colleges in the country to have both certifications for their exercise science program.
In spite of Lyndon’s small size and relative lack of recognition from people outside of the area as a high quality college, students are frequently pleased with their experience there.

Good and bad use of video online

Good: Boston Herald

The Boston Herald competes with the Boston globe as Boston's two largest newspapers and I would say the herald does a better job than the Globe. The Herald has its own video section readily accessible from the homepage. The video quality looked almost amateurish, with the few videos I sampled all having a first shot describing what the video is. However, I can look past this flaw and was pleased with the way they organized the video content.

Bad: Boston Globe

The Boston globe seemed to lack a video section, which made locating video content a bit of a challenge. I only found video when I looked at a story, and even then it was not immediately clear what the video content was, I first thought it was a photo. After clicking on a few video tabs I eventually found a multimedia page with several videos. Honestly, the video quality seemed similar to the Herald, the biggest problem with the globe is if I cannot locate the videos, I can not view them!

Critique of iReport.com

I think that for the post part, iReport is easy to use although I wish the videos were broken down into category, such as science, entertainment, etc. I do like the fact that they have tabs for the "newsiest", "most commented on" etc. because that helps the readers find iReports they are likely interested in based on audio-visual projects that others viewed or commented on.

I came across a few interesting ones, especially one that was most commented on, titled "Blessing of the bikes". A CNN user was out riding his bike in a park in New York city and stumbled upon a group of cyclists entering a church and found out they were getting their bikes blessed in a yearly tradition. This story definitely had the oddity factor and as such was vetted by CNN.

However, I did find that most of the videos and slideshows were boring. I came across many that seemed to be advertisements, and others that plainly did not capture my interest.

I quickly noticed that most of the videos recently aired on CNN were related to the Polish tragedy over the past weekend in which the president and several other high ranking members were killed in a plane crash in Russia while on their way to commemorate another tragedy. CNN typically places an emphasis on world news, and as such I think any story that has a world wide angle to it would be aired. Of course, CNN seemed to use only high quality, professional-looking work for the air, as one would expect.

CNN critique

Cnn.com is obviously a world-class website and a go-to source for all forms of media communication. I love the website and think it is a great place to get news. My only suggestion about the site is their articles are sometimes so detailed or take on only one part of a story, the reader loses track of the story's main issue. CNN.com does a awesome job of balancing serious articles with articles that have some level of curiosity interest or trivial draw. They appear to do an excellent job covering all stories, from politics to entertainment.

Critique of Slideshows and galleries

The first slide show I examined for this assignment was one from WBZ-4. Here the news station features photos from a flooding rainstorm and damaging windstorm early last week in the Boston area. The slideshow does not focus on one particular aspect of the storm, but rather features all of its effects. The photos are from various communities and show flooded rivers, streets, washed out railroad tracks, and ocean waves crashing over sea-walls.

http://wbztv.com/slideshows/weekend.rain.storm.20.1560453.html

The second slide show I found, this one with sound, is coverage by the LA times of the devastating Haitian earthquake last month. This footage and audio was high impact for the viewer. The slideshow featured a reporter talking about conditions at a makeshift hospital in Haiti while raw audio of chilling screams of pain played behind his voice. The slideshow captures the harsh reality for the injured and is displays several particularly gruesome pictures of the wounded.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-loomis1-ss,0,266018.htmlstory

The photo gallery I found was from national geographic, showing various toxic chemicals and their disposal. One aspect of this photo gallery that I found interesting was national geographic included "photo fast facts", showing what time of day the photo was taken, what type of camera was used, etc.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0207/feature1/zoom4.html

Which does a better job?

I think the slideshows and photo galleries do serve a function as a storytelling tool, however they have a very limited use. Slideshows are good in the sense that the viewer does not need to spend nearly as much time viewing it as they would reading an article. Many people who have only a limited interest in a story will just look at the picture on the page and the caption and move on. I prefer slideshows to photo galleries because of the ease of use. Rather than actually clicking through the photos, slideshows will usually scroll threw the photos for you. Of course, the drawback to slideshows is the viewer does not have the option to only view the photos in which they are interested.

What difference does sound make?

The sound makes the slideshow much more engaging for the viewer. For one thing, having audio in addition to pictures engages two of your senses(audio and visual) as opposed to just one or the other, with a podcast or pictures.

Laxing till the sun goes down-Critic podcast

Here is the second-ever LSC sports podcast. This week I featured the Lyndon State Lacrosse team's coach, Tim Tierney, incoming freshman star Taylor Strout, and senior captain Chris Mansour. Enjoy!

LSC Basketball podcast and news story

Despite a disappointing departure on the court, senior basketball players reminisce fondly on the season.

Two seniors in the basketball program have said goodbye to their respective teams after a disappointing end to the season for both teams. Jacob Freeman has played several seasons with the men's team, while Shauna Buck played one season with the Lady Hornets.

Forward Jacob Freeman, who played three years for the hornets, said he thinks the season ended too soon. "We set off to a good start, but it didn't workout for us. The season definitely came to a fast close. I'm disappointed it's over because it's my senior year and last year playing varsity basketball. No regrets though."

Freeman did not have an opportunity to play much this season, and said he was surprised he was unable to make more of a contribution to the team.

“He(Coach Krupinski) told me he'd like me on the team at the beginning of the season, but then he didn't give me a reason I didn't play”, said Freeman. “That makes me think: what could I have done better? Did I not do something that prevented me from getting playing time?"

Even though he had a frustrating senior season, Freeman still has fond memories of his time at Lyndon.

"The first thing I would like to say is Circle! Circle!" he said. "Aside from that, going up against some of the big division one schools such as Dartmouth was really great".

"Everyone could talk to anyone, even the women's team," he said. "We meshed so well that altogether the chemistry was awesome. I hope the relationships I have with my teammates carry into the future, I know I'll be back every year at alumni games."

Speaking of the women, Coach Maloney anticipated playing the season without a senior on the roster, until Shauna Buck approached him and asked to join the team. Buck said she decided to play because she didn't want to regret not playing varsity basketball in college.

"I didn't have any expectations coming into the season and things played out really well," she said.

Buck says that she enjoyed the comraderie of the team.

"The team chemistry was awesome," she said. "Because there were only seven of us, we got really close. It was so much fun. Even in practice, when we were supposed to be serious, we were laughing and had inside jokes. If you're not friends it isn't fun."

Buck said she regrets not playing all four years, and hopes incoming women who are interested in playing go for it.

Looking ahead to next year, Freeman says he hopes younger players improve and the team can break the curse of falling short down the stretch. Freeman says this may have to do with a small coaching staff.

"We are kind of understaffed," he said. "Coach Krupinski plays multiple roles in practice and recruiting. It's funny how in Lyndon history we do great, and then at the end of the season we just go straight down. "

Podcast for Multimedia

Here is the podcast link.

Audio podcast project outline

We plan to highlight the following topics in our podcast:

• We will be highlighting the outgoing Men's and Women's basketball players and the effect that their departure will have on their respective teams next year.
• In order to do this, we are going to be interviewing Patrick McCarthy, Jacob Freeman, and Shauna Buck.
• We will specifically ask these players about their time playing basketball at Lyndon state and their thoughts on the past season.
• We will be looking at the underclassman who will be leading the respective men's and women's teams forward next year based on the performance and potential of younger players this year.

Podcast reviews

The wealth of podcasts available on iTunes made choosing a few to sample for class quite a daunting task. My iPod is finally up and running again thanks to an iTunes bug fix from apple support, so I listened to these podcasts on my 80 gigabyte iPod Classic. Here's a few I found that interested me, and what I thought of them:

1. NASA video podcast
This podcast is updated every so often when NASA has interesting footage or stories to report on. I was disappointed to find that this podcast was mostly raw footage without editing or commentary. Both the endeavour launch and landing episodes only featured the raw footage of the space shuttle landing. In a seperate podcast, I found a summary of Endeavour's mission. I will continue listening to this podcast because I am interested in following NASA as the shuttle program draws to a close at the end of this year.

2. Modern manners guy quick tips for a more polite life podcast
Without a doubt the most interesting podcast I've yet listened to. This one is audio only, but that's all it needs. The podcast is in the self help section (which I need alot of), and features tips to live a more polite and courteous life. These podcasts range from how to sympathize with an acquaintance if someone they know dies to the in and outs of teenage courtship. I found these podcasts to be very useful, and I will definitely continue to listen to them. My biggest problem with this podcast is the first minute or so is usually an advertisement. However, I can fast forward until I reach the actual content.

3. iTunes Indie Spotlight:
This audio podcast highlighting new independent music on iTunes has very little narration. The podcast consists of several clips of different songs by various artists, and on the iPod screen it says which artist is playing. The weekly podcasts rotate between several genres, such as singer/songwriter and dance/electronic. I quickly became bored listening to this podcast, which runs between 10-15 minutes. The songs seemed to run together and all sounded the same. Some background on the artists I was listening to would have made it more engaging.

Interactive google map project

View Necessaties of Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury in a larger map

Digging into VTdigger.org

When I visited Vtdigger.org I wasn’t sure what type of site to expect, although I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. I like the earthy, retro looking header used on the site, and the sub-title “Led by journalists, powered by the public.” That business moto essentially defines what VTdigger is all about.

The business model tab clearly lays out how the people behind Vtdigger want to run their new outlet, and their reasons for doing so. The site wants to promote high-quality journalism for the public, journalism that is not in any way influenced by outside companies. Unlike the NSNsports.net site I looked at last week, I only noticed one add on VtDigger, an ad for Cabot cheese. What’s nice about Cabot cheese advertising on their site as opposed to, let’s say, McDonalds, is that Cabot Cheese is actually based out of Vermont, so there is a local connection.

Since VtDigger is a not-for profit company, Ms.Galloway must rely on donations and grants to fund her website. She does not have excessive oversight costs, since a news website is a low cost venture when compared with a full-fledged newspaper. Her two major grants have come from the Haymarket’s people’s fund and the Vermont Community Foundation. Readers have contributed a substantially large amount of money as well. I think this business model is sustainable, but it will take time to build up a loyal following of people. The only way this site will succeed is if the quality of reporting is strong and unlike anything else available. If they can do that, I think people will want to donate to keep them in business.

I am an environmental advocate, so right off the bat I was drawn to the link to articles about Energy and the environment on the right hand menu bar. Unfortunately, every article I noticed here was relating to or directly about the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Of course Vermont Yankee is going to be a major focus, but there must be other environmental issues they could report on.
The quality of multimedia reporting is there, with videos embedded in the text. They avoid long articles and stick with the key facts, as online journalism should. There is a political leaning, as I think most of these articles are written from a liberal pov. Vermont is a liberal state, so this is not a bad approach to take.

I would be interested in submitting a multimedia segment for the site!

Lyndon shocks students with first-ever tuition decrease

Blurb: Increase in Vermont state revenue allows reduction in college tuition next year.

The administration at Lyndon State have decided to cut students a break next year with the first tuition decrease in the history of the college.

A college official made the surprising announcement at a press conference in ASAC 100, the school's new auditorium. He said the college is cutting tuition rates by 10 percent next semester. He attributed the decrease in tuition to an increase in revenue from the state.

On the tuition cuts, Harold Drazsnak, vice president of finance at Lyndon said "Without a doubt, this decrease is long overdue for our students. The college has never decreased tuition across the board.

Public safety finds silver lining in assault hoax

Blurb: In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, a report was filed by a student at Lyndon stating an unidentified man entered a Stonehenge residence hall through a first floor window and committed a sexual assault. Further investigations by police showed the report had no truth to it.

Around 1:00am Tuesday morning, public safety received a report of a sexual assault in a Stonehenge residence hall and went into action.

Several public safety officers responded to the area, state police were notified, and three uniformed officers arrived on campus accompanied by a canine to search for a suspect. An emergency alert was sent out to all students via text and email to warn them of the apparent danger.

By midday Tuesday it was discovered by police that the alleged report was false. President Carol Moore notified the Lyndon community through an email to students and faculty that the report was not true and there is no risk present on campus. The student who filed the false report has not had their identity released, however state police intend to press charges against the student for filing a false report.

Director of public safety George Hacking stressed that our campus is as safe as it was before the report. In fact, he believes the false report highlighted the fact that our dorms are not 100% secure and students must work together to safeguard against intruders. Hacking said "One of the more positive side effects of the incident is that patrols are going into suites and finding suite doors are now being locked".

Hacking urges people to remain vigilant and report when doors and windows are being propped open. For more information on how to better protect yourself on campus, visit an article here for useful tips. Check The Critic website for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.

Pedestrian fatally injured on I-91

Blurb: On Sunday, January 31, Cynthia Long exited her vehicle on interstate 91 and was struck and killed by a passing motorist.

Cynthia Long, age 75 of Putney, VT, stopped on the side of the road Sunday in an attempt to rescue a cat she observed in the median, and was struck as she walked across the passing lane. She sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and I-91 southbound was closed for three hours as the crash was investigated. Police are continuing investigations into how exactly this crash unfolded.

Johnathan Ribas, age 28 of Shelton CT, was traveling southbound on I-91 at approximately 4:07pm in Dummerston, VT when his Mazda struck and killed Long on the highway. His car sustained moderate front end damage including the windshield and Ribas was left unharmed.

No charges against Ribas have been filed at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to call the Brattleboro State Police at 802-254-2382 and ask for Trooper Wagenbach.

Lady Antebellum's Need You Now

One of my favorite music groups out there right now is Lady Antebellum, a country band currently attempting a pop crossover with their smash hit "Need You Now". Need You Now is one of those songs that really tugs at the heart strings. It is currently moving up the Top 40, Hot AC, and AC charts.

Here they are last night performing NYN at the grammys:

A Look at NSNsports.net

The thing about NSNsports.net that immediately struck me when I visited the homepage was their excellent video content, including recaps of previous games and complete online game video. I was surprised to see they offer live streaming of ongoing games with commentary. It's an amazing concept that an online website can offer game action of Lyndon State Div III basketball. The video quality isn't the greatest, but the fact they even have video is impressive.

Ease of use is excellent on the site, everything is clearly labeled for the most part with tabs for high school, college, etc. They have various blogs which I find useful, although the downside to these blogs is the font size is too small! I have excellent eyesight and I really have to strain to see it.

The part of their website that I didn't think was being utilized to it's full potential was the text content. The text is boring, there isn't any color to their sports writing. The positive to this approach is it gets the main points across to readers, but I would like to see captivating headlines and some player quotes. I don't think there is any substitute for player remarks, they typically know better than anyone what's going on with the game.

Not taking life too seriously

Alright, as far as I'm concerned, "New Years Resolutions" are ridiculous. I understand that the premise behind them is to set a new group of goals for a new year. The reality is we should be setting goals for ourselves whenever we feel something about our life needs to change. Most of the time, people end up with the same NEW year's resolutions every year, because they didn't achieve what they set out to do at the start of the past year.

My latest goal for how I want to live my life is to not take it too seriously. Now obviously, there are certain things in life that need to be taken seriously. Applying yourself in school, chores, commitments. What I'm talking about is looking at everyday without worrying what people will think, and just making sure to have fun! Positive fun, not fun that's in bad taste, of course. It isn't funny to phone in a fake rape case, as happened in my dorm around 1am today. No, that's criminal.

For whatever reason, ever since middle school, I have not been able to truly enjoy life. I feel as though I've just been coasting along, getting older, but not getting any more out of life. I've found a reason to change my outlook. Sometimes all it takes is one person to inspire you, and you'll be hearing more about this person in a day or two.

Now, I challenge myself to get out of the box! I need to challenge myself to laugh louder, smile wider, and breathe deeper.

My question to anyone who reads this is do you have any advice for making life a more enjoyable experience? Feel free to say whatever comes to mind, all it takes is one person to inspire!!

I am now blogging for...everyone!

Helloo out there in the worldwide web! My name is Nick Russo, currently an atmospheric science major at Lyndon State college in Vermont. I know, Lyndon state???? Surprisingly, it's one of the best schools to study the sky in all it's glory, and the challenges that come with forecasting.

You'll be hearing more from me in the upcoming months, and I hope to hear from you! No comment big or small will be overlooked! Just keep it appropriate....