Speakeasy

New news is good news

2005-05-16T10:26:00.000-04:00

So...

Speakeasy officially launched April 4. It was kind of a painful process, being that Katie and I were roped into doing the design ourselves (and doing it poorly). We went with "ok, this works" rather than "hey this is cool." Bummer. Anyway, with much guidance and support from our friendly, neighborhood Bob Benz, things are looking on the up and up. He's got us working with Chris Stearns, a pro, to beef up our site and not only make it work, but make it look good. Ow, ow! Maybe we won't be embarrassed to wear our shirts now!!

Furthermore, he's going to work with our OJ kids to do an independent study fall quarter with his Knoxville team to keep working on it. Northwestern kids, lookout!

Once again, our team is excited about the project and are not, in the words of Bob, being beaten by our own technology.

We're looking at having her up and running within the next couple of weeks. Right now, we're in the midst of administrational mumbo jumbo in terms of selecting editors and management for next year. We're also trying to organize our summer publishing schedule. Phew.

Since our spring break in the basement is over, we'll try and update the blog a little more religiously. Helps that we're excited about this again ;P

Update

2005-03-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

So... what's new with Speakeasy.

This has been a super-exciting week. We have purchased our server space, purchased our CMS, and gotten furniture for our news room. Additionally, we have the key situation figured out, received content from our writers, and have our grant proposal on the cusp of being ready to be sent out. We are awaiting a letter of support from Tom Hodson, and have to do some minor revisions... but after that, we're golden. Then we get the 12 gs, haha.

The difficult part now is actually designing the site. I think it is going to take some hard work. Eeep. Here we go.

HOURS LOGGED

2005-03-12T19:16:00.000-05:00

This post became wayyy too long. See comments for hours total.

Letter to the Editors

2005-03-09T08:28:00.001-05:00

Hey girls,
>
> I know there was a little confusion earlier in the
> week, so I just wanted to clarify what Katie and I
> expect from you as section editors.
> Non-timely content from you and your staff is due to
> Katie and myself by Friday. We expect you to have
> read their articles at least once, and made
> corrections to them by the time we get them.
> Corrections include such as problems with AP style,
> not having enough sources (remember, 3 are required
> and email sources are heavily discouraged!), to
> misspellings, to factual errors... basically we want
> these articles absolutely as perfect as you can make
> them before they are sent to us. We are then going to
> have our copyeditor, Katie Gill, further perfect them
> so that Speakeasy Magazine, Episode 1, will be a
> pristine piece of art :)
>
> Also, could you please email with three potential
> times in the morning you could meet next quarter so
> that we can start to think about when we can have our
> weekly editors meetings? Hopefully we can find a time
> that fits into everyone's schedule...
>
> Also, I wanted to thank you guys for being so awesome
> and for all your hard work. Speakeasy will be
> supertastic.
>
> IMPORTANT NOTE: Please send your emails to this
> address, speakeasymagazine@yahoo.com .
>
>
> Thanks!!!
>
> Cara

Good question, Meg!

2005-03-09T08:28:00.000-05:00

Meghan,
Preferably three interviews; if that's not possible, some sort of background research that is citeable, that you refer to in the article. This does not apply to opinion pieces, although it is helpful to have research to backup opinions.

Cara

Meghan wrote:
Hey Cara & Katie,
I was just wondering what exactly you mean by 3 sources. I didn't remember
this and I'm sure it won't be a big deal for the writers, but like do you
mean people you've interviewed, where you get pictures, etc.? Thanks!
- Meghan

Golden

2005-03-07T01:09:00.000-05:00

A new way to sign things from "Speakeasy"

"Virtually yours,
The Speakeasy staff"

hehehehe.

Mark Glaser - The Media Company I Want to Work For

2005-03-06T15:16:00.000-05:00

I’m an online journalist, and I write about online media. Here is what I'm looking for:

A news outlet that creates new content, aggregates the best outside content, and makes sense of everything, presenting it in a clear, simple format for the consumption of everyone.
A company founded on the values of serving the public and allowing the public to serve journalism by participating in all discussions of mission and direction.
A company that answers directly to its readers and consumers and doesn't talk down to them from editorial ivory towers.
A company that is focused on the value of journalism, the practice, and not only of marketing and stock dividends.
A group of like-minded people who are willing to start from scratch and build a new way of doing smart, groundbreaking citizen journalism. Not too amateur, not too professional but something in between.
A company that is flexible and knowledgeable, with people who "get it" and understand how they can tap the latest technology to improve the craft of journalism -- and help it survive. These new journalists would blend the research done online via search and databases, the production process of a content management system, the community involvement of bulletin boards and wikis, and the delivery mechanisms of RSS, blogs and mobile platforms. Rather than teach old dogs new tricks, employ techno-literate people from inception. The "everyone gets it" company.
A commitment to provide more transparency for all writers and editors, including political leanings, conflicts of interest and other details that will help readers know who they are. A balance of privacy for journalists with the public's need to know who they are and where they come from.
A staff and board of advisers of englightened media people and bloggers such as Jeff Jarvis, Jay Rosen, Elizabeth Osder, Susan Mernit, Matt Welch, Howard Owens, Robert Cox, Steve Rubel, John Battelle, James Lileks, Bob Somerby, Dan Gillmor, and many others who walk the talk.
A company where journalists follow the spirit of the rules and ethics of journalism -- and not the letter, as fundamentalists would.
A company where people realize that the Web audience is potentially global and therefore work together to create stories and packages that cross national and cultural boundaries.
A place where news will be a conversation and not a one-way lecture. Where the readers will also report, edit, fact-check and photograph the world around them.

(http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2004/12/01/glaser_co.html)

Brick or ketchup with that?

2005-03-04T10:43:00.000-05:00

OUADBobcat28: Hey Cara, I got an IM from Bryan last night about the buttons? He wants to write Speakeasy in cursive w/ Ketchup and take a photo of it? I'll run the idea by Liz, but I almost think it would be better if we were consistent with the brick idea
OUADBobcat28: I don't know if he ran the idea past you and Kaite at all
OUADBobcat28: but let me know what you think

Any comments?

Help the Wright Way

2005-03-04T10:38:00.000-05:00

Cara,

That's great news. I look forward to seeing speakeasymag.com.

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you right away.

On process, our newsroom is hierarhical. I update the content on the site. Our system is that we have a daily editorial meeting where ideas are pitched. Everyone has input, but the editors have final say on what is covered. The reporters then go get the story. They check in with the editors if there are questions during the reporting. Then they write and submit their stories. The editor -- usually me -- edits and posts it.

For style, we mostly use AP style.

My advice to you is to stick to standard journalistic principals. But also be sure to let your imagination run wild on what you cover and how you cover it. You probably won't have too much chance for imagination once you get to the professional ranks.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

wb

Wright Bryan
Web News Editor
NewsLink Indiana
Ball Communication Building
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306

(765) 285-9301 ::: Direct
(765) 285-9300 ::: Newsroom
(765) 285-9304 ::: Fax

wrightbryan3 ::: AIM
wright@newslinkindiana.com ::: Email
www.newslinkindiana.com ::: Web

Logo update

2005-03-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

affirmative

On Mar 3, 2005, at 5:54 PM, Cara McCoy wrote:

Hi Bryan,
I know you are traveling today, but I just wanted to clarify that we
will be receiving an emailed copy of the logo from you in both black
and white and color (if a color version exists) no later than Monday
afternoon. We need to approve it to print our business cards and
t-shirts ASAP.

Thanks.
Cara

Income

2005-03-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

- selling advertisements - by the way we need to get on this ASAP
- collecting donations - I like the idea of the "tip jar" (see Making Money)
- fund-raising - yeah it sucks but we can make it news.... right?

"A night at the Speakeasy" - have bands play in the front room than use the wireless capabilites to update, blog, add photos instantly... hmmm sweet idea, huh? Good work Cara! But is it unethical to promote our own fund-raiser as a news piece?

Mailing Address

2005-03-03T14:58:00.000-05:00

Speakeasy
Ohio University
Scripps Hall
Athens, Ohio 45701

Email to J Labs about grant

2005-03-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hello,

My name is Cara McCoy. I am a student at Ohio University, and am a junior online journalism major. As an extension of our related student organization, the Online Journalism Student Society, we have decided to launch a hyper-local news site so that students throughout campus can gain practical experience in the realm of online news. The site will provide campus news to the student body. We came up with our plan after we attended the Online News Association conference this past fall, and have had it in the planning stages ever since.

We recently came across this fantastic grant opportunity and are planning to apply. However, we have one question that is not answered in the FAQs. As I said earlier, this project has been in the planning stages for months. Accordingly, we have set our launch date as April 4, 2005. As you can see, we would be technically launched before funding is awarded; however, as we will turn in the application before we launch, we are not technically an already established news site.

Although we can launch the site without knowing whether we have the funding, the money would be used to buy equipment that right now we are anticipating our reporters to furnish for themselves. Additionally, we would be able to pay salary... we currently have a budget of $400 for the next three months, and as you know, that is scarcely enough to run a successful business. We have the support of our university in terms of office space and broadband access, but other than that we are on our own. The grant funding will ensure our project is sustainable.

Can we still apply for the grant although we will have launched our site by the time funding is awarded?

Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter.

So... much... to do...

2005-03-01T21:51:00.000-05:00

Well, so, we might be pushing back our launch date. I realllllly don't want to, and neither does Katie or Caren, but do to unfortunate circumstances, that might be an inevitability. We hope to get some professional advice from the Bobs, Travis and Joy to help us get over this hump. Harumph.

Staff meetings are going well... we should have t-shirt designs ready for next week.
Gotta get the grant proposal done ASAP.

Stress is fun.

To Do.... blah, blah... will it ever be easy??

2005-02-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

To do before tomorrow's meeting(s) -

1) Make sure Bob Stewart is still doing presentation.... if not.... come up with one, fast.
2) Print out copies of contract... make people sign at meeting
3) Make sign in sheet for meeting - make sure I have everyone's CORRECT contact info
4) Look nice... a photographer's coming!
5) Look over grant stuff before going to 3:30 meeting
6) Make sure we know what to tell reporter at 4:30 meeting so we don't look stupid
7) Come up with some T-Shirt designs!!! Ellen needs help with this!!

After tomorrow's meeting(s) -

1) Get T-Shirt order ready... start collecting money ASAP
2) E-mail Chris a list for the newsroom
3) Figure out the difference b/w athensi.com and speakeasymag.com (yikes!)
4) Work on next weeks Speakeasy meeting
5) Edit bios

SAC Funding

2005-02-26T19:08:00.000-05:00

Don't forget!

Money that has to be spent before March 18th:

Flyers: $96

Brochures: $64

________________

Total $160

Money that has to be spent after March 28th:

Post Ads $162.00

Posters $9.00

________________

Total $171.00

Upcoming Schedule

2005-02-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow - NO meeting with Chris Weibel - he had to cancel

Tuesday - 3:30-4:30 - meeting with Pattie (the grant lady) in the RTec building
4:30-6 - meeting with Ohio Journalist reporter in the Front Room
6-7 - Speakeasy staff meeting
*photographer from Ohio Journalist will be attending
*Bob Stewart is going to make a brief presentation on basic HTML

Knight Ridder Post

2005-02-23T13:15:00.000-05:00

Katie,

I talked to Tony Regan, who handles sales for KRT. He can't give you photos for free, but he's willing to set up a month's trial, which gives you access to current and archived photos. After that, they can gauge how many photos you'll be using and therefore what they should charge you.

I told him that at this point, I should bow out and let the two of you talk directly. He's expecting an e-mail from you: apregan@tribune.com.

Good luck,
dg
--
Deborah Gump, Ph.D.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Mr. Regan,

Hi, my name is Katie Schmitt. Deborah Gump told me that she talked to you about using KRT pictures for our student-run online magazine.

The publication will be a perpetually updated website with content created by students for a student audience. All of the articles on the site will be original content discussing topics from a student's point of view.

She mentioned we may be able to have access to a one month free trial of KRT. This would be great! Our site will not actually launch until April 4th, so having the trial during the month of April will be a pretty good judge of how many pictures we will use on average.

I do not anticipate using many pictures, we will just need a few for national beats that we can not photograph ourselves.

Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Katie Schmitt
Online Journalism Student Society, President
Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University
ks241501@ohio.edu
614.260.0685

Section meetings

2005-02-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

So, we had section meetings last night. I think they went pretty well, except the point was for Katie and I to start learning names and that still isn't happening. Once we move into our newsroom, I'm sure we will. Kates and I are spending spring break decorating and organizing, and then going to visit Joy in Knoxville at the end of the week.

We have a meeting with Chris Weibel tomorrow (Friday) at 11 am to discuss our newsroom... I'm really excited about it!

Things are looking good with Ellen and Liz's ad/pr team. I guess they have like 22 members, or something crazy like that. Wow.

Before the section meetings, Katie and I hashed out the ethics policy and made our reporters sign off on it--makes people more accountable and gives us records of our staff. We used the same ethics policy as in the OU handbook for plagiarism, and as TTampa Bay Online
for our ethics policy. We also tried to get a vague idea about who wants business cards, t-shirts and if ppl would rather do a fundraiser or simply donate $5.

Friday, we did some advertising research for Ellen so that she can theoretically start selling ads. We need to make some nice ad packets first, though.

Bryan had the good idea of installing a laptop station in the lab. He also has our logo almost ready.

Still having issues with Dick Piccard. Hopefully to be resolved soon. Love SAC.

>>In other news, Cara and Katie need to start writing their column!!

Grant

2005-02-23T12:33:00.000-05:00

So, things are looking good with the grant. We were stymied for awhile, under the impression that SAC didn't want us to apply for it... and even though they might not want it, it looks like they are going to let us--and help us!--get 'er done.

We talked today with OU ppl who know how to do grants, and they are very supportive. Obviously removed from Student Activities... merrh. We are going to get a potential budget together soon and go meet with Patty again on Tuesday. Hopefully Katie Gill will have some time to work on the thing over the weekend.

Rob Curley tomorrow! w00t!

Titles!!

2005-02-22T21:27:00.000-05:00

Cara and Katie's official titles from now ad infinitum:

Executive managing editors.

Woohoo.

Staff Policies

2005-02-22T15:34:00.000-05:00

We need to come up with some kind of contract that we make our staff sign before we will publish there work. This has to include plagerism stuff most importantly and copyright issues.

Also, we ought to have some kind of filing system so that we can keep track of our staff in case we ever have any issues. I'm sure we can get something on our spring break shopping trip.

Things to keep track of:
- signed contract
- major errors
- lateness
- OJSS meeting requirement (whatever we decide that to be)

columns

2005-02-21T12:08:00.000-05:00

Amy Flowers (College Dem pres, Athens Co. Dem party director, City Council candidate) will most definitly write a column. We need to atempt to find a republican.

Also, how bout Kristin Jensen as president of Student Council for a column?

more things to do...

2005-02-20T18:45:00.000-05:00

- email chris weibel if we have a mailbox at scott quad; can we get a phone line; # of keys, etc.

- order forms for t-shirts and business cards

- deal with SAC and Piccard

- find server space somewhere!!

- get money from ppl in general, haha

- approve bryan's logo

- ethics policy and style... talk to erin on tuesday night

Correspondence with Dick Piccard (computer services)

2005-02-20T12:39:00.000-05:00

Katie,

Did anyone inquire of me about the available space? I don't recall such a discussion. I suspect that you made a false presumption. Our usual approach to disk space for Web sites on either Front Door server is "How much do you really need?" That said, what you have in mind might possibly turn out to be a problem, but we can't know that yet.

It is my view that any Ohio University online activity ought to be visibly an Ohio University activity, and that one part of that is being on an Ohio University server. At this time there is NO such requirement, even for official, departmental, sites, and there may well never be any such requirement. Likewise, in my view, a second part is having the reciprocal link from your home page to the University's home page (). Again, there is NO such requirement currently in place, except that we won't link to your page from the Student Organizations database without that.

I expect to be back from medical leave before the end of this week. I think it would be a good idea for you, me, your pagemaster, and your advisor to get together to discuss the actual possibilities, rather than have you proceeding on the basis of presumptions that may or may not be true.

RDP

--On Sunday, February 20, 2005 12:41 PM -0500 katie schmitt wrote:

Mr. Piccard,

The reason we chose to use a non-OU server is because we are going to publish an online news site (which is separate from our student organization's site). Along with the written stories on our site we are going to have a lot of multimedia content that will most likely take up more space than we are allotted for our organization.

We don't particularly want our publication to be linked from the Student Organizations database. Do we still need to follow the rules on the link below?

Danita Brown had asked us to let you know what we are up to, so I hope we are not causing you any trouble. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks again,
Katie Schmitt
Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University
Online Journalism Student Society, President

--On Saturday, February 19, 2005 4:48 PM -0500 "Richard D. Piccard" wrote:
>
> Katie,
>
> If you want to be linked from the Student Organizations database, you
> need to be sure that your pages obey the rules specified at
>
> http://www.ohiou.edu/sorgs/index.html#create
>
> In a nutshell: your home page must have a reciprocal link to the Front
> Door; NO page may claim copyright by Ohio University; nor may ANY page
> use university copyright logo graphics such as any version of the Cutler
> Hall woodcut or the Attack Cat.
>
> I am curious why you have chosen a non-OU server, since we have two that
> are available to any student organization at no charge. If you could
> help me to understand your reasoning, I would appreciate it.
>
> RDP
>
>
> --On Friday, February 18, 2005 3:55 PM -0500 ks241501@ohio.edu wrote:
>
>> To Richard Piccard,
>>
>> Hi, my name is Katie Schmitt and I am president of the Online Journalism
>> Student Society (OJSS). Our organization has started to put together an
>> online magazine publication. We have a site designed and ready to launch
>> on a non-OU server, but first, we need your permission.
>>
>> We were wondering what you will need from us in order to give your
>> approval.
>>
>> Thanks for you time,
>>
>> Katie Schmitt
>> Scripps School of Journalism
>> Ohio University
>> Online Journalism Student Society, President
>
>
>
> =========================================================
> Dick Piccard Academic Technology Manager
> piccard@ohio.edu Computer Services
> http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~piccard/ Ohio University
> (740) 593-1017 Athens, OH 45701