I knew Twitter was really popular when my mom had an opinion about it. I’ll join after I practice writing in 140 characters or less.
Are you using Twitter? Should I be using it?
Filed under: social networking, video, web 2.0
March 30, 2009 • 7:47 pm 0
$
The Canada Magazine Fund and the Publications Assistance Program will be replaced by the Canada Periodical Fund. According to a press release on the Canadian Heritage website, the CPF aims to:
- “tie support to the reading choices of Canadians”
- “build on previous programs to maintain support for the industry and thus help maintain jobs in an industry affected by the current economic slowdown”
- “reallocate funding to small and mid-sized titles to support a diversity of Canadian magazines and newspapers throughout the country”
- “provide greater flexibility so that publishers can manage funds strategically, including the flexibility to enrich their Web content”
- “contribute to the Government’s commitment to reduce paper burden for business”
I fear that the development of the new Canada Periodical Fund will not aid smaller magazines. Numerous articles on Masthead‘s website have stated that there is a possibility that publications with a circulation of less than 5,000 will not receive aid and funding. This would be unfortunate due to the fact that it is precisely the smaller publications that would benefit most from financial support. I’m glad there is a strong focus/interest on the magazine industry, however I feel the changes made to the CPF should aim to benefit and better all types of publications, regardless of their size or readership.
Do you think your favourite magazine will suffer from the changes made to the CPF?
Filed under: circulation, magazine
March 30, 2009 • 7:38 pm 0
publishing guru.
March 30, 2009 • 7:04 pm 0
read between the lines.
The neutral colours, subtle details, and clean design of Between the Lines’ (BTL) website initially conveys the image of an intellectual publishing house that focuses on serious books for academics and thinkers. The website allows users to sign up for a newsletter and search for book titles and authors with the use of a search engine. Important information pertaining to the publishing house (ex. their mandate, company history) is easy to locate at the top of the homepage. Genres/topics/headings can be found to the left of the homepage, while images and descriptions of recent book releases are featured down the middle of the homepage. The clean and simple design makes the website easy to navigate.
However, the website’s look is rather dull and boring, and does not offer users an interactive experience (due to the lack of bookmarking tools and social networking tools). The website sells the company’s message fairly well. The website states that “at BTL we strive to embrace critical perspectives on culture, economics, and society. Our timely and evocative books acknowledge the complexity of living in the 21st century”. BTL also claims that their books “are written by some of Canada’s leading political and cultural thinkers”. The website’s no-nonsense look projects the idea of a serious house that publishes evocative, intelligent, and well-written books. The website seems to appeal to an academic market and audience. Read the rest of this entry »
February 20, 2009 • 11:30 pm 1
those who CAN, teach.
Modern dance artist Peggy Baker, discusses her life and current gig at Canada’s National Ballet
I expect the iconic images of Degas to chassé into my brain as I receive a tour of Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) from prominent modern dance artist, Peggy Baker. Instead, I feel like Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan’s character in the film Mean Girls) as she walks the halls of high school alongside “it” girl Regina George—the epitome of popular (however, while talking with Baker, there does not appear to be a mean bone in her long-limbed, athletic body). Tiny heads with buns placed high and plastered with bobby pins, quickly turn and greet Baker pleasantly. Young, lithe bodies sprawled out on carpeted floors and luxe couches, adjust their postures and add rehearsed smiles to their fresh faces, when they see her approach. Peggy Baker is currently an artist-in-residence and teacher at NBS: “I’m also along my pathway of development as an artist. So I’m constantly seeing other kinds of possibilities from the students I work with.” She views the world of dance as “ever-shifting” and one that includes “a very broad group of people who are all at different moments in their creative life. Every one of those people is fulfilling a very important role.” Peggy, who describes herself as patient, determined, and compassionate, is currently fulfilling her role as a teacher and choreographer, as she trains, motivates, and inspires a crop of new dancers. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: dance, performing arts, video
February 10, 2009 • 12:14 am 0
Web2.0 Online Magazine Analysis
Fashion’s homepage includes a “web exclusives” sidebar which is located to the right of the page. The headings “videos”, “blogs”, and “widget” are found in the sidebar. The sidebar has presence, as the title is a bold red colour. The widget tool allows readers to receive Fashion updates to their blogs, Facebook account, myspace page, etc.
This bookmarking tool ensures the magazine’s publisher and editors, that readers are viewing articles and being exposed to editorial content on a daily basis. Daily updates also expose readers to the magazine’s advertisers and to products that the magazine endorses. The magazine may also attempt to get companies to advertise with them, by informing companies of the number of people (as well as demographics, psychographics) using their website’s bookmarking tools. The editors’ blogs and videos allow readers to become more familiar with editors’ names and faces. This may lead to readers having a more personal connection to the publication. Read the rest of this entry »
