VoiceBox.

EL200 Final portfolio- My 100th entry!

This portfolio marks my 100th entry since I entered the blogosphere at Seton Hill University.

p.s. I forgot to publish this after I finished the entries. I knew I set my entries to automatically publish for a reason- Sorry!

1. Lab Report (Editorial style)

This semester, I set many goals for myself, one of which was to devote more of my time to being present in the office during production of The Setonian.
For production on the semester’s final issue, I devoted over 10 hours of my time: two on Monday, two on Wednesday, and over six hours on Friday. This may seem like a small accomplishment compared to some of our dedicated staff members, but previous to this semester, I was rarely in the office during production.

After achieving my short-term goals of being present during production at least two days out of the week, I came to a realization. There is not always going to be a task that needs completed as soon as I enter the office. I used to feel like I was not being helpful because I would stop in, copy-edit a few articles, then leave if there was no more work I was capable of completing. I realized that by devoting more than two hours at a time to being in the office, I can complete work as it comes in, and learn to take on new tasks independently. Work for a news publication does not arrive in lump-sums; it comes gradually, which is why some of our staff members rarely seem to leave the office during production.

During my extended stay on Friday evening, I was able to relieve Amanda of pesky things such as running to get a photo or calling to see where late articles were. Aside from my feature article and gathering the police blotter, I copy-edited several articles as well. I placed the police blotter and several other corrections in the layout when the rest of the present staff went to dinner. It’s hard to tear Miss Schumacher away from the G4, and that’s why our layout looks spectacular, but I jump on any chance to help. I also placed a "pop up quote" in an article, another new skilled I learned in Quark this production.

When the final issue hit the stands, I felt please with the goals I accomplished this semester. Not only did I learn more about how The Setonian is produced, I wrote some feature articles, and bonded with the staff also. It’s not everyday you find a news editor comfortable enough with you to lick you at random. Valerie, you make my day. Our staff is like a family. We’re all quirky, and stressed at times, but we share a common love: the news. My college career would certainly be lacking had I not joined the staff freshman year.

2. Peer Review of Leslie's EX 4

3. Class action item- New Media Journalism site

We've been discussing this project frequently in class. Lori and Val are working in conjunction in a way, by adding links to writing resources that they themselves have created, or found online. Leslie will also be adding her tips on sportswriting, and I now intend to write some arts and entertainment guidelines as well.

Aside from writing the guidelines I still plan to publish a page or series of pages (not quite sure how I want to organize them) on "What is NMJ at SHU?" Ideally, I would still like this to be in a Flash presentation, but that project may have to wait until school is out or next semester. Holiday hours at the mall are here, which means I'll be working until 1 a.m. or later 4-5 days a week. This restricts my nocturnal work period!

I want to include a page about The Setonian, the catalogue description of the NMJ major, the classes that are required and their descriptions, and some NMJ major student and/or alumni testimonials. Also, these pages will cover what new media journalism actually is. These are still sketchy ideas that I will hone as I begin to write the content.

Peer review of EX4

I am reviewing Leslie's exercise 4.

Leslie has solid material to add to the New Media Journalism website. Since she is the sports editor, it is her job to devise a list of set guidelines for sports writers on the Setonian staff to follow. In addition to the guidlines she made, she also researched some of sports writings dirty terminology- terms writer's should not use when covering sporting events or sports news articles. As an editor, I felt this was very useful because most people love to be creative in their writing, but this is frowned upon in any type of newswriting.

In addition to her guidelines, Leslie also posted several useful links that she would like to appear on the New Media Journalism site. My favorite resource was her link to different kinds of leads that are acceptable in news writing. This again touches on creativity, only in a positive manner. Many writers stick to one kind of lead when really they should be mixing up the types of leads they use to add interest and avoid sounding too dry.

TGI'm not working on Black Friday.

Black Friday, the two most dreaded words of a retail employee's life. At Charlotte Russe, my place of employment since its opening three years ago, it is referred to as Green Friday, for obvious reasons. This year, I'm thankful that I did not have to work today. My good friend and co-worker, Kelly, had to be up at 3 a.m. to be at the store by 5 a.m. and according to her voicemail, she wasn't allowed to go home until almost 5 this afternoon.

I've been meaning to blog a "Guide to Retail Shopping Etiquette" and I think that'll start now, since I have free time as all my family is sleeping. Well, my uncle is having a midnight snack. =)

I'll begin by telling a story that happened to me last week. A woman and her daughter approached the register, the mother set down a pair of shoes with her credit card on top. Right away I knew it was going to be a super fun transaction, especially when silence and a dirty look responded to my greeting. I didn't know saying hello was such a crime.

I rung the dynamic duo up, flipped the credit card over, and alas, it was not signed.

"Ma'am, may I see your ID, please?"

*Insert annoyed-huffing noise here*

"I'm sorry, your card is not signed on the back"

"Well this is just a pain in my ass!!" *digging through the purse commenses*

"It's store policy, I'm sorry"

*drivers license proceeds to be thrown at my face*

By this point, I've had it. Yes, I'm providing this woman a service for which she is paying for, but there comes a point where I realize that my dignity is worth a hell of a lot more than her $22.99. I threw the license back at her, shaking with rage. I could feel my cheeks get hot.

"You pick that up and hand that to me!," she screamed.

"No ma'am, you hand it to ME," I said.

So of course, she asked if I had a boss. Duh, I have a boss. Hannah, my amazing general manager, listened to her qualms. Apparently she'd never been treated to rudely in her life. I find that hard to believe given her manner. Hannah told me everything she said when in one ear and out the other. After Hannah found out the woman had thrown her ID at me, it was over. She wouldn't have been mad even if projectiles had not been involved, but it sealed the deal.

I deal with people like this all the time. I'd like to shed some light on the life of a retail employee: I'll start from the time the customer enters the store. "You" are the customer.

1. You enter the store and there's the annoying greeter. I've been the greeter, and believe me it's terrible. Most of the time people blow me off. My first tip is, listen to that greeter. They're not there to try to follow you around and help you pick out clothes, unless you ask them to. The job of the greeter is simply to let you know the promotions, so take two seconds and listen.

2. If you need help getting a shirt down, or you need clothes from a mannequin, or you just can't find what you're looking for, ASK POLITELY. You'll get a much better response that way. I couldn't even begin to count the times customers who think I’m literally a slave have treated me like dirt. Yes, customer service is top priority, but what happened to manners? There are so many times I've been commanded to do something, and it gives me a bad attitude.

3. Shoes. The dreaded shoes. Please do not hand me 7 pairs of shoes and say, "I need these in a 6 and a 7." It is absolutely ludicrous to ask me to bring you 14 pairs of shoes.

If you are a size 9, a size 6 in our store is NOT going to fit you. At least twice a week I have a customer who asks for several pairs of shoes in one size, then asks for a size two to three sizes higher, and they end up purchasing the higher size. Don't you know what size shoes you wear?

DO NOT ask me to bring you out every style of boot we have left in your size. That's simply ridiculous. This is common at Christmas time, when boots are picked over. We usually carry about 30 different styles of boots. Chances are if you ask me to do that, I'm not going to. I'll go back and look for 5 styles at the most. If you can't decide what style of boot you'd like to try, then you don't need boots that badly.

4. Do not walk past me on your way to the fitting room, then stand there and stare at me. Can't you just ask for one when you walk past?

If you've locked yourself out of the room more than 7 times, yes I've had this happen, go home.

DO NOT LEAVE CLOTHES IN A HEAP IN THE FITTING ROOM. DO NOT HANG THEM UP INSIDE OUT. If you're taking the time to hang them, do it the right way. Also, there's bar outside the fitting rooms for a reason. If you're too lazy to walk two feet to that bar, hand your unwanted items to an associate. We appreciate it, thanks.

Mothers do not leave your children unattended while you're in the fitting rooms. We're not a day care center.

5. When I say hello to you at the register, say hello back. When I ask who was helping you today and you say nobody, I know you're lying, especially if you have shoes. Somebody had to physically get them for you. We don't work on commission and even if we did, what do you loose by saying who helped you?

WAIT to hand me your form of payment. I actually have to push buttons and scan tags before the transaction is complete.

When I say thank you, say thank you back.

DO NOT talk on your cellular telephones while I'm ringing you up. It's rude, and how will you know if I miss giving you a discount? Even though I'd never do that on purpose. Nope, never.

Do not attempt to return panties, clearly worn shoes or clothes. We're not stupid, and it's not going to fly. Also, if you're returning something after 30 days and you want your money back, too bad. The return policy is on the back of the receipt and on the cashwrap signs. If you can't decide if you want that shirt after a month, then you should seek therapy.

Do not come to the register with piles of clothing and ask how much it will cost in total. Are you kidding me? Everything in the store is something-99. Round up, add. There's your total.

These are just a handful of the things I witness everyday. Ignorance. You wouldn't believe some of the things I'm told to do, or yelled at for, if I told you. I once had a man returning a shirt and I politely asked if there was anything wrong with it. "YEA! It's CHEAP!" he said. Apparently he didn't know we don't manufacture the clothing, we just sell it. P.S. it's Charlotte Russe, not Saks. The most expensive thing we have is fifty dollars, and that's going to be a winter coat or boots. If you don't want to take the chances of a button falling off or a thread pulling out, make your own clothes.

I may sound bitter, and I may sound like I'm terrible at my job. I've been there longer than anybody, even the managers. I love my job for the most part, but dealing with surly people ruins the holidays, and an average day at that. So if you read this, keep it in mind the next time you're shopping. It'll be a much more pleasant experience for you and the person providing you the service.

Internship advice from my family experts.

I just returned from a quaint tavern, a short drive down the road from my aunt and uncle's house in West Chester, PA. Two of three of my older cousins, Meri and Kris, took me out with their friends for my last night here. Jessica, the middle cousin, lives in Minneappolis and air-fare expenses were not in her budget this Thanksgiving. All of my cousins have been out of college for at least four years. Meri is the communications director at the Matress Factory, a popular museum in Pittsburgh, and Kristen freelances, has just finished a travel book, and does research for the CIA.

We were discussing my internship applications because John, Kristens fiance, has been sending me a lot of information through e-mail about internships. John is the assistant sports editor for the Washington Times- needless to say I have a lot of support in my future journalism career.

I got a lot of advice from Meri, who assures me I'll have an internship at her museum if I have trouble finding one. I asked about cover letters, which Meri said should not be a narrative summary of a resume but rather a short description of myself and why I wish to intern for the publication I'm applying to. She said to include a reason why I would like to intern, for example, "I read such and such an article and was very impressed," etc.

She also said to research the publication I'm applying to intern for as much as possible. She was applying once for an internship at the University of Pittsburgh in one of the art builidings and her interviewee's first question was who was the dean of the building she was applying to intern in. Meri didn't know, and she didn't get the job. Clearly she learned from her mistakes, and now she's passing them on to me.

Kris told me to take initiative as an intern. She said when I complete an assignment, which will most likely seem to be dirt work (obituaries!), to ask if I can write more features or news stories. Meri added, saying that some of her interns will finish their filing or assignments and continue the rest of the day checking their e-mail or sitting in an idle state. Even though I may not get a big assignment, the editor will take note of my willingness to take on bigger responsibilities.

I feel much more confident now that I'm about to apply for internships. I just wanted to pass this information along because I know so many of my friends who are just as scared as I am. Take it to heart, these girls know what they're talking about! I hope everybody's had a relaxing break and a Happy Thanksgiving.

EL200: Ex. 4: New Media Journalism site

As a class, we've already posted and discussed several options for imporving the New Media Journalism weblog for SHU.

These will take you back to some of my previous ideas...
(starting with the most recent)

1. Portfolio 3 Action Item

2. Possible NMJ site addition

3. News Analysis: New Media Journalism Website

I'd still like to use my ideas from numbers 2 and 3, but I mainly want to focus on number 1, adding a Flash presentation to the site on "What is New Media Journalism?" As I previously stated, I feel this will bring much needed color, interactivity, and professionalism to the site as well as demonstrating to prospective students a valuable example of the software they will learn while majoring in NMJ at SHU.

Content I would like to include:

What is a weblog?
What is a Wiki?
How is Flash used in NMJ?
Examples of national and college online publications
Pointers for writing for the internet
The benefits of posting news online
Cautions to take when posting online

I'm sure we'll discuss this in class today, but any content ideas are welcome!

EL405 Portfolio 2

Since the first portfolio, New Media Projects has shifted directions. We've completed all the readings, and class has been a series of workshops- a time to follow tutorials, learn new software, and perfect our projects.

This course is saturated with peer learning, and I love it. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. Collaberating and learning from my classmates has personally been very successful and it's enriched my creativity. Working on projects with my friends keeps me motivated. Even though I didn't collaberate with anybody for project 1, I still obtained vauluable information from watching my classmates play my Catholic Social Teaching Interactive fiction game.

Project 1: Catholic Social Teaching issue-

EL405 Project one- Catholic Social Teaching Issue- This was the first primary research I did on Catholic Social Teaching. I actually used this information in my final game, primarily the 10 builiding blocks of CST.

Project 1 Proposal- I proposed and Interactive Fiction (IF) game, and that's what I made. The game stayed true to this proposal, I followed my rough idea and expaned upon it when actually making the game. There's no real way of putting everything, down to the last detail of the last object, in a proposal. By making my proposal a rough idea, I was able to play around with ideas while coding the game.

CST Project is finished, but tweaking is needed- This entry includes screen shots of my finished IF game, as well as notations on what I need to correct. My peers and Dr. Jerz were able to give me extremely helpful information just by sitting down and letting me watch them play my game. Everybody seemed to enjoy it and saw it as a successful demonstration of CST.

Project 2: Project of our choice-

Project 2 Proposal- I originally propsed a Flash presentation to go on the New Media Journalsim site. This entry links to another with my expanded idea.

Project II, second guesses- While playing each other's games for Project 1, I came up with an idea for Leslie and I to collaberate on a project for number 2. She liked the idea, and Dr. Jerz did also. We will now be expanding upon each other's IF games that we completed for Project 1. This entry is my proposed ideas for the expansion of Leslie's jungle-themed IF.

Comments and Disussion: I recieved a lot of feedback and comments on my own blog entries, but here are a few links to my peer's entries in which I leave comments for them.

Leslie on Project 2

Leslie on Flash

Karissa on Project 2

Amanda on Interactivity

Project II, second guesses.

For project 2 in EL405, I've already proposed a Flash presentation on new media journalism for the site.

I proposed that idea for one of two reasons. 1. We need to add to the site in EL200, and I think Flash would be excellent for interactivity. and 2. I have the most trouble with Flash.

I think I've made my origional slideshow about 7 times over now. I usually get 99% of the way finished in a fairly short time, then when it comes to scripting my buttons to move to the next slide, I'm done. I just can't figure it out.

I've tried starting my presentation as simply a new document, I've tried starting with a new slideshow presentation, I've even messed with prefabricated slideshow templates to see if I couldn't teach myself something new. I have tried with no avail. It's not that I dislike Flash, because I think it is an excellent tool, I'm frustrated with myself.

It seems like the answer is so simple, but everytime I ask somebody it never really seems to help. They just hem and haw and eventually walk away from me. I call it my "on/release" problem.

So in essence, I only really have one slide done, the title screen. What good are the other slides I've finished if you can't see them? Refer to my last Flash screenshot to see my progress then, I guess. Haha.

With that said, I've found a tutorial online I think will help me. I'm going to try it when I'm finished writing this, more to come.

Yesterday in class while Leslie and I were playing each others games, I came up with an idea. The conversation probably went something like this:

Me, "Dude, I have a great idea for project two."

Leslie, "Oh ya man, what?"

Me, "What if we took each other's games and expanded them?"

Leslie, "That's awesome, let's ask Jerz."

Upon asking, it has been accepted as long as Leslie and I come up with a plan to expand the game and present it.

For my game, I'd definitely like it if Leslie made the lessons in my game a little less obvious. Right now my game literally tells the player they've learned a new skill. I think this is acceptable for elementary school students, but junior high students would find it dull. I'd also like to add more tangible objects, significant to the CTS portion or not, to add more for the player to do. Leslie is very good at coming up with multiple things to put in environments, that can be seen when playing her game for project I.

Leslie's game is set in a jungle, which is a perfect setting for adding many objects. I'd like to fix some of the coding in her game, as we had already discussed. There are a few in her game that work to a certain point, but are meant to be used through the entire game.

I still have to discuss this with her further, but that's my rough idea so far.

CTS Project is finished, but tweaking is needed.

Here is a lovely screenshot of the first stages of my Catholic Social Teaching Interactive Fiction game.

That was the first day I started, only one real room to play in. This game really only took me probably a total of 10 hours of work. I only worked on it for about four days, writing IF is like second nature to me now. I had an idea I wanted to gear the game toward children, and I did.

Yesterday in class, Dr. Jerz pointed out some faults in my game and gave me some code, that's new to me, to correct the problem. Most of my problems came from my lack of altering descriptions and actions after pertinent points in the game already occured...

As you can see, when you take the ball, the game still describes the ball as bouncing between Samantha's hands. Clearly, if the player has the ball it cannot be bouncing in her hands. I've fixed this problem on my I: drive at school. I'll post the complete game once all of the kinks are worked out.

Leslie played my game and she seemed to really like it, she didn't get stuck on any of my shortcomings. That's because she knows how I write IF because we've written so much of it together.

Watching Dr. Jerz play was a completely different experience. Every keystroke he made my brain went "duh, why didn't you think of that!?"

I guess it just goes to show that it's possible to get into little creative niches, but really IF needs to be as universally playable as possible. A huge thanks to Dr. Jerz again for pointing this out.

Overall, I've discovered that I love IF. It's a blast to write as much as it is to play, and it's not stressful for me to write anymore. I wanted to laugh at Leslie when she called me before class stressing out. I know she enjoys writing IF as much as I do, and her game was great just as I expected it to be. Interactive Fiction is definitely something I reccommend learning in partners because you can bounce ideas and skills off one another.

I've got Flash.

A good friend of mine gave me Flash to use at home. Which means not having to drive to school to work on my slideshow. I'm a happy girl.

I did have my entire project done at school though. All I needed to do was script the buttons to jump to the next slide, that was my only hangup. I decided to start fresh here at home. With that said, here is my first ever screen shot. A meger accomplishment, but I'm proud. =)

The beginnings of a title screen.

I'm using pictures of figure skaters since it is a subject I know a lot about. I figured the subject matter would be interesting, too. I'm even putting a picture of a nasty fall at the end, it's a great shot. I also make an appearance in the slideshow. More screen shots to come.

Proposal 2

For Project 2, I am proposing a Flash presentation.

My idea can be found here, in a past blog entry. I figured why not integrate the two classes?

EL 200 Portfolio 3

1. Lab Report:

Setonian not just for Sunday’s anymore

For the second issue of The Setonian of the Spring 2006 semester, Stormy Knight made a promise to herself and the staff that she would be in the office on Sunday’s to help with production. Knight, arts and entertainment editor, kept that promise for the third issue as well. She also stopped by the office several other days since Amanda Cochran, editor in chief, was away at a conference.

“I was there the first day when articles arrived, and there were only a few to copy-edit since the majority of the articles were given an extension on their deadline,” said Knight.

Knight copy-edited all the articles that came in on Tuesday. Thursday was a big day in production week, most of the articles were being submitted and there was working being done on the layout. “On Thursday, I printed out articles, copy-edited them, and placed corrections in the layout,” said Knight.

“I was glad to see that the layout workshop I ran for Media Lab students was able to help Stormy,” said Lorin Schumacher, production manager.

According to Knight, work on the layout this time around was less difficult and she feels she has acquired a new skill. “It is nice to be able to help out on all aspects of the paper, not just editing and writing,” said Knight.

Aside from writing her article on the Holocaust conference, Knight also compiled the police blotter with news editor, Valerie Masciarelli.

“Stormy saved me the rush from the campus police office to class,” said Masciarelli.

Knight volunteered to go with Masciarelli to compile the police blotter since she was running out of time before her class that afternoon.

“Had I not been in the office, I would not have had to opportunity to help out, and the students loved the police blotter,” said Knight.

“Stormy pulled through for us this issue, she was there to help copy-edit and do other tasks throughout the week, and it was nice having her in the office so much. We really bonded as a staff,” said Leslie Rodriguez, sports editor.

This issue was Knight’s center spread and the theme was the Holocaust. “I worked with Lorin and Amanda making decisions on the layout and content of the section. I am extremely proud of the way it turned out, but it was truly a group effort,” said Knight.

Knight’s time spent in the office prepared her for the future of The Setonian, sans Cochran. “Being in the office much more than usual made me realize how much help our staff really needs during production and how much work we’ll all be picking up once Amanda leaves,” she said.

Knight said that she is nervous about all of the extra responsibility, but working closely with the staff also motivates her. “The staff is like a family, we have inside jokes, we’re quirky, and we work hard. That hard effort can be seen in each issue- President Boyle even wrote us a letter of praise,” said Knight.

Knight knows The Setonian will continue to meet the high standards of its readers. “The key to a great publication is dedication,” she said, “I see the dedication every time I walk into the office and that’s what keeps me motivated.”

2. Seib Chapter 6- Ethics in Journalism

3. Group Project Checkpoint

4. Action Item

EL 200 action item

For the New Media Journalism site, the class has discussed several possible additions to help round out the page. These possibilities include helpful links to journalistic tools and examples of copy-editied articles.

Today, I came up with a different idea. In addition to adding helpful links, I think a Flash presentation would be great to have on the site. The presentation could show what new media journalism is through an informative slideshow. The corrected article examples could also be displayed in a Flash format.

Right now the site looks stagnant and there is nothing to interact with, and a Flash document would be an impressive way of showing prospective students what SHU has to offer.

Also, the Flash presentation is an excellent example of new media journalism in itself, as I've learned from my New Media Projects course. There could also be a blurb about learning to use Flash if you some to SHU and take that course, EL405.

Using Flash is a great way of showing and not telling as well, which all writers strive to do.

For the journalism competition, I would still like to arrange the prizes. I mentioned before getting gift certificates to Chick-Fil-A, and I could also see if it would be possible to obtain a mall gift certificate as well. I think it would be nice to have the prize involve something that would be helpful to the winning school's paper, but I haven't quite figured out what that could be. Maybe having a Setonian editor visit their production one day would be fun and beneficial to both the SHU student and the school's paper staff. I think one of our editors would be a fantastic prize! Maybe i'm just biased.

EL200- Seib Chapter 6

Being ethical is one of the main concern for journalists. It should be, anyway. Chapter 6 of Going Live by Philip Seib focuses on ethics in journalism.

Journalists of course have their own code of ethics. Most importantly, journalists have the job of reporting the truth and the facts. This is accomplised in part by being transparent. Transparency is the writers practice of showing no bias or personal opinion. If the reader is able to detect the writer's opinion in the article, then the journalist has not done their job.

Presenting both sides to every story is crucial to staying ethical. Reading this chapter made me think back to the last Setonian all-staff organizational meeting. For the upcoming issue, we talked about writing a story on the post office and students having trouble with lost mail. Somebody said, "post office inadequacy!" and Amanda, our editor in cheif, quickly corrected that person for being one sided.

The reporter of this story would need to interview students who have had trouble as well as students who are satisfied with the service of the post office so it would not look like an attack. The reporter also would need to talk to employees of the post office in order to discover where the problems actually lie.

In this chapter, Seib discusses the issues of putting news online. The ability to post news online is a double edged sword. The internet allows for immediate posting of any type of information. This would seem beneficial to journalists in the sense of timliness, but it also proves to be problematic.

In the rush to be the first to post a story online, a journalist could overlook problems in the story. Sometimes breaking news is sketchy with the facts because not all of the facts are yet known. Journalists have to watch posting news online quickly because they may be publishing information that is only speculation.