Something to Say?

I enjoy reading comments. I honestly believe that I'm not alone in that and that comment sections actually for the large part enhance digital content. But some sites do seem to attract absolutely rubbish comments ranging from pointless to truly derogatory. Stephen Fry actually brought this point to light with what I feel is a fantastic description, "bottom feeders." The position of the comment section along with the ability for contributors to hide behind avatar and alias has meant that this is a fitting term. Don't mistake me here, sometimes I throughly enjoy reading pointless arguments about poor grammar, or conflicting opinions on MPs expenses. 

What is good to see though, is positive constructive discussion, praise and indeed criticism. Also what is brilliant to see is interaction within the comments by the author. I saw this on Vimeo recently and it got me thinking about other comment sections on other sites. What if local press journalists engaged with local people by involving themselves in the comment sections. I actually do believe that properly moderated and respectable places for people to offer their opinion especially in the local sector can become an way to engage people with their local news sites. I think it is this engagement that is crucially lacking from local sites. 

Pay Walls

It seems that The Times has been the first to take a giant leap into the unknown as its plans for the much debated "pay-wall" are starting to take shape. Although this is an issue I am as of yet undecided about, admittedly the re-designed home of The Times looks great as the use of dominant image and columned text with the classic Times header really brings the great elements of conventional page layout to a digital space. (I have often felt dismayed at the "busy-ness" of online news sites, but that is for another post) 

News today also emerged that Sky Sports News will also follow suite, soon to be removed from Freeview and also to be hidden behind the NewsCorp guarded pay-wall online too. Again, it is interesting to see how this venture will pay off, I have always seen Sky Sports News as a fantastic platform which deservedly gets viewing figures of around two million and serves to promote the paid for content which has been the backbone of BskyB's business model. Pay Wall... Watch this space.

Adam

First Post

Here is my first foray into blogging. I have seen how effective this process can be for recording and mapping ones thoughts and feelings. 

My goal? To use this space as a archive of my thoughts and opinions for myself and on the off chance that anyone else is interested in my thoughts and opinions then it can serve as an archive for them too.  

Adam