Fox44now.com VS. CBSAtlanta.com

VS.

At first glance, I notice that both of the sites have organized drop down categories where one can go and find what they are looking for. I think this tool is useful.

Just looking at both sites, I find that Fox44 is much more appealing to the eye. On the very top of the page is what is called the "conversation room" with links to social media sites. Underneath that is a slideshow of top stories with videos attached. On the top right you notice a slideshow of pictures.

CBS Atlanta is almost the opposite. They have one picture from the top story on the top left, and recent videos on the right, however, you can tell right away that it is very wordy. Unlike Fox44, your going to have to read through the headlines to see what you want to look at. Fox44 has the same, but it is at the bottom of the page, and the most important and top stories are at the top in the form of pictures and video. CBS has "social tools" to link one to the social media but it is off to the right and does not come off as prominent as Fox44. CBS Atlanta also has more ads than Fox44, although they are smaller and more out of the way than they are on the Fox44 site.

I like the writing on both sites. I found the information to be condensed so you only find out whats important and not just a bunch of fluff. I do like how CBS offers local, national and world news on the front page. Fox44 only offers VT, NY and NH news.

Overall, I guess I don't understand whats the point of having an online site if you just have everything in the form of a article. If that's the case, then pick up a newspaper. I think that if you have an online news site you should take advantage of the technology out there and make it interesting, interactive and fun.

Critiquing NSN

The first thing I notice about the site is that its organized. I like things neat and in order so I can appreciate this. On the top of the page, there is tabs on the top directing you to where you want to go, whether it is sports in general, high school, college...etc. This is good for people who get distracted easily and a quick way to find what you are looking for. Also on the top of the page in the right corner is a box telling you when the next live game is. A nice touch.

Looking a little lower, you can't not notice the slide show in the middle of the page with some action shots from recent games. Good pictures. When you click on them, you are brought to an article about the game. Some of the articles were pretty long, but maybe they're supposed to be longer when writing about a game? not sure. I like the upcoming games box though. I like that its informative with the time and date of the game without having to click on it.

Not too many ads. I do notice a ad from LSC though. No comment.

I like that they have a link to like on facebook. Which is good networking. There's not too much I don't like, except maybe the long articles. Overall, I like it.

ONLINE NEWS WRITING 2

The Eatery Closes After a Decade

The Eatery, where special-education students came to work and gain experience in the food industry, is coming to a close after being open for 10 years.

This will save the school system $20,000 to $50,000 a year and is not needed anymore due to having partnerships with 80 other restaurants in the area.

ONLINE NEWS WRITING

Car Accident Leads to Heart Attack

John Barker,59, died earlier today of a heart attack after a automobile crashed through the window of The Subway Central Restaurant, where he was was dining.

The driver of the car, Annie Coulter, 82, reported that the brakes on her car failed. No other injuries were reported.

Ticket for Dog Biting

A dog bit a six-year-old, making this the dog’s second offense.

Police reported 1240 Victor Ave on Thursday evening where police found the child with minor injuries around its ear and neck.

The dog first bit a small child last year. Gordy Jamison, the dog’s owner was ordered a citation for having a vicious dog.

cbs atlanta

The first thing I notice about the site is a lot of options pop out to you. On the right side you have videos for the viewers that prefer to watch and not read, and for the readers, the headlines are smack, right in the middle of the page. There is not too many ads, typical amount for a news site. However, there is a lot more reading than graphics on the site. I like to read, so I don't mind that ,but society is getting spoiled to having instant gratification and having everything right there at a click of a button. I like the tabs on the top of the page and being able to choose what you want to look at through an categories and subcategories. Overall, I like it, the only negative comment I could make is that it could use some more visuals or graphics, especially on the home page.

This is my first post of Multimedia Storytelling. For homework we were told to critic another blog. This being the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, I decided I would find a blog having to do with just that.

http://blog.heritage.org/2011/09/10/remembering-911-a-new-perspective-on-the-world/

The blog I found was written by a girl whom was in high school on 9/11/01. She now is in her 20s and works for homeland security. The beginning of the blog gets into detail about where she was that morning. I like that she added that because almost everybody remembers exactly where they were that moment, and as a country, that was a moment that changed us. She says in the blog that 9/11 changed our perspective on the world. Being a freshman in high school myself on 9/11, I would have to say I agree. That was the first time in my life I was scared and unsure of the unknown. The writer backs up her facts about how the United States has had at least 40 known terrorist attacks since 9/11 with a journal article which is something I was unaware of. This blog wasn't anything special to look at, it had no special graphics and just one picture, but the meaning was strong and something I can definitely relate to.