Our shiny new camcorder
By Danny | March 24, 2008
For a while now, our reporting staff have been producing videos to accompany stories when appropriate, but until last week, theyâve always had to do so with either woefully substandard or mind-bogglingly technical equipment. Thatâs all changed now, because Sally managed to get them a shiny new digital camcorder.
After a couple of false starts, in which Larissaâs computer kept crashing, we managed to produce the first video using this camera, and so far it seems to be successful. If things work out the way we hope they will, then our reporters should be able to produce videos to accompany their stories more often.
If youâre wondering why I havenât written an incredibly witty and entertaining blog post about Larissa and my trip to the Pismo Police Department, itâs because we havenât gone yet. Iâm beginning to suspect that maybe Larissa has something to hide, because all Iâve heard from her is that the chief is âout this weekâ. I think thatâs a thinly veiled way of saying âwe canât go because I am wanted in connection with several unsolved murders/bank robberies/jay walking incidentsâ. Time will tell.
All last week, I was working on a new and (hopefully) much improved winery listing, which should allow us to provide more details about the wineries as well as information on events to be held there. I think Iâm getting close to being done, so we should be releasing that in the next week or so.
A couple of weeks ago, a reader left a comment on the community site complaining about the Flash content on sanluisobispo.com taking too long to load. Iâve spent some time looking at this and we may have a solution. Itâll take a bit of testing to make sure it works correctly, but we should be able to make the Flash content load after the rest of the page, making the actual content load much faster.
Weâve just put a new Grudge Match on the community site in which weâre pitting the awesome Hannibal Lecter against the not-quite-as-awesome John Doe from Seven. This might be a closer match than the last one in which Poison took a pounding from Def Leppard.
Finally, congratulations to my sister (although she probably wonât read this because she doesnât find my banal, sarcastic commentary entertaining), who gave birth to my nephew, Archie, on Easter Sunday. Weâre all proud of you.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
It’s all Eliot Spitzer’s fault
By Danny | March 12, 2008
You may find the news about Eliot Spitzer intriguing, but not after the seventh time you’ve been told about it. Or even the second. Iâd never even heard of him until yesterday, but that may be due to my own personal lack of interest in current events. Alternatively, it could be because I am foreign, so politics in this country frighten and confuse me.
Unfortunately, a problem with our publishing system caused our breaking-news alert about Spitzerâs resignation to be sent out 6 more times than was intended. It may even have been more times than that â I lost count. It was definitely more than the one time that it should have been sent.
Weâre sorry. Weâre tracking down the cause of the problem and will get it fixed as soon as possible. The alerts have stopped for now though.
This week we have been working on setting up a test version of the community site which should allow me to make code changes without potentially breaking the live version. I know, thatâs not terribly exciting, but this blog is supposed to be a look at whatâs going on behind the scenes here, and thatâs pretty much it.
This weekâs Grudge Match on MySLOCounty.com is a hard-fought battle between Han Solo and Indiana Jones. As I write this, Indy is ahead by a single vote despite my argument for Han including a pretty chart. Go vote for Han.
Next week, Larissa and I intend to visit the Pismo police department to see what we can do about having them provide data we can use to create a Pismo crime map. I hope weâll be able to figure something out â I know quite a few readers are anxious to see more crime maps posted. Stay tuned for more information on that next week.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
I’m duly qualified
By Danny | March 4, 2008
I returned from my âbaby vacationâ yesterday to find a suspicious yellow envelope on my desk. I say âsuspiciousâ because typically, no one sends me mail thatâs not of the “e” variety, so I consider any envelope left on my desk, yellow or otherwise, to be suspicious. Upon inspection, the envelope appeared to have been sent by the International Webmasters Association, which helped to abate my suspicions somewhat as I am familiar with that organization. The Tribune has in fact recently signed me up as a member to gain access to some training courses.
I opened the envelope to see what goodies lay awaiting me inside, and found a green cardboard folder containing this:
Itâs a certificate declaring me âduly qualified and acceptedâ into the IWA, which is great, especially considering that my only qualification as far as the IWA is concerned is that the cheque for the membership fee cleared. I intend to frame the certificate and hang it on the wall of my cubicle next to my printouts of funny headlines from the newspaper â thatâs how proud I am of this honour.
Imagine my delight to then find tucked behind the certificate a letter bearing this:
Thatâs right, not only am I âduly qualified,â I am a card carrying member of the IWA. If thatâs not $50 well spent, I donât know what is.
Anyway, on to business.
In my absence, it seems things went relatively smoothly. Sally, Larissa and Kim made some updates to the Web sites while Joe and Chrissy engaged in a stirring debate over whether or not Muppets suck. Sally did manage to break the caption contest, but only briefly. Uncharacteristically, Iâm not giving her too hard a time over it. It meant that I got to claw back a few hours of vacation time, since I had to work from home to fix it, and Iâll take all the time I can get.
So far this week, Iâve made a few small changes to the community site. Photographs uploaded will no longer automatically be promoted to the front page, since they already appear right at the top of the page. Pat and I have started an all new Grudge Match on whether Paul or John was the better Beatle (hint: John). Also, Iâve made a Grudge Match block on the right hand rail as a form of shameless self-promotion.
The rest of the week is likely to be spent digging around in database infrastructures, which is about as fun and interesting as it sounds, so I won’t be boring you with any details.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Bringing you live traffic info
By Sally | February 27, 2008
Danny is still off tending to his new baby, but despite what he’d have you believe, we’re still adding new things to the site.
Today we added live traffic data, so you can see in real time where there are wrecks, road hazards and other incidents of note. You can see it at www.sanluisobispo.com/traffic, or select the Live Traffic info link in the navigation.
At some point, we hope to be able to map this information for you, but for now, a quick check of our web site will give you all the information you need before you head out onto the roads.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Why does this story allow comments, but that one doesn’t?
By larissa | February 25, 2008
I noticed one of our regular web commenters has been asking why some stories allow comments, but others don’t. The person seems upset that a seemingly non-comment-worthy item - such as a photo - gets a comment section, while a breaking news-type item doesn’t.
Here’s your answer:
Any story that gets published from the print edition (which shows up in the “Today’s Headlines” section of the site) automatically gets a comment section. There’s no extra step required by a human. That means all stories, not matter how innocuous, have that nice box at the bottom where you can post away.
But items we post manually throughout the day and night in the “Latest from the newsroom” section at the top of the homepage doesn’t have that nice feature. After someone here at The Tribune posts a story to that section, they have to go in and manually add a comment section. It’s an easy, three-step process, but sometimes the person posting may forget. On weekends and nights, several people in the newsroom are responsible for posting to that section. Because it’s not their usual duty, it sometimes gets overlooked. I’ll try and remind everyone to take those extra steps so commenting is allowed on all stories.
Our policy as of last year is that all stories should have a comment section. So if you notice a story doesn’t have one, it was likely just overlooked by the person who posted the story. If I see it, I’ll try to go in and add a comment section later.
As always, feel free to e-mail me questions at ldoust@thetribunenews.com.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
That’s hardly breaking news
By larissa | February 12, 2008
It seems like there are some questions out there about our Web site. Why are there two of the same stories on the homepage? Why is a day-old story still considered “breaking news?” And why is that story breaking news at all?
Well, lucky for you, I have the answers.
Our goal here at sanluisobispo.com is to get you the news as it happens. We know you don’t want to wait until the delivery person throws the rolled-up paper at your door early in the morning. By that time, the news is old. (That’s not to say the printed product is worthless. It has many features not available online).
But our goal on the site is providing up-to-the-minute updates. So when I get in at 7 a.m. (or sometimes 5 a.m.), I immediately start looking for the newest news. I check for press releases e-mailed or faxed to us by local police or fire departments. I peruse the CHP Web site for any crashes or other mishaps that may delay your commute. I scan the news wire for stories from outside agencies (such as the Associated Press) that may be of interest to SLO County residents. I’ll either write up the short article or copy and past, and then post to the section of our site called “Latest from the newsroom.”
The items go up onto the site in the order I post them. So a story that may seem like bigger news may be under something was posted more recently. I do have the ability to reorder the stories, so sometimes a really big story will stay at the time, and newer stuff will go underneath.
Throughout the day, I try to keep fresh news up on the site. That means working with the reporters on anything they may have, and reporting and writing up anything I find. After I leave in the afternoon, night web producer Kim Bui takes over and can post any updates.
Sometimes we’ll post stories in the “Latest from the newsroom” section that will run in the next day’s paper. Example: A man was arrested Monday on suspicion of killing a SLO woman three years ago. You don’t want to wait to read about it the next day, so we posted it to our Web site immediately.
But on Tuesday, we posted the same story under the “Today’s headlines” section of the homepage. That’s where all the local stories from The Tribune go. The problem - yesterday’s web update was still on the homepage. Well, I’m trying my best to find you some new updates so that one will bump off. But because I can’t create the news, there’s not always enough to go into that section. Sure, I can post upcoming events or some minor happenings. But that’s usually when I hear from you guys: “Slow news day??” “This is breaking news??”
I’m doing my best to give you fresh content that’s also worth your time. So sometimes you may see two of the same stories on the homepage. Or a story from yesterday is still up there because there hasn’t been enough new news to bump it off. Or there may be a really boring item that you don’t think is worthy of being on the homepage.
OK, that’s all I’ve got for now. I hope I’ve answered some of your questions. And as always, let me know if there’s anything else about the Web site that you’re curious about.
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
A mewling, ineffectual reply
By Danny | February 6, 2008
Justin Hoeger (pictured right), one of our nondescript editorial staff (I think he works on Ticket or something, I don’t know) is misguided. Not only that, heâs also misinformed and mistaken. And probably miserable and misanthropic.
In his recent blog post he mentions that he and I are engaged in a brutal mix-CD-off to the death and in the process manages to hurl insults referring to myself and my nationality. He must be assuming that because of my gentle, non-confrontational manner that I will have no retort to his crude and unwarranted vitriol.
Haha. Funny.
Justinâs account of how the bitter feud came to be is slightly inaccurate; let me tell you a tale.
A little over a week ago, Justin came rumbling into my cubicle spouting âfactsâ about Amy Winehouse that were obviously based on false information. When I did not conform to his way of thinking, he laid out his terms for war and then proceeded to invade, decimate and occupy my cubicle for an extended period of time, apparently without an exit strategy of any kind. Perhaps it is his American-ness that makes him predisposed to jumping into confrontation with those different to him without thinking of the consequences, Iâm not sure. He then started mumbling something about me being an illegal alien and threatened to deport me.
I also think his CD may be some sick form of torture.
His condescending attitude made it clear that he expected to win and with the might of the editorial department (and two mix-CD veterans) behind him, I was sure to be the underdog. What Justin failed to realize is that we Scots are always the underdogs.
And so Justin issued his challenge, in between bites of cheeseburger, being generally uneducated, having no concept of the world outside his immediate surroundings nor any concept of irony in addition to acting out several other stereotypical American traits. The terms were laid out, we were each to create what we considered an âawesomeâ mix CD, limiting ourselves to what will physically fit onto a single disk â and we had one week to do it.
So I set to work thinking of a theme for my CD that would put Justin in his place. I decided that since his opinions on British music seem to be skewed towards, well letâs just say ânot awesomeâ, I should make a CD consisting of awesome British music. So I did. And itâs awesome.
Here are my track listings and the reasons I picked them. Also for reference, hereâs my packaging.
And hereâs Justinâs.
Iâm quietly confident.
The opening track to what is often regarded as on of the greatest albums ever made. The intro to this song has been described as âmusical foreplayâ. This is a truly awesome song in an album made entirely of awesome songs.
The Who â Baba OâRiley
What makes this song awesome? Well, House (played by British actor Hugh Laurie) seems to like it and heâs definitely awesome.
Genesis â Land of Confusion
Anything featuring Phil Collins is automatically going to be great, no question. The man oozes talent from every orifice. Have you seen the video to this song? Awesome.
Simple Minds â (Donât You) Forget About Me
The fact that hearing this song instantly conjures up images of one of the defining movies of the â80s is pretty impressive. The fact that the song is by a Scottish band makes it awesome.
Jamiroquai â Canned Heat
You know that song Napoleon Dynamite dances to at the end of the movie? Yeah, awesome.
Tears for Fears â Head Over Heals
Another movie reference, the scene in Donnie Darko that makes use of this song is an awesome example of how to use music in film.
Queen â Under Pressure
I resisted the urge to use Bohemian Rhapsody in favour of this song because it combines two legendary British artists, Queen and David Bowie in one song here â Awesome. Even if the bass riff was later stolen by Vanilla Ice.
Led Zeppelin â Immigrant Song
I couldnât make a compilation of awesome British music without including Led Zeppelin, and after careful consideration, I decided this was my favourite â Awesome, because theyâre all awesome.
Coldplay â Clocks
An awesome minimalist masterpiece by one of the biggest artists around. They layering of simple rhythmical piano and drums into something so complex is genius.
The Police â Roxanne
A song inspired by the prostitutes Sting saw from his window while staying in a hotel in France. Not only that, itâs a tango. Awesome.
Ozzy Osbourne â Crazy Train
I went to the Ozzfest in the UK in 1998 where I saw not only Ozzy, but Black Sabbath. Ozzy will always rule, and Iâll always have stories to tell.
Derek & the Dominos â Layla
My wife and I are expecting our third child in a couple of weeks. Weâve been told to expect a girl and are planning to call her Layla. You want to try and tell me this song isnât awesome? Didnât think so.
Elton John â Daniel
Weâre naming our daughter Layla, so itâs only fitting that I follow that song with the one I was named after. There are a lot of awesome Elton John songs, but come on, just the fact that I was named after this one surely bumps it up a notch or two.
John Lennon â Imagine
Rolling Stone called this the 3rd greatest song of all time. I canât argue with that.
Stereophonics â Handbags and Gladrags
The theme song to the undeniably awesome British version of The Office. I know this isnât the original, nor is it the version used in the show, but the Stereophonics are a great band and deserving of inclusion into this CD.
Pink Floyd â Comfortably Numb
Honestly, there isnât a Pink Floyd song that couldnât have been used in this CD, and I had a hard time choosing one. I guess I just like this one the best.
Radiohead â You
How do you make a song with the time signature 23/8 (or 3 bars of 6/8 and one of 5/8 in 4 bar phrases) sound good? You need to be awesome.
Dire Straits â Money For Nothing
If you have Sting singing backing vocals for you, you know youâre awesome. Also, have you seen the music video to this song? Impressive, considering it was released in 1984.
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
At least we use our feet
By Danny | February 4, 2008
The community site is starting to grow. We have gained quite a few new users over the last week, and although only a handful have posted anything, Iâm encouraged that there are those out there who are willing to help make the site a success.
People have started making their own forum topics, and some are even getting replies. Itâs hardly a staggering amount of content, but itâs a start.
Our Ninjas vs. Pirates poll has come to a close with ninjas only just edging out a win. Congratulations go out to ninjas everywhere.
Replacing that poll, we have an all new one featuring a point/counterpoint by our very own Pat Pemberton, and some other guy. The topic: Football Vs Soccer. Vote for the winner and discuss who you think should win here.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Web site you've all been waiting for: MySLOCounty.com!
By Danny | January 30, 2008
So today we had a âsoft launchâ for MySLOCounty.com, which essentially means that we put a banner on the homepage and sent out an e-mail to our newsletter subscribers. Hopefully that will generate some new users and those users will generate some new content.
It appears that ninjas still have the edge on pirates, but only by a single vote. The discussion has been heating up, and has made for an interesting diversion from wrestling with all the little problems that have arisen since we started using the site. If you have an opinion and havenât voiced it yet, nowâs the time.
You may have noticed on Monday afternoon that the community site became unavailable, or that all the pictures disappeared. This was caused by some problems that our hard-working friends at McClatchy Interactive had when trying to move the site over to its official and final home. They got it fixed by Tuesday afternoon though, so no lasting harm was done.
In a classic display of great timing, our community evangelist, Kim, has gone in for surgery and will be out for at least the next week. Sally will be taking on her community site duties in her absence.
Last night I set up a private messaging system on the community site which allows users to send messages to one another. It works kind of like email, except you have to be signed into the site in order to use it. So, if you need to report any problems with the site, you can click here or you can visit my profile on the site and click the âSend a private message to Dannyâ link. Otherwise, you can still reach us via the âcontact usâ link.
Thanks to everyone whoâs contributed to the site, and even bigger thanks to those who have given feedback.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Riveting discussions
By Danny | January 25, 2008
While some people consider the new community site to be simply an area in which users can share photos, stories and opinions, I see it as something far more important. True, it is all those things previously mentioned, but chiefly itâs a place to have discussions about whatâs most important to people in the community.
Right now, I am engaged in an engrossing discussion on âninjas vs piratesâ.
You can see that I have a keen awareness of what matters to people. Itâs not the election, nor is it the war in Iraq â currently ninjas are just edging out pirates, and thatâs whatâs important. If you disagree, join in the discussion.
Weâre still making small changes to www.myslocounty.com based on the feedback weâre getting. If you havenât taken a look yet, try it out and let us know what you think.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
« Previous Entries Next Entries »