"Publisher in Portugal Picks a Fine Time to Start a Newspaper" by Eric Pfanner, pub. 11/08/09 in the New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/business/media/09iht-paper.html
"Tribune Co. newspapers won't use AP next week" by the AP
("to test whether the financially struggling company can do without it.")
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ijJtQAHWUnZQQPsa1LonfpdfcIeAD9BO3JV00
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Jim West responses
I saw this video last year in Brett Atwood's class.
It was interesting to me to think about whether the story was about sexual orientation or about unlawful activity promising an internship for favors.
As I said in class, the story has to be, at least in part, about sexual orientation because of all the background presented that's required to understand the story completely.
The biggest problem I have with West's actions is the hypocrisy. In the past, he voted for "anti-gay" measures and his actions, on the other hand, portrayed him to be either gay or bisexual. Like we discussed in class, he didn't actually do anything wrong since he didn't persue the "teen" online until he had his 18th birthday. Though he did offer the possibility of an internship, that never came through to fruition so I don't know that we can infer too much about that offer and how it reflects his character.
It was interesting to me to think about whether the story was about sexual orientation or about unlawful activity promising an internship for favors.
As I said in class, the story has to be, at least in part, about sexual orientation because of all the background presented that's required to understand the story completely.
The biggest problem I have with West's actions is the hypocrisy. In the past, he voted for "anti-gay" measures and his actions, on the other hand, portrayed him to be either gay or bisexual. Like we discussed in class, he didn't actually do anything wrong since he didn't persue the "teen" online until he had his 18th birthday. Though he did offer the possibility of an internship, that never came through to fruition so I don't know that we can infer too much about that offer and how it reflects his character.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Math fun is rarely fun. I should know.
1. $7885.00
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? 83%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others.
* The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas.
* Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc.
* The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year.
* Finally, we have two designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? $67,500 Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? Median salary.
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? Both
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?
25% decrease. (new value-original value/original value)
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase? 33% increase
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? 11% increase
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 3 costs $129,000.
* House 4 costs $192,000.
* House 2 costs $207,000.
* House 1 costs $225,000.
* House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? $790,600 What’s the median? $207,000 (use median more often)
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? me: 4, roommates: 3
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502.
* Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000.
Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Spokane: .0025 (25 per 10,000 people)----- Pullman: or .0073 (73.2 per 10,000 people)
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year? $150,000
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? 83%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others.
* The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas.
* Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc.
* The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year.
* Finally, we have two designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? $67,500 Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? Median salary.
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? Both
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?
25% decrease. (new value-original value/original value)
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase? 33% increase
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? 11% increase
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 3 costs $129,000.
* House 4 costs $192,000.
* House 2 costs $207,000.
* House 1 costs $225,000.
* House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? $790,600 What’s the median? $207,000 (use median more often)
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? me: 4, roommates: 3
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502.
* Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000.
Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Spokane: .0025 (25 per 10,000 people)----- Pullman: or .0073 (73.2 per 10,000 people)
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year? $150,000
Monday, November 2, 2009
News
Here we go again: Crazy stuff in the world of words.
Booksellers Ask Justice Dept. to Probe Price Wars
by Reuters in the NYT, pub. Oct. 22
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Target Corp and Amazon.com Inc. are going head-to-head to see who can beat out the competition, providing customers with the absolute lowest prices on new (even some unreleased) hardback books by some pretty famous authors. The American Booksellers Association sent a letter to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, asking them to investigate the pricewars. The association claimed the war was causing devaluation of the concept of the books themselves.
www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/22/business/business-us-booksellers-doj.html
A Different Look at Common Reading
by Andrea Castillo in the Daily Evergreen, pub. Oct. 29
Professor Melissa Goodman-Elgar spoke on Oct. 27 regarding the freshman required reading, "The Omnivore's Dilema." The talk focused on the anthropological perspective on the history of maize in three main regions of Mesoamerica.
www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29925
Booksellers Ask Justice Dept. to Probe Price Wars
by Reuters in the NYT, pub. Oct. 22
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Target Corp and Amazon.com Inc. are going head-to-head to see who can beat out the competition, providing customers with the absolute lowest prices on new (even some unreleased) hardback books by some pretty famous authors. The American Booksellers Association sent a letter to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, asking them to investigate the pricewars. The association claimed the war was causing devaluation of the concept of the books themselves.
www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/22/business/business-us-booksellers-doj.html
A Different Look at Common Reading
by Andrea Castillo in the Daily Evergreen, pub. Oct. 29
Professor Melissa Goodman-Elgar spoke on Oct. 27 regarding the freshman required reading, "The Omnivore's Dilema." The talk focused on the anthropological perspective on the history of maize in three main regions of Mesoamerica.
www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29925
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Peer Edit
1. The 2,800 square-foot, four-bedroom house will be built on a concrete foundation.
2. Carlton, owner of Palouse Synergy Systems, talked about how eastern Washington could be transformed into a renewable energy leader if people understood the benefits.
3. “I got a double with a full bath,” said John Gardner, WSU Vice President of Economic Development and Global Engagement. “I lived in Gannon-Golds for two years, and then I switched over here—[this is a] huge difference.”
4. PCEI is offering workshops that teach locals to value and learn how to use sustainable techniques, she said.
5. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said.
"Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said regarding sustainability methods, consumption and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.”
6. He also raises money for student scholarships.
7. She said she has been ostracized in her dorm, and she might move to another hall.
8. Though helping to improve Pullman’s atmosphere, Sherman said SEL does not make Pullman immune from the recession.
2. Carlton, owner of Palouse Synergy Systems, talked about how eastern Washington could be transformed into a renewable energy leader if people understood the benefits.
3. “I got a double with a full bath,” said John Gardner, WSU Vice President of Economic Development and Global Engagement. “I lived in Gannon-Golds for two years, and then I switched over here—[this is a] huge difference.”
4. PCEI is offering workshops that teach locals to value and learn how to use sustainable techniques, she said.
5. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said.
"Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said regarding sustainability methods, consumption and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.”
6. He also raises money for student scholarships.
7. She said she has been ostracized in her dorm, and she might move to another hall.
8. Though helping to improve Pullman’s atmosphere, Sherman said SEL does not make Pullman immune from the recession.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Records Request Ideas
I'm not 100% sure what constitutes a "records request," but here are some ideas I've been cultivating regarding my beat:
1. Legislation or changes regarding reading/writing standards in schools.
2. Library funding. What is it based on and where does the money come from? Do libraries really have such dire futures?
3. Newspaper finances. Where does money come from, where does it go, and how have those flows changed over the past 5 years?
4. Textbook sales. Revenue and markup.
1. Legislation or changes regarding reading/writing standards in schools.
2. Library funding. What is it based on and where does the money come from? Do libraries really have such dire futures?
3. Newspaper finances. Where does money come from, where does it go, and how have those flows changed over the past 5 years?
4. Textbook sales. Revenue and markup.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Palouse Publication
Based in Moscow, Idaho, the Appaloosa Journal is not immune to the same economic pressures facing national magazines in New York or Los Angeles.
“I would say that [the Appaloosa Journal is affected by economic pressures], even more so than maybe Moscow itself, because Moscow is a lot more removed and Appaloosas are on an international basis,” said Tafra Donberger, associate editor of the Appaloosa Journal. “We definitely feel what’s going on in New York.”
The journal, the flagship publication for the Appaloosa Horse Club, is currently operating in the red due to a decrease in advertising sales and a decline in interest in the Appaloosa horse industry.
National magazines and publishing companies are facing similar economic hardships.
Condé Nast Publications, a tycoon in the magazine industry with a readership of about 65 million readers monthly, has implemented layoffs and cuts, after a string of failed publications such as Golf for Women, Condé Nast Portfolio and Domino magazines. Over the past two years, at least 10 titles have cut publication of their traditional print product, the most recent loses being Gourmet and Cookie magazines earlier this month.
Though the Appaloosa Journal isn’t forecasting any closures at this time, minor and major cuts are being made.
“The only thing we can do is cut editorial,” Donberger said. “We’re trying to evolve the selections for advertisers but as far as everything else, really that’s been declining. So we have to cut. It’s unfortunate.”
Additionally, the Appaloosa Journal is considering reducing the frequency of publication, from 12 monthly issues to an 8-issues-a-year or a bimonthly publication.
“I’d like to see it maintain its quality because, actually, it’s a very nice magazine,” Donberger said. “If we dropped to an every-other-month publication, we could probably maintain that.”
The Journal has also lost a significant portion of their staff, and thus, their production capabilities. Since February 2007, the number of staff has decreased from 11 to five, with a loss of sales, design and editorial positions. By the middle of 2007, Donberger had seen page counts down and the magazine began realizing effects of the economic downturn.
In addition to a decline in print nationwide, the horse industry is also taking a financial hit, directly affecting the number of horse club’s memberships.
“Right now, with the decline in the equine economy, it’s sitting around 12,000 (members), but it also varies through the year,” Donberger said. “We go as high as 22,000 at the highest point of the year.”
According to Donberger, membership to the Appaloosa Horse Club includes the journal subscription, but doesn’t cover the production costs of the magazine.
Regardless, Donberger is hopeful about the future of the Appaloosa Journal and the magazine industry as a whole.
“I believe there’s a majority of Americans who want a magazine,” Donberger said. “There’s a difference between a glossy magazine and the newspaper print. There are magazines shutting down but there are also magazines starting up.”
Contacts:
Tafra Donberger, assoc. editor
Appaloosa Journal
208.882.5578 ext. 252
Attempted contacts who haven’t replied/weren’t available:
Mary Jane Butters
MaryJanesFarm
208.882.6819
Sonja Hanisch,
Editor of Uniquely Palouse magazine
208.610.1309
Sandi Williams
Appaloosa Journal
subscriptions@appaloosajournal.com
“I would say that [the Appaloosa Journal is affected by economic pressures], even more so than maybe Moscow itself, because Moscow is a lot more removed and Appaloosas are on an international basis,” said Tafra Donberger, associate editor of the Appaloosa Journal. “We definitely feel what’s going on in New York.”
The journal, the flagship publication for the Appaloosa Horse Club, is currently operating in the red due to a decrease in advertising sales and a decline in interest in the Appaloosa horse industry.
National magazines and publishing companies are facing similar economic hardships.
Condé Nast Publications, a tycoon in the magazine industry with a readership of about 65 million readers monthly, has implemented layoffs and cuts, after a string of failed publications such as Golf for Women, Condé Nast Portfolio and Domino magazines. Over the past two years, at least 10 titles have cut publication of their traditional print product, the most recent loses being Gourmet and Cookie magazines earlier this month.
Though the Appaloosa Journal isn’t forecasting any closures at this time, minor and major cuts are being made.
“The only thing we can do is cut editorial,” Donberger said. “We’re trying to evolve the selections for advertisers but as far as everything else, really that’s been declining. So we have to cut. It’s unfortunate.”
Additionally, the Appaloosa Journal is considering reducing the frequency of publication, from 12 monthly issues to an 8-issues-a-year or a bimonthly publication.
“I’d like to see it maintain its quality because, actually, it’s a very nice magazine,” Donberger said. “If we dropped to an every-other-month publication, we could probably maintain that.”
The Journal has also lost a significant portion of their staff, and thus, their production capabilities. Since February 2007, the number of staff has decreased from 11 to five, with a loss of sales, design and editorial positions. By the middle of 2007, Donberger had seen page counts down and the magazine began realizing effects of the economic downturn.
In addition to a decline in print nationwide, the horse industry is also taking a financial hit, directly affecting the number of horse club’s memberships.
“Right now, with the decline in the equine economy, it’s sitting around 12,000 (members), but it also varies through the year,” Donberger said. “We go as high as 22,000 at the highest point of the year.”
According to Donberger, membership to the Appaloosa Horse Club includes the journal subscription, but doesn’t cover the production costs of the magazine.
Regardless, Donberger is hopeful about the future of the Appaloosa Journal and the magazine industry as a whole.
“I believe there’s a majority of Americans who want a magazine,” Donberger said. “There’s a difference between a glossy magazine and the newspaper print. There are magazines shutting down but there are also magazines starting up.”
Contacts:
Tafra Donberger, assoc. editor
Appaloosa Journal
208.882.5578 ext. 252
Attempted contacts who haven’t replied/weren’t available:
Mary Jane Butters
MaryJanesFarm
208.882.6819
Sonja Hanisch,
Editor of Uniquely Palouse magazine
208.610.1309
Sandi Williams
Appaloosa Journal
subscriptions@appaloosajournal.com
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