Windowsill

The online content revisions have been made. I will post the final piece next year when it is developed and published.

Kidde Residential & Commercial
1016 Corporate Park Drive
Mebane, NC 27302
http://www.Kidde.com

Contact – Todd Pendergast, Web Communications Manager
Ph – 919-304-8244
Fax – 919-563-2712
Email – todd.pendergast@fs.utc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New California Resolution
Inspires Community Initiative

Community and industry leaders unite to help educate families during
California’s first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Mebane, NC, November 12, 2007 – A partnership that includes Safe Kids Los Angeles; the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; the Sacramento and Los Angeles County Fire Departments; and Kidde, a leading fire safety manufacturer; will hold two press events to help educate families during California Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week.

At two press events, Kidde will donate 900 carbon monoxide alarms alarms to help protect Californians from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The first donation will take place at the Los Angeles County Fire Department Headquarters on November 13, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Kidde will donate 450 carbon monoxide alarms to SAFE Kids Los Angeles. The alarms will be distributed to low-income families by the LA County Fire Department.

A second donation will happen on November 14, from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Sacramento Fire Department’s Engine One Building. Firefighters will receive 450 alarms, which they will distribute to the local community. Fire department officials and carbon monoxide poisoning experts will be available to speak about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

CO Awareness Week was approved by the California legislature in September. The measure urges the State Fire Marshal, fire departments, public schools, and other organizations to initiate activities during the week to help raise awareness about this silent killer and explain ways that families can protect themselves.

Awareness is Key to Prevention

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. and kills more than 2,000 people a year according to the The Journal of the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control.

“It’s important to recognize the lethality of CO exposure,” said James DeCarli, SAFE Kids Los Angeles and the LA County Department of Public Health. “Carbon monoxide poisoning fatalities are at least two to three times greater than hospitalizations, illustrating how severe exposure can be. We need to do all we can to educate families about how to protect themselves and getting alarms into families’ hands is a great start.

The easiest way to detect carbon monoxide is with a CO alarm, yet an estimated 71 percent of U.S. homes do not have one. Experts recommend installing CO alarms on every level of the home and near sleeping areas.

More information about carbon monoxide and California CO Awareness Week is available at http://www.KnowAboutCO.com

About Kidde
Since 1917, Kidde has earned a trusted reputation as the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products whose mission is to provide safety solutions that protect people and property from fire and its related hazards. Kidde offers a wide range of fire protection products including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, escape ladders and other accessories. Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a leading global supplier of fire safety and security services serving government, industrial, commercial and retail industries. UTC Fire & Security is a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and commercial building industries worldwide.

Writing for Digital Media is a great course. I highly recommend it. As with anything, there is always room for improvement, so I will try to help in that endeavor.

Improving, Enhancing, Changing

I think the course closely follows the official course description. I can’t find any critique of the class not living up to the description.

My experience was very rocky at first, exciting in the middle and exhaustive by the end. I was amazed throughout by the number of posts that people made to the discussion board. The amount and the quality of the discussion often surpassed that of a typical brick-and-mortar class. On the one hand that is great, as it’s hard to see more discussion as a bad thing. However, it was overwhelming for me to see people making three or four posts a day, when three or four quality posts a week seemed fair. The discussion board was mentioned in the course description, but it probably should be emphasized much more, to prepare students for what’s expected. I made my peace with it as the course went on by easing back on my standards in order to make more posts. I don’t know if that was a good trade off or not.

The blog format is a natural idea for this course. I was nervous at first that all of my assignment feedback would be made public and that could be awkward, but this didn’t become an issue. I found the free WordPress program to be lacking in many ways. It had strange glitches in the WYSIWYG department and didn’t really support a more advanced HTML alternative. I was caught somewhere in between. Maybe it would be a good idea to give a summary or critique of the various publisher options for newbie bloggers.

My main problem was with the pace of the course. With the numerous weekly readings, discussion requirements and written assignments, there wasn’t much time left to really reflect on the ideas or hone new skills. Many times I felt like I wanted to take another long look, but the train was leaving the station and I could barely catch up to jump back on. If one makes the effort after the class to go back and re-read everything and apply it to daily work, then this problem may be mitigated. The great breadth and depth of this class create the break-neck pace, but maybe cutting back a little in each would be worth consideration.

The Readings

The blend of practical and theoretical readings seemed just about right. It’s clear that some theory should be discussed in a graduate level class, so the question is more about how much.

It seems like the theory was strongest when it weaved in and out of the practical material. The usability modules are strong in this regard. I found myself enjoying the ride, as the content of the text flowed from “how to” to “what if” and back again.

The module about interactivity also had a good balance. The text offered practical advice, links and research on the subject. The Aarseth reading gave me pause, as it questioned some of the hype surrounding digital media and interactivity. That pause really helped me hone my critical thinking and introduced a touch of sobriety in a technology-intoxicated realm.

There are three aspects of digital media that make it ripe for theoretical discussion:

1. Things are moving so fast in the information age, that the theoretical discussions seem to add perspective. We need to stop once and awhile and take a look at it all from 40 thousand feet.
2. Digital media has so many implications for our society and the way we communicate and live, so it seems only natural to discuss theoretical implications.
3. Digital media can be a lot of fun. The “what ifs” in the field of new media are fun to explore and debate. They elevate the discussion.

Additionally, Brian Carroll suggested a fourth aspect:

“Change with digital media removing boundaries or distinctions between producer and consumer, sender and receiver, publisher and reader, theoretician and practitioner. These once-sacred roles or divisions have been thrown into the wind, made irrelevant.”

I wouldn’t suggest changing this balance, but I think it was helpful when discussions or readings were identified upfront as theoretical. This helped me shift the old intellectual gears before I hit the gas pedal.

Looking back, it feels like I learned a lot. I knew it would be hard to record it all, so I will skim through my notes and posts looking for clues. Maybe this will unearth the evidence of a change in my writing and my understanding of digital media.

Writing Well

I was surprised to find that I had lost sight of many of the principles and basics of writing. The text began with history for context and then moved to principles. Although I had learned principles many years earlier, I hadn’t seen it much since, and that’s the problem. Years of working on deadline in “good enough for government work” settings had diminished my writing skills, so I have re-oriented myself to these concepts. How do I know? Since taking this course my writing process has slowed to a crawl, as I question the brevity, clarity and accuracy of my writing. This has been uncomfortable, but it’s making a difference, even if it has yet to materialize in the final product. It would be useful to read this chapter at the beginning of each week to avoid potholes.

“I can’t overemphasize the need to be specific, concrete and clear. This is the most commonly fallen into pothole in writing,” from the textbook.

The Workshop and the Nuts and Bolts

My ego took some heavy blows during the early part of the course. My writing was full of grammatical errors, and there was nowhere to hide. One thing I noticed was that I learned more from being an editor for my workshop partner than I did from re-writing my own work. This seems strange to me, but maybe my defensiveness clouded my vision as I tried to assess my mess. I was more able to be dispassionate as I checked with Mr. Strunk and Mr. White and tried to help my partner. I still don’t fully understand the proper use of the colon and the semi colon, but I feel a new found desire to master it.

New Media vs. Old Media

Hallelujah! After the painful rite of passage that was “the workshop,” I could sink my teeth into some new media study. The chapter transitioned well by emphasizing the timeless nature of writing principles, regardless of media. I am not a journalist, but the topics of credibility and focusing on audience needs applied to my work just the same. I learned a lot about the differences between the print and digital audience. I had always heard that the web audience is impatient, but never really took it to heart. Now when I write and design I’ll consider Jakob Neilsen and the Eyetrack studies that validate assertions about the digital audience.

Screen Writing

Some of the material on screen writing and design was familiar, but it was also clear how much I had forgotten. The chief value to me was how integrated the material was. Writing, visual style, usability and information architecture were all touched on and formed a coherent perspective. I hope to refer back to this section every time a new project begins.

Wearing Many Hats: Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising

These modules seemed tangential to what I do, and I thought they might be less important. However, after working through all of the modules, I became more aware of the trend toward convergence in digital media. It became clear that as new media participants we often wear the hats of the journalist, the designer, the technologist and the marketer.

Questions

The “many hats” issue brings up a big question for me. What am I going to be when I grow up?
It seems silly, but in a way this is still the question. In an age of specialization, what does it mean that a digital media career incorporates so many skills and roles? What does it mean that everyone is a content creator now? How does this affect me as a professional content creator? This course provided a lot of answers, but some questions remain unanswered.

Conclusions

Before this class I was a bit overwhelmed by all the divergent paths in digital media. I feel like the biggest thing I have now is a big picture view of what it means to work in digital media. I feel like I have taken a high speed train trip across the country and now I have to collect and apply the information I saw along the way. I keep saying how I hope to refer back to the class material. I think this is where the practical value of the course will become clear. Have I become a better writer, designer and communicator? Maybe a little, but the real effect may come as I apply the ideas of this class to my daily work.

I added the FAQ page to the interactive website prototype. Most of the the questions pertain to site usage, but I felt the need to add additional CO safety information from my company, in order to provide enough education about this health and safety issue. In its final form, the website will generate the answers right beside the questions as they are clicked on or hovered over.

I am creating new on-line content for Kidde. The project is a storyboard and wire-frame prototype for an interactive demo that will educate web visitors about carbon monoxide. My writing style aims to balance our product marketing objectives with the consumer’s need for helpful and objective information.

My goal is to leverage the unique advantages of interactive techniques to make the topic easy to understand and to aid the visitor in choosing the correct carbon monoxide alarms. I hope to finish the final piece in 2008 with the aid of professional Flash developers. I believe Flash offers a quick-hitting user experience, but also provides layers and handy drill-down options for visitors who desire more.

It was a challenge making this prototype functional enough to show the interactivity and ‘flow’ intended for the final piece. The prototype uses pop-up windows to approximate the user’s experience when linking to drill-down content (this should be much smoother in the final piece using embedded hover effects). If your browser blocks pop-ups, please disable that feature to view my prototype.

Additionally, please note that the opening video section is shown as a script with storyboard images that hint at the type of visuals that might be used. I also used alt tags to help describe the intention for animated interactivity. The FAQ section will be added in a week to complete the Week 14 assignment.

I welcome comments from the JOMC 711 community. Check it out…

Kidde Residential & Commercial
1016 Corporate Park Drive
Mebane, NC 27302
http://www.Kidde.com

Contact – Todd Pendergast, Web Communications Manager
Ph – 919-304-8244
Fax – 919-563-2712
Email – todd.pendergast@fs.utc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New California Resolution
Inspires Community Initiative

Community and industry leaders unite to help educate families during
California’s first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Mebane, NC, November 12, 2007 – A partnership that includes Safe Kids Los Angeles; the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; the Sacramento and Los Angeles County Fire Departments; and Kidde, the world’s largest fire safety manufacturer; join together to help educate families during California Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week.

The partnership announces events in Sacramento and Los Angeles in honor of California’s CO Awareness Week. Captain Michael Brown, public information officer for Los Angeles County Fire Department, is thankful for the State’s new focus on prevention: “Carbon monoxide poisoning isn’t something that families often think about, yet as firefighters, we see firsthand how lethal it can be. Every year, we respond to poisonings, especially when the weather gets colder. CO Awareness Week is a great time for us to educate families about this silent killer.”

Who
The Los Angeles event announces Kidde’s donation to SAFE KIDS LA, the LA County Fire Department and the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. The Sacramento event announces Kidde’s donation to the Sacramento Fire Department.

What
At each event, Kidde will donate 450 CO alarms to fire departments for installation in low-income homes. Fire departments and carbon monoxide poisoning experts will be available to speak about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recognizing the need for increased education and prevention messages on CO, this year, California legislature declared the week of November 12-16 as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The measure urges the State Fire Marshal, fire departments, public schools, and other organizations to initiate activities during the week to help raise awareness about this silent killer, and ways families can help protect themselves.

Where
The events will be held at the LA County Fire Department Headquarters and the Sacramento Fire Department’s Engine 1 facility.

When
The Los Angeles event is held on November 13, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. The Sacramento event is held on November 14, from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Awareness is Key to Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. Carbon monoxide kills more than 2,000 people a year according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“It’s important to recognize the lethality of CO exposure,” said James DeCarli, SAFE Kids Los Angeles and the LA County Department of Public Health. “Carbon monoxide poisoning fatalities are at least two to three times greater than hospitalizations, illustrating how severe exposure can be. We need to do all we can to educate families about how to protect themselves and getting alarms into families’ hands is a great start.

More information about carbon monoxide and California CO Awareness Week is available at http://www.KnowAboutCO.com

About Kidde
Since 1917, Kidde has earned a trusted reputation as the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products whose mission is to provide safety solutions that protect people and property from fire and its related hazards. Kidde offers a wide range of fire protection products including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, escape ladders, and other accessories. Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a leading global supplier of fire safety and security services serving government, industrial, commercial and retail industries. UTC Fire & Security is a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and commercial building industries worldwide.

I decided to wait until my retrospective section at the end to add hyperlinks. I think this type of writing needs to give the reader the experience of being there, so taking them off on web surfing side trips seemed unwise.

I mention in my intro remarks that I intentionally avoided researching the speaker or the background before my live blog of the event. I thought about referring those who were interested in background material to the retrospective section, but again didn’t want to take people out of the experience that early on. So, my compromise was to allude to the presence of background material that would come later. This seemed like a chicken or egg dilemma, so I am still uncertain if this was the best strategy.

The retrospective section features all the hyperlinks and so acts as a footnotes section. My hyperlinks focused on the topics that were brought up in the event, and focused on people and places that have significance to our subjects of study. I also struggled with what type of material to link to. I mostly used Wikipedia material, because it is so objective and concise and because its open source nature applies to the topic at hand.

I also considered downloading the podcasts from Ibiblio and placing the download link directly on my blog, but I determined that the Ibiblio servers would probably be quicker and the secondary link wouldn’t be too much effort to use. Since the links appear at the end of my post, I allowed the links to load in the same page. I struggle with the pros and cons of new windows for links a lot lately.

Another decision I struggled with was the inclusion of photos. I am still considering adding them after the fact (hopefully this doesn’t violate blogging etiquette). In this case, the photos aren’t that compelling or unique. They include shots of the outside of the building, the filled auditorium, the speaker and the audience. However, I do think the visuals would help to bring in a sense of time and place and would break up the text heavy presentation. Maybe I will add a couple as a compromise.

As for formatting, I didn’t see much occasion for bulleted lists, and I didn’t feel sure that breakout quotes would make sense in a live event blog. This assignment was a real learning experience, as it was my first try at covering a live event.

Title: Bob Young – The connection between Ibiblio, Open Source, Lulu and the Number 42
Date: October 30, 2007
Place: Sonja Haynes Stone Center, UNC
Download an audio or video of this event

I have a confession to make: I don’t know much about Bob Young, Ibiblio or Lulu TV. Upon hearing about this event, my only connection is a general familiarity with Red Hat, the software company Young co-founded in 1993. The more I learn about Young, the more curious I am about his life and his contributions in the digital communication arena. I hope to experience this event as a relative outsider, so I decided to save any further research for after the event. My goal is to describe the event, gain an understanding of significance, and then piece it all together later.

3:25 p.m. – The Mad Scramble

You would think that by this point in my life one would have learned to allow plenty of time to get to an event in a new venue, but some lessons come hard. Why I thought I could venture deep into the center of the UNC campus in the middle of the afternoon without any delays, is beyond me. By all accounts, I should be settling into my seat at the event by now, but instead I am watching waves of students meaner in front of my car, and the best I can do is write down my thoughts and take a snapshot. Maybe this will help me remember next time?

3:30 p.m. – Parking Anyone?

I’m trapped. I am sitting at the Stone Center entrance gate expecting a parking ticket to spit out of the pin pad device. No dice. The clock is ticking and the car behind me is beeping. Do I try to back up and go somewhere else? There are no instructions to be seen, but there is a list of departments on the intercom. I quickly type the number sequence corresponding to the Stone Center and amazingly a voice crackles through. I try to explain, in my most composed tone, that I am here to see Bob Young speak. Like magic from heaven, the gate rises and a friendly voice invites me in. Once in the parking lot, I am shocked to see a bunch of open spots. I am hesitant to park in the closer spaces, due to my history of Chapel Hill parking tickets. There’s no time to wait, so I whirl my Camry into place, grab my laptop bag and rush in.

3:35 p.m. – Amazed to Find a Seat

Room 103 is a large auditorium bustling with activity. There are laptops everywhere. I find it amusing that I thought the room might be a large class room or something. Of course it’s an auditorium, this is an important speaker. Why am I surprised by all the laptops? This is a computer geek event if ever there was one. I am feeling pretty lucky as I grab my seat dead center in the room and even have time to look fairly cool and relaxed as I open up my MacBookPro and begin typing.

3:38 p.m. – Technical Difficulties

I want to make a podcast of the event, so I begin fumbling about with my computer looking for a way to record audio. Why didn’t I prepare for this beforehand? I don’t know, maybe because it was a busy day at the office. Yeah that’s it. After several attempts, I figure it out and begin recording, just as the master of ceremonies welcomes us and begins his introduction. He has long dark hair and a mustache reminiscent of Dennis Hopper’s character in Easy Rider. His name is Paul Jones, and I think he’s a UNC professor, but I didn’t catch the details. Suddenly, my software crashes and my podcast is gone. I am making a few more harried attempts, but it’s not to be and I’m missing more of the introduction.

3:45 p.m. – Welcome and Introduction

Paul Jones asks us for a show of hands if we did our RSVP for the event through Facebook. About seventy percent of the audience raises their hands, and about 20% indicate they used email. I sheepishly raise my hand for “other.” I am not feeling so cool and hip anymore. I feel awkward because I don’t really know the topic, the speaker or anyone in the audience. I notice that a young bearded student in front of me looks to be recording some audio on his laptop. Maybe I can swap emails with him and get my podcast after all. The speaker introduces Bob Young, showing noticeable fondness and admiration.

3:49 p.m. – Enter Bob Young

Bob Young begins with some comments about how we should forget school, and not listen to our teachers or worry about grades. Say what? Anyway, Young is energetic and warm and seems like a funnier Bill Gates without the bowl cut and the Kermit the Frog voice. I am still wondering why so many people have flocked here to watch a soft spoken old geek talk about Linux and digital libraries. I mean, I am into this stuff and I still find it to be a pretty boring proposition. I notice that Professor Jones doesn’t seem offended by Young’s remarks about pompous professors and why we shouldn’t listen to them. Young jokes that if they (professors) knew anything about being an entrepreneur they wouldn’t be sitting here. I wonder if Young is trying to connect with the mostly young audience by establishing himself as an anti-establishment guy.

4:05 p.m. – On Copyrights

Young is now talking about how the history of copyright law began with its invention by the British government in the early days after the large scale adoption of the printing press. Young said they were able to protect the works of Charles Dickens for seven years before they became public domain. He feels that Disney began to take things to far when they copyrighted Mickey Mouse for a longer period (missed it). Soon we would have the one-hundred year copyright period that we have today. He suggests that the current copyright law could be a big problem. I notice Young’s a Canadian, as I hear several “aboots” in his speech.

4:10 p.m. – On Ibiblio

Young is describing his involvement with Ibiblio. After founding Red Hat, he and some of his partners wanted to find something they could do to give back. Not for profit turned out to be more difficult than he expected. It was harder to get a focus. He adds, “Ibiblio wasn’t the big idea that would get featured in the NY Times, but it brings in everything and puts into practice.” I am not sure what he means by this. At the time, Young was asking: “how do we bring back the public domain.” He adds, “The public piece of the university seemed essential.” He’s joking about being in Singapore and trying to explain, to no avail, what UNC Chapel Hill is. Then the stranger excitedly asked if that was where Ibiblio was created. Everyone but me laughs. Now I am feeling out of place, as I still don’t know much about Ibiblio or Bob Young.

4:20 p.m. – Discussion period begins

That was a short speech, so I guess Young doesn’t like lecturing. After an awkward pause, a student asks, “What has been hardest about taking a new idea and turning it into a successful business?” Young responds, “Lulu TV has been the hardest!” The crowd laughs. Of course I don’t get the joke. Young is explaining that for the first two years Lulu TV didn’t even work. “To be a successful entrepreneur, or anything for that matter, it is all about learning,” he adds. People seem to be very engaged by Young and there haven’t been any early departures yet.

4:25 p.m. – Discussion Period Continues

A student asks, “How do you keep it up and what drives you? Young replies, “Your family is more important than your work. You may have to work 16 hours a day, but you have to communicate with them and let them know they are the priority.” Wow, that seems easier said than done, but he really seems genuine in his belief. “You also better actually enjoy what you’re doing. You can’t force yourself to do things for money,” he adds. The next question comes from an older man right next to me, who asks about the ideal length of patents. Young feels it should be a two-tier system. He believes that one-click shopping is an idea that shouldn’t be patented, but many inventions should be. “Copyrights are my bugbear. Why one-hundred years? That’s stupid,” he adds.

4:35 p.m. – Not Bored Yet

It’s been over an hour now, and I thought I might be tired by now. Young is a good speaker with a warm casual humor that invites you in. I could listen all afternoon. This surprises me, since he is now talking about recent computer industry history and his various business ventures. It’s a dry subject, but he does a good job of interjecting self-effacing humor and personal anecdotes.

4:45 p.m. – An Unexpected Exodus

A bunch of students are beginning to filter out of the room, yet there is no sign that the event is coming to a close. Maybe they are rushing out to their next class. The sensation of jostling books and chairs flipping back takes me back to my undergrad years. The discussion continues with talk about Red Hat, Linux and other business successes and failures.

4:50 p.m. – Closing Remarks

Young says thanks, and then Professor Jones pops onto the stage for some quick remarks. He refers us to internet sites where we can learn more about the open source movement and other topics. While he finishes, I lean over to the student next to me and learn that he hasn’t been recording, so I won’t be leaving here with an mp3. Was he listening to music? I am sure I saw sound levels and audio software.

5:00 p.m. – Socializing with Bob

I am feeling like a snoop at this point, but there is some interesting banter, as Bob Young and some friends are talking shop right next to me. One interesting project involves a “flight simulator for doctors” that helps the field of disease management. Apparently Young has a strong interest in Alzheimer’s disease research. He is mentioning that there’s a history of Alzheimer’s disease on both sides of his family, so he’s got a personal interest in the matter. I think its time to wrap it up.

Retrospective

I still don’t know if going into this blogging experience without much background research, was beneficial or not. If I had found a subject that I was more knowledgeable and passionate about, I could have added more commentary and opinion along the way. On the other hand, I did enjoy the intrigue of going to a new location without knowing what to expect or what I would write about. To be honest, writing about a lecture by the CEO of a software company didn’t sound very tantalizing.

So what is the significance of all this event and the people and projects behind it? Considering my profession, my interests and the subject of this course, there turns out to be quite a bit that is relevant.

An issue that has grabbed my attention lately is the battle between traditional media companies and the new digital media technologies. This relates to Bob Young’s talk about copyright issues and the importance of having information in the public domain. A prime example of the battle between old and new models of content creation is the struggle between the RIAA and digital media and peer to peer networking sites. The printing of the Gutenberg Bible sparked a similar power struggle between the clergy and the first mass publishers. I think Young would agree that the advent of new technologies usually engenders more democratic and beneficial forms of information distribution.

I was ecstatic when Radiohead self-released their new album last month with a pay-what-you-can model. I paid $10, and as it turns out that was the average price paid online. The experiment was a rousing success and a possible harbinger of things to come. The artists got the lion share of the money and the fans got to a pay a reasonable price for a digital album. The record industry probably isn’t so delighted, but I won’t shed any tears.

Ibiblio is one of the largest and oldest websites and a large conservancy of freely available information, including software, music, literature, art, history, science, politics, and cultural studies. This UNC Chapel Hill venture is all about staking out more territory for the public. Bob Young and his colleagues realize that progress and innovation benefit when information is freely available to all. Young alluded to this when he mentioned Google as a new technology company that started out with a “do no evil” approach, but like Microsoft ended up doing the opposite. He points out the dangers of private sector domination of information and digital environments. He really made me think about these issues in new ways, and I came to admire him for his dedication.

Young’s other big recent contribution to digital content creators is Lulu, a self-publishing company headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, offering print-on-demand publishing. Lulu also produces Lulu TV, a socially networked media exchange that empowers creators to make money from their videos, music and podcasts. Both services are innovative applications of open source principles.

As a UNC student, I am proud of Ibiblio and thankful for Bob Young’s support. As a digital media student and professional, I vaguely knew what open source was but hadn’t really considered its relevance for content producers and the future of communication. The significance is brought out in this passage from a ZDnet article: “In any open source endeavor consensus is necessary to achieve progress. Modeling this behavior on economics and politics gives us a different world.”

By Todd Pendergast

The content that I plan to develop is a new Getting Connected section for Kidde.com. This section will be the first step toward developing an ongoing relationship between Kidde and users of its products and web sites. This should help us to better gauge the needs of our customers in terms of customer service, product design and web site information.

Getting Connected (name may change) will include the following pages:

• A Main Page that will feature copy that introduces the section and its purpose, followed by short blurbs describing with links the three pages of the section
• A Register Page which will feature a registration form with questions needed to establish regular contact, a few survey questions, and options to sign-up for future notices and an  e-newsletter (to be created separate from this project)
• A Share Your Story Page that will include explanatory text, examples of past testimonials from customers, a contact form and link to a video testimonial (current content)
• A FAQ Page that will include frequently asked questions and answers and will include terms of use information outlining user’s rights and confidentiality.

I will not be including some content that was being considered during last week’s initial planning. However, I do plan to explore the feasibility of the following ideas for the future:

• Podcasts that would explain various topics relevant to home safety
• A Blog site allowing for more regularly refreshed content and customer interaction
• A Users forum that would feature commonly asked questions received by customer service and their answers. This troubleshooting forum would require regular moderation
• A Multimedia Page that would include videos showing the proper use of safety products

In determining the needs for the various pages, I will need to research other sites that use this type of content effectively. I will also need to interview staff from several departments, such as customer service, consumer research, public relations and legal. This will help me develop copy and visuals that will meet my project goals and the organization’s requirements.