Comments on: Press cuttings: There must be a better way http://al-smith.co.uk/2009/08/press-cuttings-there-must-be-a-better-way/ Social media in local government Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Philip Young http://al-smith.co.uk/2009/08/press-cuttings-there-must-be-a-better-way/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Philip Young Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:02:55 +0000 http://al-smith.co.uk/?p=41#comment-47 Thanks - I have just saved this to my delicious account! Thanks – I have just saved this to my delicious account!

]]> By: alsmith http://al-smith.co.uk/2009/08/press-cuttings-there-must-be-a-better-way/comment-page-1/#comment-18 alsmith Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:23:18 +0000 http://al-smith.co.uk/?p=41#comment-18 Thanks for your comment - I didn't think it was particularly ranty. I agree that a site which aggregates regional news, in the same way that you aggregate regional tweets would be useful, but we would still need to create our own feed. We need to be able to highlight stories which concern the council regardless of their profile and interest to others. We would also then need to add our own tags so that we can analyse the data e.g. how often a particular publication or journalist writes about a particular issue. If we could filter content from a regional repository this would certainly be helpful. Thanks for your comment – I didn’t think it was particularly ranty.

I agree that a site which aggregates regional news, in the same way that you aggregate regional tweets would be useful, but we would still need to create our own feed. We need to be able to highlight stories which concern the council regardless of their profile and interest to others. We would also then need to add our own tags so that we can analyse the data e.g. how often a particular publication or journalist writes about a particular issue.

If we could filter content from a regional repository this would certainly be helpful.

]]> By: @tjabif http://al-smith.co.uk/2009/08/press-cuttings-there-must-be-a-better-way/comment-page-1/#comment-17 @tjabif Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:11:37 +0000 http://al-smith.co.uk/?p=41#comment-17 I've really enjoyed reading this. I'm a web enthusiast and not a coder/programmer person so do indulge my rant. I agree there must be a better way... However, there remains the small matter of finding a way to aggregate local or regional based news items and articles without the need to resort to press cuttings; bearing in mind sustainability and issues (ok, maybe that's a tad off point) but in my opinion, I think there is a need for an hyper-local format web based service to pool info and news articles into one place. A good example is: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/ (website could do with a makeover :)) Saying this, there's still the issue of traditional newsprint media not posting all of their content online (as mentioned in your article) so news items/ articles not released online may not be picked up via an aggregator, bookmarking or hyper-local type format, hence press cuttings by press office to the rescue :) Perhaps print media need to up their game with regards to getting all of their content accessible online(?) There's also the issue of duplication of articles submitted for the web via press cuttings and items obtained via alerts and feeds. I think the two systems have their merits and both can work pari passu (never thought I'd use that phrase :)) at least until the powers that be, create a central point for the aggregation of news items and articles relating to the region, council etc. A //popurls.com type site perhaps? Thanks for indulging my rant! I’ve really enjoyed reading this. I’m a web enthusiast and not a coder/programmer person so do indulge my rant.
I agree there must be a better way… However, there remains the small matter of finding a way to aggregate local or regional based news items and articles without the need to resort to press cuttings; bearing in mind sustainability and issues (ok, maybe that’s a tad off point) but in my opinion, I think there is a need for an hyper-local format web based service to pool info and news articles into one place. A good example is: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/ (website could do with a makeover :) )
Saying this, there’s still the issue of traditional newsprint media not posting all of their content online (as mentioned in your article) so news items/ articles not released online may not be picked up via an aggregator, bookmarking or hyper-local type format, hence press cuttings by press office to the rescue :)
Perhaps print media need to up their game with regards to getting all of their content accessible online(?) There’s also the issue of duplication of articles submitted for the web via press cuttings and items obtained via alerts and feeds.
I think the two systems have their merits and both can work pari passu (never thought I’d use that phrase :) ) at least until the powers that be, create a central point for the aggregation of news items and articles relating to the region, council etc. A //popurls.com type site perhaps?
Thanks for indulging my rant!

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