#TryItTuesday

I’ve started using my iPad and Brydge keyboard to write my stories when I don’t feel like lugging around my MacBook Pro. In the olden days, I used to use the iTalk app on my phone to record some of the people and events I used in my stories.

But then I found the Recordium ($4.99) app pop up one day on my Apps Gone Free list.  This app, good on the iPad and iPhone, is iTalk on steroids.

Users can highlight the track while playing or recording audio. You can also add
attachments, including  notes, tags, and pictures to any part of the recording, which improves the ability to search for certain items. Check out how Recordium works!

#TryItTuesday

Let’s take a look at Exposure, a service created for those looking for a way to display their photos as a narrative.  The website says it targets “photographers who want a more meaningful and effortless way to publish their work — in the context of a narrative, instead of a feed or single photo on a permalink page. We help you tell a great story, while putting your photography front and center.”

Check out this Exposure of favorite football images of 2013, by Scott Kelby, president and co-founder of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP).

 

 

#TryItTuesday

I’ve been playing with different types of presentation software because, frankly, I’m kind of over PowerPoint.  So I’m giving Swipe, which is in beta testing,  a try.

Swipe, developed by a team in Norway, allows user s a simple interface where they can easily drop in text, video (including YouTube and Vimeo), and photos. Once your presentation is done, you can run your slide show from your laptop, tablet or smartphone via a 3G, LTE, WiFi or other network connection. Viewers can follow along using a special URL created for the presentation, and presentations can be made private.

Click here to see a Swipe made by a gentleman showing off his graphics portfolio.

#TryItTuesday

Happy New Year, everyone! As we get settled into the new year, I hope that this Tuesday feature will serve as inspiration for those who resolved to step up their digital journalism game in 2014.

Today’s #TryItTuesday item is TimeMapper, created by the Open Knowledge Foundation Labs. TimeMapper allows users to create really cool and embeddable timemaps quickly and easily from a Google spreadsheet. Give it a try!

#TryItTuesday

Remember the days when all we had to do was report, write and publish our stories? Those days are gone. We’re now expected to do the above, along with blogging, shooting still and video photography, do social media and add elements to enhance the story.

Reporters are using social media to crowdsource their stories and and take the pulse of their readers.  A took that can help is Wedgies, which allows users to create simple social media polls and post them via Twitter, text or embedded on a website.  The polls are simple, with two answers, given back in real time.

Benét J. Wilson serves on the board of the Online News Association. She is the immediate past chair of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force and is the social media/eNewsletters editor for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  She is also a freelance aviation journalist and blogger.

#TryItTuesday

Today we take a look at Wideo, an online tool that allows you to create videos, even if you have no experience. After opening a free account, you choose from a series of templates, then add objects, type, backgrounds, sounds and then click to animate! You can then embed your Wideo on a website or share them via your social networks. Check out the demo video below.
http://wideo.co/view/21366033769069-what-is-wideo-in-44sec

 

#TryItTuesday

 

Have you wanted to take your video storytelling to the next level, or just ads something new?  Then you will love today’s #TryItTuesday tool: Popcorn Maker, from Mozilla.

Using a video as your canvass, users can use the program’s drag-and-drop interface to add content including photos, maps, links, social media feeds and more.  Check out how speakers at a TED talk on how science is for everyone used Popcorn Maker to enhance their video.

And below is a great video tutorial on how to use Popcorn Maker.

Benét J. Wilson serves on the board of the Online News Association. She is the immediate past chair of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force and is the social media/eNewsletters editor for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  She is also a freelance aviation journalist and blogger.

#TryitTuesday

It’s time of #TryItTuesday, where the goal is to encourage you (yes, YOU) to try just one thing as you continue your digital journalism journey.

Today’s try-it is FOIA Machine, which allows users to automate their Freedom of Information Act requests. It also allows users to track the progress of requests, keep efforts organized, set reminders for yourself and more. It was created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and successfully funded through a $50,000 Kickstarter campaign.

Please feel free to share your tools!

Benét J. Wilson serves on the board of the Online News Association. She is the immediate past chair of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force and is the social media/eNewsletters editor for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  She is also a freelance aviation journalist and blogger.

 

#TryitTuesday

I just got back from the Online News Association conference and my head is still about to explode with what I learned, especially things I saw at the interactive Midway space. One of the big takeaways for me was see what’s out there and try new things.

So now, every Tuesday, I’ll offer up a tech tool, app or something else that will help you do your job smarter and better.  One of the vendors on the Midway was the folks who created the Videolicious app. Videolicious allows users to shoot video and it’s magically stitched together and easily embeddable.

Please feel free to share your tools !

Benét J. Wilson is the immediate past chair of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force and is the social media/eNewsletters editor for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  She is also a freelance aviation journalist and blogger.