Comments on: It’s not the CMS - it’s the journalism, period http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/ a group discussion about the future of student media Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:19:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Bryan http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-26358 Bryan Sat, 26 May 2007 19:45:40 +0000 http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-26358 Kevin, thanks for the comment, and I agree with you. Information design is a key aspect of any online effort. I disagree that checklists do more damage than good. I have always advocated the appropriate use of a tool depending on the story situation. Sure, people can create stuff because of the "wow" factor, but that's a common problem (how many people use too many fonts in a design project, for instance?). The important thing - I think - is that they *think* about using these tools. A checklist at least points them in the right direction. That's my intent, anyway. Kevin,

thanks for the comment, and I agree with you. Information design is a key aspect of any online effort. I disagree that checklists do more damage than good. I have always advocated the appropriate use of a tool depending on the story situation. Sure, people can create stuff because of the “wow” factor, but that’s a common problem (how many people use too many fonts in a design project, for instance?). The important thing - I think - is that they *think* about using these tools. A checklist at least points them in the right direction. That’s my intent, anyway.

]]> By: Kevin Page http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-26187 Kevin Page Fri, 25 May 2007 02:21:39 +0000 http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-26187 We need to think of "design" not just as visual communication, but as "information design", the use of different modes to relay information. Different CMS are just better than others in facilitating this. While checklist are a good reference, they cause more damage than good if students don't learn when and why they should use a mode, such as sound slides or maps. Too often it seems that a lot of stuff is being created because it has a high wow factor, but low information factor. We need to think of “design” not just as visual communication, but as “information design”, the use of different modes to relay information. Different CMS are just better than others in facilitating this. While checklist are a good reference, they cause more damage than good if students don’t learn when and why they should use a mode, such as sound slides or maps. Too often it seems that a lot of stuff is being created because it has a high wow factor, but low information factor.

]]> By: Angela Grant http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-25239 Angela Grant Fri, 18 May 2007 20:22:22 +0000 http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-25239 Design issues aside, a really crappy CMS can cripple a site if it's not able to handle all of the multimedia and interactive features that the site needs. I know about this first hand! Design issues aside, a really crappy CMS can cripple a site if it’s not able to handle all of the multimedia and interactive features that the site needs. I know about this first hand!

]]> By: Bryan http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-25118 Bryan Fri, 18 May 2007 13:36:01 +0000 http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-25118 Again, I'm making a couple of assumptions here: 1. You *need* some kind of CMS, that's a given. 2. Once the CMS is set up, the content becomes all important. The entire news staff *should* be familiar with the CMS (and why a CMS is important) - but tweaking it and the web design are specialized jobs that most writers and visual journalists won't be involved in day-to-day. Tell us some great stories. Get with the web-first mindset. Again, I’m making a couple of assumptions here:

1. You *need* some kind of CMS, that’s a given.
2. Once the CMS is set up, the content becomes all important. The entire news staff *should* be familiar with the CMS (and why a CMS is important) - but tweaking it and the web design are specialized jobs that most writers and visual journalists won’t be involved in day-to-day. Tell us some great stories. Get with the web-first mindset.

]]> By: Sean Blanda http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-24879 Sean Blanda Thu, 17 May 2007 20:20:29 +0000 http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/2007/05/17/its-not-the-cms-its-the-journalism-period/#comment-24879 I see what you mean when referencing design, but a good CMS can aid the storytelling. I think a student would be wise to know what role the CMS plays in delivering content and maybe even learn one to get a feel for what it is like to manage content. But as someone who has dealt with bloated and awkward CMSs a good CMS is like a good car: not essential for the journey but it certainly helps. I see what you mean when referencing design, but a good CMS can aid the storytelling. I think a student would be wise to know what role the CMS plays in delivering content and maybe even learn one to get a feel for what it is like to manage content.

But as someone who has dealt with bloated and awkward CMSs a good CMS is like a good car: not essential for the journey but it certainly helps.

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