Last week, my intro to multimedia classes discussed RSS feeds, and why they were a good thing. I love RSS feeds for keeping up to date on matters at the intersection of technology, journalism and college media. A lot of people have started using Twitter as an alternative to RSS readers, but I don’t find that a good thing, necessarily. The real problem for me is the amount of information that come through the RSS reader in a day. I was amazed at how much content some of the blogs I follow was pumping out in a day, so I decided to try an experiment. I “bankrupted” my Google Reader yesterday (Monday, Jan. 30, 2012) at 4 p.m. Central Standard Time. There were no unread items.

It’s now 2:30 CST on Tuesday, and I just went in to see how many items were in the unread RSS inbox. As you can see, there are 276 unread items. And I don’t follow any traditional media outlets (NYT, Washington Post, etc.).

The main contributors to this RSS glut?

• TechCrunch (42 items)
• BoingBoing (40 items)
• GigaOm (32 items)
• PSFK (30 items)
• Lifehacker (26 items)

Five sites, 170 new items in less than 24 hours!

Now, granted there’s probably a lot of good information in some of those blog posts, but who can keep up? I’m sure most people don’t read all these firehoses of niche information, preferring to focus on one or two. But if you’re trying to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in a certain area, it’s not always an option.
It’s no wonder one of the more recent tech terms to become a buzzword is information overload.

I’m sure someone has a workable situation for this conundrum. I think one of the things we’ve created with the fast pace of the Internet is the need for constant content, some of which is little more than a picture and a blurb from another blog or a press release. And that’s not helping us get quality information, much less act upon the information we’re getting.

This isn’t specifically a college-media-related issue. But as journalists of the future, one of our college students’ key functions will still be to serve as trusted curators or information sherpas for people who don’t have time to follow all this content. And that means they will have to find strategies and tools to go where the information is and discover what’s important without having to spend hours in front of a screen sifting through stories.

Related articles

• Information overload? – Use of RSS web readers as content filters (marketing.yell.com)
• Value Of Curation Comes Identifying Patterns And Synthesizing Information Overload Into Practical Business Advice (waterwayrealty.wordpress.com)
• RSS Update: Not Dead, But On The Watch List (battellemedia.com)
• RSS feeds make comeback with tablets and apps (kevin.lexblog.com)

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The Denver Post is looking for a Jr. Web Software Developer.

You’ll be joining senior web developer Joe Murphy (@joemurph on Twitter) and another, yet-to-be-named senior web developer. We’re looking for folks who are excited both about fulfilling the local mission of a large-size regional daily news organization and doing innovative work with presenting structured data on the web.

The Jr. Web Software Developer will provide support to the interactive team with all aspects of building and maintaining digital products.

Essential Functions:

• Support senior staff with website + web application design and development, maintaining websites, and input and verification of data to ensure product delivery.
• Participate in meetings and carry out research as it pertains to projects.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned or requested.

Physical Working Conditions:

• Standing 5%, walking 10%, sitting 85% of shift.
• Use computer to design and develop digital products approximately 85% of the shift

Qualifications:

• Possess basic knowledge of web development methodologies.
• Fundamental skills in OOP – Python or PHP skills are a plus.
• Experience with a DBMS.
• Command of grammar and spelling.
• A passion for local news, structured data.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to listen to others and accept input from team members.
• Values internal and external clients and responds to their needs as they arise.
• 4 year degree or certificate from art or technology institute desired, or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of a version control system.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail dpetty@denverpost.com or Diane Exline, director of technology systems and solutions, at dexline@denverpost.com. Feel free to pass along to anyone who you feel might be interested or qualified.

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There’s going to be a lot of talk about social media, analytics, and mobile journalism, and a discussion about app development with folks from stltoday.

You can find details about the workshop here, and follow the tweets using the hashtag #mpinews

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Rachele Kanigel reminds that the deadline for applying for the multimedia journalism summer program is fast approaching: February 1, 2011.

More details about the program below the fold:

STUDY MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE THIS SUMMER!
June 23-July 23, 2011

Do you dream of becoming a foreign correspondent? Do you want to learn multimedia storytelling skills? Do both this summer and have the time of your life with the multimedia journalism program in Perpignan, France co-sponsored by San Francisco State University and the Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia).

The program is open to English-speaking students from all colleges and universities, as well as recent graduates. Instruction is in English (except French classes) and students work with interpreters to report and shoot their stories. Preference is given to journalism, media, film or mass communication majors and students with experience on a college or professional publication.

Students spend four weeks studying international reporting, blogging, multimedia storytelling and videojournalism — as well as French language and culture — and report on the community of Perpignan, a charming Catalan city near the Spanish border. They then create a multimedia website about the city (see last year’s project here).

About Perpignan

Perpignan lies in the sunny Languedoc region of southwestern France, 8 miles west of the Mediterranean and 19 miles north of the Spanish border, within sight of the Pyrénées. The city, which passed back and forth between French and Spanish rule over the centuries, features a charming, pedestrian-friendly historic quarter; a daily market; several arts festivals in the summer and lively night life. Watch the fireworks shot over a 14th century fortress on the 14th of July (Bastille Day). Try escargots and other regional specialties at the local tapas bars and sip coffee at the sidewalk cafes. Lovely Mediterranean beach towns like Collioure and Argelès-sur-Mer are just a short bus or train ride away.

Features of the program:

• Study with top international journalism professionals who have worked in France, Mexico, Australia, Italy and the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Live in air-conditioned studio apartments with free Internet access, kitchenettes and private baths in a modern hotel
• Study French at a respected language academy (students are divided into two groups — beginner and intermediate; other accommodations can be made for students fluent in French)
• Travel on two free three-day weekends to nearby beach towns, the French Riviera, Barcelona, Paris or other cities in France or Spain
• Tour French media outlets and local historic and cultural attractions

Program fee: $4,995 plus airfare (includes tuition, housing, ground transportation, equipment, cultural activities).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through Feb. 1, 2011. Students are encouraged to apply early since the program may fill before that. Late applications will be considered if spots are available.

Click here for more information and application.

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