Bryan Murley, the fantastic multimedia adviser at East Illinois and the leader of the Center for College Media Innovation blog detailed the college media organizations using Twitter, and how they're doing so in his post How college media uses Twitter.
The Pitt News got a nice mention about using Twitter for breaking news and sports game coverage (Note: Check out twitter.com/ThePittNews to see our complete tweets covering the pedestrian/bus accident this morning), but there's a lot more we can do to improve. Stay tuned. And follow us!
27.2.09
24.2.09
Twitter's taking over
As you might have noticed on pittnews.com or on page two of our print edition, The Pitt News has been getting into Twitter lately.
You might have heard about it: Twitter, a free social networking service that links people together through frequent mini-blog posts, is the next big trend online. And we're using it to reach our readers.
We've been building our Twitter page, twitter.com/thepittnews, and we send out breaking news alerts, headlines with links to stories and sports scores through Twitter.
The alerts get sent to our "followers:" other Twitter users who've chosen to be part of our network and receive our alerts. On the flip side, we follow a bunch of Twitterers, including some of the major news outlets -- the New York Times and CNN are just two examples of sending out news updates many times a day.
Typical Twitter users can send out their statuses throughout the day, a la Facebook, or they can respond to other Tweets they see. Many of our staffers, including me, have started their own accounts. Let me just say, if you like Facebook, this is absolutely the way to go.
It's like constantly being plugged in to the people and news you want to know, and being able to get to that information easily or join the conversation.
It takes the best of the Web developments you've grown up with and rolled them into one: chat rooms, instant messaging, text messaging, Facebook newsfeeds, blogs and RSS feeds -- Twitter hearkens back to them all.
The best thing about Twitter is it's versatility -- the trick to Twitter is learning how to use it without going to the actual Twitter Web pages. Instead, users can follow or Tweet through text messaging, widgets downloaded for their PC desktops, plug-ins on cell phones or through a number of other social networking sites.
Because many of Pitt's classrooms -- especially the Nationality Rooms -- aren't conducive to
many students bringing laptops and viewing The Pitt News online, we wanted to give students the option to follow us when they don't have a print issue or computer around. Following The Pitt News on Twitter will give you instant access, via Twitter or a text message sent to your phone or any other creative Internet plug-in you find, to breaking news, including instant updates of Pitt basketball game scores.
To get started, just visit Twitter.com. Remember to follow us @ThePittNews.
If you have a cell phone with Internet access, you can get hooked into Twitter using a handy plug-in like TwitterBerry for Blackberries or Twitter for iPhone.
Even though Twitter started as a small site more than three years ago, it's quickly growing and pushing into the mainstream. Seriously, it's the next Facebook.
Here's the Post-Gazette story on Twitter, which ran on their front page today.
You might have heard about it: Twitter, a free social networking service that links people together through frequent mini-blog posts, is the next big trend online. And we're using it to reach our readers.
We've been building our Twitter page, twitter.com/thepittnews, and we send out breaking news alerts, headlines with links to stories and sports scores through Twitter.
The alerts get sent to our "followers:" other Twitter users who've chosen to be part of our network and receive our alerts. On the flip side, we follow a bunch of Twitterers, including some of the major news outlets -- the New York Times and CNN are just two examples of sending out news updates many times a day.
Typical Twitter users can send out their statuses throughout the day, a la Facebook, or they can respond to other Tweets they see. Many of our staffers, including me, have started their own accounts. Let me just say, if you like Facebook, this is absolutely the way to go.
It's like constantly being plugged in to the people and news you want to know, and being able to get to that information easily or join the conversation.
It takes the best of the Web developments you've grown up with and rolled them into one: chat rooms, instant messaging, text messaging, Facebook newsfeeds, blogs and RSS feeds -- Twitter hearkens back to them all.
The best thing about Twitter is it's versatility -- the trick to Twitter is learning how to use it without going to the actual Twitter Web pages. Instead, users can follow or Tweet through text messaging, widgets downloaded for their PC desktops, plug-ins on cell phones or through a number of other social networking sites.
Because many of Pitt's classrooms -- especially the Nationality Rooms -- aren't conducive to
many students bringing laptops and viewing The Pitt News online, we wanted to give students the option to follow us when they don't have a print issue or computer around. Following The Pitt News on Twitter will give you instant access, via Twitter or a text message sent to your phone or any other creative Internet plug-in you find, to breaking news, including instant updates of Pitt basketball game scores.To get started, just visit Twitter.com. Remember to follow us @ThePittNews.
If you have a cell phone with Internet access, you can get hooked into Twitter using a handy plug-in like TwitterBerry for Blackberries or Twitter for iPhone.
Even though Twitter started as a small site more than three years ago, it's quickly growing and pushing into the mainstream. Seriously, it's the next Facebook.
Here's the Post-Gazette story on Twitter, which ran on their front page today.
23.2.09
Plouffe in Pittsburgh tonight
If you're one of the few hundred lucky folks seeing Obama campaign genius David Plouffe lecture tonight in the Union, you might want to read up on the him prior to.
Here's a profile of Plouffe that Esquire ran during the post-election, pre-Inauguration glow (h/t JJ Abbott):
The Man who Made Obama
See you at the event tonight, and be sure to read The Pitt News Tuesday for complete PPC/Plouffe coverage!
Here's a profile of Plouffe that Esquire ran during the post-election, pre-Inauguration glow (h/t JJ Abbott):
The Man who Made Obama
See you at the event tonight, and be sure to read The Pitt News Tuesday for complete PPC/Plouffe coverage!
13.2.09
Sex videos galore!
We asked, Pitt students answered:
What's the worst thing you can say during bedroom relations?
Man On the Street: Sex Edition from Pitt News Multimedia on Vimeo.
Tess Sanders finds Sex and Candy at a Student Health Event:
Sex and Candy from Pitt News Multimedia on Vimeo.
What's the worst thing you can say during bedroom relations?
Man On the Street: Sex Edition from Pitt News Multimedia on Vimeo.
Tess Sanders finds Sex and Candy at a Student Health Event:
Sex and Candy from Pitt News Multimedia on Vimeo.
11.2.09
It's coming
Well, loyal readers, after a four-year hiatus, The Pitt News is ready again to write about sex.
This Friday, Feb. 13, in honor of Valentine's Day, we're bringing you The Sex Issue. Thirty-two pages of pure carnal bliss (plus some stuff on health, love, dating and relationships).
For a good time, look for it on news stands everywhere.
This Friday, Feb. 13, in honor of Valentine's Day, we're bringing you The Sex Issue. Thirty-two pages of pure carnal bliss (plus some stuff on health, love, dating and relationships).
For a good time, look for it on news stands everywhere.
Kickin' it back
In "one of the most shocking cases of courtroom graft on record," as the AP article put it, two Pennsylvania judges have been charged with taking more than $2 million in kickbacks from juvenile detention centers for sending minors into their arms.
What's interesting about this is that it could result in the state overturning of hundreds or potentially thousands of cases that these two judges officiated because they can't be sure the verdict was delivered in good faith or simply for the cash.
It also casts doubt on Pa.'s policy of contracting with privately-run juvenile detention centers and paying them to take care of the detainees, usually either a fixed overall fee or funding per child per day. Making the juvenile detention centers into profit-motivated businesses has obvious problems - after all, if you're being paid for taking in more kids, you'd be trying to get your hands on as many of them as you could. I would think that that might be obvious, but then again it could just be me.
What's interesting about this is that it could result in the state overturning of hundreds or potentially thousands of cases that these two judges officiated because they can't be sure the verdict was delivered in good faith or simply for the cash.
It also casts doubt on Pa.'s policy of contracting with privately-run juvenile detention centers and paying them to take care of the detainees, usually either a fixed overall fee or funding per child per day. Making the juvenile detention centers into profit-motivated businesses has obvious problems - after all, if you're being paid for taking in more kids, you'd be trying to get your hands on as many of them as you could. I would think that that might be obvious, but then again it could just be me.
8.2.09
SUI: Snowmobiling Under the Influence
Apparently this is a problem in Allegheny county: People snowmobiling drunk. Favorite quote: "Those DUIs -- five out of 49, more than 10 percent -- are pretty alarming," Sheriff Wolfgang said.
The thing that gets me about it is that they're setting up actual DUI checkpoints out in the middle of the forest. And beyond that, they actually arrested several people. But isn't the point of a snowmobile the fact that you can go pretty much wherever you want? Couldn't they just, I don't know, go around or something?
The thing about snowmobiles is that they're absolutely terrifying. They're large machines that you can barely control and that are capable of hitting obscene speeds. You'd almost have to be drunk to be brave enough to get on one in the first place. But hey, at least our tax dollars are going to good use. I personally can't count the number of times I've been concerned about drunken snowmobilers.
-Richard Brown
4.2.09
Local news stations covering Pitt riots and suspensions
Thanks, WTAE/Channel 4, for linking to us here.
It looks like Nordenberg's calls for suspension of students involved in Sunday's riots is the top story today in Pittsburgh news -- WTAE aired footage of the Pitt News video
that's posted on this site and on pittnews.com in their 6 p.m. broadcast.
It looks like Nordenberg's calls for suspension of students involved in Sunday's riots is the top story today in Pittsburgh news -- WTAE aired footage of the Pitt News video
that's posted on this site and on pittnews.com in their 6 p.m. broadcast.
3.2.09
Nordenberg reprimands students
Chancellor Mark Nordenberg issued a statement today reprimanding some of the students involved in Sunday night's Super Bowl riots.
Nordenberg said in the statement that "for large numbers of people to celebrate this very significant win. . .was entirely predictable and might even have become a positive addition to a festive occasion," but that it was inappropriate for students to vandalize property.
He added that the University will "cooperate fully with ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute those who are charged with crimes, whether or not they are Pitt students. "
He said that some students have already been punished under the school's Student Code of Conduct, and that the University may punish some students, even if the police chose not to.
2.2.09
Parade route announced
In case your celebratory adrenaline wasn't fully spent last night in Oakland, the city of Pittsburgh is offering Steelers fans one more chance to go crazy over the Super Bowl.
Check out the plans for the Steelers victory parade tomorrow, to take place downtown.
Point Park is canceling classes, but if you're from Pitt, you'll have to cut.
Check out the plans for the Steelers victory parade tomorrow, to take place downtown.
Point Park is canceling classes, but if you're from Pitt, you'll have to cut.
My First Oakland Riot Video
by Lewis Lehe
Here is a rough cut of footage I took. I'm going to make a longer thing this week.
I hope you like it!
Here is a rough cut of footage I took. I'm going to make a longer thing this week.
I hope you like it!
Super Bowl rioters destroy Oakland property
Even before the Steelers had the chance to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy, Pitt students stormed the street of Oakland to celebrate the Steelers' sixth Super Bowl victory. The Steelers, who were favored to win by six and a half points, won the game as expected, beating the Cardinals 27-23. And thousands of students rioted, as expected.
The Pitt, city of Pittsburgh and county police weaved through the crowds arresting people climbing traffic poles, destroying street signs, twisting a traffic light, lighting couches on fire, shooting off fireworks and flipping cars. Celebrators flipped a car on Oakland Avenue that had to be towed away. Some students attempted to burn tall cylinders where students staple fliers. At the Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard intersection, students used newspapers to set newspaper boxes ablaze.
County police brought horses blocking South Bouquet Street. Police around the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street confiscated damaged or burned property, including a Post Gazette box.
Some individuals uprooted street signs and tried to smash parking meters.
People also lit couches and several dumpsters on fire. Fire fighters put out two dumpster fires around the intersection of Atwood Street and Cable Place. Police kept people away from two large dumpster fires on Forbes Avenue as well.
Later on celebrators kicked in windows on the ground level of Hillman Library.
Here are some pictures from the celebrations.
Celebrators gather outside of Hillman Library after the Steelers victory
Police arrest an individual on Bigelow Boulevard who was kicking down a sign from a traffic pole
People climb a traffic pole at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard
The Pitt, city of Pittsburgh and county police weaved through the crowds arresting people climbing traffic poles, destroying street signs, twisting a traffic light, lighting couches on fire, shooting off fireworks and flipping cars. Celebrators flipped a car on Oakland Avenue that had to be towed away. Some students attempted to burn tall cylinders where students staple fliers. At the Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard intersection, students used newspapers to set newspaper boxes ablaze.
County police brought horses blocking South Bouquet Street. Police around the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street confiscated damaged or burned property, including a Post Gazette box.
Some individuals uprooted street signs and tried to smash parking meters.
People also lit couches and several dumpsters on fire. Fire fighters put out two dumpster fires around the intersection of Atwood Street and Cable Place. Police kept people away from two large dumpster fires on Forbes Avenue as well.
Later on celebrators kicked in windows on the ground level of Hillman Library.
Here are some pictures from the celebrations.
Celebrators gather outside of Hillman Library after the Steelers victory
Police arrest an individual on Bigelow Boulevard who was kicking down a sign from a traffic pole
People climb a traffic pole at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard
Police mounted on horses wait to deploy on South Bouquet Street
An overturned car on Oakland Avenue
A broken window at Bruegger's Bagels
Police stand in line at Caribou Coffee on Forbes Avenue, anticipating a long night
Smoking remnants of a burned couch on Atwood Street
Dumpster on Atwood Street
See the original post and more on Estelle's blog: transforumer.net
An overturned car on Oakland Avenue
A broken window at Bruegger's Bagels
Police stand in line at Caribou Coffee on Forbes Avenue, anticipating a long night
Smoking remnants of a burned couch on Atwood Street
Dumpster on Atwood Street
See the original post and more on Estelle's blog: transforumer.net
1.2.09
Oakland up in flames -- TPN is there
Follow The Pitt News on Twitter -- we have complete coverage of the post-Super Bowl riots in Oakland.
Check pittnews.com tomorrow for video, audio and more photos from the night of mayhem.
New editor in chief and business manager named
The Pitt News Advisory Board personnel committee chose the 2009-2010 leadership of The Pitt News this past Friday.
Drew Singer, a junior political science major, was chosen as next year's editor in chief. Justin Matase, a junior finance and marketing major in the College of Business Administration, will serve as business manager.
The full advisory board will vote to confirm the candidates in two weeks.
Current business manager Stephanie Betts and editor in chief Katelyn Polantz will step down April 20, after the spring finals week edition hits newsracks.
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