Working on the site, again

Well here we go again. I’m doing a little tweaking on the blog over the next few days so things might get shifted around a bit. I have been running into some trouble with the database for my blog and there are things that need to be cleaned up so the plan is to resolve some of that this weekend.

In the mean time (man I love that song) I will leave things looking plain with the framework of the new design.

The real cost of news

Earlier this week I sent out a Tweet asking my followers what, if anything, they would be willing to pay for news content online. While I didn’t get a large response, what I did get didn’t surprise me. People don’t want to pay for news they can get else where for free.

As a newspaper editor, working on three papers in southwest Minnesota; the subject of online news interests me greatly. Recently we launched three new online editions of our paper, all free to the reader. We’re still working on our online model and watching with great interest what others are doing.

Continue reading The real cost of news…

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-27

• I'm sorry but it is NOT cool to wake up and find a snow filled drive way. #
• "Taper Jean Girl" that's the Kings of Leon I love. #
• Looking into ways to improve my antennas reception for OTA TV. Learning all about the differences in coax cables. #
• @ronxo That's so bad it kinda makes me like Charles in Charge a little less too. Just by association. in reply to ronxo #
• @modsuperstar Nothing says the Holidays for me like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. in reply to modsuperstar #
• What is going on with the Vikings tonight? This isn't the team we've been seeing this year. #
• @krschuerman I had the same thought and now I'm done watching tonight. Weak game. in reply to krschuerman #
• Hit Girl trailer of "Kick Ass" http://twurl.nl/6iywoe I have been reading the comic and yup, it's that messed up. #
• I'm not liking the weather outlook for this holiday. Thinking of making a trip home early. #
• Made it to my parents before the big storm hit. Merry Christmas one and all. #
• @dwj My "mysterious" gift was brought back here Friday. I'll open it Friday morning and take lots of pictures at that point. in reply to dwj #
• Keeping an eye on this storm, plotting next weeks front page. I'm thinking a feature on those who keep our roads clear is in order. #
• Watching a doc about the formation of the moon. Holiday dinner planned at 7 p.m. #
• Hoping to return home today. Not looking forward to the foot or so of snow I must have on my roof and driveway. #
• @dwj see that's what I'm affraid of. Is it still snowing? in reply to dwj #
• @dwj we have about the same amount here in Benson but we've had it cleared a few times. My house on the other hand. Yikes. Happy holidays. in reply to dwj #
• @krschuerman If you want to keep working out you're more than welcome to come help me later today. Mine has yet to be touched. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman You are a lucky man sir. Happy holidays indeed. I'm still at my parents and don't know what my place looks like. in reply to krschuerman #
• @dwj If you go out, tell me how the streets are looking in Marshall. Debating about when I'm going to head home. in reply to dwj #
• @dwj I didn't bring my charger so I've had it turned off for a couple days. I'll give you a call in a bit. in reply to dwj #
• Just finished digging out my parents drive way/my Explorer. Not looking forward to finding out how much more I have to do at my own house. #
• Took 1 hour to go 25 miles. Guess my plans have changed. #
• @krschuerman thanks. I am adding a day at my parents. The roads up here stink. in reply to krschuerman #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-20

• So I spent part of my afternoon clearing my driveway of the remaining snow only to find out we're in for more. Why do I live in Minnesota? #
• Finally found some motivation to do some much needed house work today. Feels good. #
• Coffee pot set for the morning, winding down for the night. Best part of waking up indeed. #
• @jeffcannata I think they're fantastic. Obviously a lot of work on your end but truly enjoyable. I'm constantly impressed with them. in reply to jeffcannata #
• Randomly I find myself in the mood to listen to Rufus Wainwright. #
• I love Craig Feguson, no one else could get away with using a cheep puppet to his a 1,000th episode. Brilliant. #
• Every time I see an ad for the film version of "Nine" I get excited, then they reach Fergie in the cast list I become disappointed. #
• Best musical guest on Ferguson ever. Dracula from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Epic. #
• Watching the Resident Evil animated movie. Yeah, Capcom design looks strange in film format. Bad lip-sync too. #
• Re: Resident Evil flick – It really does replicate the game experience in film though. Right down to the music. #
• @Ihnatko DVR is a nice choice but if live viewing is your pleasure, remember they re-air only a few hours later. Sleep or Mythbusters. in reply to Ihnatko #
• I thought I liked the story behind the Resident Evil games. Watching the movie, I'm not so sure any more. Maybe? #
• A night of horror continues w/ more Supernatural season 2. #
• Retweeting @iFanboy: the Iron Man 2 Trailer is live! Go check it out and make snap judgments about the movie! http://bit.ly/5mFW0h #
• So I guess I'm looking at buying a new car now. The good news it a keeps on comin'. #
• Tuning into twit Xmas special. If only I could have it on the home theater. #
• I love the sketch but I'm shocked they're showing the Schweddy Balls SNL sketch on prime time. #
• Just noticed, Netflix has moved the "Watch Instantly" tab to the first spot and browse DVD second. Interesting. #
• @krschuerman I started watching a 10 episode doc on Jazz on instant watch only to find out they only had every other episode. Frustrating. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman That's my big problem with Netflix Instant. There is SOME good stuff, but the never give you all the goods. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman Agreed. The whole Comcast buying NBC is a bad sign for Web video. One step forward, four steps back. in reply to krschuerman #
• I woke up this morning not knowing I would end the day an owner of a 2003 Ford Explorer. And yet… #
• @ronxo you really take ALL your lettering serious don't you? Down to the movies. in reply to ronxo #
• http://twurl.nl/z3g440 How could anyone not like JoCo. Good stuff. #

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Space Doggity – Jonathan Coulton

Go ahead, try not to tear up.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-13

• Oh I'll just watch one episode of #FNL this morning. Well there goes the rest of my day. Episode 2.8 here I come. #
• Alright, I have to say it. I really don't like this trend of toolbars that Facebook has started. Please web designers, stop it. #
• It's a football kind of Sunday. #FNL season 2 marathon followed by the KC/Denver game. Vikings tonight. Good times. #
• Rooting for Washington to take down the Saints. Up 2ith a minute plus in the first half. #
• That was the uggliest most amazing play I have ever seen (Wash. v. NO) Those watching know what I'm talking about. #
• Wow, AT&T is making me not like Luke Wilson. Sigh. Like at all. #
• Just downloaded a compilation of Robert Johnson songs. Been wanting it for a while and finally pulled the trigger. #
• I wish the officials at the Washington vs. Saints game luck getting out of the stadium. #
• I know I complain about TV ads, but they're getting worse and worse each year. This holiday has been horrible for TV ads. #
• I'm looking at you Alltel. #
• Not thrilled w/ the #Vikings game so far. Let's hope for a better second half. #
• Orange Bowl here we come #Hawkeyes! #
• @GeoffJohns0 Congrats, what page is the story on? in reply to GeoffJohns0 #
• What is going on with the Vikings? This isn't how I wanted my Sunday night to play out. #
• Favre seems to be making up for all those interceptions he has avoided all season long. Hangs head in shame. #
• I'm really disappointed in the Vikings performance tonight. #
• @cskilpatrick I actually watched that episode of Numb3rs shortly before I listened to your show. Always good to have a DB Cooper story. in reply to cskilpatrick #
• They're using the Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop" to promote Cartoon Network shows. Umm? #
• Great episode of Community tonight. The show is official a favorite now. #
• After doing some research, looks like the Verizon ads with AT&T's 3G coverage map are accurate. I don't see why AT&T is complaining. #
• @krschuerman That was a great ad. In an age of ads that annoy me to no end, that one put a big smile on my face. in reply to krschuerman #
• CAKE! That is all. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-06

• Woke up late this morning, enjoying a little Star Trek TOS season 2 and a nice coffee. Good morning all. #
• Rooting for Houston to down the Cults today. Great early start. #
• All I've done today is watch Star Trek and football. Who says I am not well rounded? #
• Plotting a "return" to regular blogging. I have some new ideas and things to say. Time to start stretching my writing muscles more. #
• @krschuerman I get paid to write for a living but I look at my blog and it just makes me sad. I have been wanting to start over (again). in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman It's a great time to be a Vikings fan for sure although after a full day of football I feel I need to get up and move around. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman Two-for-two sir. Add in home theater and you've got a deal. Let me know the time. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman What are you using to pull down TV listings? I think I remember there being a shake up with Zap2it and MythTV a few years ago. in reply to krschuerman #
• @dwj No one could blame you. I'm guessing December will be a big FNL month for me too. in reply to dwj #
• Just finished Terry Moore's Echo vol. 1. Great story and art as expected. Now sleep. #
• @dwj Sweet, thanks. Can't wait to check it out. in reply to dwj #
• I find myself muting all the Gap and Miller Light ads this season. BUT I still haven't seen Santa sledding on razors or any polar bears . #
• Slowly losing interest in this Saints/Pats game. It shouldn't be this much of a blow out. #
• @krschuerman Do you have CABLEcards plugged into that box? If so how was it working with @Knology? in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman The Saints are looking real good but I'd still back the Vikes for a win in the NFC. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman Always been a fan of the clearQAM system. I was just wondering how well Myth works with Cablecard, if at all. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman Does it list the standard def feed in the listing? If so could you use that? in reply to krschuerman #
• So 1:30 a.m. arrives way too fast on a layout night. Time for rest Robert, go to bed. #
• Why do they advertise how Blu-ray is better than DVD on Blu-ray discs? Preaching to the converted if you ask me. #
• This episode of the Office might be the most cringe worthy moment in my life. Yeah. #
• What does it mean that I wonder what will happen with 30 Rock's fictional NBC world once the Comcast deal goes through? #
• The Monk finale was pitch perfect. Well done. #
• Started flipping through Essex County by @JeffLemire before bed and an hour just disapeared. Hmm. in reply to JeffLemire #
• Listening to Hey Jude and finally heard the swearing in it. Believe it or not it's there. Listen closely. #
• Hint, it's around the 2:58 mark of the song. #

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I should be better at this

I have been running a Weblog or Web site of some kind for more than a decade. In all that time I have done this in varying levels of frequency and success. Over the last year I have been a rather lazy blogger. That isn’t to say I have been a lazy writer, my focus has just been on my day job as a newspaper editor.

The blog has been filled with virtual cobwebs for far longer than I want it to be. In an effort to make it a little more active I have been running my weekly Twitter feed through the site, but even I’m annoyed by this tactic.

I frequently say to myself “that would be a good thing to blog about,” but I inevitably find something else that takes up my focus and the idea floats away into the back of my brain. In the past I have attempted to give myself assignments through out the week, including “movie of the week,” “found links” and other various tricks that never seemed to click.

I’m doing it again. I’m giving myself assignments. I want to at least get something out once a week and if I can improve my frequency I’ll try to make it to three times a week or even nearly daily. Before I get ahead of myself I’ll try getting something out in the next few days. I’m already working on a few ideas, in an effort to encourage me to do them here is what I’m thinking about …

• Comics/graphic novels you should be reading
• A weekly Netflix/DVD/Blu-ray review
• Random podcasts, testing out podcasts that I haven’t watched or listened to before
• Buying a house

Of course these are all sketches of ideas at this point. After the papers go out the door on Tuesday night I’ll start to focus more on one or more of these topics. Until that point you’re stuck reading this cheap blog post. I’m sorry future Robert, you have your work cut out for you.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-29

• I like the new AT&T ad responding to Verizon's map claims. Still, there is a giant blank spot where I live so AT&T still FAILS! #
• I ran 5894m before hitting a wall and tumbling to my death on my iPod touch. http://www.canabalt.com/ #
• @dwj welcome to the future sir. in reply to dwj #
• I've decided to skip the comic shop today and wait until Saturday. I just don't feel like putting on another 80 miles on the car today. #
• I thought I lost my Morrissey MP3 collection in iTunes but a typo cleared things up. Big relief. #
• RT @ronxo: RT @tedleo: RT @pat_graham: The 120 Minutes Archive – Playlists & Videos – Episodes from MTV (1986-1995) http://bit.ly/5AfqFR #
• Watching I, Mudd from Star Trek season 2. Can't decide if it's a favorite episode or least favorite. I feel like 1 of the android in the ep. #
• @GeoffJohns0 my weekly trip is 40 miles one way. Well worth the fix. in reply to GeoffJohns0 #
• Football + turkey = happy Robert. #
• @JAFlanagan I heard something about a fan film once, but it's not canon sir. Whoever told you there was a third film is pulling your leg. in reply to JAFlanagan #
• Well Thanksgiving is pretty much over. Watching some TV through my Slingbox in my old bedroom. Work starts up again tomorrow. #
• First round of turkey left-overs done. Can't beat second day Thanksgiving dinner. #
• @krschuerman did you build the mythbox yourself? Duel tuner? Been wanting to do one for a while. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman I'm thinking of pricing out a system in the next couple months. I've been hearing good things about Mythbuntu. in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman How are the drivers for the tuners? Is there a lot of back end work needed to get the QAM tuner working? in reply to krschuerman #
• @krschuerman thanks for the info. Will keep you posted if I pull the trigger. in reply to krschuerman #
• Watching prt. 1 of the Monk finale. Epic. #

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It’s funny because it’s true

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.