So what is this site about anyways?
June 2, 2008 – 11:31 pmAfter writing on this site for around three months, I would like to get some feedback from readers. I’ve blogged about quite a few topics, from broadband issues in america to micro-credit in the developing world.
I want to know what people are interested in. My plan for this website was to bring together stories and news from around the world that reveal how under-served communities are benefiting from the Internet and how they are getting access to it. Or how they are being denied.
I cast to broad a net with this plan, and I am trying to cover too many different things. But maybe I’m doing an awesome job.
So I want your opinion.
Here are some questions, put your answers in the comments or send them to me at ryan AT bariserver DOT com:
- Tell me about yourself, where are you from, what do you do, how old are you?
- Where do you find the news? Which websites, newspapers or magazines?
- Do you participate in any social networks, forums or online communities?
- Do you regularly read any blogs? If so which ones?
- RSS or web browser? Don’t worry if you don’t understand the question.
- Should I focus on a specific geographic area? If so, which area: United States, Chicago, Illinois, the Midwest, developing countries, India, China, Asia or Africa? What region would be most interesting to you?
- What kinds of stories interest you? Stories about newest high-speed connection or low-cost laptops? Community efforts to help people get education and access to the Internet? Ways technology is being used in classrooms? Ways the Internet is affecting people’s lives? What governments are doing to help people get education and access?
- Any content on this website that you really liked?
Thanks!
6 Responses to “So what is this site about anyways?”
I’m from Cincinnati, I work in HR for an Advertising Agency on Michicagn Avenue and I’m 27 years old.
I honestly don’t watch or read the news very often. I catch some of it on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report and, believe it or not, South Park. Other than that, I watch Sportscenter quite often.
I was recently asked to write a blog on the Cincinnati reds but we haven’t officially started yet. Other than that, not really.
Not really
I don’t understand
Smaller, domestic cities and towns
Ways the Internet is affecting people’s lives. technology in sports.
It is all very interesting. Ryan is fantastic and has a bright future ahead of him.
By Josh Roberts on Jun 3, 2008
1)I’m from chicagoland area, 49 years old and I am an R.N
2)listen to news on NPR, read on my home page, thats about it.
3)no
4)no
5)?
6)the world
7)Well I’m not really into technology but I guess I prefer the articles having to do with community efforts to get everyone access to computers and online. The importance of access for all students regardless of income.
8)Haven’t read it all yet but what Ive read is great.
By Patty Mark on Jun 3, 2008
I’m from the Chicago area, I am 50 years old and am in technology. I get most of my news from websites, like Alternet.org and The Nation. I read some technical magazines, but don’t read news magazines or the newspaper. I have participated in some networking sites, but have little interest in them. I don’t usually read blogs other than if it is a link from an on-line article I am reading. I don’t use RSS.
I think this site is really good. I have found information here I have not seen elsewhere. I think you should focus on local or national type stories, but I would be interested in how technology is closing the divide around the world.
I like what you have done here, and will continue to visit the site.
By Bill Mark on Jun 3, 2008
1. I’m from Chicago, 25 years old, journalism student.
2. Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Slate, BBC, the Daily Show, Google Alerts (so wherever those come from…), Wikileaks, Economist, Digg
3. Facebook, LinkedIn, some others. Not many forums.
4. Digitial Divisions!!! And Chicagoist, Huffington Post, some NYT blogs, sometimes Tribune blogs, Second City Cop, other random posts that I find randomly, blogs by our classmates
5. Both. Mostly web browser, but often via RSS.
6. Focusing on a region seems like a good idea. Or a single topic - like broadband or education. As for which region, the U.S. seems like a natural fit. I mean, you’re here.
7. Education and government and people’s lives.
8. Education stuff and posts about the FCC. And citywide wifi.
By Erin on Jun 3, 2008
1. I’m 24 years old, live in Chicago and am a graduate student in journalism at Medill.
2. News is mostly online, because I spend all day at my computer. I read the websites of the New York Times and Chicago Tribune. I get TIME magazine every week. I check out WV newspapers online for my blog.
3. I’m on Facebook, but that’s about it.
4. I regularly read blogs from our class, and blogs about West Virginia for my blog. I’ll read random blogs if they show up on the page, but nothing else regularly.
5. Web browser. I can’t get into this whole RSS thing, but that’s probably because I subscribed to way too many feeds and now my Google Reader stresses me out.
6. I think not focusing on a geographic area is best. Your topic is kind of universal (or at least worldwide). I guess I would be interested in seeing coverage of areas that are usually ignored when it comes to technology…3rd world countries, etc.
7. I like the less-technical posts, because I’m not particularly web-savvy.
8. I think you’ve done well picking a topic, sticking with it and making it interesting.
By Erica on Jun 3, 2008
1. I am 25, I live in Schaumburg, IL and I work in academic publishing.
2. Mostly online news and some TV. CNN, ABC, and anything that comes through to google reader.
3. I read posts and comments on digg, I do not have a myspace or facebook account.
4. Just your blog, I usually only look at stuff that comes through the news sites or google reader.
5. Both. I have google reader set up and I still use a web browser for information.
6. I’m interested to learn more about advances made in the academic areas, new studies, and anything local going on.
7. I enjoy hearing about stuff that isn’t advertised or covered in other common news sites. It’s always interesting to hear about the unusual.
8. I like the diversity of topics, you focus on technology but do not get stuck on one thing. Keep it up!
By Aprilla on Jun 5, 2008