Briefing Digest
Total cost of project including all sources of funding:
$0Expected amount of time to complete project:
6 monthsThe Briefing Digest is essentially an email newsletter providing only facts, figures and dates on any given subject based on user preference. Individuals can be students, professionals or anyone in the work force. It is a well known fact that most people read only the headlines and/or are interested only in soundbytes. They don't want the whole story. In addition, people want news that only pertains to them, their interests and/or profession. Instead of the media deciding what is newsworthy, the individual decides, again, based on preference. Keywords, phrases or just one liners and/or pictures/graphics are all that is needed as opposed to explanations or descriptions. It is critical that the individual decides what is news. If they want general facts about the world, facts about their profession, or anything else, they choose. Individuals should also be able to ask questions and get simple answers: immediately. This means a desktop interface in addition to email newsletter delivery.
1 commentHow will your project improve the way news and information are delivered to geographic communities?
Breaking through geographical boundaries
What the Internet has already proven is that geographical boundaries no longer apply in information access. I know people 1/2 way around the world better than I know my next door neighbor. And frequently, I am more interested in what is happening in another geographical area than I am my own locale.
Some people live in a certain locale but are not necessarily involved in community activities/events.
Obviously, we have to live somewhere. But where we live is not an indication of where our interests lie.
Using myself as an example, as a songwriter, I might live in Florida, but 90% of the music business takes place in LA, NY, Nashville or internationally. Where I live has nothing to do with my profession.
The above is based on news gathering pertaining to profession. Often times information I want is general in nature. I might want to know facts, figures and dates concerning the latest CERN efforts in particle accelerator experiments. Or, maybe I do, in fact, want to know how much the new highway 10 miles from my home will cost?
But again, regardless of the topic, I don't want a full education. I just want a name, a date, a dollar figure, or a picture.
Geographic boundaries are not necessarily important in terms of the kind of information we want when we want it.
0 commentsHow is your idea innovative? (New or different from what already exists.)
Personalized News
The Internet is already heading in the direction of personalized news. RSS feeds are a prime example. Google allows you to personalize a home page. But again, the information is being fed from outside sources deciding on what is newsworthy.
What is innovative about the Briefing Digest is that it provides direct delivery of news (information) based on individual preference. Therefore, the individual needs to be able to ask questions and get immediate answers.
Expressing an interest in biology, and getting news feeds pertaining to biology, might prove lucky in terms of providing specific information the individual wants. But what if what the individual wants is not contained in the news feed?
0 commentsWhat experience do you or your organization have to successfully develop this project?
Freelance Writing and Journalism Background
I have a background in freelance writing and worked as an editorial/opinions editor and writer for the Minnesota Daily for one year. I have a self-designed BS in Songwriting and a Masters in Liberal Studies, both degrees from the University of Minnesota. I have strong familiarity with the Internet, web design and email delivery. However, I have no software or coding experience.
It's quite possible that the extraction of personalized information, especially that based on a question/answer process, would require the search capabilities on par with Google or other major search engine. If this be the case, then an affiliation with Google is needed, since clearly the development and cost of search capabilities that compete with Google would be out of scope of this project.
An affiliation with Google would prove extremely advantageous, since Google has already implemented the best search engine available today.
The Briefing Digest could be thought of as a "personalized Google."
0 comments
