8 Questions with Gillian Shaw (The Vancouver Sun)
The following is a transcribed version of an audio interview with Gillian Shaw, technology writer for the Vancouver Sun, made at the Fresh Media Forum on Saturday October 24th, 2009. This interview was originally published as part of BCIT's 3 Blog Nights.
What’s it like being from the boomer generation working in the new media space?
It’s really exciting actually. Our business has changed so much since I started. I didn’t start when they had typewriters but close enough. At that time we had one-dimensional writing. We could write our stories and they would land on your doorstep in the morning and that was it. It was a one shot deal. You had one chance to talk to the audience and they had a limited chance to talk back to you. Even with email you just don’t have that 24/7 interactive opportunity that you have today. Between that and being able to tell our stories in so many ways - video, podcasts, blogs - it adds so many dimensions and I love everything about that.It seems like the local tech community in Vancouver is reaching a critical mass. What’s your feeling on the current state of the local tech community?
I write in this space and I am a journalist but I am also really enthusiastic. I am a really big booster of our homegrown technology and what people are doing here. One of the things that’s often said, I think it’s true, is that some of our best companies, best talent and best innovation are recognized more on the world market before they are recognized at home. I try to change that with what I do and what I write. I work to shed light on it and tell the stories of some of the great innovation that’s going on right now in our city.
What do you think the importance of understanding and using new media is to new graduates, specifically in journalism?
I think it’s totally important. It is really key and crucial and really just a lot of fun to be able to use all the different tools we have available. I don’t think there is space for a one trick pony anymore. I don’t think you can just say, “I write and my stories appear in print” or “I just create one kind of media or another”. Although there are specialists, if you are going to be in journalism I think you need to take advantage of all the different ways of sharing your stories.
Do you teach your co-workers about new media?
I try to help whenever people ask and a lot of people ask me. I am a bit of a social media evangelist so I really like to share that information. I am very fortunate because I learn a lot from the people in my network and my community who are very kind and generous with their time and expertise. They pass that along to me so I try to do the same.
What is your favourite part of the democratization of media and journalism?
As a journalist, the most important thing is that now everybody can be a publisher and everyone can be a reporter. We’ve seen some very important cases, such as the Dziekanski death at the airport, where it was having a citizen there with a camera that made the difference between that case being buried and his death going unremarked or investigated and the braidwood inquiry that we see today.
In your opinion how will the democratization of journalism affect the Olympics?
I think the Olympics are a really great opportunity for Vancouver social media to showcase itself to the world. I think Vancouver’s social media scene is already regarded as being quite leading edge. People look to Vancouver and its social media to see what people are doing here. The Olympics will provide a broader forum and spotlight it even more here. I think it can only be good.
What do you think is next in media both traditional and new?
I have ideas everyday about the technological inventions I would like to see. Coming off a talk about the future of media, which is area I focus a lot on, I think that one of the jobs ahead is for people to figure out how to continue this on and continue the expansion. In some ways the problem is how to make money in the delivery of news in our 24/7 world. We’ll all be better served when some of these questions are answered.
What is your favourite app on your iPhone?
I just love the video capability of the new 3GS because I had the 3G, which didn’t have video. The second I got video everything and everybody in my life when online. Even though I carry a little a mini video recorder I just love using the iPhone. I like the fact that is such a multipurpose tool. If I go somewhere and just have my phone in my pocket I can still be posting my videos to YouTube.
Thanks so much for taking sometime today, Gillian. Gillian can be found at her blog and her column in the Vancouver Sun.
CoverItLive: Peter Robinson, CEO Suzuki Foundation
This is my first time liveblogging to web
Barcamp Vancouver #bcv09 Session Two
Raul presents his discussion topic in the morning to the entire 250 attendees of Barcamp Vancouver 2009. (Photo: Tyler Ingram)Raul asks the group, "Has anyone been asked to do something for free?" (Photo: John Bolwitt, Source)
Almost the entire room in my second barcamp session, "Freelancing i$n't Free" led by Raul Pacecho raised their hands when asked that quesiton. It was a great session with many great points raised.
It was just over have way through this session when I realized my services, as a new media consultant, were very different from the rest of rooms' services. Most of the room was speaking as photographers, coders or designers. All of these jobs requires a larger outlay of labour for any kind of job. Whereas my consultation services are usually free for the first 20-30 minutes. When the question was brought up, by Paul Lambert (Photo: Tyler Ingram), of whether or not to do work for free when starting out I was quick to jump in (Photo: Tyler Ingram) and recommended that it can't hurt for your first few jobs but I was speaking as consultant and not a photographer, designer or coder. Check out this freaky photo of me at the session.
Mark Busse (Photo: Tyler Ingram) who I spoke of in my first post had a passionate position that you shouldn't do work for free. His argument was well supported with evidence to support his position. He spoke from a position of great experience in his business when it comes to doing work for free.
In response to my statement Steve Tannock (Photo: Peter Andersen) another awesome person I met for the first time at Barcamp retorted my idea of doing a few initial jobs for free with his model, which personally I love. What he does is bill the charities and non-profits he does work for, but he doesn't expect money in return just a charitable receipt for his donation of time, translated into dollars. This led me to think about the various ways we can repay small favours. Tweet mentions, blog posts, referrals, charitable receipt, recognition, promotion, LinkedIn recommendations the list is endless. In this new economy (the digital one, not that 'Great Recession' thing) social capital is becoming increasingly more important and measurable.In the end of Barcamp Vancouver 2009 the one session I really missed out on was The Fresh Media & W2 sessions. Check out Fresh Media it's going to be at W2, wOOt! See you there. I will be there and having an amazing time learning. from noon to six on a Saturday. Great deal. Good Times. See you there.
Fresh Media Forum Vancouver October 24th
Barcamp Vancouver #bcv09 Session One
...a blast, and props to the organizers, which included Boris Mann (whose booming voice was the first thing I heard when I entered the office complex).
-Yule Heibel, who thoughtfully discusses the W2 Project discussion, which was the session I most regretted missing, in her post here.The agenda was made by the entire group and managed by Boris Mann and Darren Barefoot, Photo by Tyler Ingram (Source). The photo of the agenda was taken by John Bolwitt (Source).
I had the chance to sit down and meet Boris at the lunch break. Thanks to fellow BCITer Mack Flavelle (more on that later). It was great to get advice from those with more experience. The conversation was part of another discussion later on in the day entitled "Balancing Passion & Frustration" (Notes by Jenny Lee Silver). That discussion was led by Boris and Mark Busse. I liked Mark the moment he opened his mouth in my first session of the day which you can read about below. Intelligent, outspoken, opinionated and caring; the kind of person who even when you don't agree with everything they say is teaching you from a valuable perspective.
The first session of the day for me was the one on the top left in the post-it note agenda above. Cam Cavers ignited a discussion on "Building Bridges between Industry and Education" (Live Blog by Raul Pacheco, Photo by RocketCandy, Source). It was IT and web professionals sitting down with small business and educational parties. Some people represented all 3 perspectives through their experience. Discussions ranged from how interns and co-op students are unprepared to work, often coming from major degree granting institutions with a continued focus on 'theory' to how there is not enough collaboration among high-tech educational professionals. From my perspective the main need expressed from the group was a better way to meet and qualify students. I spoke up and recommended that they speak to classes and create relationships with faculty who then will recommend the most competent students for immediate employment opportunities. My friend Toan Dang had a even quicker idea: connect with students through clubs and student associations. The discussion concluded and Cam has set-up a mailing list for future connection. I hope anyone who wants to be a part of future if this discussion will contact Cam Cavers or myself for more details.I would like to include the one post that irked me and breaks the spirit of Barcamp as my presentation (Social Media & Educational Institutions: Highs, Lows and Silos) was singled out as:
a perfect example of what I didn't like.I posted a reply on his blog so be sure to check it out and see for yourself. I am still waiting for some actually constructive feedback (which I love, bring it on! :). I will continue to wait and respect all opinions in hopes of learning.
Barcamp Vancouver 2009 was an incredible expression of cooperation, passion and community. I will tell you more about it in the next post. Ultimately, Barcamp was about all three of my passions: technology, community and education. What more could I ask for? Signing off with these two pictures: one of the line to tell the room about the session you wanted to lead (By Peter Andersen, Source) and one of the room listening intently to the each speaker in turn (By GusF, Source).
There are about 20 more people off the right waiting in line
You can see the line in the distance the left. There are another 100 people to the right
All photos used in this post were used as instructed under creative commons license. Thanks to all contributors in advance and in perpetuity. The next post will highlight Raul Pacheco's "Freelancing isn't Free" discussion! Please leave a rant, rave or comment bellow, thanks
Social Media and Education #bcv09
It first appeared at Barcamp Vancouver 2009
6s named in Shaw's Defamation Lawsuit
The full story of the defamation lawsuit is well told by Curt Cherewayko as originally published in Business In Vancouver (subscription only) and again on Techvibes where it is accessible to all.
Both the the Twitter account for 10buckstoo and the website (http://10buckstoo.com) are gone. Now only to be seen by lawyers, etc. The last remenant of the story is the Facebook Page now with 5 members left in it. The only statement on that page reads:
"As Shaw has ceased marketing this offer, this page is being closed down. Thanks for your support."
The only really remaining record of the story is blogs especially, techvibes.com.The precedent this lawsuit could set is huge for digital marketing. To see the story as it unfolded check out this post. Read all about it and decide for yourself what you think could or should happen. I would love to read your comments on these new developments. Will Shaw win this lawsuit? Will 6s' reputation be damaged in the long-term? What part did Novus play in creating the 10bucktoo campaign?
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