FASHION IN REAL TIME

Covering news in real time couldn’t have been better tested than during Fashion Week in New York City. Filling the rows along side esteemed fashion journalists, editors and buyers were bloggers.  And, using pen and paper to editorialize the latest garments to hit the runway –that will eventually hit retail stores globally– was one-upped by camera phone photos with direct uploading capability to the Web.

With hundreds of fashion blogs craving content on what’s to come, bloggers and journos alike were transmitting looks as they came down the runway. As a hired gun for  the Style File Group, I shot full-on packages with a Flipcam. Quick time videos replaced tapes and P2 cards used in traditional over-the-shoulder cameras. With a light weight tripod (that fit in my everyday, oversized-handbag) and the palm-sized camera I could sit front row with an up-close view, far from the anthill of camera people.

The video I shot could be uploaded using any laptop or computer, which I later accessed when time to edit. As we’ve all become part of the Youtube generation, we are much more forgiving of video and sound that doesn’t look studio shot.

It’s my contention that as goes fashion coverage so to will go hard news. What do you think?

Could this generation of Haitian students hold the answers to rebuilding Haiti? Mainstream media coverage of Haiti’s disaster, and what should be done in rebuilding, has focused on the usual suspects of talking heads: western academic experts with books on Haiti; government officials past and present; aid organizations with a presence on the island. But, one group missing from the prevailing conversation are the very people who will likely play a large part in the reconstruction of the island nation: Haitian students, both American and those who call Haiti home.

The collective analysis from experts continues to concentrate on the malfeasance of Haiti’s leaders from the past three decades, and the mistakes made by those even further back. But, reexamining Haiti’s past is only part of the equation in moving Haiti forward. As heads of state continue to discuss best practices for aid distribution, these Haitian students –with a first hand perspective– have much to offer in what they feel are key issues in providing better leadership, the role the international community can play post-recovery and in the reconstruction process, and perhaps most importantly what policies can best prevent abuse, corruption and can actually bolster Haiti’s economy, so that it can once again be a player on the global marketplace.

For more in-depth analysis from a variety of experts, please check out:

bit.ly/bcUzsZ

http://bit.ly/cJyZHT

http://bit.ly/arPa0J

Many feel a call to volunteer as the images of catastrophe continue to make their way off the island. Here is what one experienced emergency paramedic lived in the week of the aftermath.

This photo is courtesy of the Associated Press of Doctors Without Borders.

Nearly 45,000 Americans lived in Haiti, until the catastrophic earthquake two weeks ago. And, Haitian-Americans are still being flown home, however, not always by choice. The U.S. State Dept. implemented an evacuation of all U.S. passport holders. The many who are relieved to end their ordeal, coming home, first means being repatriated. These are some first thoughts when they touched down stateside, 11 days after the earthquake.

Nearly everyone has one in their home, a computer with internet access. But, even behind locked doors your privacy may be invaded.

The internet lets you view the world, but did you know someone could be looking back, even without you knowing?

Many new computers come with webcams already installed. And while you use it for personal purposes unless you turn your computer off, you are more vulnerable to outsiders trying to peek in.

That’s what happened to one young woman when she was visiting friends here in Gainesville. Thinking her computer was safely being repaired, a spy hacking software was installed without her knowledge. And she became the victim of an online peeping-Tom. If everything you do is on your computer: your banking, letters, diaries, personal photographs, you’re not alone.

Here’s what you should know to keep yourself and the children in your family safe while online.

From Kiwi Commons:

During times of financial crisis, you can always rely on scammers to make life that much harder.  A nation in distress is a fraudster’s happy hunting ground, where holiday bargains and cheap credit have greater appeal as more and more people tighten their belts in a grim economy.

Web users are being warned that 2009 will see an onslaught of internet scams from any which way. Scammers are lurking everywhere, whether you are emailing, using social networks or casually online surfing even without clicking on any links.

To spot a scam, ask yourself a simple question:  Is it too good to be true? If you answer “yes”, chances are, it isn’t true.

Click on the link for the Top 10 Internet Scams for 2009, as predicted by E-Victims:

***

http://kiwicommons.com/2009/05/top-10-internet-scams/

http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/internetsafety/webcamsandkids.htm

The culture in north Florida is often thought to be more south Georgia than the hedonistic Florida of Miami, depicted on postcards, vacation pictures and television shows like “CSI” or  of the “Khloe and Kourtney  [Kardashian] Take Miami” variety.

The in the heart of North Central Florida is Gainesville. Home to national championship college football and basketball  teams …and many churches. The region  lies within the Bible belt.

This July one church distinguished itself from the rest when it posted signs on its lawn displaying: “Islam is of the Devil.”  The quiet, middleclass neighborhood in which Dove World Outreach Center Church resides is incensed.  Protests ensue, and brings people, young and old, out with signs denouncing the message.

While cameras descend on the protesters, blogs reveal those who aren’t at all opposed to the message from the Christian church. They, however, don’t make themselves public.

Gainesville city officials can’t have the church remove the sign –it’s clear that First Amendment rights are being tested— but  according to city hall the signs break height rules, and must be lowered. The church accommodates, and adds to the incendiary message.

As the church gains more media attention,  its pastor Terry Jones uses the momentum to fuel the controversy and more attention. Children of Dove’s congregants start wearing t-shirts to school brandishing, “Islam is of the Devil.” The Alachua County School Board bans the t-shirts. Now the ACLU has filed in the federal district court in Gainesville against the school board.

For more information:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091129/OPINION02/911279937?tc=ar

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091124/ARTICLES/911241001