With the New Year, time for Highlights
As the new year begins, here are some of the internet's favorite digital storytelling tools from 2022.
As I write this, the sun found a way to break through the recent never-ending clouds and onto my keyboard. Amidst yet another atmospheric river, Reno and the rest of the west, is being inundated with moisture. Fortunately, most of it has been snow and things are looking good for seasonal snowpack. However, the storm that is en route could open up some floodgates. As Climate Journalist Andrew Revkin writes about.
With the new year, below are three (plus) of the most widely used and functional storytelling tools from last year. These tools will help you become a stronger writer and digital storyteller.
But first, I've got job offers.
The RSJ Checkout Lab needs a student worker to help manage the equipment and get students what they need to cover the stories that matter.
If you enjoy cameras, lighting, etc. or want to get a stronger understanding of how technology plays a role in journalism this may be the job for you. We have a 14 hours a week that need filled. If you need some extra cash (and study time) send me and email at richieb@unr.edu. If you know of someone who fits the bill, please forward this information to them.
Secondly, Maureen I. McCarthy, PhD is looking for some tech support for a monthly hybrid National Security Forum meeting. The job would only be three to five hours a month. You will be managing the audio/video component of the Zoom meeting.
Why would a journalist be interested in this? These meetings could be the source of many story ideas. Email Kelsey Fitzgerald at kmfitzgerald@unr.edu for more information.
Both positions need to be filled ASAP.
Tool #1 – Radwise Reader
Great writers read voraciously. This app is the first to bring all forms of potential reading formats together in a simple management system.
You can bring in articles, books, news stories, etc. into the interface for future reading. Better yet, you can highlight as you go.
It brings all management into one location so you will not be shuffling between your Amazon Reading List, GoodReads, and AbeBooks.
Tool #2 – Google Pinpoint
I am more excited about this tool than I am with many of the previous tools. Part of Google's Journalist Studio, this tool lets you store up to 200,000 documents in a project. It is a great place to organize files, articles, research and interviews for enterprise and investigative stories.
One aspect of this tool is the transcription feature. You have to apply for full access, but once granted, you will have access to free transcribing. That's right, free transcriptions. I recently transcribed a 30 minute interview with great accuracy.
Other features includes pulling text from images and making handwritten documents searchable. Pinpoint is a powerful asset to storytellers, to say the least.
Tool #3 – Diversify your visuals
Here are a few tools that will allow you create diverse characters in your visual creations. These elements can augment any written story and help create a virtual world that is just as diverse as modern society.
From Black Illustrations to Center for Visible Aging, as storytellers, we have to be certain to accurately represent a given story’s diversity.
That is it for this month. I hope your new year is off to a stellar beginning.
🥳 Happy New Year 🥳