New Online News Site

Dasbo

Have people seen the new UCC online news site?

Looks like a great site, and is much needed.

http://www.ucconlinenews.com

UnionOfV

Is it just me or does every article relating to the Middle East have a pro-Israel slant?

PhatPiggins

Thats a pretty good site. Is the UCC Express involved in it?

rebel girl 15

UnionOfV wrote: »

Is it just me or does every article relating to the Middle East have a pro-Israel slant?

Why are there some many op-ed pieces about one subject??

PhatPiggins

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Why are there some many op-ed pieces about one subject??

Why does it matter?

rebel girl 15

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Why does it matter?

I was just wondering, seems a small bit odd to me

PhatPiggins

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

I was just wondering, seems a small bit odd to me

True enough, there are plenty of other more dramatic global stories at the mo.

Max001

Makes The Express look like an effort by toddlers in comparision IMO.

rebel girl 15

Nothing on the GAA section even though the UCC camogie team were involved in the Ashbourne final last weekend, Sigerson and Fitz teams have been playing this month as well!

Only three sports entries I presume whoever is doing the sports section has contacted the PRO's of the clubs involved and told them about the site? And the PRO's of the various clubs & soc on campus??

Dasbo

The site has only been up and running a few days...I'd say content will start being generated soon.

PhatPiggins

Max001 wrote: »

Makes The Express look like an effort by toddlers in comparision IMO.

Thats exactly why I asked if the Express was involved in it.

rebel girl 15

Dasbo wrote: »

The site has only been up and running a few days...I'd say content will start being generated soon.

Not according to the dates on the website, first entry was Jan 1st 2010

Dasbo

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Not according to the dates on the website, first entry was Jan 1st 2010

That may be the case...but if you look you'll see the vast majority of content has been added this week. The site has only been 'live' for the last couple of days.

Byron85

Well I like the site a lot already for a few reasons. Firstly, I seem to have been completely black balled by The Express, even though I have previous Journalistic experience and secondly, I have been given my own column on the site. The two pieces that are on it are 2 pieces that were turned down by The Express. I'm not entirely sure what to think of The Express now but life goes on etc.

rebel girl 15

That subdomain has been taken down. I honestly don't know how I feel about the site yet, but I might get involved in the future. Best of luck to them, I've been involved in community websites before with some success, and I know how hard it can be, this particular community has a huge advantage.

The Express - I honestly don't know what to think about it any more, I don't think its worth printing, there doesn't seem to be anything of worth on it imo.

Byron85

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

That subdomain has been taken down. I honestly don't know how I feel about the site yet, but I might get involved in the future. Best of luck to them, I've been involved in community websites before with some success, and I know how hard it can be, this particular community has a huge advantage.

The Express - I honestly don't know what to think about it any more, I don't think its worth printing, there doesn't seem to be anything of worth on it imo.

It's back up now.

rebel girl 15

T.W.H Byron wrote: »

It's back up now.

Sorry, what I meant was that you cannot access the site from the http://ucconlinenews.israelsolidaritycampaign.com/ website address. They changed it!

Nova_era

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

That subdomain has been taken down. I honestly don't know how I feel about the site yet, but I might get involved in the future. Best of luck to them, I've been involved in community websites before with some success, and I know how hard it can be, this particular community has a huge advantage.

The Express - I honestly don't know what to think about it any more, I don't think its worth printing, there doesn't seem to be anything of worth on it imo.

I picked up a copy of it today, or should I say the "sexpress", which was full of articles by the SU President candidates, and around 10 pages of sexual innuendo, stories, advice on sexual positions, tips on pulling in a club etc. I actually got angry with it around 5 mins after sitting down to read it, and felt the need to place it in the nearest bin.

It's a waste of paper, maybe if whoever is paying for it put the money towards the printing fees instead, then it might actually be of benefit to someone.

rebel girl 15

Nova_era wrote: »

I picked up a copy of it today, or should I say the "sexpress", which was full of articles by the SU President candidates, and around 10 pages of sexual innuendo, stories, advice on sexual positions, tips on pulling in a club etc. I actually got angry with it around 5 mins after sitting down to read it, and felt the need to place it in the nearest bin.

It's a waste of paper, maybe if whoever is paying for it put the money towards the printing fees instead, then it might actually be of benefit to someone.

That would be brilliant - those printing fees are crippling me at the moment.

I can't believe an editor would leave sh*te like that go out!

Nova_era

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

That would be brilliant - those printing fees are crippling me at the moment.

I can't believe an editor would leave sh*te like that go out!

I guess that's just the state of the media here at the moment. I was unfortunate enough to hear Red FM news yesterday -

Story 1 - Trever Sargent has resigned
Story 2 - Cheryl Cole has flown back from America and is getting a divorce

samf

http://www.ucconlinenews.com/?p=749 - Not exactly independent if it just features an article one only one of the presidential candidates?

Nova_era

samf wrote: »

http://www.ucconlinenews.com/?p=749 - Not exactly independent if it just features an article one only one of the presidential candidates?

I wonder will that website still be maintained if Keith doesn't win the election, it sounds like it's another campaign tool.

UCC has suddenly turned into North Korea.

Byron85

samf wrote: »

http://www.ucconlinenews.com/?p=749 - Not exactly independent if it just features an article one only one of the presidential candidates?

Yeah, sure. :rolleyes:

The place hasn't been up and running all that long and already it's far superior to any of the "official" publications from UCC.

Eliot Rosewater

@samf: are the SU going on a witch hunt against any publication that might threaten their monopoly?

T.W.H Byron wrote: »

The place hasn't been up and running all that long and already it's far superior to any of the "official" publications from UCC.

Byrons criteria for a superior publication: that it publishes articles by Byron

Whats your column about?

Byron85

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

Byrons criteria for a superior publication: that it publishes articles by Byron

Whats your column about?

It panders to my ego. Of course I like it. Seriously though, just look at the layout and the content of the place. It really is great for a place that hasn't been up and running all the long. That's why I chanced my arm and emailed to see if they were looking for writers, which they were!

I was given a political and current affairs column in the opinion section.

samf

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

@samf: are the SU going on a witch hunt against any publication that might threaten their monopoly?

Not at all, like others im delighted to see the site being set up, the SU's job is to encourage things like this starting up.

Most of the articles are great however there are one or two dodgy ones ive seen, most noticably one earlier on about the SU shutting down a Beer society, which was completely an utterly full of lies. Needless to say its since been taken down but I just hope the high volume of articles and writers that this site will bring wont encourage libelous articles.

All for it in theory though

Byron85

samf wrote: »

Not at all, like others im delighted to see the site being set up, the SU's job is to encourage things like this starting up.

Most of the articles are great however there are one or two dodgy ones ive seen, most noticably one earlier on about the SU shutting down a Beer society, which was completely an utterly full of lies. Needless to say its since been taken down but I just hope the high volume of articles and writers that this site will bring wont encourage libelous articles.

All for it in theory though

For my next article i'm writing about how the S.U is actually a front for a satanic sect of Fianna Fail who are lizard people in league with the Rand Corporation.

Max001

Tbh, as a research p/grad, I've not had a lotta interactions with the SU, but when I have, I can't say its been favourable. I keep bumping into people with serious and well founded gripes about the 'welfare puppet'.
The copies of The Express that I've read have been trash and I was shocked that money was being wasted on printing stuff this daft, esp
when you consider that most news media is migrating to web 2.0 which
has gotta be more cost effective, so I can't understand why the 'media
puppet' hasn't taken the initiative and switched to publish online.
Was having lunch in the bar on the first floor of the SU on Weds and two sets of people around me were complaining to each other about the quality and prices of the cooked food in what they and I assume is an SU subsidised operation.
Its not that I'm seeking out students disaffected with the SU, but I'm bumping into them with regularity, which makes me wonder.
My ten cents worth, similar to California state law, the student population should have a smple means to 'recall' any candidate during their term, if they're not performing. (if there isn't this facility already)
Also, I believe there should be a complete review by an independant audit team of all the SU's operations and expenditure and its findings should be published, online. If the SU is as well run as some say on here, then they should have no issues with an independant audit. (if this isn't carried out already)
Case in point. Campus radio. Does anyone listen? Are listener numbers measured? Or, is this a 'vanity project'? If so, how many others are there?

samf

Sigh... no surprise to see yet another thread turning into an anti su thread. I'll let it go but just want to point out the following:

Was having lunch in the bar on the first floor of the SU on Weds

Eh, do you by any chance mean the student center and not the SU?

and two sets of people around me were complaining to each other about the quality and prices of the cooked food in what they and I assume is an SU subsidised operation.

Again, if you're talking about the student center then no its not an SU subsidised operation.

Its not that I'm seeking out students disaffected with the SU, but I'm bumping into them with regularity, which makes me wonder.

That last example was people giving out about the student center, totally different thing.

My ten cents worth, similar to California state law, the student population should have a smple means to 'recall' any candidate during their term, if they're not performing. (if there isn't this facility already)

There is, read the su constitution to see how.

Also, I believe there should be a complete review by an independant audit team of all the SU's operations and expenditure and its findings should be published, online. If the SU is as well run as some say on here, then they should have no issues with an independant audit. (if this isn't carried out already)
Case in point. Campus radio. Does anyone listen? Are listener numbers measured? Or, is this a 'vanity project'? If so, how many others are there?

Whats any of that got to do with the online news site?

Byron85

samf wrote: »

Sigh... no surprise to see yet another thread turning into an anti su thread. I'll let it go but just want to point out the following:

Eh, do you by any chance mean the student center and not the SU?


Again, if you're talking about the student center then no its not an SU subsidised operation.


That last example was people giving out about the student center, totally different thing.


There is, read the su constitution to see how.


Whats any of that got to do with the online news site?

What has any of what you've posted in the above thread to do with an online news site? Just if we're splitting hairs and all.

samf

Nothing at all but thats my point, I was repsonding to Max001's totally off topic rant about the SU.

Max001

samf wrote: »

Nothing at all but thats my point, I was repsonding to Max001's totally off topic rant about the SU.

Pedant.

badgerthing

I am delighted with UCC Online News! Finally - something that will show The Express up for the useless publication it is. Not only has the paper got absolutely no style, it has no decent anything! Perhaps the horoscopes, those are pretty decent! Not only that (DISCLAIMER: No digs intended to anyone), I think the staff, of which they have been through so many this year I believe, are extremely impossible to deal with, I think if you do not know them personally then you don't get your articles printed (I've heard many people being turned away). Can they really afford to have any articles being turned away. I won't totally diss it, there are a number (and a select few) good writers there, it just looks like they have never been allowed to fully "express" themselves!

This website is an excellent, modern approach to UCC life. At least you can access it no matter what part of campus you are in. Rather than always having to go directly onto campus to get it.

samf

Would i be correct in saying that 2 of the 6 (and it may be more) columnists for ucc online news are also writers for the express?

Byron85

samf wrote: »

Would i be correct in saying that 2 of the 6 (and it may be more) columnists for ucc online news are also writers for the express?

I think that's right and another one used to write for The Express.

Nova_era

I'm a bit irked with the express, as it seems to be some kind of insular community for the "in" crowd. I've a friend who was asked to write an article and promised that it would be used, and it was a damn good article at that. Not only did they not bother responding to him, they also said they'd be in touch for him to do some interviews with SU election candidates, and never bothered to get back.

Yet you have issues like the current one, which you wouldn't even pick up for free in a Pyongyang sex shop, complete tripe.

These guys are obviously struggling to come up with anything worthwhile in the express, so I'd like to see chances given to other people for this online affair.

PhatPiggins

samf wrote: »

Not at all, like others im delighted to see the site being set up, the SU's job is to encourage things like this starting up.

Most of the articles are great however there are one or two dodgy ones ive seen, most noticably one earlier on about the SU shutting down a Beer society, which was completely an utterly full of lies. Needless to say its since been taken down but I just hope the high volume of articles and writers that this site will bring wont encourage libelous articles.

All for it in theory though

Sorry have you read the Express this month or any other?You'd struggle to find one or two decent articles.

Am I wrong in saying that the editior of same newspaper was replaced in december for the libelous shyte that was printed about the Library?

samf

Im not sure why you think im trying to say that the express is so much better than the ucc online news site, i've nothing whatsoever to do with the express, and sure its had a few risky articles in the past year, however as far as I know it has a solicitor who can check each issue for potential libel issues before its released.

The online news site doesnt have this security and the owner of the site is apparently personally responsible for each article hosted (which is not the case in the express), so libelous issues could get students into serious trouble on the website if the situation arose, which is something no one wants to see.

And also the article in question that I was talking about which was taken down couldnt have been more factually incorrect, and just gave me an ominous feeling about possible future articles on the site but I honestly wish the writers well and hope that its a huge success. Might even be worth applying for a smedia award before the deadline closes?

Nova_era

Hold on a sec, perhaps the most interesting thing ever to be posted on boards has been mentioned in Samf's last post -

Are you saying that a solicitor is proof-reading the UCC express? That's a truly fascinating comment.

samf

Well no i dont think they proof each issue exactly, but if any potentially libellous articles are in an issue they're supposed to run it through the solicitor for approval.

I personally dont think the express is anywhere near as bad as you all make it out to be though.

(* awaits backlash *)

Nova_era

samf wrote: »

Well no i dont think they proof each issue exactly, but if any potentially libellous articles are in an issue they're supposed to run it through the solicitor for approval.

I personally dont think the express is anywhere near as bad as you all make it out to be though.

(* awaits backlash *)

What was the last worthwhile article that the express published? I'm not trying to argue with you personally, but I would find it hard to believe that anybody who reads that newspaper each time it's published would say something like "it's not as bad..." etc.

The most recent issue, that which I have already mentioned, is an appalling waste of paper and possibly peoples time; although judging by the standard of the articles within, it was more of a scheme to get disabled kids writing, as opposed to a publication by a university newspaper group. If you're not one of the "103" people who get laid every year (of which I'm certainly not; my sister has moved abroad and now I never have sex), then this issue full of sex tips and stories is completely irrelevant.

Is there really nothing interesting happening in UCC? Judging by the stuff this paper publishes, the answer is no.


BTW: What you say about the soliciter is amazing, and worth a bit of further investigation.

rebel girl 15

samf wrote: »

Well no i dont think they proof each issue exactly, but if any potentially libellous articles are in an issue they're supposed to run it through the solicitor for approval.

I personally dont think the express is anywhere near as bad as you all make it out to be though.

(* awaits backlash *)

The Express is supposed to be a student newspaper, yet there isn't that much student news, I completely agree with Nova's comment in bold below. Its becoming less and less relevant to the college.

Nova_era wrote: »

What was the last worthwhile article that the express published? I'm not trying to argue with you personally, but I would find it hard to believe that anybody who reads that newspaper each time it's published would say something like "it's not as bad..." etc.

Is there really nothing interesting happening in UCC? Judging by the stuff this paper publishes, the answer is no.


BTW: What you say about the soliciter is amazing, and worth a bit of further investigation.

How much is that costing on top of the publishing of the paper??

Max001

samf wrote: »

I personally dont think the express is anywhere near as bad as you all make it out to be though.

(* awaits backlash *)

Seriously, are you on drugs?

samf

If the general student population thought the express was as bad as you guys do no one would read it, no one would take it, and the whole team would probably resign. Instead, there was 5000 copies given out this week and they've almost all been taken. Ever consider that you guys might just not be the target audience?

This weeks issue was mostly candidate interviews, with so many candidates thats going to take up most of the paper so it doesnt leave much space for anything else. Also - ucc online news currently lists its candidate interviews on its front page so clearly they regard this as pretty topical news too. The front page of the express dealt with the campus picnic gig, ucc online news also have a article on this. And a lot of the rest of the express dealt with articles related to shag week (since thats what last week was), and sure enough ucc online news have an article on this too (http://www.ucconlinenews.com/?p=75).

You cant say

Is there really nothing interesting happening in UCC? Judging by the stuff this paper publishes, the answer is no.

when it deals with pretty much the same stuff as the online news stuff that you've been applauding. Fair enough you may not like the standards of whats written but you cant say its not topical.

Nova_era

samf wrote: »

If the general student population thought the express was as bad as you guys do no one would read it, no one would take it, and the whole team would probably resign. Instead, there was 5000 copies given out this week and they've almost all been taken. Ever consider that you guys might just not be the target audience?

This weeks issue was mostly candidate interviews, with so many candidates thats going to take up most of the paper so it doesnt leave much space for anything else. Also - ucc online news currently lists its candidate interviews on its front page so clearly they regard this as pretty topical news too. The front page of the express dealt with the campus picnic gig, ucc online news also have a article on this. And a lot of the rest of the express dealt with articles related to shag week (since thats what last week was), and sure enough ucc online news have an article on this too (http://www.ucconlinenews.com/?p=75).

You cant say
when it deals with pretty much the same stuff as the online news stuff that you've been applauding. Fair enough you may not like the standards of whats written but you cant say its not topical.

And what would you mark down as the target audience? I certainly wouldn't have thought that the educated classes would be bothered with such thrash, but maybe I'm wrong, in which case I can only despair. I hate the thing, but I pick it up every time it's published, and flick through it, only to get annoyed by the amount of complete rubbish in it, and then it goes in the bin. I'm one person, I wonder how many people open up the Express, say "wow, that was a good read, I think I'll support this newspaper from now on"?

I take it because it IS as bad as I say, it's diminishing quality defies belief. There's such potential for a student Newspaper, with interviews with lecturers, many of whom have had fascinating careers, or students experiences both inside and outside the college (e.g. travel reports).

Like in all fairness, a "fashion" section, where American exchange students can talk about how much they spent a week on jackets? I'd rather read the Lisbon Treaty.

rebel girl 15

samf wrote: »

If the general student population thought the express was as bad as you guys do no one would read it, no one would take it, and the whole team would probably resign. Instead, there was 5000 copies given out this week and they've almost all been taken. Ever consider that you guys might just not be the target audience?

.

What is the target audience of the paper? As far as I can see, UCC students,

Simple reason most of the 5000 copies were picked up - cos they are free. I pick up the paper, have a flick and bin it, hoping that next time there will be something better! I wonder if the paper actually cost the students something to read, how many of the 5000 copies would be taken??

samf

I'd imagine the target audience is students that dont really care about well written intellectual articles and just want something to read during a boring lecture.

Im sure if you did a survey of students you wouldnt get many that think the express is rubbish but I may be wrong. Ive never heard anyone I know giving out about it before.

Byron85

samf wrote: »

Im sure if you did a survey of students you wouldnt get many that think the express is rubbish but I may be wrong. Ive never heard anyone I know giving out about it before.

Now that genuinely is surprising. I was warned about it before I even started in UCC.

Nova_era

T.W.H Byron wrote: »

Now that genuinely is surprising. I was warned about it before I even started in UCC.

You also posted on this forum that Highfield was a "dangerous area", and that the Thirsty Scholar was a "rough pub".

You need to stop taking local advice off people from Uzbekistan.

Max001

samf wrote: »

I'd imagine the target audience is students that dont really care about well written intellectual articles and just want something to read during a boring lecture.

Im sure if you did a survey of students you wouldnt get many that think the express is rubbish but I may be wrong. Ive never heard anyone I know giving out about it before.

You ARE on drugs! :eek:

Firstly 'The Express' is a completely 'bone' name. Which brain dead zombie in persistent vegetative state 'thought' that name up, I mean.....stole that name?

You assume students persuing third level first and advanced degrees, not to mention PhDs 'don't really care about well written intellectual articles'.

You further assume that 'if you did a survey of students you wouldnt get many that think the express is rubbish'. Has 'The Express' ever surveyed students as to what they actually want in their student paper, or even if they actually want their money spent this way at all?

Perhaps there are people in the SU that actually produce innovative, cost effective things that students want. I say perhaps, because to date, the SU has been completely irrelevant to my UCC experience.

I wonder :rolleyes: has the SU ever benchmarked itself against other SU's at leading universities in Ireland, the UK, or even the University of Somalia (if there is one) the latter of which compared to UCC SU, I suspect is a shining light of innovation, effectiveness and relevance!

As RebelGirl said, giving something away for free in the street, is not a test of worth. Charge 50c or a euro for your glossy toilet paper and see readership plummet!

And yes, I did mistake the student centre for the SU cause the last university I went to, Manchester, had a bigger building than this, that produced better and cheaper food, twenty years ago! Stick THAT in your Express and then set fire to it!

samf

Max001 wrote: »

You ARE on drugs! :eek:

I know you're messing but less of the drugs accusations thanks.

Max001 wrote: »

You assume students persuing third level first and advanced degrees, not to mention PhDs 'don't really care about well written intellectual articles'.

I'd guess your average student doesnt.

Max001 wrote: »

You further assume that 'if you did a survey of students you wouldnt get many that think the express is rubbish'. Has 'The Express' ever surveyed students as to what they actually want in their student paper, or even if they actually want their money spent this way at all?

Not sure if a survey has ever been carried out, if you're so confident of the result why dont you run the survey?

Max001 wrote: »

Perhaps there are people in the SU that actually produce innovative, cost effective things that students want. I say perhaps, because to date, the SU has been completely irrelevant to my UCC experience.

I wonder :rolleyes: has the SU ever benchmarked itself against other SU's at leading universities in Ireland, the UK, or even the University of Somalia (if there is one) the latter of which compared to UCC SU, I suspect is a shining light of innovation, effectiveness and relevance!

I think you've made a similar mistake as you did before when referring to the student center as the SU. Im not sure if you realise, but The express is not an SU publication. Its independent. So I have no idea why, as you do in every single thread, you once again bring up the students union as its totally unrelated to either the online site or the express. Can you maybe try and discuss something without bringing everything back to the SU?