Student Printz - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Student Printz

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Thanks so much, Smuggler!

Date: Jan 13, 2005

It's a little hard to believe that a large university which is supposed to be high tech can't find a way to put its student paper online, especially when it only comes out twice a week. Someone figured out how to do it last year, and Ole Miss does it with a daily. Something is fishy.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

That is so cheezy.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: The Shadow
"It's a little hard to believe that a large university which is supposed to be high tech can't find a way to put its student paper online, especially when it only comes out twice a week. Someone figured out how to do it last year, and Ole Miss does it with a daily. Something is fishy."

I agree. If I remember correctly last year, during the Glamser / Stringer affair, the Printz was easily available online and the online edition was updated each time the Printz was published.

I have to wonder is this is some type of payback by SFT for the "lack of support" the Printz editorial staff gave to him during that time.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

www.usm.edu/printz

Date: Jan 13, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: it's online
"www.usm.edu/printz"

I'm not even going to link this one.

The Printz is online, but only current as of November 18, 2004.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Thanks so much for the clipping service. I don't live in Mississippi anymore and have missed it.

I doubt however that it not being online is any sort of backlash by SFT. I believe I remember reading a post by the Printz's advisor that they were having computer problems. They have a Webmaster and have been able to post some copies so it may just be that the problems haven't been worked out. I think Lisa Mader has at least enough sense (but that's questionable) to inform SFT that censoring the media isn't a good idea.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Andy
"Thanks so much for the clipping service. I don't live in Mississippi anymore and have missed it.
I doubt however that it not being online is any sort of backlash by SFT. I believe I remember reading a post by the Printz's advisor that they were having computer problems. They have a Webmaster and have been able to post some copies so it may just be that the problems haven't been worked out. I think Lisa Mader has at least enough sense (but that's questionable) to inform SFT that censoring the media isn't a good idea."

I can somewhat agree that Mader would advise Thames not to "censor" the Printz, although I would attribute that to fear rather than "good sense!"

However, what the heck kind of "computer problems" could they be having that could not be easily and quickly solved by USM's IT department, or perhaps the Computer Sciences Department? How could they go from publishing online twice weekly (every time the print edition came out) to publishing every now and then, sporadically, and even then only putting out portions of what was in the print edition?

I am sure that there are many students (along with faculty and staff members) who publish and maintain their own web sites. USM, as well as many of it's departments and colleges, also have their own web sites. With such a large group of knowledgeable people to draw upon, how is it that The Printz has been unable to solve it's online edition problems for more nearly half a year now?

It defies the imagination!

Date: Jan 13, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Wondering
" I can somewhat agree that Mader would advise Thames not to "censor" the Printz, although I would attribute that to fear rather than "good sense!" However, what the heck kind of "computer problems" could they be having that could not be easily and quickly solved by USM's IT department, or perhaps the Computer Sciences Department? How could they go from publishing online twice weekly (every time the print edition came out) to publishing every now and then, sporadically, and even then only putting out portions of what was in the print edition? I am sure that there are many students (along with faculty and staff members) who publish and maintain their own web sites. USM, as well as many of it's departments and colleges, also have their own web sites. With such a large group of knowledgeable people to draw upon, how is it that The Printz has been unable to solve it's online edition problems for more nearly half a year now? It defies the imagination!"

The explanation I was given was that last year many on the Printz were seniors. Since they graduated the Printz now has many more rookies. They lost the person who knew about the computer part and had to ask for volunteers. The one who volunteered was young and learning as they went. Evidently they are still learning and are way behind.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Perhaps an USM student out there with technical savy would like to spend a little time in the basement of southern hall. my experience reminds me the web person can work from their own computer.
Perhaps someone on this board knows a student or someone who may know a student who is interested in helping the printz create a "world-class" web site.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Thursday's clippings (1-13-05) are posted now. The link is at the top of this thread.

If Thames hadn't given an extra $100,000 to SGA this year for the sole purpose of publishing the Varsity Voice, perhaps the Printz could afford a work study tech to put issues online.

smuggler

Date: Jan 15, 2005

I agree with most of what has been posted above, but it still boggles my mind that, at a "world class" university in today's computer inundated society, a university that has a fairly large computer science department with any number of extremely knowledgeable professors, associate professors, graduate students, and undergraduates, that the USM Student Newspaper (The Printz) could "go silent" online for the past 6 months. These are the questions that I have:

1) When the new Printz staff members realized that there was a problem with the online edition, why did they not ask for assistence from someone knowldegeable? (The Computer Sciences Dept.)

2) What about the faculty advisors to the Printz? Or the Journalism Dept. professors? Since (apparently) the students involved did not ask for help, did they make any suggestions to the students about possible solutions? Did the faculty become involved in helping to solve this problem at all? If so, why has it yet to be solved? If not, why did they not become involved?

3) How is it possible that SIX MONTHS could pass by without a solution to this problem presenting itself? In case no one has noticed, just about every newspaper in the country has an online edition now, to include small-town newspapers, area or regional "weeklies", and (GASP!!!) college newspapers. Obviously these journalists and/or journalism students must know something about putting together an online edition of their respective newspapers otherwise, we would not have them. While I am sure that they have the assistence of competent and knowledgable webmasters, these journalists must still know enough about online editions to make them work, along with knowing when to turn to those webmasters when they have a problem that they can't solve. Those webmasters, in turn, must know when to seek help with problems that they cannot solve, possibly turning to "outside" consultants or computer service firms at those times. Why hasn't the webmaster for The Printz turned to an "outside" consultant to fix this issue if he/she cannot fix it?

I apologize for ranting so much about this. I do not live in Hattiesburg anymore, so I do not have access to the Printz as many of you may. The Printz was one of the best sources of information during the Glamser/Stringer affair. The articles and editorials were informative and cutting-edge in my opinion, and it really burns me to see such a wonderful source cut-off from much of the world because, apparently, no one there cares to see it published online anymore. If I had the knowledge and skills to help, I would gladly volunteed my time and expertise to help them get through this. I can only hope that there is someone down there who cares as much as I do.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

It's the Afghanistan proposition - why is that country so primitive? Well, it's landlocked. The Thames solution to the on-target journalism of the Printz? Landlock it. Make certain that no outsiders have easy access to its systems of transportation. Okay, the staff is new, that worked for awhile. I bought into that for a month or two -- I no longer do. If the prez wanted it to be online - it would be. Period.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

In Soviet Russia, the student newspaper reads you.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Isn't the administrative weakening of the student newspaper a First Amendment issue?

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Does everything have to be Thames' fault? So the campus newspaper hasn't been on-line in forever, does it have to mean Thames is the blame? No, I do not believe that the campus newspaper should go without a Web site for months. However, I also know that when problems happened, and ask almost anyone who worked with me, when I was editor of the Student Printz, Thames wasn't to blame. I took responsibility for the newspaper's failings while I was there, that's what the editor does. I also gave credit to those who worked at the paper when we deserved it.
Perhaps those two statements should be pasted up and given to Dr. Thames to remind him of alternative governing methods.
When I read a typo in the paper I cussed a lot, but only to myself because I was the one who failed. Thames didn't put the typos in the paper, my staff and I did. Don't use the same logic to blame Thames for the Web site. Has anyone here asked the current editor why the Web site doesn't work? I haven't. That's why I'm not assigning "First Amendment infringement blame" to the University president now because the campus paper isn't online.
As far as the Varsity Voice goes, I know the competent students at USM's journalism department must be licking their lips. Few campus papers have the opportunity to work against direct competition while in college, or even when out of college. The Student Printz can now recruit other staffers by saying we're up against a "government-run" publication and we eat their lunch in every category without doubt.
The editor of The Student Print should schedule a lunch and thank whoever that is responsible for getting "The Voice" out on campus.
I work in one of the fastest growing cities in the state, Starkville. This city has a so-called local newspaper based in Starkville (it prints in neighboring West Point) and two other larger newspapers, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (the finest newspaper in the state) and The Commercial Dispatch.
I can't describe to you how grand the feeling is when I scoop the other papers. I can't describe to you the empty feeling I have in my heart when other papers beat me with something worth reading. I know first-hand how good the experience can be with newspaper competition.
The Student Printz, is a fine campus publication with a history of putting out high quality journalism. Don't give the newspaper so little credibility to suggest that Shelby Thames makes or breaks the newspaper. I'm proud of my time working on the USM newspaper. I learned as much in the basement of Southern Hall than I did doing anything else at that point in my life. I'll puff my chest ou and take the blame for all of it.
I know I've missed some of the issues discussed earlier on this thread, but this is all I'm writing Sunday morning before my coffee.

I apologize for my lack of a "World-Class" rant, but it's the best I can do.

Sincerely,

Robbie Ward
former Student Printz editor
current Starkville Bureau chief (of a one-member staff)
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robbie Ward
"...Has anyone here asked the current editor why the Web site doesn't work? I haven't. That's why I'm not assigning "First Amendment infringement blame" to the University president now because the campus paper isn't online. ..."

Robbie, I asked the faculty advisor early in the fall semester. I posted the response then and again earlier in this thread. Here it is again.

"The explanation I was given was that last year many on the Printz were seniors. Since they graduated the Printz now has many more rookies. They lost the person who knew about the computer part and had to ask for volunteers. The one who volunteered was young and learning as they went. Evidently they are still learning and are way behind."

I forgot to mention that the advisor said they had a very hard time getting ANY student to volunteer for the job. This is why it took so long and why they were very far behind trying to catch up. I haven't check lately to see if things have changed.

So I agree with you that it is silly to blame SFT for this without any facts to back it up.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Reporter:

I think I know who you are, just from your post. I haven't talked to you in a few months. If you do know me, e-mail me. You should know my e-mail address.

If we don't know each other, disregard this e-mail.

I look forward to your e-mail, or not receieving it. Whatever the case may be.

sincerely,

RW

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Robbie, give them some direction. You know your "stuff". Help this newspaper however you can.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robbie Ward
"Reporter: I think I know who you are, just from your post. I haven't talked to you in a few months. If you do know me, e-mail me. You should know my e-mail address. If we don't know each other, disregard this e-mail. I look forward to your e-mail, or not receieving it. Whatever the case may be. sincerely, RW"

Robbie, I'm disregarding this post. I know OF you, but as far as I know, we have never met and I don't know your email address. (Besides, I'm married. )

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Emma:

One mistake I made the year after I left USM was "meddle" with The Student Printz editors.
I've learned where unsolicited advice gets me. Besides, the Printz has better graduates than me it can turn to. The University of Life Experience hasn't scraped all the green off of me yet.

Besides what do I know anyway, I'm just a part-time graduate student at Mississippi State University.

RW

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Reporter:

Accept my apologies. I thought you and I may have worked together before.

Know I can I know OF you as well. haha.

Robbie

Date: Jan 16, 2005

Robbie,

Thank you for your posts, especially your "rant!" I agree completely: Thames is not to blame for this fiasco. The editor and staff of the Printz, along with their faculty advisors, are.

So, no one "volunteered" to take up the slack and fix the problem? BIG SURPRISE! With busy class schedules, part or full-time jobs between classes, campus activities, etc., it's no wonder no one did!

So how about using a carrot? You know, the Free Enterprise system? Offer someone a little money and you might be amazed at how quickly this can get fixed!!!

Robbie, doesn't the Printz have some kind of budget to operate with? Also, do they not charge for advertising space? Surely, there must be $50.00 or $100.00 that they could scrape together in order to get someone to teach the new webmaster what to do!!!

Last time I checked (about 10 minutes ago), the Hattiesburg American has what looks like an excellent online edition that is updated at least once daily, but usually more than that. I wonder if anyone has thought of contacting that webmaster and asking if he/she would give the Printz staff some pointers. Perhaps the promise of a little extra cash might motivate that person to want to help out more!

If The Printz is having a hard time finding someone to be the webmaster, surely they could submit new budget with some kind of compensation factored in to "hire" a new one? There must be at least one bright, computer & website saavy student or grad-student there on campus who wouldn't mind working for a few extra hours a week at whatever $ per hour. We're talking about 2 issues per week during the regular semester, correct? It's not like the job would have to eat up huge amounts of time, so it should not take huge amounts of $ to fill it!

Finally, I would ask any of you that are reading this to please (if you know how to) get in contact with the current Printz staff and have them read this thread!!! (If I knew who and how, I would do it myself!!! As I said earlier, I am not in Hattiesburg, nor am I a journalist!) I think that many good suggestions (not all of them mine!) have been made here and, hopefully, these might spark some thought on the part of the editors and staff there.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Wondering
"...Last time I checked (about 10 minutes ago), the Hattiesburg American has what looks like an excellent online edition that is updated at least once daily, but usually more than that. I wonder if anyone has thought of contacting that webmaster and asking if he/she would give the Printz staff some pointers. ..."

Wondering, I have a bit of information on this point. I had similar feeling as you expressed on this board until I spoke to someone from the H.A. I was told that they don't do their website. All of the news articles are emailed out of state to a company who does the website for them and many other papers. The person didn't know if the reason was a lack of professional expertise in Hattiesburg or economics or whatever.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"Wondering, I have a bit of information on this point. I had similar feeling as you expressed on this board until I spoke to someone from the H.A. I was told that they don't do their website. All of the news articles are emailed out of state to a company who does the website for them and many other papers. The person didn't know if the reason was a lack of professional expertise in Hattiesburg or economics or whatever. "

As they are a Gannett paper, it is more than likely that Gannett provides the service or contracts for it. Maybe the Printz should sell itself to Knight-Ridder . . . .

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen jud
"As they are a Gannett paper, it is more than likely that Gannett provides the service or contracts for it. Maybe the Printz should sell itself to Knight-Ridder . . . ."

I don't know about Knight-Ridder. They own The Sun Herald, which by they way buried the latest USM SACS story on "long distance learning" on page 6A of today's edition. The story was next to a story on CPR. A subliminal suggestion for our ailing university, perhaps?

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Wondering
"Robbie,

Thank you for your posts, especially your "rant!" I agree completely: Thames is not to blame for this fiasco. The editor and staff of the Printz, along with their faculty advisors, are.

So, no one "volunteered" to take up the slack and fix the problem? BIG SURPRISE! With busy class schedules, part or full-time jobs between classes, campus activities, etc., it's no wonder no one did!

So how about using a carrot? You know, the Free Enterprise system? Offer someone a little money and you might be amazed at how quickly this can get fixed!!!

Robbie, doesn't the Printz have some kind of budget to operate with? Also, do they not charge for advertising space? Surely, there must be $50.00 or $100.00 that they could scrape together in order to get someone to teach the new webmaster what to do!!!

Last time I checked (about 10 minutes ago), the Hattiesburg American has what looks like an excellent online edition that is updated at least once daily, but usually more than that. I wonder if anyone has thought of contacting that webmaster and asking if he/she would give the Printz staff some pointers. Perhaps the promise of a little extra cash might motivate that person to want to help out more!

If The Printz is having a hard time finding someone to be the webmaster, surely they could submit new budget with some kind of compensation factored in to "hire" a new one? There must be at least one bright, computer & website saavy student or grad-student there on campus who wouldn't mind working for a few extra hours a week at whatever $ per hour. We're talking about 2 issues per week during the regular semester, correct? It's not like the job would have to eat up huge amounts of time, so it should not take huge amounts of $ to fill it!

Finally, I would ask any of you that are reading this to please (if you know how to) get in contact with the current Printz staff and have them read this thread!!! (If I knew who and how, I would do it myself!!! As I said earlier, I am not in Hattiesburg, nor am I a journalist!) I think that many good suggestions (not all of them mine!) have been made here and, hopefully, these might spark some thought on the part of the editors and staff there."

Ain't it funny how the one with all the answers is the one with the least amount of correct information. Not to mention completely lacking in assuming any personal responsibility to correct a problem rather than point fingers towards who is to blame. Tsk, tsk....I thought the other topics of this board would have taught that lesson already.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

The previous poster is speaking volumes of wisdom.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

For your comparison reading persual (I specifically chose public universities in the Deep South for a sample):

http://www.thedmonline.com/ The Daily Mississippian (Ole Miss student paper)
http://www.reflector-online.com/ The Reflector (MSU student paper)
http://www.muw.edu/spectator/ The Spectator (MUW student paper)
http://www.lsureveille.com/ The Reveille (LSU student paper)
http://www.cw.ua.edu/ The Crimson-White (Univ. of AL student paper)

For a directory of members of the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), which gives out the student-equivalent of Pulitzers, visit www.studentpress.org. The Daily Mississippian, I should add, was a finalist for their award this past year, as was my own college's newspaper.