The first chapter of “Journalism Next” is an easy-to-read crash course in computer and internet basics. Mark Briggs outlines how to understand:
- HTML (how to set up your own Web page)
- FTP (file transfer protocol)
- web browsers
- RSS feeds
- bytes and bites (man, I’m hungry)
Briggs gives several examples to follow along with so that any computer and online user can understand how to apply the lessons to what is most relevant to them.
The use of screen shots are especially helpful when explaining different processes such as setting up an RSS feed and how FTP works.
There is also an emphasis on the importance of learning basic programming code in order to become a better journalist in today’s online realm. Briggs outlines how to quickly and easily use basic HTML (creating a Web page) and provides several Web sites to learn more about creating these pages.
This section includes instruction on how to:
- create HTML code
- how to add photos to a Web page and alter them
- where to find tutorials on HTML code
- how to use CSS (cascading style sheets) which help add visual appeal to your page
- tutorials on CSS
The chapter ends with a checklist to help an online user jump start on how to best utilize their online experience.
Learn a little more about Mark Briggs on the Poynter website.
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