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Writing about Technology for Consumers

A panel discussion on covering tech news for mainstream audiences presented by Yahoo! and mediabistro.com

PRICE
$20 ($15 for )

SYNOPSIS
From WiFi to BlackBerrys, people buy and use technology every day, and many of them are looking for information about technology that doesn't boggle the mind. The dilemma for publishers is clear: how can they offer information about technology in a way that engages new readers but doesn't put off their core audiences? And how can writers and editors get a leg up on addressing these needs in the consumer marketplace?

Our panel of technology writers tackles these topics and more in a discussion moderated by the vice president of content and programming at Yahoo! Lifestyles.

DURATION/TIME
3 videos
36 minutes total running time

DATE OF PANEL
September 17, 2007

Speakers

Patrick Houston (moderator)
vice president of content and programming at Yahoo! Lifestyles		 Tom Abate
 business reporter, San Francisco Chronicle		 Jessica Guynn
technology writer, Los Angeles Times
 
Nancy Miller
senior editor, Wired magazine		 Janelle Wang
 co-host, "The View from the Bay," ABC-7 San Francisco		  

Table of Contents

Sections Length Size
PREVIEW
  Highlights from the Panel FREE!
Watch a free preview of Writing about Technology for Consumers panel discussion. 		2:26 9 MB
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Crib Sheet (PDF)
Download this outline and use it to take notes. Includes resources and other information.		    
1.

Journalism and the Role of Technology
Panelists consider the meaning of journalism today: different forms of media are being used to tell stories and engage readers and website users in new ways. The result is that more voices from the community are involved in the process of conveying information.

Patrick Houston asks the panel, "What is technology today as a subject matter-is it still technology or a lifestyle topic?" Nancy Miller describes the intersection of entertainment and technology.

Tom Abate sees an "attention economy," where everyone can create and everyone is working to get attention. Jessica Guynn and Janelle Wang talk about the challenges of writing articles and producing TV segments about technology for the non-tech savvy.

12:50 50 MB
2. Audience Questions: Fame and Content
The audience wants to know: How do you speak broadly and also have a sense of community? How do you make a living in this game? Is blogging the answer? Is being famous the answer? Are people willing to pay for content? 		17:14 67 MB
3. Audience Questions: Community and the Future
What’s the difference between community and audience? How do you make your writing become someone else’s ritual? What's the most over-hyped tech gadget on the horizon?		 6:18 24 MB