It may not be a new form of journalism, but it is quickly becoming apparent that interviews with avatars in virtual worlds are going to require a new set of guidelines for journalists. This is one of the first learnings to emerge from an experimental initiative in The Big Change blog. We are conducting business […]
Arthur Goldstuck
Arthur Goldstuck is a South African journalist, media analyst and commentator on information and communications technology (ICT), internet and mobile communications and technologies. Goldstuck heads the World Wide Worx research organisation, and has led research into ICT issues such as the effects of IT on small business, the role of mobile technologies in business and government, and the technology challenges of the financial services sector. He regularly provides strategic insights and guidance on trends at conferences and corporate events across Africa.
Posted inMedia, Tech
Bloggers of the Week: The Mike and Justin show
I’ve been terrified of naming these two guys as Bloggers of the Week. When the concept for this blog was first proposed, the biggest criticism was that it would simply line up the usual suspects of the Web 2.0 world, such as Justin Hartman and Mike Stopforth. But hey, we all have to conquer our […]
Posted inMedia
Fired for blogging
So history has been made. Llewellyn Kriel has been fired from the Sowetan for his writings in his Thought Leader blog. At a hearing held at Avusa (Johncom) on Thursday afternoon, November 29, his contract of employment was formally terminated. While this was not unexpected, the first firing of a South African journalist for what […]
Posted inGeneral
Blogger of the Week: SA’s first media blog casualty
Later today, history will be made when, for the first time, a South African journalist will be punished for blogging. A hearing is due to be held at Avusa (formerly Johnnic Communications) at 3pm today (Thursday) to decide the fate of a Sowetan sub-editor, who has been found guilty of ”gross misconduct” for what he […]
Posted inMedia
Blogger of the Week: SA’s first media blog casualty
Later today, history will be made when, for the first time, a South African journalist will be punished for blogging. A hearing is due to be held at Avusa (formerly Johnnic Communications) at 3pm today (Thursday) to decide the fate of a Sowetan sub-editor, who has been found guilty of ”gross misconduct” for what he […]
Posted inTech
Facebook winner but broadband loser
If Facebook is revealing about individuals, it is no less so about countries. South Africa may have startled the world with the number of its people engaged in social networking, but now it can offer as much of a surprise about the quality of our broadband connections to the internet. First, an update on the […]
Posted inMedia
I love that damn meerkat, Croc sandals and Ronald Suresh Roberts
The world of social media and social networking likes nothing better than an underdog. No, not to rise to its defence, but to gang up against it. One of the most successful special interest groups on Facebook is called “I Dont care How Comfortable Crocs Are, You Look Like A Dumbass”. It has no less […]
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle, Media
What the Idols taught me about brands that should blog
Last week I had the good fortune to be on the same kulula.com flight as the last five contestants in the Idols 2007 season. I wouldn’t say it was good fortune to hear them sing Happy Birthday over the intercom to one of the cabin attendants, even if it was very sweet of them, but […]
Posted inMedia, Tech
The future of media
If we want to understand how communications could change in the next 15 years, we must look back over the same period — to a time before the cellphone and the internet. Only then can we appreciate and prepare for the potential revolution that still faces us in the future. Here is a tale from […]
Posted inLifestyle, Tech
Origin of the blog revealed
Scientists have found a 60 000-year-old neck bone that suggests Neanderthals were anatomically able to produce the speech sounds modern humans make … That implies that voice-production machinery has changed little over the past 60 000 years. – News report “You have reached the cave of Ak Ar. I’m away right now, but if you leave […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media, Tech
Blogging Player of the Week: Charl Norman
Meet Charl Norman. At first sight, he doesn’t look dangerous. You might even encounter him at business or social events, exchange business cards and not even think of contacting the authorities. “Hmm, nice logo, you might say,” as I did, and then carry on with the business of the evening. Mistake. Charl Norman is a […]
Posted inBusiness, Tech
Time to grow up, bloggers
Microsoft’s quarter-billion dollar investment in Facebook is a litmus test for the maturity of the social media and social networking world called Web 2.0. While it was fun for some (like Thought Leader colleague Ivo Vegter) to join a group of Facebook users who promised to quit the social network if Microsoft bought a share […]