Comments on: Flash for journalists: Why?

By: Teaching Online Journalism » Flash and data, made for each other

Teaching Online Journalism » Flash and data, made for each other — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:27:37 +0000

[...] Flash for journalists: Why? [...]

By: Will Sommer - Learn Flash journalism with a game

Will Sommer - Learn Flash journalism with a game — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:31:49 +0000

[...] add a new dimension to your journalism. Here’s why Flash journalism guru Mindy McAdams thinks journalists should learn Flash (emphasis added): Six hours with Flash is akin to taking a six-hour cooking class about an exotic [...]

By: Ping

Ping — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:50:11 +0000

I am just a layperson who likes to blog. However, I have been feeling more and more that I really need to learn some tech skills since I started to blog. I totally understand the importance to learn and use Flash for professional repoters.

Can’t wait to read the post of “what is the right thing for a reporter”.

By: Michelle Nicolosi

Michelle Nicolosi — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:08:08 +0000

Hey Mindy,

I’ve put together my Advice for Journalists at http://www.nicolosi.org/advice.htm, if that helps at all with your next project. Also, as you know, the Seattle PI is likely closing if it doesn’t find a buyer, so I’ve been helping get some of our print staff trained up with some online skills. We’ve been teaching a couple of classes a week on Powerpoint, Excel, Blogging, photography and etc. I’m tracking some of our teachings and putting other advice and etc on a blog at http://www.printtoonline.blogspot.com

Best,
Michelle
(Assistant managing editor, Seattlepi.com)

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:47:34 +0000

I’m a senior journalism student at a Pennsylvania college and am lucky enough to have played around with Flash years ago.

These posts keep reminding me I need to go back and refresh my memories of that ever-useful program.

Thanks for the assistance. I need all the help I can get!

By: Mindy McAdams

Mindy McAdams — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:43:11 +0000

@Peter – If someone knows Flash, and has no design training, and there are no designers assisting on the project, then that project is likely to be ugly (poor choices in color, typography, layout) and might also be difficult to use. Design is communication, as much as writing is.

@Tim – Understanding the story is key. Understanding what the tool can do well and what it should not be used for (because another tool is superior) is a huge plus.

By: tim

tim — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:33:01 +0000

Probably more important is the simple understanding of everything that goes into a Flash project, and being able to help shape it in a way that tells the story while avoiding unnecessary development time. There’s just too many times when the phrase “wouldn’t it be cool if …” comes out to doom an initially simple project.

Knowing your tools helps you manage the process, get things done more efficiently, and create more successful results.

By: peter

peter — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:01:28 +0000

are design skills really essential for learning flash…surely the important skill set is coding related?