This is it folks

Well now that the end of the fourth and final term is near, what with lectures coming to a close as of Friday and exams looming closer, it seems that this is the end for our dear blog. The start of this term looked to be pointless, what with starting a blog from scratch, monitoring it and then posting relevant assignments. I kept thinking: "what is the point?" Well, what I did not realise is that it was all actually worthwhile. By exposing us to new medias such as blogging, we were able to create our own journalistic outlet, four journalism students uniting to place their views and opinions for anyone in the world to view and comment on. This is a truly powerful form of media that is becoming more and more popular. It was therefore smart of the JMS1 course coordinator to include blogging into the syllabus, so that we 'future journalists and media workers' know this new media and can work with it.

I believe that we have put a large amount of effort into this blog, and the relevant assignments we have had to complete. We have even managed to post a few extra pieces, bring across our views and opinions. On the whole this blog has been hard work, especially when you are technologically challenged like I am. But now that it is the end, I would just like to thank Cassy, Kirst and Shavaughn (my team mates) for their hard work in making this blog something we can all be proud of. Now lets hope our marks reflect it!

I read what I like and I like what I read

By Shavaughn Haack

Good journalism blogging isn’t as easy as you would think. You can’t just spew out anything that comes to mind and expect people to read it, a lesson that the journ 1 class have come to realise. The 2009 RU blogs are aimed at journalism students.

With so many bloggers out there, a blog should grab the attention of anyone that stumbles across the site. The goal is to attract readership any way possible but every cyber surfer is likely to have their own criteria of what makes a blog good enough to follow. I will be reviewing my fellow bloggers, Journopad. Their fun personality and colourful look to the blog is what initially attracted me. The use of pictures is adequate enough to keep the reader scrolling down.

What made this blog stand out was the sense of unity between the different members of the group. The pieces relate to each other and a collective vision is apparent. Blogging the F-Bomb was the piece that I found the most interesting and relevant to the course topic. This post is a commentary on the future of feminism in cyberspace; the unique style is something worth having a peek at. Journopad may not cover very serious topics or be particularly evocative but their writing is accessible and fun to read. Journopad has created a platform for expression of their own personal views and commentary of the world through the eyes of a journalism student. A fair effort in my opinion.

Scandlously Brilliant

By Cassy van Eeden

Tweet: cassystars RU Scandalously Brilliant? Know of a blog that is? My thoughts on a fellow blogging group's work: http://tinyurl.com/ygynmy4 #rublog

When I first stumbled upon the ‘RU Scandalous?’ blog, I had a number of doubts as to whether or not this blog was even going to be worth reading, but I was otherwise pleasantly surprised. I have to admit that in the early stages of our blogging expedition this term, I found myself becoming rather critical of my fellow Journalism students’ blogs. However, the writers of RU Scandalous can be proud to know that they have produced a rather impressive blog with very few faults.

With a name like ‘RU Scandalous?’ I immediately assumed the worst. I expected to find a tacky presentation and the absolute bare minimum of content (our set assignments), but I was proved wrong almost immediately. I first found their layout and design most attractive, it is clear that the creators have put effort into this project. The template they have used is graphically interesting and certainly sets them apart from other blogs, and then to be greeted by a large image of the Rhodes clock tower, which I thought was most appropriate.

After browsing through their various posts I was struck by the clarity and skill found in their writing. It is obvious that they have closely followed their plan to be opinionated yet relevant and concise about their work. However, I do think that they could have nurtured their blog a little more as it lacks depth in areas such as reflection on being a Journalism student at Rhodes University. But all in all their blog is certainly worth recognition!