Media Mayhem : A THEORETICAL POINT OF VIEW

Issues with Online:

As mentioned in an earlier post, blogging as well as online documents offer a new and widely accessible platform for internet users to visit utilise and potentially share with others. These online platforms also allow for immediate communication between individuals and quick access to information. However, there are some issues involved with designing a document online as opposed to print. As suggested by Roger Parker (Looking Good in Print, 2003), many of the documents people access online will never make it to the 'print' stage, simply be viewed as they are online. This, in turn, means the intended message needs to be communicated clearly and efficiently on your page. Very prominent issue web designers face is the trouble people have reading a screen as opposed to paper, screens causing 'greater eye fatigue' (R.C Parker, 2003). Also, online documents lack the 'sensation and feel' of a printed book, newspaper or magazine (Press Publisher, online 2012) which so many people enjoy. While there are some issues faced when designing online, generally, the benefits outweigh the problems. Some of the benefits not mentioned earlier include; flexibility, convenience, 'green' publications, the ability to communicate with a wider audience and advertisement development (Press Publisher, online 2012).

A shift to Online:

An example of a new form of publishing is the New York Times shift toward online versions. After the release of both a Chinese and Portuguese version of the popular newspaper, the change occurring is evident. The Times is traditionally a well respected and widely used paper throughout the world and while a strong 'print readership' still remains, the online versions continue to increase in popularity. According to the latest figures released from the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the six month report released on September 30th 2012 showed the New York Times online experienced great digital circulation growth. The figures show consumers now willingness to pay for online editions, having membership triple to more then 380,000 (New York Times, online 2012)

Classifying blogs:

There are several reasons as to why an individual should classify their blog. Some examples are as follows, ' align your blogging objective with that of the reader' (Right Mix Tech, online 2012). Basically, having a classification means you get the correct readership, people that are genuinely interested in your blogs topic. Classifying your blog can also help define the scope of the blog and eliminate any unnecessary information. Knowing the audience you intend to communicate with will also dictate the design elements your blog should include. Some different classifications of blogs include; political, sport and fashion. Please see below for a link to each.