Posts Tagged citizen journalism
News happens. Are you ready to report?
Let us face it, news happens anywhere, at any time- without warning. As a reporter, it is hard to stay prepared with a cameraman, recording equipment and a laptop with you at all times. For those times when you are caught off guard and almost kick yourself for not having the right tools to capture the moment, may we suggest the ‘always-with-you’ tool- your mobile phone? Make things even easier….. with RockeTalk on it.
On his recent trip to India, RockeTalk’s Rajiv Kumar met the Press and talked about how the common person uses RockeTalk. Explaining how being able to use voice brought down the barriers and encouraged more ‘real’ meetings, Rajiv also pointed out that going beyond ‘chat’ and ‘messaging’ and entertainment, there were other uses for RockeTalk. It is, for example, a quick, easy for reporters to use RockeTalk for most situations when a cameraman, and a computer were not handy.
The ease of use for taking pictures, video, audio, text and sending them off to the newsroom captivated the room full of regional reporters. The reporters were surprised that such technology existed and was already being used by lakhs of people in India! So easy to capture, add unlimited text, photos, videos and send to CNN, BBC, Times of India, The Hindu, The Telegraph- anywhere as an oficial reporter or as a citizen journalist.
”This is a reporter’s dream come true,’ said several reporters. The fact that they could actually take videos, picture, audio add text - yes unlimited text- not the restricted to 140 characters long, thank you very much – and send it to multiple email addresses in one click made it a very utilitarian tool for them- something that they would use for work as well as to capture the day-to-day happenings and send to friends and family.
Official Press cannot be everywhere and at all times and for this reason, most news channels and networks have started encouraging Citizen Journalism. Having RockeTalk on the phone actually turns everyone in to a reporter. People report local and very relevant news about things happening around them- like the flood waters rising, accidents, traffic reports, celebrity spotting etc. Hey, you were there when that bridge started collapsing- by the time the ‘real’ Press gets there, chances are they will have little more than stories from others. Be the true eye witness reporter.
One of the reporters asked a very relevant question, ‘What if there is no GPRS/Data coverage when you capture the event?’ I’m happy to report that RockeTalk takes care of this. It lets you compose and ’send’ in the offline mode and will actually send out the message when there is data coverage.
Other uses of this feature:
1. Take notes about the event- in audio or text. Yes, we all know you like to take your time to make that perfect write up- but notes help. Better if you can do it in voice- that way you can see what is happening and document it at the same time! We recommend- full, qwerty, keypad devices for any text you got to put in.
2. Take pictures and email to yourself – as they say, picture is worth a thousand words and it helps jog your memory.
3. Gives reporters a chance to get instant reaction from others online and can make use of the feedback.
4. Conducting polls and getting general feedback about events and issues.
Of course, once you know you can send things to email addresses from your phone for free and painlessly, sky is the limit. Expand your list- family, friends, what the heck- add that guy you used to date- the one who … never mind- just send him pictures of your new boyfriend- right now! Never pay MMS charges. All you need is a data (Internet) connection on your phone. May we recommend you sign up for a good unlimited usage plan? Emailing videos and photos can become a habit…. Did we mention audio emails? Why text when you can speak?
5 comments August 13, 2009
The much awaited ‘Mirchi’ release :)
Finally here! The much awaited new release, fondly referred to as the ‘Mirchi’ release because of the new ‘What’s Hot’ look- with flames and a bright red chili pepper, is now available to a limited group of users. It is scheduled to go live for everyone this weekend.
Not everything is visible all at once; there are several changes you will notice as you use the application. Notable new features added by popular demand:
1. Extended video recording- Yep! You asked for it, you got it. Now you can send longer videos from your phones to other RockeTalkers’ phones or any email address and post your fun videos to the Gallery. All the better for your citizen journalism needs and to send those family video to all your family and friends!
2. Those ever popular Smileys or emoticons – yes they are finally there to use in an easy way.
3. The much asked for BUZZ for friends … well you asked for it, we did it. We made it even more exciting- giving you the option to record your own Buzz. Don’t be surprised when your friends catch you off gaurd sending you some intersting stuff.. lol.. we wish we could see your faces when someone sent you one of those naughty ones.
Hmmm.. not sure what a Buzz is? A Buzz is a way to wake up your friends who are online but are quiet or… use it just for entertainment.. we leave that to your imagination.
You will see little changes happening in the background almost on a daily basis over the next several weeks.
Keep those suggestions coming and we’ll see how we can all work to make your RockeTalk en more fun and meaningful.
Thanks from the bottom of our heart to all Beta testers and our ever expanding, inner circle of users, our ambassadors. We really appreciate all your help.
If you’d like to be included in our Beta test group for future releases, please contact support@rocketalk.com
Hey- what you waiting for? Check for upgrades on you RockeTalk… Homescreen –> Options –> About –> Check for upgrades or vist http://m.rocketalk.com from your phone or check on the website @ www.rocketalk.com
13 comments July 18, 2009
Another Addicted RockeTalker!
We always like to hear from RockeTalkers. Sometimes they say good things (like they can’t live without RockeTalk)- and sometimes they tell us we simply stink.
And then ocassionally come across something interesting that they posted on the web
Read on.
RockeTalk: A World that Never Sleeps
“By now all those who know me, know that I’m totally addicted to RockeTalk. After all, who wouldn’t be? All my fellow RockeTalker would agree with me. It is by far the most addictive social networking application that I’ve got my hands on. So much so, that when my mother filled in the matrimony column for me, (don’t even ask about that!!!) in the ‘interests’ section I asked her to put in ‘RockeTalking’.
RockeTalking for me has become a part of my daily life now. Like I’ve said many times, I start my mornings not with a cup of tea or coffee, nor do I jump out of bed and rush to brush my teeth…I start it with greetings all my fellow RockeTalkers. It’s funny but RT has turned me into a very tolerant person. From being a girl, who hated talking to people for the first couple of hr’s after she’s woken up coz she couldn’t stand to listen to non-stop chatter to being someone who actually pops open one eye and searches for the cell phone just to connect with the world. Lolz…the next few seconds are spent in checking who all are online. Thank god I don’t have to search for them. All the online friends are listed with a green symbol against their name…and the lazy bone in me doesn’t want to send out individual msgs. So I simply mark one msg to all… and that marks the beginning of an endless chat session.
Let me tell you RT is not just about chatting, it has a host of other things to offer. Like any other ordinary person, I too work for a living, so can’t get away from work, and the ride to office in an auto can be quite boring. Well, RT comes to my rescue again!! For all of you who don’t know this, you can actually make mini videos on the move and share with your fellow RockeTalkers, or even other friends (post it to their email addresses). So as soon as I see something interesting I capture it through my RT camera, and simply post it either to my friends, or if I want to share it with everyone then I post it in the ‘Gallery’. And as I browse through the gallery, sitting at the back of an auto, enduring a bumpy ride to my office, I come across many interesting videos posted by other users. It’s interesting to know how creative people can get when given a camera in hand. In fact browsing the ‘gallery’ is a sure shot way to lift your low spirits. It always works for me!!
What it also does for me is provide entertainment. You know when you’re at work and feel the need for music, but think that the HR will be after your life if caught (as if you were stealing an imp document!!), that’s the time RT is my little savior!( If my HR girl read this she would never let me live in peace, lol). Don’t get me wrong, we don’t have music playing in there, it isn’t a radio channel…but what we have is live music. User’s at RockeTalk love to sing. Doesn’t matter if they are bathroom singers, the pure love for singing shows in their voice and its so much fun…to be honest, I’ve myself joined them with antakshari many a times lol…But ofcrs, that’s after office hrs. When I’m relaxing at home after a hard days work, and don’t wanna watch TV. In-fact a lot of college students putting up in hostels or as paying guests, swear by this as it’s just the perfect source of entertainment for them. When their friends from India doze off they begin the same rounds with users from other parts of the world, who have just started their day.
Speaking of users, I love people who state the obvious. Read this somewhere- “Social Media provides better coverage of news”…really? I guess this is why traditional news is being replaced by social news sites. The obvious is hardly stated and events are current. Like you would always get live updates on RT about the things happening around. So even if you are sitting in your office u will be able to find out the latest score of the IPL or get to know of the bomb blast that are happening in some part of India…coz user’s make video’s and share right away. I can safely say that some of the content that I see on RockeTalk, I don’t even see it on any of the news channels! The con’s being you sometimes get false information….because someone decided to have a little fun as he was getting bored stiff or this was his idea of getting attention of other users. Whatever it may be, at the end of it, its fun, entertaining and you’re connected to the world for free!!
So don’t just sit there and read this blog, come and connect with me and the world as well. Come join me on RockeTalk.
Meghna “
Note: This blog has been published here by permission.
The original blog appears on Unexpressed feelingsby Meghna.
P.S.
If you wrote/posted something about RockeTalk experiences or ways that you use RockeTalk, please let us know!
Keep your comments and posts coming.
Love to hear from you here, and on RockeTalk!
Amita
7 comments May 1, 2009
True RockeTalk Story from Kashmir
Posted by RockeTalk on August 14, 2008
On our last post we asked for your true stories of RockeTalk. We have recieved several such stories, which we will publish over the comming days and weeks.
But one true story has caught our attention, because it involves the very serious situation in Kashmir. As you know the violence in the Indian-administered Kashmir over the transfer of land to a Hindu organization in the majority Muslim state may jeopardize the peace process between India and Pakistan.
Through RockeTalk people of different religous and economic backgrounds have been able connect and discuss a common cause. A Muslim from Kashmir is able to relate his story, using video, to a Hindu-Sikh girl in California. It goes to show you the true power of social networking. Read the whole story of Kashmir: Paradise Lost!
2 comments August 14, 2008
