Questions for readers: how do you use different media on this site?

I'm old school... (0.00 / 0)

...mostly because I'm forced to be by circumstances.  I'm very rarely in a position to play either audio or video.  I get more out of text anyway which I can read rather quickly as opposed waiting for the person speaking to get through the monologue.  I've mentioned in the past that I would much appreciate if posters would summarize in writing what is being said.  It's frustrating to click on an interesting headline to find only a video, like for example the current diary on Reagan being a liberal in 1948.

---

by: Christopher @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:26:28 AM CDT

But that was an excellent video (0.00 / 0)

you should watch it. A transcript would not have compared.

---

by: liveandletlive @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 20:45:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If you don't have speakers (6.00 / 1)

Or if you are trying to decide if you should listen.  I'm with Christopher.  A summary is nice.  

Kate

Kate Donaghue, volunteer.

---

by: Kate @ Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 07:23:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

For me, it's all about time management and lack thereof (6.00 / 1)

There's such an overload of information on the Web that it promotes ADD in me.  When I see one of those candidate interviews, I say to myself--'Hey, I better read or listen to that...maybe later'  And I click on something easier.

---

by: Dave from Hvad @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:49:21 AM CDT

I don't listen to audio (0.00 / 0)

I will watch video with audio, as long as it's under 5 mins or so, and not too often.  In other words, often assorted Colbert and Stewart, sometimes something else.

I just don't find the audio compelling enough to give 100%, and give less than that and you get nothing.  I don't know about those who commute with audio capabilities (car stereo, iPod, whatever) but I suspect that maybe this could be packaged in a way that allows for them to listen during a commute.

I commute audio-free, so it wouldn't get me as a listener, but it might get some others...

---

by: stomv @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:08:48 AM CDT

I don't usually watch/listen (0.00 / 0)

It just takes too much time. I can read text visually much faster than it would take to read it out loud and can also easily scan and skip to sections that are most interesting. That is just not possible with audio or video. It is also not possible to quote excerpts in our comments the way we would do with text.

Audio or video without a transcript is not going to have that much impact.

---

by: HR's Kevin @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:53:18 AM CDT

I prefer video over audio. I dislike live-blogging (0.00 / 0)

I like video more than audio, so long as the video includes the "seek" bar (which all the standard players do). I can drag the bar when I get bored or want to repeat, the preview images let me stay oriented in the clip. I find the audio-only clips to be too constraining to be worthwhile.

My one proviso is -- please-- no videos with embedded "pre-roll" ads. I really dislike being forced to watch an ad.

For me, live-blogging -- like twitting -- is a loser. If I want real-time coverage, I prefer a live video/audio feed. I prefer after-the-fact analysis and commentary, presented so that I can see and hear the original material. When there is any nuance at all to whatever is being covered (and there always is), then no mortal can simultaneously and accurately perceive what's happening and blog at the same time.

I would prefer correspondents who want to do that to bring a miniDV cam and tape the entire event, then capture the tape when they get home. Now review the tape (starting, stopping, forwarding, and repeating as needed) and write whatever analysis and commentary the correspondent likes. Publish the result (I still like text blogs best), and publish a link to the video if that's helpful.

I'd like to see an explosion of hyper-local cspan-style sites where local meetings and events are available without editing and free of charge. Communities like BMG can encourage that by providing an audience and by continuing to model how top-shelf interactive communities can improve virtually every aspect of our political process. I'm particularly interested in discovering and inventing suitable and appropriate commerce paradigms that work -- new forms of advertising, subscription models, and so on. I'd like to see BMG continue and build on its status as early-adopter and technology leader.

"If the Republicans will stop lying about the Democrats, the Democrats will stop telling the truth about the Republicans" -- Adlai Stevenson

---

by: BrooklineTom @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:44:31 PM CDT

Bring it (0.00 / 0)

Audio -- I may not listen, but I like having it there.

Video -- I will watch (though actually usually just listen) to any video clip under five minutes, will consider clips in the 6-8 minute range, and will absolutely pass on any clip over 10 minutes, unless it's a thoroughly proven source (read: Stewart or Colbert). I prefer video, because I have the option of looking at it, but with political stuff usually listening is enough (and work-friendlier).

Live blogging -- I like reading them afterward. As it happens, I never find myself both online and near a television.

Social media -- I don't Tweet, though I suspect I'll cave on that eventually. I love Facebook, intermittently, and usually once my daughter is asleep.

---

by: JimC @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 12:55:41 PM CDT

My take ... (0.00 / 0)

is that the audio is there to provide greater detail.  Most new sites have an article with quotes, etc. and do a full story.  The audio is then posted with the article, so if your interest is peaked you can then listen to it.

Unless I have a real interest in the audio I probably won't listen to it.  Pags for example, not all that much interested.  But could be based on some of his answers, if they were highlighted in a posting.  

But I do understand that it's a royal pain and a good amount of work in doing the interview to begin with.  

Listening to Charlie Baker talk about fiscal responsibility is like getting lectured on abstinence from Paris Hilton - Tim Murray

---

by: johnk @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 15:29:21 PM CDT

Text only. (6.00 / 1)

While I know that there is nothing like seeing the expression and body language of an interviewee, I don't like watching these things at blogs like BMG. When I come across them, I tend to just skip over them. I like the text interviews because I can scan the material much faster than I can watch or listen to them crawl by. It's kind of a shame because imagine the difference in impressions you would draw from the Democratic Senatorial Q&A held recently. Coakley's dullness, Capuano's aggressiveness, Pagliuca's fumbling all don't appear in text. You have to see it to get the full picture. I guess what would be best is for there to be both forms in parallel. A/V for those who want, and text for others.

---

by: af @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 15:41:39 PM CDT

Kind of like... (0.00 / 0)

...how Kennedy was perceived to have won the debate by TV viewers, but Nixon was perceived to have won by radio listeners.

---

by: Christopher @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 16:04:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Video is good. (0.00 / 0)

I have to say I'm not inclined to listen to audio.  I like video, though, and will watch whatever is embedded.  

I do like the live blogging tool, too.  That's pretty cool.

 

---

by: lightiris @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 17:51:25 PM CDT

Thoughts (0.00 / 0)

I like live blogging as a collective endeavor.  The Coveritlive tool seems to cut off the free-for-all of different reactions and comments, which for me is the fun part.  Going back and displaying the comments that came in through Coveritlive after the fact doesn't really cut it, either, as the comments then don't appear in context.

I will sometimes watch video, as long as the clips aren't too long and are in a format my iPhone can interpret.  YouTube works great, anything that needs Flash doesn't as of now.

I don't tend to listen to audio-only as much.

For both video and audio, particularly longer clips, I'd always prefer a text summary to accompany the clip, helping me decide quickly if I want to invest the time in watching or listening.  

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." -Longfellow

---

by: Bean in the 'Burbs @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 18:44:24 PM CDT

Video is much better than audio (6.00 / 1)

and shorter clips are best.  I watched all of Coakley's clips, some of Capuano's clips, but still intend to get back to listen to them all.

If you're going to do audio/video, you should be consistent. Visuals make a difference, I think it is unfair that Coakley's was done in video and the rest weren't.

Transcripts are better than nothing, but don't compare to audio/video.  

I love the live blogging, but often opt for watching on telivision instead at the keyboard.  They are a lot of fun though when I do participate. You guys are hilarious.

Thanks so much for all you do.  It is appreciated.

---

by: liveandletlive @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 20:53:11 PM CDT

"Thanks so much for all you do.  It is appreciated." (0.00 / 0)

Heartily seconded.

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." -Longfellow

---

by: Bean in the 'Burbs @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 22:06:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Re Coakley in video, (0.00 / 0)

that happened because they had the facilities.  They offered, we accepted.  The others didn't, so we did audio, which is what we had available.

---

by: David @ Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 22:23:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Also, don't load down the front page (6.00 / 1)

Two thoughts on that:

1.  Just put one media clip "above the fold".  Otherwise it gets way too cluttered on the front page, and can make some browsers drag along more slowly.

2.   I get that "The Editors" are three people and not in lockstep, but I do find it silly that there's two or three front page diaries for each interview.

I know that the interviews are a big deal, and you guys ought to be proud of all of your hard work to get those interviews, and justifiably want to make a big deal out of them.  Still, multiple posts on "the interview" seems excessive.  If it's necessary, why not break the interview up into pieces and do one piece a day.  Maybe Charley does the election stuff on day 1, and David does the policy stuff on day 2 or something.

---

by: stomv @ Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 06:02:35 AM CDT

Podcast? (0.00 / 0)

I'm a little behind on my BMG but I did want to comment here nonetheless.

I'd be far more likely to listen to audio if there were an alternate podcast feed. I do most of my BMG reading from work, in fits and starts. 5 minutes here, 3 minutes there... I do not have the time to listen to 20-minute audio clips.

But I do listen to a lot of podcasts on my daily commute. I'd be glad to throw in a BMG podcast. But otherwise, I just don't see myself listening to the clips.

--
If you want to live like a Republican, you better vote like a Democrat. —Harry Truman

---

by: dcsohl @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 07:37:13 AM CST