kimmymoss

Here is a web package I came across under the Sports section of washingtonpost.com:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/31/AR2010033103635.html 

This web package focuses on a story about the Washington Capitals and their prospects for being successful in the playoffs with their recent downturn in play.

Elements of the package include:   

• -Video with the Post’s Capitals beat reporter Tarik El-Bashir talking about the remaining six games in the Caps’ season
• -A Q&A opportunity with the Post’s Thomas Boswell to answer questions about the Caps http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2010/03/31/DI2010033102857.html?sid=ST2010033103995 
• – A web forum that allows for any comments to be posted
• – Links to the article from bloggers
• – List of stories “you might also like”
• – A section that helps you share the article via Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, myspace, NewsTrust, and other social networks
• – Lots of advertisements… wait, those aren’t lateral journalism… at least I don’t think…

What I liked about this web package was that it focused the pager’s attention on the article and video more than anything else.  In this sense, all the other elements of the package were not a distraction at all to someone who is just looking to read an article on the Caps and maybe view some footage quickly.  On the other hand, for those looking to take in or interact more with the article, there seems to be a good variety of other things to explore.  The only catch is that it’s a little more difficult to see the links to social networking sites, bloggers covering the article, and comments sections.  Then again, if you’re looking for them, you’ll certainly find them.

What I never would have clicked on if I wasn’t doing this for an assignment…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2010/03/31/DI2010033102857.html?sid=ST2010033103995 

Sorry Boswell, but I don’t have time for you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/31/AR2010033103635_Comments.html 

The comments section is something I’d only go to if I were actually INTERESTED in hockey.   Too bad I’m not!

https://secure.delicious.com/login?noui=yes&v=4&partner=wpni&jump=http%3A%2F%2Fdelicious.com%2Fsave%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.washingtonpost.com%252Fwp-dyn%252Fcontent%252Farticle%252F2010%252F03%252F31%252FAR2010033103635.html%253Freferrer%253Ddelicious%26title%3D%2522Caps%2520try%2520to%2520steer%2520out%2520of%2520their%2520rut%253A%2520Despite%2520slow%2520starts%252C%2520team%2520insists%2520it%2527s%2520still%2520motivated%2520as%2520postseason%2520approaches%2522%2520By%2520Gene%2520Wang%26notes%3DThe%2520Washington%2520Capitals%2520say%2520they%2520haven%2527t%2520lost%2520any%2520motivation%2520despite%2520their%2520commanding%2520lead%2520in%2520the%2520playoff%2520race%252C%2520even%2520as%2520they%2520are%2520mired%2520in%2520a%2520three-game%2520losing%2520streak.%26tags%3D%26v%3D4%26noui%3D%26share%3Dyes%26jump%3Dclose%26time%3D1270097066%26recipients%3D%26partner%3Dw

What is del.icio.us?  A social networking site apparently?  Long story short, I would never want to share information on it.  Especially not about hockey.  I’ve got sleep to catch up on and 7-mile runs to attend to!

Five questions a reader might want have and want answered after reading the lead and second graf:

1. Was Moss injured?  If so, how severely?
2. Were there any witnesses?
3. What was Moss doing outside the McDonald’s?
4. What time did the incident occur?
5. Is Moss shaken up by the incident?

An elderly woman defended herself from an attempted robbery at gunpoint outside McDonald’s at 3951 Pickett Road Wednesday, according to Fairfax Police.

According to Fairfax Police Sgt. D’Andre Shields, 83-year-old Delia Moss scared off two robbers when she swung her vintage Chanel handbag at the hand of the robber holding her at gunpoint, knocking the gun into the bushes.  Police have already arrested one suspect, Josh Auerbach, 40, of Annandale.  The second suspect, however, remains at large.