Being the resident "web guy" at ABC 4 News certainly has its advantages, and its share of drawbacks.
Most people in the newsroom consider me some sort of expert on all things digital, which leaves many of them disappointed after consulting me on an array of tech issues.
True, I know how to re-boot a CPU (that's the main computer console for people more novice than me) and I know enough about Photoshop to get me into trouble. I'm also pretty good at writing, updating and enhancing web stories.
I used to be able to manage and write limited quantities of HTML code (HyperText Markup Language, for all you geeks out there), but thankfully, that practice has been taken over by more qualified people.
What often happens is many people, both on the job and in my personal life assume that I'm some sort of genius when it comes to all the social media we news people use as a necessity.
I'm sorry to disappoint.
Yes, I use Twitter almost religiously now, as it keeps me up to date on so many news stories and tips from the people and organizations that I follow (or follow me).
Yes, I use Facebook for the same purpose, although I tend to keep my postings there a little more personal an light-hearted.
Truth is, I entered the world of social media kicking and screaming.
A few years ago, I joined Twitter with the idea that this would be a great way to keep up on news tips and network with associates in the news business to get the latest stories on the web. I rarely used it since many of my colleagues had yet to be converted to the idea. At the time, I was the lone voice in the newsroom, with a few exceptions, so I kind of let it go, with only few odd tweets over several months. Now, it's a necessity, and everyone is on board. I'm not saying I was a pioneer or anything, but at least I saw the practical business use of it before its time. Big deal, so I can brag about that at the next cocktail party, if I ever attend such an event, which I probably won't. Sure, I could walk up to a total stranger at a party and say, "You know, I joined Twitter in 2008." To which the poor individual would probably stare at the ceiling and after a short pause respond, "Hey, do you think they're gonna put out any more salsa?"
Facebook is another story.
Last summer, I really, really needed video of the Logan Canal break. My daughter's friend, an 18 year-old recent high school graduate lived across the street from the deadly flood and mudslide, and her dad and brother had posted video of it on Facebook. In order to get the video, I needed to join Facebook.
I had resisted joining any social network for social reasons for some time, because, to be honest, when you type on a computer all day for a living, the last thing you want to do is type even more on your leisure time.
Join I did, and creepy as it sounds, the first person I became friends with was my daughter's 18-year-old friend. I did it for the video, which aired onthat night's newscast, but soon I found myself typing in status updates at 2:00 a.m. with many friends, old and new.
So here I am, dependent on all kinds of social media for entertainment and business purposes, and I can't even imagine what life would be like without it.
Now, somebody retweet this.
