If you've surfed around enough or read the printed papers, you know I am the "Webmaster" for Colorado Springs' version of Your Hub. My photo doesn't appear with the staff, I am not a community journalist. My responsibilities are mostly behind the scenes, dealing with technical problems, helping people post stories and events or change their user information among other things.
Planning for YourHub started all the way back in April of 2006. I asked in my yearly review if I could be a part of it. Reverse publishing and citizen journalism sounded like a great manifestation of freedom of speech and community partnership. I wanted to be a part of it in any way I could.
I've always joked that I was born with mouse in my hand, but my first computer in 1983 didn't even have a mouse. I was lucky enough to have Mac Sys6 computers at my high school. Our newspaper "The Axe" was probably more cutting edge than big newsrooms at that point. I don't remember a time when I didn't have access to one of these buzzing machines, I've even forsaken the television for my computer at home. Actually being able to interact with the world seems much more important than passively watching it on a box. I could write the book on e-mail addiction.
My hands-on work with YourHub is coming to an end next week. I've accepted a position with another great local organization. My tenure with Freedom and the Gazette was about 6 ½ years long, 1 year working on the Hub along with a multitude of other duties on Coloradosprings.com and Gazette.com .
Goodbye webmaster/content coordinator- hello citizen journalist.
Looking from the inside out, I have some comments for those who write for YourHub or just come here to look around. Please post your comments, whatever flies into your mind will work. I go back and visit my own stories repeatedly, just waiting for some feedback. A few of my entries have even been attempts to rile peoples' emotions or opinions. I know you're out there people - I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
There are many exciting changes and updates coming to YourHub at points in the future. We will eventually have a chat room for various local topics where you can get your conversation started, make new friends, or just vent about how darn slow YourHub is on any given Saturday. We also have a speed improvement in the works, along with some other technical hoo-ha you won't see immediately, but you'll feel the difference.
Remember no matter who you are, your life is interesting, your job is interesting and your hobby is intriguing. Your PHOTOS are very interesting. I truly feel people do not take advantage of our photo tool enough. Put your vacation pictures up, birthday photos - or just that one special shot you can't believe you caught. If I want to see them, everyone else does too.
On a final note, get in touch with the YourHub staff. These dedicated people are willing to help you in any way possible. If you have a business or non-profit organization, they would be happy to show you how to maximize your exposure around the entire community.
See you on the Hub.