For last class I picked three stories that caught my attention from the Miami Herald portal. I chose these stories based on their content, newsworthiness, and significance in today's world. One of these stories talked about the 9/11 tragedy and a memorial made in Miramar to honor the victims. The story conveys the importance behind collective memory, and how societies should forgive their perpetrators without forgetting their actions. The story was complemented by a slide show, showing graphic pictures of the planes crashing into the towers, people flying off the windows, and firefighters running to the rescue.
Another story that caught my attention was one about Brazil's emergence as a rising power. The story touches on aspects of Brazilian life, and how economic reforms have positively affect Brazilian society, placing more citizens in the middle class stratum. In particular, my interest in Brazil goes decades back to my childhood when Cuban TV showcased Brazilian soap-operas, culture and music.
The third story I found interesting was on religion, specifically, about the pastor in Gainesville who pledged to burn the Islam sacred book, the Koran. The story brings to surface the issue of freedom of religion, and it voices opinions on this disrespectful act of burning Muslims' worshipped book, which more than explaining a religion, it also describes a way of life of many people.

Today we discuss newspaper layout. For this exercise I picked my fave, The New York Times. In specific, I chose the Arts section. When comparing the section's print version to its online counterpart, I found that like the print version, the website also has a lead story accompanied by the lead art. What most captivated my attention, as it usually does when I read this paper, is the quality of the writing. In particular, provocative yet smooth-flowing when describing and reviewing films, Television shows, music, etc.
The colors, design and layout are well-suited for the story they accompanied, so they fulfill their purpose. There is use of video and slide shows on the website, as well as advertising of other sections. Unlike the printed version, the Arts section advertises only the movies, and/or events being featured. I also noticed that the stories get published first online, and later on the web. There is also a link to the International Herald Tribune, and an archive to the top videos.

For last class we were asked to compared a Magazine's printed edition to its online version. I chose Cosmopolitan, perhaps because Vanity Fair was absent from the shells. I prefer the printed version to its online "substitute", if we can call it such. For once, the hard cover has more vibrant colors defining what the edition is about. And of course, it only has one main image, which in this case it almost always happens to be a celebrity, of whom there is a profile featured inside. The content of the stories is very light, usually relationship advice, culinary recipes, beauty tips, and lots of style and fashion propaganda.

However, Cosmo Online offers more of its entertainment package to readers. I suppose this might be due to the nature of the medium, and also to the fact that the printed version requires more space for advertising, which steals from content. But online advertising can result a bit disturbing to the readers, or viewer, whose attention is suddenly diverted by a pop ad. Thanks

I found a few interesting facts about Cosmopolitan. The magazine, founded in 1970, has readers in more than 100 countries, featuring 58 international editions, according to a marketing study done in the United Kingdom. The same study rated the magazine as the top-selling magazine in the United States. It was revealing, although not shocking, to learn that the magazine is mostly read by women who spend over $1 billion a year in fashion. Cosmopolitan targets young, ambitious and informed women. It is alarming to note, as the study reported, that brands are the new substitute for traditions in today's value-decaying society.