links for 2009-08-10

Edinburgh Fringe venue directors have called on audiences to “Twitter” about shows they have seen, to try to combat a cut in the number of reviewers.

The recession is being blamed for newspapers and other publications sending fewer reporters to shows.

BBC journalists mainly see blogs as a way to expand on stories they are working on for broadcast and write about news that is had to discuss on TV or radio in a more personal and conversational style. But they still have to follow BBC guidelines on reporting, and not let their commitment to impartiality drop due to the informal nature of a blog.

Do you have to start a career in London to progress to the top there? Nobody seems to move across the border after establishing themselves. Perhaps those running shop in London assume that our career experience in Scotland in limited due to the teeny tiny size of our national media. Are they right? Is that fair? I worry that there may be an element of truth in this accusation. You wouldn’t let someone run Cadbury’s just because they can turn a profit at the local sweet shop.

In other words FriendFeed is now a vessel for Twitter to be poured into. If anything Facebook retains its status as a real-time platform, as least from this user’s perspective. I certainly had more response from my Facebook friends to the news of Twitter’s Failwhale that on Friendfeed, but then it’s a better known platform in London.

And another thing – I suddenly miss short URLs! Who knew I’d miss that!?