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If you are a journalist, or love someone who is, you know that most of us could use a little extra love this holiday season. As Elana recently noted we ink-stained wretches are high up on the growing list of industries that have had a rough year. So, here are a few suggestions for gifts that might bring a smile to your favorite (current, former, or aspiring) member of the Fourth Estate.
For the backpack journalists
If you want to be marketable in the media these days, you have to be an "all-platform" journalist -- ready to produce a text, video, photo and interactive story package on the go. Here are some recommendations from Robert Niles, editor of the Online Journalism Review, and Newslab, a resource and training center for multimedia journalists.
- A small portable camcorder. Both Niles and NewsLab recommend the Flip Ultra or the Flip MinoHD. Niles says, "For decent-quality video at low price, in a small unit that's simple to use, you can't beat the Flip Ultra ($150)"
We've been using the Flipcam in our interactive journalism program, and it does deliver decent web quality video and sound, considering that it uses a built-in mic. The editing software that's built in is quite limiting, however, so it helps to have access to one of the commercial video editing packages.
Newslab's Amazon store also offers the Kodak Zi6 HD Pocket Video Camera, described as, "An alternative to the HD Flip with a larger LCD screen."
- A smartphone. There are definite partisans when it comes to this subject. Niles loves the iPhone. Newslab touts the latest unlocked Nokia N95-3, which boasts a 5MP camera and other desirable features. The iPhone 3G wins out on price of entry -- $199 with a two-year AT&T contract.
Personally, it's the cellphone contracts that have kept me loyal to my Palm Centro, although I'll admit that the image quality and sound aren't optimal.
- A good digital audio recorder. If you've got an iPod, Niles recommends iTalk, an inexpensive recording application. Last year, Mark Briggs, author of the Journalism 2.0 blog,recommended the Handy H2. According to Briggs,
"[T]he newly hired photographer / multimedia guru at my newspaper, says it records in high quality WAV format and is like having a nice studio mic in the field."
Of course, podcasters need .mp3 files, but it's not difficult to learn how to make that conversion using Audacity audio editing software, which is available for free download.
- A Skype account. Amy Gahran recently made a persuasive argument for why: journalists can't alway control how much time they have to spend on the phone. Skype is a cost-effective alternative to racking up toll calls or cell phone minutes -- both for you and your contacts.
One challenge with Skype is that it's not always easy to record a call -- especially if, like me, you are a PC user. I've heard good things about Pamela recording software, which you can download for a free 30-day trial.
Alternatively, I've been successfully using Oovoo -- another VOIP provider that allows you to record video calls between Oovoo users. As with Skype, calls between users are free.
For the traditionalists
No matter how geeked-out we get, most of us started out wanting be writers -- loving the heft of a really good pen, not to mention the satisfaction of cracking the spine of a brand-new journal. Levenger has an array of offerings with prices from $10 for "Page Point" bookmarks to $198 for the "multitask desk lamp".
I have no personal experience with the vendor, but I confess that I was drawn to an item titled, Samuel Johnson's Dictionary, which the publishers aver was edited by Johnson scholar Jack Lynch.
For anyone in the field
A professional organization membership. Networking is critical, especially in tight times. So whether it's the Society of Professional Journalists, the Online News Association, or any of the dozens of other affinity groups out there, your favorite journo will appreciate a gift that facilitates professional development and self-promotion. Of course, the gift of a BlogHer conference registration will likely be appreciated, as well!
If you're a journalist, what gifts are on your wish list?
