Etale – Life in the Digital World

interdisciplinary musings on life and education in the digital world

Archive for category journaling

Freelance Writing on the Web

Jan 24

Posted by etale in editorials, journaling, sites and sources | Comments off

I recently started to explore the world of freelance writing on the web (beyond blogging). Up to this point, most of my writing has come in the form of blogging, so I thought it was time to start exploring some of the “write for pay” communities. My interest is less in making significant money than it is in better understanding this part of the digital world.

So, I created an account at three of the more popular options: ehow.com, associatedcontent.com, and textbroker.com. I’ll spend some time browsing and getting to know the dynamics of each community, but here are some of my initial thoughts:

Associated Content – Users are able to post unique articles or to submit work that they have published elsewhere. In addition, one can get a flat fee from some writing (if what they write is accepted). I’ve read several articles about how people are trying to make a living at this, but it seems difficult. Based upon the articles that I’ve read so far, those boasting of making a living at Associated Content are talking about an annual income of less than $30,000 a year by putting in 6-8 hours a day. Given that you have to pay for your own health insurance and benefits, I’m not sure that this would work for many. Nonetheless, it seems like a great way to contribute solid content on the web, refine your writing amid an online community, and to even make a little extra money. I don’t have a good sense of the social dynamics yet, but I hope to learn and post more over the next year.

Textbroker.com – The registration process for this one felt more like you were applying for a job. You even submit a brief writing sample that gets reviewed. Based upon the review, you get an initial rating, somewhere between one and four stars. They reserve five stars for the “professionals” although I’m not yet sure how they define “professional.” Your rating impacts the writing projects for which you are eligible. Then, like with Associated Content, you can review a list of writing projects for hire. Most of the ones that I saw were offering payment of under $5 for what would probably take me 30 minutes to 1 hour to write. So, in terms of income, we are probably talking about reasonable shooting for $3-10 / hour at the most. Again, I’m new to this community, so I hope to get a better sense of how the social networking plays out.

Ehow.com – I’ve read Ehow articles in the past when I came across them in a Google search. The content has ranged from great to mediocre. Until two days ago, I didn’t have an account. The moment that I created one, I started getting a litany of invitations to be friends (think Facebook-like interface but far more friendly to newcomers and strangers). This is clearly a way that writers network and help each other out. You can help others by rating their articles, posting comments on their articles, and subscribing to a feed of their work. Among the three, this is the most social. Yes, people are there to make money, but there seems to be some genuine human interaction taking place also. Given the immediate human interactions, I’m most excited about further exploring this community. I even jumped right in with posting a few articles. If you are interested, you can follow me here.

Or, you might want to go straight to my first two articles:

How to Teach in a Way That Others Learn

How to Get a Job as an Online Adjunct Professor

How to be a Good Digital Citizen

I’ll write more as I learn more :-) .

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Information Overload – Choose What is Better

Dec 27

Posted by etale in blog, editorials, ethics, journaling | Comments off

A recent post to Slashdot pointed out a new article at Wired entitled, Researcher, Info Overload Costs Economy. This article described the predicted problem of the year for 2008, information overload. The article highlighted the overload of emails and the adverse impact upon business productivity. Jesdanun writes, “He estimates that such disruptions cost the U.S. economy $650 billion in 2006.”

Is the economy the only thing at risk? If you are able, think back to the days when you did not have the Internet at your beck and call. How was life different for you? In what ways has this immediate access to information improved your life? In what ways has it detracted from your quality of life or perhaps drawn you away from that which was more important? Have you ever experienced anxiety about your inability to keep up with the latest news and trends? Was this anxiety greater or less in the days prior to widespread access to the Internet?

I have probably already referenced this before, but it is worth repeating. In Technopoly, Neil Postman reminds us that what may be most important today is not necessarily learning how to use every technology, but rather to better understand how technology uses us. Unless we seek to hand over our lives, beliefs, time, energy, character, and legacy to the latest trends and technologies, we are wise to heed Postman’s words. Perhaps this is a timely article, as 2007 comes to an end and we begin to consider goals and priorities for the New Year. What will determine how each of us spends our time and energy in 2008?

I am reminded of an account in the Christian Scriptures where Jesus comes to the house of his friends in Bethany. There are two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha, we are told, was very busy, occupied with all of the preparations that one might expect for such an honored guest and friend. Mary, on the other hand, sat with others at the feet of Jesus while he was teaching or perhaps sharing about his recent journey. Martha was not happy about this.

From Luke 10:

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As we consider the myriad of urgent tasks and pressing information of 2008, may we each choose what is better.

Shoveling Snow and Online Christmas Gifts

Dec 15

Posted by etale in blog, editorials, journaling | Comments off

I live in Wisconsin and I don’t own a snow blower. In fact, with near record snow in the past two weeks I have spent ample time shoveling, chipping, and scraping at my driveway and sidewalks. Apart from the fact that I enjoy the exercise, I also consider the shovel to be a last stand against the infiltration of technology in my life. Take into account the fact that I’m an instructional technologist, I spend most of my time working on e-learning initiatives, and when I go on a night run, I take with me a GPS watch, heart rate monitor, MP3 player, and a battery-powered safety light flashing on my waist. I am certainly no Luddite. And yet I love reading about the historical Luddites and I see immense value in neo-luddite literature. These authors have important words of caution for our age, and their writings are excellent prompts for dialogue about what Postman calls the “Faustian bargain” of technology in society. So, I continue to shovel snow the old fashioned way, not quite ready to go high tech on the driveway- taking a little pride in this silent and symbolic stand against Postman’s technopoly, as if Postman would have had any problem choosing a snow blower over a shovel. Please don’t think my sacrifice too great…I have a one lane driveway.

For me it is the shovel, but during this season of Christmas shopping, I hear a few people say that their hold out is shopping. As easy as it would be to order gifts online through Amazon, Target, Walmart, or your virtual retail of choice, something doesn’t feel quite right about that. It seems a little too easy. For these people, click and buy takes away from the romance of the gifting experience.

Well, according to the December 13 News Release at comscore.com, if money is any indicator, this is a diminishing sentiment. In fact, comscore reports 20 billion dollars in online sales since November 1; 19% up from last year.

Long line shopping is certainly not where I choose to take my stand. I’d much rather browse the online world for just the right gift, click and buy; and I encourage it for all who buy for me. I’ve even gone so far as to include direct hyperlinks to the products on my wish list. And after I’ve put together my interactive Christmas list and ensured that all the gifts will be here on time, I can spend all morning fighting the machine by shoveling snow the old fashioned way.

Snow