DailyDotCom's Blog

Things have been extremely busy in the FOX10 Newsroom as we have launched a new website for www.fox10tv.com.

There were a lot of changes that took place. First when you look at the homepage you will quickly see the entire design is different. Also, the names of the Tabs are different which will give us so many opportunities for bringing you news as well as other information.

This was my first time to be involved on the back-end of a site launch and let me just tell you it was craziness. I learned a whole lot and had a lot of fun in the process. I can't lie, there were a lot of frustrating moments for all of us in the internet department, when things didn't work the way we planned. But we pushed through, worked hard, and endured many long hours.

Several nights I was up until 2:00 a.m. working from home to be sure this website was user friendly for all of you.

Please let us know how we can make your experience on Fox10tv.com better :)

So... I have found Twitter.com and have quickly become a Twitter-er myself.  HaHa.  It is one of those applications that sounds really "silly" when you describe it to someone but is so much fun when you get into it.

Basically the idea is to create a profile and then post updates as often as possible, letting people know what you are doing.

Other users are able to choose to "follow" you and they will see each of your updates as you post them.  In return you can follow other people and see what they are up to.

Now here's the cool part. You can search for friends and family, or even your favorite blogger.  I am now following news organizations plus tech bloggers, etc. so I can have another way of keeping up with the internet and technology world.

The site is so simple to use with very few things to "deal with." Which makes me love it even more.

If any of you decide to join Twitter, feel free to find me and follow me. My name on Twitter is DailyDotCom. It will give you a glimpse somewhat into what I do behind the scenes here in the FOX10 Newsroom.

So all in all, Twitter gets my vote for one of the coolest, most fun, easy to use online service out there. 

All week on the Daily Dot Com, I've been talking about internet safety.

I feel very strong about this topic.  I think it's a difficult time we are living in right now where teens and children know more about computers and the internet than their parents. It is no one's fault.  Kids need the internet now for school work and no one knew what the internet was when our parents were growing up. (Remember, I'm 23 years old, so I am grouping myself with the teens and kids who grew up/are growing up on the internet.)

My mom always has to call me when she wants to look at a website. Try describing where to type to URL address over the phone without getting strange looks from all the computer users sitting nearby :)  Mom, if you are reading this, I must say you have definitely improved!!

Anyway, my point is, what's the answer to this problem?

Here are my suggestions:

• Parents, call your local college or university even high schools and find out about any free computer classes they may be giving so you can learn the basics.
• Ask your kids for help, they will be excited to show you what they know
• Get together with other adult friends and help each other figure it out
• Talk to your kid's teacher and find out what things he/she is learning in school so you can stay in the know
• Of course watch my Daily Dot Com segments from this week and see what the FBI says about online safety

Also, let us know what rules you set in place for your family, to stay safe in our message boards or comment on my blog.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue, from students and from parents :)

I just read a story at http://newsroom.mtv.com/ that I found extremely interesting.  The newly elected Mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma (est. population = 38,000) is a 19-year-old college FRESHMAN!

WOW!  That's what I have to say about that, LoL.  I remember my freshman year of college (wasn't all too long ago) and to think that I would be the mayor of a town - even a small one seems so difficult.

The student, John Tyler Hammons said he will transfer to a school that's "closer to his new mayor-dom" so he can continue the road to a degree.

So, for me, as a college freshman... I was so involved with the Miss America preliminary pageants, my sorority - Phi Mu and working for the Samford News Network I barely had time to breathe, nah not really, but I was definitely a busy gal. Let's add on running a town... whew no thank you.

But, I guess for this guy, politics are pretty important to him.  Either that or he wants major changes in his town. 

Here's what I think is so cool about this though... besides of course the fact that he is younger than me.  He is also a self-starter, a go-getter, hits the ground running... ok you get the point.  But... I think we need more people like that in our society and in our (including myself here) generation.

Working at a news station I answer a ton of phone calls where someone just wants to give their opinion about something happening in our country, and I politely listen to their complaints. And while I feel it's appropriate to have opinions about how things are going, I think it's time people (again, including myself) step up and begin to take action. Instead of sitting and mulling over the things we wish were different... let's get up and go make a difference!

This young now mayor isn't wasting any time.  Who knows... he just might be our new President one day very, very soon.

Oh My Goodness!! Have you seen the new MacBook Air? I did a Daily Dot Com segment on it a little while back when Mac first announced it's existence. If you missed that newscast please check it out online (http://www.apple.com/mac/)so you can share with me in saying "WOW."

The thing fits in a manila envelope... it is that THIN! The world's thinnest laptop. When I first saw it I was in love. Couldn't wait to get my hands on one. But, then I realized that the price is a little out of my range ;) So, I settled for the white MacBook.

This is my first ever Mac computer and still... I am in love. It is the coolest thing ever. I spend hours on my new computer now trying to figure everything out.

So... calling all Mac users out there! I want your help. If you have any advice, tips, info on some of the programs please send them my way. I have most all of the optional program downloads installed on it. (Including Aperture). Thanks for your help on this new purchase...LoL :)

Email me at: ccowart@fox10tv.com

Tuesday night around 7:45 p.m. we received a call that a man threw his children over the Dauphin Island bridge. That's when it began...

Since that moment, as the internet producer and reporter I have been non-stop adding details to this developing story. Every press conference has more information that needs to be added so that you at home will be up to date on the most recent information.

In order to do that, I must first take down notes from the press conferences, I have to constantly be in contact with our show producers so I am able to get the same information they have.

It's also not just about having the latest information but having the latest CORRECT information. So in those regards I have to check my facts with other producers to make sure I don't put anything on our website that is inaccurate.

On top of updating this story, I also appear on the air to let you know what we have on our website and how you can get involved with the site. For example, our message boards have been a great way to let you vent. From reading the comments I have seen that many of you who have never met the Luong family, still have very strong feelings about what happened Tuesday night.

Many of you still have questions... so do we! We promise to let you know anything new.

Please keep checking back regularly for the most recent news on this story.