Over the Blue Moon..

Data skills test

2010-11-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

(click to enlarge)

This graph portrays Nigel de Jong's performances, during the 2010 World Cup, through the use of statistics in a graph format.

de Jong was an integral part of the Netherlands' success in the competition and this graph explores his actions throughout.

The legend shows several aspects of his game and the vertical axis portrays the amount of times that he completed these aspects.

With new developments in technology, we can now discover just how much of an impact a player can have in a football match. We can see how many passes they complete, how many tackles they put in and even how many yards they have covered throughout the game.

I collected such data from the Guardian's online Data Store and then transformed the relevant information into a graph (via Google Spreadsheets).

SOURCES:

Practice data skills test

2010-11-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

This is a pie-chart of the top five Premier League clubs of 2008/09 who had the highest arrests for ticket-touting.

I created this chart in Microsoft Excel 2007 by inputting the data into a spreadsheet, highlighting it and then selecting the chart option.

Maps skills test

2010-10-26T03:40:00.000-07:00

View LEP stories in a larger map

This is my map skills test for an assignment.
The task was to locate four local stories on Google maps and create a placemark for each one, which included a link to the Lancashire Evening Post online article plus another related website.
We also could attach an icon to the placemark and a brief description of the story.

Video skills test

2010-10-25T04:04:00.000-07:00

This is a video (edited via Windows Movie Maker) of Christopher Oatway, discussing the upcoming musical production of Guys and Dolls at the Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham, Manchester.

The Haymarket Consumer Media: Mark Payton

2010-10-18T04:36:00.000-07:00

Editorial Director, Mark Payton, discusses the changes that have taken place in his company since they began to utilise online marketing.

Image skills tests

2010-10-11T04:01:00.001-07:00

This is the original photograph that I took of the University of Central Lancashire.

(640 x 480)

This is an edited version of the original photo.
(100x100)

This is another edited version of the original.
(300x400)

And another...

(200x500)

Talk about a love-hate relationship.

2010-05-03T04:51:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I spent my Sunday afternoon watching football (shock horror!). This isn't out of the ordinary in any way. In fact, it's how I normally spend my Sundays; much to my mother's distain.

However, yesterday signalled the end of the Championship season and I know what you're thinking: 'You're a Man City fan. Why would you care?'

Well, I care because the end of the season can be an emotional day for thousands across the country. A few years ago, City left it to the last game of the season to clinch promotion away at Blackburn Rovers. As if that wasn't bad enough, they were a goal behind at half-time. Luckily though, Blackburn hit the bar and post FOUR times throughout the match and City managed to make them regret it by scoring four, themsevles.

City always like to make it hard for themselves. Who could forget Wembley '99 - the play-off final with Gillingham? Two-nil down with ten minutes to go; they pull a goal back in the last minute and equalise in the fifth minute of injury time. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't been interested in football up to that point so I wasn't there. My dad was though. And I've watched the videos. I don't think anything can describe the mixture of emotions that took place in every City fan that day. Excitement, nervousness, heartbreak, disappointment.. and suddenly, sheer ecstasy! That's the sort of thing that makes it so wonderful to be a football fan. And, as a City fan, I know exactly how it feels.

So, yesterday, as I turned on BBC One to see the crowd at Hillsborough and to listen to the immense noise that they made to spur their team on. Amazingly, what had happened throughout the season just didn't matter anymore. It all came down to this: Sheffield Wednesday against Crystal Palace. For the Owls, it was win or bust. This was it.

My other half is a Sheffield United fan. And, as much as I tease him for it, I admire that he supports a team that has hardly any financial backing, a poor stadium and a team that has suffered so much with injury that the majority of the squad are loanees from other clubs. He loves his team and, for that, he has my respect.

However, yesterday, his lot were playing away to Ipswich - who, let's face it, have been pretty dire this season. He was going to go, bless him, but the ridiculous ticket prices of £38 were decidedly too much. And that's completely understandable.

But when I listen to him say that he's considering going to Hillsborough to watch Sheffield Wednesday instead, I couldn't quite believe what I heard..

Now, as a City fan, I know exactly what it's like to hate your neighbours. I absolutely despise Manchester United. But I would NEVER go to watch them (even to see them suffer), especially while my own team is playing.

As a Sheffield United fan, I imagine that the temptation to see Sheffield Wednesday possibly get relegated is quite strong. Yet, to disregard your own team's match for your rivals just doesn't make sense to me.

He says that he would love for Wednesday to get relegated. And I understand that. But, then, what would he have to look forward to next season? Every fan eagerly seeks out the date for the derbies when the fixture lists are printed. And he won't have that next season, now. Perhaps they'll face Leeds. But that's not as local..

Realistically, with the way that the Blades have performed this season (and, yes, I have seen them live), unless they make serious changes over the Summer, they're not going anywhere.

And another thing, Shaun turns to me, the other day and says: "Another reason that we want them to go down is for the World Cup bid." Erm, what?! He reckons that, since Wednesday have been relegated, that Bramall Lane will automatically become the best ground in Sheffield - wrong. Hillsborough is miles better (again, I've been to both)

According to my deluded significant other, Bramall Lane is set to be extended to 44,000. I couldn't believe it when he told me. They only half-fill it now, as it is, which averages at about 26,000. Even if they somehow got into the Premier League, they'd never get 44,000!

Sheffield United fans share the delusion that they are a bigger club than Sheffield Wednesday. And, yes, they may be a league higher than their rivals. But they're definitely not 'bigger'. Wednesday have much more history, a better stadium and a much better fanbase. Just like Man United, really - although, I, as a City fan, can admit that.

Hatred and arrogance, it appears, may cause delusion. So beware, football fans!

And we will fight forevermore because of derby day..

2010-04-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

So, last weekend - the Manchester derby.. Manchester City against their next door neighbours (if a 5-hour trip down the M1 counts as close..)! Everything at stake: pride, the top spot for United, a fourth place spot for City.. It's the first game we fans look for when the fixture list is printed. It apparently is 'just another game' for United but to Manchester City, it's the biggest match of the season!

As a Manchester City fan, I've been through the heartache and the ecstasy.. the ups and the downs.. the tears and the smiles. And, my lot have forever been in the shadows of the Reds. And why shouldn't they? We've done nothing for 34 years, whereas United, with a wonderful manager (as much as I despise him!), have won pretty much everything!

I hate United. What City fan doesn't? When I see a United shirt in the street, I automatically think: "I bet you've never been to a game. Another replica shirt sold to the arm-chair supporter." Stereotypical, I know, but it's the natural reaction. When I see Fergie on the TV, moaning about a decision the referee made, it actually makes me feel physically sick. The thought of it now is riling me up..

So, when - for the THIRD time this season - United score a last minute goal against my beloved Blues, surely I must feel sheer devastation. But I didn't. My dad always mocks my reaction when City lose - I'm gutted. But I wasn't on Saturday. I just felt.. numb. Maybe I'm getting used to it? Does that happen with age? You just think: "I can't be bothered anymore.."? I hope not..

Typically, Scholes' header has been shown numerous times on Sky Sports News. Now that I complain, of course. I'd want to see a Tevez winner against United over and over again. I'll just wait until it actually happens in real life..

This weekend, United play Tottenham - arguably our closest rivals in the 'Race for Fourth' - and I find myself praying for a United win. What a bittersweet feeling.. My hatred for United is actually - for probably the first time - battling my love for my club. For City to reclaim their place as the favourites to realistically claim the last Champions League spot, they'd have to beat Arsenal at the Emirates and United would have to beat Tottenham. I hate to say it but.. come on United! A win for the Reds could mean more to City than a Blues' win at Arsenal! As long as we don't lose there, of course..

So, I won't exactly be 'cheering United on' come Saturday lunchtime. But I do want them to win. It's a yukky sort of feeling. But I want what's best for City - after all, I love them more than I hate United. So, come on Team Manchester!

Creative Commons

2010-03-22T16:08:00.001-07:00

In last week's workshop, we were asked to find various images (from Flickr) that illustrated different themes.

We could only use images that were 'Creative Commons'-licensed.

So here they are:

The University of Central Lancashire:

(photo courtesy of Amy Ferguson)

Football hooliganism:

(photo courtesy of ismaSan)

Credit crunch:

(photo courtesy of adebⓞnd)

The Olympics:

(photo courtesy of s.yume)

Journalism:
(photo courtesy of mfophotos)

Sports journalism:
(photo courtesy of Ben Ward)

Blues' owners' £1bn bid to redevelop Eastlands

2010-03-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

It was revealed today that the owners of Manchester City have made proposals for a £1bn plan which will redevelop one of the poorest parts of Manchester and create thousands of jobs.

The Blues' mega-rich owners are planning to create a world-class sport and leisure facility over two hundred acres of land around Eastlands. They spent 14 months researching the world's leading complexes, before planning began.

They wish to also create a new training complex which would be regarded as one of the top sporting facilities in the world.

The City of Manchester Stadium itself will also undergo some development. The North Stand will be extended to increase the capacity to 60,000, making it the fourth biggest ground in Britain. But let's face it, we rarely get a full-house as it is at 48,000..

A shopping centre, a hotel and several restaurants are also included in the plans, which are hoped to attract £1bn worth of investment. In addition to creating thousands of jobs, Manchester City's reputation across the world will be boosted and attendances would increase. Gosh, we'd be turning into Man United, if we attracted a load of glory-hunting tourists!

Another project within the proposal is a 'market-place-style fan zone' that will be named 'City Street.' The stadium itself will be enhanced (hopefully painted as well to cover those dull grey walls!) and an illuminated halo will be installed above the club's shop. Whatever for?! I don't know..

The club is now in unique partnership with Manchester City Council and the regeneration chiefs at New East Manchester. The developments are hoped to begin by as early as next season.

So, they want to input some world-class projects into Manchester.. Let's hope it can rub off on the city's only football team!

The future of journalism..

2010-02-25T05:33:00.001-08:00

The future of journalism appears to depend on new technological advances.

Over the last decade, or so, technology has revamped the journalism industry and, with new inventions and innovations ever-emerging, these changes can only continue.

The introduction of the Internet has been the key breakthrough for the use of today's journalism. Whereas previously, one would have to buy a newspaper or turn on the radio to find news, nowadays, it can simply be done with the push of a button; even on a mobile phone!

Social-networking websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, are becoming increasingly popular and are now becoming key sources of news. From the death of Michael Jackson to Darren Bent's frustrated outburst of his transfer hold-up, such websites allow news to spread faster than with any other journalism medium.

However, as society moves forward in terms of technological advances, does this mean that traditional news-gathering values should be forgotten? It has been encouraged on my sports journalism course to retain these values - to write in Standard English, to ensure that facts are correct.. To basically, follow the traditional rules of journalism but to also apply them to other medias other than print - such as online, to match the modern ways.

Newspaper sales are already on the decline. More and more people are instead surfing the net to find news. It is free after all! But for how long? Will we have to pay for our usage of news websites soon? Newspaper companies will still exist but we may well instead, have to purchase their content , whilst using it on the Web.

Traditionalists would dislike this greatly. But they cannot stop the Web and the control it has over people's lives. The future of journalism is changing, and they'll have to go with it, whether they like it or not.