The website “10,000 Words: Where Journalism and Technology Meet” recently came out with its annual list of holiday gift ideas for journalists.
I have good intentions, but limited funds. If I was independently wealthy, this would be my Christmas wish list for my fellow co-workers:
General Manager Phil Tower loves analyzing social media statistics. I would get Phil a subscription to favstar.fm ($30 for six months) so he can receive notifications when his Tweets are favorited by someone, as well as other new features. I would also get Phil a subscription to PageLever ($34-$250 per month) to track up to five Facebook fan pages at once, measure data 18 ways and create custom activity reports for multiple fan pages.
Managing Editor Darrin Clark enjoys quality media of all kinds. I would get Darrin a Kindle Fire ($199) with a full-color, 7-inch, multi-touch display and wi-fi so he can have all his favorite apps, books, magazines, movies, TV shows and music just a click away.
News Editor Ryan Jeltema is Dutch and proud of it, so I know he wouldn’t want me to spend too much on his gift. I would get Ryan the 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner iPhone app ($1.99) so he can stay abreast of police happenings even while he’s not sitting next to the newsroom scanner.
Community Editor Sandy Main is a sharp dresser, always wearing a fashionable brooch or holiday-themed jewelry. I would get Sandy the Newshound Charm Bracelet ($39.95) to celebrate her long tenure in the newsroom, as well as her sense of style.
Special Sections Editor Ryan “Scoop” Schlehuber is passionate about visiting new restaurants, experimenting with cooking at home and blogging about his food (mis)adventures. I would get Scoop the Newspaper Oven Mitt & Pot Holder Set ($35) so he can multitask between eating and working.
Gazette Editor Jessica Dudenhofer enjoys nothing more than a good cup of coffee. I would get her the Coffee Cup Power Inverter ($29.99) so she can always have access to a hot drink while on the go.
Staff Writer Kelli Ameling is always hoping to cross paths with a celebrity. I would get Kelli the iPhone Telephoto Zoom Lens ($35) so she can prove she got a kiss from Maroon 5′s Adam Levine (it could happen, Kelli!).
Staff Writer Cory Smith is always looking for new ways to take edgy videos for our news stories. I would get Cory the GorillaMobile for iPhone 4 ($39.95) so his on-the-go videos will be even more polished.
Sports Editor Bruce Bentley is great about Tweeting scores from the sidelines while covering local high school sports. I would get Bruce a pair of Agloves Sport ($23.99) so he can keep his hands warm and use his touchscreen phone with ease while covering chilly outdoor activities.
Sports Writer Chip Burch covers local sports and deejays on 106.3 FM. I would get Chip a copy of the classic 1990s sitcom Newsradio: The Complete Series ($25.99), since Chip works in both news and radio.
And as for me? I would like nothing more than an Eye-Fi SD Card ($49.99-$99.99) so I don’t have to lug my laptop and card reader to every crime scene, court hearing and house fire for action photography. You always have to be ready for a amazing breaking news picture.
Merry Christmas, everyone.