April 23, 2018April 22, 2018 by Michael Janairo

RIP Storify

Writing
internet, journalism, social media, stories, Storify, technology
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The Storify logo appeared to be an “S” or was it begin and end single quotes? Storify is at an end.

For the past seven-plus years, I’ve made 34 Storify stories by combining posts from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to tell stories in different ways. At the time I started, it felt like a great possibility for storytelling in general (check out this Storify) and the future of journalism in particular.

Storify will come to an end on May 16, 2018—and so will access to all the stories people created over the years.

So here’s a look back before it leaves.

My most-read Storify, with nearly 3,000 views, was reactions to the 2011 Super Bowl Halftime Show: https://storify.com/mjanairo/super-bowl-half-time-show
Another well-read Storify was the breaking news of reports of a gunman on the campus of the University at Albany in 2013 (it turned out to be a man in law enforcement visiting his son): https://storify.com/mjanairo/lockdown-rumor
Sometimes I used Storify to save social media conversations I found interesting, as in this one about the Filipino identity of Rico, the main character in Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers: https://storify.com/mjanairo/starship-troopers-rico-and-identity
Another one I used often as a cautionary tale for social media users is called The Aurora Twitter Fail, in which a fashion brand touted its Aurora dress for trending on social media on the day of the mass shooting at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado: https://storify.com/mjanairo/the-aurora-twitter-fail

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May 16, 2016July 4, 2017 by Michael Janairo

#518Day is already becoming a thing!

News
#518day, Adirondacks, albany, Glens Falls, Lake George, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, saratoga springs, schenectady, social media, Troy
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The background is a photo I took during “S(around)ound” at the Gasholder Building in Troy in 2012, led my Michael Oatman’s Production, Installation, and Performance class at RPI.

It’s great to see that people are already touting #518Day on social media (here and here) — and other media!

#518Day is a way for arts groups, venues, makers, and their fans and friends to celebrate the vibrant arts communities of the 518 area code on May 18 (5/18). Most people will take to social media — Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more — to send messages of support and to promote their own art, activities, and events.

You can see the latest tweets here.

Check out the Facebook event page here.

Part of my thinking behind #518Day is my belief in the democratic possibilities of social media for positive change. Most social media is free to sign up, though using it does require time and the ability to answer this question: What do I post?

The latest #518Day posts on Twitter (as of noon, Monday, May 16, 2016)

#518Day gives everyone an answer, and an excuse to post something, and the chance to have their message amplified as people “like” and “retweet” and “regram” their posts. For example, I plan on retweeting to my Twitter followers and liking on Facebook and Instagram as many of the #518Day posts I come across. With the Tang’s social media accounts, I plan on promoting our current exhibitions and upcoming events.

In many social media allows for an organic way for the 518 region to identify itself because it is decentralized and open to all. Who knows, maybe we’ll get at least 518 tweets and posts!

I’ve heard from people who are getting ready, planning their Tweet, Instagram and Facebook strategies.

I’ve put some links to how to schedule Facebook posts on a Facebook Page, and tweets using TweetDeck here. https://michaeljanairo.com/join-the-celebration-of-518day/

Another tool that can be useful to schedule social media is Hootsuite. I use a free Hootsuite account both personally and where I work at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. Here’s a quick start guide: https://help.hootsuite.com/hc/en-us/articles/204598140-Quick-start-guide

What are you doing to prepare for #518Day?