Vis-à-Vis

The three sites msnbc.com, thehindu.com and timesofindia.com aren't on the same platform in the first place. While msnbc.com and timesofindia.com had the advantage of supplementing the stories featured with corresponding videos (thanks to CNBC and Times Now, respectively), thehindu.com had no videos because of no television channel of its own as of now.

On a candid note, it was the first time I came across msnbc.com. With a really impressive layout supplemented with vibrant yet subdued colours and visuals, I was compelled to explore it.

At this point, it also makes sense to note that there is a difference between the target audience of the three websites as well. msnbc.com targets US and Canada while the other two target India. And hence the content and presentation differs a great deal. Site navigation on msnbc.com is more technical but interesting while on timesofindia.com it's easier and simpler but plain. The same on thehindu.com is a little confusing. Also, the latter seems to derive heavily from the e-paper concept as it is the 'online edition'. However, its beta website which has been launched not too long ago is a lot better.

The Hindu which is known for its sobriety, maintains the same image on the net space too, using subtle colours and focussing more on the content part. Even though I have a soft corner for the newspaper, the website is nothing but sheer disappointment. Comparitively, The Times Of India newspaper is more colourful and so is its website. Its crudeness in design works for its advantage in navigation and ease of use. And, how good the beta website of The Hindu would become, is yet to be seen.

Talking of interactivity, msnbc.com has an interesting concept of redirecting the reader/viewer to 'newsvine' for discussions. Timesofindia.com, for that matter, also scores high on interactivity as you can leave your comments under each story. Thehindu.com lags behind here as there is no option to comment on the stories online.

It's been a complete circle for me... 'it' meaning getting into this course called MA Convergent Journalism at AJKMCRC. From taking the written exams for all Mass Communication, Convergent Journalism and Development Communication to facing the interviews for each and then waiting for my waitlisted to get confirmed (Mass Comm: 6th waiting; Convergent Journalism: 3rd waiting, Development Communication: confirmed), this involved a hell lot of stress. Now that I look back and think of it all, i feel it's been worth it...! But there was a twist in the tale. I was admitted in Masters in Fashion Management at NIFT, Bangalore and had attended a week's classes after having reached Bangalore with all my luggage and after I had lost hope in getting into Convergent Journalism/ Mass Communication. I paid some 89,ooo, excluding my frequent visits to Delhi soon after, a part of which will and should get refunded. I still miss the chilled out life there including the campus et cetera. However, the course is what is more important to me. So here I am.. at MCRC. I missed the first two days of Orientation programme and so I feel I have not been able to interact very much with my classmates and all prospective friends. Sometimes I can't help but wonder how much fun we had there in just a week's time... may be I was too tired with going about making friends all over again. I like the course because of the sheer reason that it seems interesting. I am looking forward to the practical work involving camera-handling soon. The week that passed was good and informative. And I hope Convergent Journalism course gives us an insight we never bothered to acquire..