Essay: Twitter comes of political age

These days, political parties can seem out of touch without an online presence, but some parties have made more of an effort than others.

In light of recent negotiations between The Greens and the Australian Labor Party, this essay will look at the use of social media by the two parties’ leaders during the week before the 2010 election, specifically Twitter.

Revised economic statements at a glance

(Originally published at Crikey.com.au)

Crikey intern Nikki Bricknell writes:

Looking at our domestic economy, it looks like the real GDP will go down just a smidgen, unemployment will stay exactly the same, and the consumer price index will go up.

Thanks to the huge demand for iron ore (which will drive nominal GDP up 9.25% this year), commodity prices are expected to increase taxation receipts by $310 million this year and $7.8 billion over the next four years.

Essay: Will the iPad bring a new era of news?

Sleek and aerodynamic, it’s black with brushed aluminium trim and a built-in GPS and compass. Engineered for power, performance and precision handling, this beast goes very, very fast – and it’s less than two centimetres thick.

News junkies and gadget geeks Australia-wide are waiting for the May release of Apple’s long-awaited tablet device – the iPad. Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corp, believes the iPad will save the newspaper industry, proving it to be the ‘magical and revolutionary device’ Apple has said it is.

Corrections and cover-ups: why Twitter is great

For a short while on Friday (19 March 2010), Telegraph.co.uk had the embarrassing phrase “Large Hardon Collider” in a headline.

Dubbed “the typo we’ve been waiting for” by Gizmodo, the hilarious - and painful - error was soon corrected.  Later that afternoon, the only evidence was a screenshot, taken by freelance writer and twitterer Rebecca Watson, and the Telegraph’s own tweet on Twitter, via @tnuk:

Teachers can't teach Rudd's curriculum

TEACHERS don’t know enough to deliver the Rudd government’s National Curriculum, according to education expert Curtis Watson.

“Looking at the English curriculum in the National Curriculum, there are aspects of it that cannot easily be delivered by teachers, given their current state of training,” Mr Watson said.

UC students fined despite access to parking

Students at the University of Canberra are being fined for parking illegally, despite the new overflow parking spaces provided.

The SNP Security Officer assigned to the south end of the campus, Ahmed Sarfraz, said the overflow spaces weren't being used as well as they could be.

Getting nude in Norway

A tin man stands on his podium, silently hailing passers-by. Tiny silver faces on his malleable tin suit fountain water from their tiny silver mouths. A lapdog darts forth from its owner’s arms, only to have a well-aimed jet of water fall on it. It barks playfully and the mime surreptitiously aims another squirt its way while waving cheerfully to newcomers on his right.

An elderly couple walk through the crowd, interrupting the tableau. He crosses his arms in exaggerated annoyance and a jet of water spews from his conical tin hat, narrowly avoiding the couple, who continue walking, unaware of the part they have played.