Web Struck

There are two types of people in this world right now: those that understand the Internet is the future of all communication
and media, and those that don’t.

Apple knew what it was doing when it manufactured the iPhone. Every major newspaper in the world has the right idea by treating their Web sites equally to their print product. And Facebook is much more than a college student’s favorite
method of procrastination.

We have been feeling the growing importance and effect of the Internet for years now, as well as the arguably unwilling transition from some parties.

Last week, we felt it again.

The Writers Guild of America – the people responsible for penning the words our favorite actors speak on television and in movies – went on strike Nov. 5. That means that until a contractual agreement is made, there will be no new TV shows and film scripts written.

And the Web is sitting in the middle of this blockbuster mess. The WGA members belong to that first group we mentioned – they understand the power of the Internet. These smart people realize that the Web is the future of entertainment. We’ve only just begun to purchase films through iTunes and stream TV shows off ABC.com.

The writers want a cut of the profits that the companies are undoubtedly going to draw from this new medium, and they have the foresight to speak up now. After all, it’s their words that people are downloading. Just as they receive payment for every DVD bought and every rerun aired, they want the same to happen when their work is viewed from the Web.

The WGA will get what they want (unfortunately, there’s no telling how soon), and the next step for the evolution of how we get entertainment will be set.

And the WGA wasn’t the only one staking its claim on the Internet last week. Oprah Winfrey launched her own channel on YouTube where fans can find . . . Oprah videos. And we all know that whatever Winfrey endorses, we can trust.

The online push is coming from all directions. Here at The Temple News, we launched our blog, BroadandCecil.com, in order to present our readers not only with more comprehensive news coverage, but also in a manner that is in conjunction with the times.

Everything is available online, and if it isn’t, it soon will be. The information buffet began with traditional articles and evolved into another offering that readers could absorb in a more casual way – now “blog” is one of our most-used words. Then reading became merely an option, as videos became available – videos of anything, for that matter. And now all these wonders don’t even require a desk and a swivel chair.

We carry unlimited knowledge and entertainment in our hand and then easily
slip it into our pocket.

The Internet is shaping our lives. Chances are, you already knew all of this. What’s important is that we recognize that other people are doing so as well.