Statistics Help for Journalists

Numbers can't "talk," but they can tell you as much as your human sources can. But as with human sources, you have to ask! So what should you ask a number? Well, mathematicians have developed an entire field — statistics — dedicated to getting answers out of numbers. Now, you don't have to have a degree in statistics in order to conduct an effective "interview" with your data. In 1996, I first published Statistics Every Writer Should Know, an online tutorial for math-phobic journalists. Running a business demands at least a basic knowledge of math and math concepts, so I'm including this tutorial as an appendix my 2012 book, How to Make Money Publishing Community News Online. Here, described in plain English, are some basic concepts in statistics that every writer should know... So, You're a Beginner? Mean Let's get started... Median How to find out how the "average Joe" is doing Mode So, like, who's popular? Percent Ch-ch-ch-changes... The Next Step: Not Getting Duped Moving On

10 Tips for Designing Presentations That Don’t Suck: Pt.1 Powerpoint has produced more bad design in its day that perhaps any other digital tool in history with the possible exception of Microsoft paint. In this post we’re going to address the epidemic of bad presentation design with ten super practical tips for designer better looking and more professional presentations. Along the way we’ll see a number of awesome slide designs from Note & Point along with some custom examples built by yours truly. Let’s get started! Also be sure to check out 10 Tips for Designing Presentations That Don’t Suck: Pt.2! Not a Designer? Most of the content on this site is targeted specifically towards professional designers and developers, or at the very least those interested in getting started in this field. You’ve chosen a visual tool to communicate and should therefore take the time to learn a thing or two about visual communications. Follow the ten tips below and see if you don’t start getting comments about your awesome presentation design skills. Kuler Piknik

3D Videogames Coming to the PlayStation Network in the United States Following an announcement made for the Japanese market, Sony is now saying that full three dimensional videogames are coming to the United States PSN, after the PlayStation 3 received a firmware update, which enabled the technology in April. This comes just as the entertainment giant is launching its line up of 3D-capable High Definition television sets under the Bravia brand.John Koller, who is the director of hardware marketing at Sony, revealed on the official blog of the company, “We’re extremely excited to be at the helm of a whole new gaming experience unlike anything offered before.” He also announced that the company was aiming to soon deliver another firmware update to the PlayStation 3 allowing the home console to play back movies from the Blu-ray in full three dimensional mode. Gamers will also be able to experience a demo version of MotorStorm, featuring a buggy on the Kanaloa bay track.