The following proposal is for the active manager / chief editor of the Daily Newspaper (an official sim-run group). I'd really love to see the in-world and online newspaper going again ... here's Petra's take:

DATE: 04/06/11

PROPOSAL BY: Petra Drasilova

GROUP NAME: DE Daily

TYPE: Newspaper

SLURL: Teleport

BACKSTORY: I've noted for some time that potential rp stemming from the DE Daily seems painfully underutilized. I'd like to take step into the role of editor, and to implement some web based tools for the citizens of Dead End to keep up to date, as well as contact reporters/photographers for rp purposes over multiple sources. Flickr: I realize that the DE Daily website under the deadend.sl heading carries with it a feed from the Dead End photo pool, in which anyone may join and post (as I have done, myself). Wonderful for inspiring group participation! However, I'm of a mind to wish to initiate a secondary account specifically for DE Daily Photographers/Reporters. I believe that the site itself will be read with more frequency if, rather than stock photos, current Dead End pictures relating to the actual event being reported accompany the headlines. I also believe it may inspire those who wish to submit photos to join the staff, knowing their pictures will be set aside from those of the general population with the exclusivity of a newspaper specific photo pool. I'd like to see potentially scandalous photos becoming the norm, as well as those which display the city at its best for purely aesthetic purposes. Twitter: It seems logical as well that Twitter be utilized for a daily newspaper. I am in sim each day, barring unforeseen circumstances, and am often privy to occurrences which a reporter might, through either word of mouth or police scanner. I'd like to start seeing a reporter show up on scene, ambulance chaser style, overhearing conversations and reporting them, perhaps embellishing upon circumstances which may cause citizens to turn on each other or retaliate against the paper. Perhaps leading the paper to be a bit more sensational than it has been until now; less Washington Post, more National Inquirer? (A crooked city needs a scandalous paper with reporters on the take!) Group Chat: I'd like to see the IC group chat for the paper utilized by myself as well as reporters/photographers for sending out IC email/texts amongst ourselves to alert staff of potential stories, etc. Barring this being a possibility, it may be fruitful to utilize a service such as the Subscribomatic which will not take up a group slot, but will not allow for group conversation, either. (i.e. I as editor would be able to send out notices as IC email, but others would have to respond via IM.) I do plan on being available ICly via IM in order to allow non-staff informants and citizens at large to send in Letters To The Editor, offer information for cash/favors, threaten mercilessly, etc. With the courthouse nearing completion it would make sense to cover those cases, though perhaps spinning the story whichever direction best serves the purpose of the rp. I'd like to give the paper some semblance of realism by instituting deadlines for publication, acquiring non-staff informants (those who wish to work another IC job, but would like to participate with the paper as well), and to frankly have our reporters showing up at what may be deemed as the most inopportune times (during arrests, in the hospital hallways listening in on patient interactions, looming in Lulu's to listen to the ramblings of locals to pick up stories...).

UNIQUE: My ultimate goal is to have the DE Daily running seamlessly with the existing businesses in Dead End. To have our reporters and photographers available to enhance rp by showing up to crime scenes, taking photographs of what might be construed as potentially scandalous. To stretch the truth behind the rp as far as possible without turning the news into complete fallacy. I believe the DE Daily has the potential to operate as gossip central, reporting on not just the news as it stands, but to allow characters to utilize our reporters to spin their storylines into a larger environment.

EXP:I have an addiction for taking photographs in SL, I can at the very least write my way out of a paper bag and I have the calm overall demeanor to squash drama before it flares. I strive to have an overall pleasant experience in rp and wish to encourage all to consider their words before they act irrationally. I am exceedingly comfortable in baring the weight of leadership, knowing full well it will require me to limit my own IC experience to further the rp of others.

IDEAS:My plans for utilizing off grid resources to enhance rp, to open up our IC communications within the DE Daily and for encouraging those who choose to wear the DE Daily staff tags to seek out stories from the rp of others are my main focus. Once we have a system that works well for all I hope to encourage town hall type events, both ICly and OOCly wherein we might all be able to benefit from the ideas of those around us. ...Or to shove them off the docks wearing concrete shoes, whichever suits your needs...

OTHER:Free 'special' brownies for reporters/photographers from the Red Herring!

Community: Please provide general feedback on this proposal, including comments, suggestions for improvement, advice based on your experience, or simply to show support if you like this proposal.

Proposal Author: Please use this thread and respond w/ any revisions to your proposal that you'd like to make based on community feedback you see here (highly recommended). Depending on community and staff review, this proposal may or may not proceed to trial stage.