Wednesday squibs

I’m fighting internet problems and aching muscles from moving, but still. Here’s what I’ve found today. (Just a note: When I have over 2,000 items in my feedreader, like today, those sites that I’ve subscribed to that offer headline-only RSS feeds get largely passed over. Which means I rarely make it to your site, which means I don’t see your ads.)

• Death Sentence for Afghan Student. The court-ordered execution of a journalism student makes me seriously question why my country’s soldiers are fighting and dying for a country that is still, in some aspects, medieval.
• Automattic Raises $29.5 Million Second Round, After Sale Talks; Includes NYT Investment. Interesting on a couple of levels: Matt Mullenweg of Automattic is the driving force behind the incredibly successful WordPress software, and the NYT is among those betting on the internet-driven company.
• NowPublic wants you. First the funding, now hiring.
• Tools for young journalists. Seemingly tireless Mindy McAdams shares some notes, and helpful links, from a guest lecture. Good for aging journalists, too.
• Wired Journalist. The mission statement: “WiredJournalists.com was created with self-motivated, eager-to-learn reporters, editors, executives, students and faculty in mind. Our goal is to help journalists who have few resources on hand other than their own desire to make a difference and help journalism grow into its new 21st Century role.” A new social site from three very smart people: Howard Owens, Ryan Sholin and Zac Echola.
• EveryBlock. And speaking of new sites, Adrian Holovaty has launched has well-funded and highly-anticipated site. This is one of the truly significant milestones in the rethinking of media.
• Who wants newspapers in a society that no longer bothers with news? A very sobering column by Roy Greenslade. It deals with British facts and figures, but it applies, I think, to more than just Jolly Olde.
• Top Ten List of Tips for Journalism Students. There have been a lot of these type of lists, but this one from student Greg Linch has to be rated as one of the best.
• Gannett eyes yet another student newspaper. Apparently there are some newspapers worth investing in.
• About iConflict. Another “social media” site, but this one is different: “iConflict is dedicated to empowering people to share information, and discuss conflicts and crises, wherever they arise. We would like to invite you to be part of our global grass-roots effort. Our company believes in connecting organizations and individuals who care about conflicts and crises around the world.” My goodness, the changes to media just keep rolling in.