Critique of a Blog: BuzzFeed

At first glance, BuzzFeed may not be the most aesthetically pleasing website out there, but upon further investigation, one can see that it is actually well organized, full of interesting content, and easy to navigate.

Most of the content on BuzzFeed is organized in a list format. This allows readers easy access to the material in a fun, readable way. These lists also include lots of photos and gifs (moving photos). Pictures add clarity and ease to conveying information. They also just add to the visual interest of the articles, along with giving the reader a sense of interactivity.

On the side of their main page, BuzzFeed incudes a long lost of links to other websites. This gives readers quick and easy ways to navigate to other sites that may supply information that is equally interesting.

The videos they post are short clips, which also allows the content to be more easily accessible. Viewers do not have to feel bogged down by the idea of watching long, drawn-out videos.

A special feature on the BuzzFeed website is a series of buttons for readers to rate their reaction to the different stories. The buttons include reactions like "OMG," "LOL" and "FAIL." This allows readers to interact more with the text, and see how others have felt about the information.

Along with all of the fun and entertaining content, BuzzFeed has a pretty solid news section as well. They include hyperlinks and photos in those stories, just like one might expect to see on a more formal news website.

Unfortunately, BuzzFeed does have some questionable/crude content. It would not be a recommendable family website. For its intended audience of adults, however, it does pretty well relating to them.

Overall, BuzzFeed does a really good job at meeting the needs of an audience and fulfilling the characteristics of a good website. It's easy to navigate, fun to use, and a little addicting.

Photos: Long Range, Mid Range, Close-Up

This is a long-range shot of a tree by the edge of the intramural fields on South Campus.

As you can see here, this tree by the intramural fields has already begun to take on its autumn colors.

This image shows the differing colors on the leaves of this tree by the intramural fields.

News Writing Project

Twenty year old thought to have killed his mother, shot his father

Story Highlights:

• A 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, Ben Wagner, allegedly shot his mother and father in their home Wednesday, Oct. 2.
• Police arrested him and are investigating to see if he is guilty.
• Wagner will go to court Oct. 7 to set a date for trial.

Ben Wagner, the suspect, is a
20-year-old employee of
Burger King.

Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, is a suspect in the murder of his mother, Dianne Wagner, and attempted murder of his father, Bert Wagner.

A 911 call came in at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 from an anonymous caller, reporting that gunshots were heard from the Wagner house. When officers Shane Barrow and Mindy Johnson arrived, they found Dianne Wagner dead in her kitchen and Bert Wagner passed out in the garage. Both suffered gunshot wounds. Dianne Wagner died of two gunshots to her chest, and Bert Wagner had a gunshot in his leg.

Bert Wagner was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital. A spokesperson from the hospital stated that Bert came through surgery with no complications and is in recovery.

Ben Wagner was reported as carrying a gun and speeding off in his white Camaro. Police issued an all-points bulletin at 6:15 p.m. Ben Wagner's car was spotted at a Shell gas station 8:21 that evening. Police were able to take Ben into custody peacefully from the store.

Police found a 9mm handgun in Ben's car and are currently testing it to see if it matches the bullets from Dianne and Bert Wagner's wounds. Ben is scheduled to appear in Lynchburg General District Court on Oct. 7. He will faces charges for one count first degree murder, one count attempted murder, and one count malicious wounding. His official trial date will also be set.

"I lost my wife and my son. Ben may still be alive but things will never be the same. I will stand by my son's side and continue to give him the love he has always had," Bert Wagner, in a media interview, said.

Police have stated that Ben Wagner has had prior arrests. They include:

• an altercation at his job
• finding cocaine in a car that he was riding in, after the driver of the car was stopped
• speeding, with a blood alcohol level of .15

No charges were filed for the first two arrests, but  a $1,200 was paid fine for speeding.

The Wagners live at 134 Donald Street in Lynchburg.

"The Wagners seemed like good people. They kept to themselves mostly. Ben was a nice boy who used to cut my lawn," Jane Smith, a neighbor, said.

"This crime has shaken the city to its core. We have made this case a priority and are working to restore peace to the Wagners' neighborhood," Police detective Randi Bennet said.

(Word Count: 406)



Local Man Suspected of Murder/Attempted Murder of Parents
Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, was arrested for killing his mother and shooting his father. Police are investigating to determine if he is guilty or innocent.

CNA: Pop Culture

Miss Piggy joins Kermit at Smithsonian

On Tuesday, Jim Henson's daughter Cheryl Henson, announced that she and her family would be donating the Miss Piggy puppet to the Smithsonian. Kermit the Frog is already on display there, and along with Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Red Fraggle, and Travelling Matt are also being donated. The Henson family has expressed that the puppets should not just sit around in boxes.

Miss Piggy Article

Boyfriend Says He'll Propose to Girlfriend After She Makes Him 300 Sandwiches [Insert Eye Roll Here]

Due to a rise in movies coming out of blogs, a new website (300sandwiches.com) has gained popularity. On this blog, the writer Stephanie Smith, chronicles how she has accepted the challenge of making 300 sandwiches for her boyfriend Eric in hopes that he will propose to her. Aside from the obvious sexist nature of this challenge, there is comedy in that Eric is apparently a better cook than Stephanie.

Sandwich Article

Bullock cements her status in Hollywood -- literally

Sandra Bullock added her hand and foot prints in the cement in front of the TLC Chinese Theater. While she was "cementing" her fame, she heard news of a bill passed to protect the children of celebrities from the paparazzi. The news of the bill, along with getting to add her hand prints to the theater, caused for lots of celebration on Bullock's part.

Sandra Bullock Article

Exercise 7.3

Chicken Truck Causes large pile-up, 25 Injured

Story Highlights:

• A 12 car pile-up occured Monday at the corner of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street
• The driver, Jeff Johnson, and a local retired teacher, Sarah Bernell, were both hospitalized
• Thirty chickens died in the accident and about 40 remain unaccounted for
• Both Johnson and Bernell are in good condition
• The damage to the 12 cars was minor
• The injuries to the 23 other people were also minor, most just with bruising
• If any chickens are found, please take them to Alabama Poultry Inc.

Alabama Poultry Inc. uses their 20,000 chickens to
suppy eggs to IGA stores across the south. 

Monday evening on the corner of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street, the driver of a semi-truck full of chickens made an illegal left turn and caused a 12 car pile-up.

The pile-up resulted in 2 hospitalizations, 23 injuries and approximately 40 missing chickens.

Jeff Johnson, the 45-year-old truck driver for Alabama Poultry Inc., made it out with bruises and what appeared to be a broken ankle. Sarah Bernell, a 63-year-old passenger in one of the cars involved, was also admitted to the hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident.

About 300 chickens suffered injuries and at least 30 died in the accident. Many more were trapped inside the truck wreckage until firemen arrived.

Clarence DiMotta, the hospital's spokesperson, reported that Johnson and Bernell are both in good condition. Bernell is thought to have a slight concussion.

"It was the biggest pile-up I've ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but the worst part was the screams of the chickens. Those things sure do make a lotta noise, you know," Sergeant John Jones of the McFarland Police said.

The chickens were being driven to one of the company's new farms near Gadsden. Alabama Poultry president Carlton Fitzsimmon reported that the dead and missing chicken will cost his company around $700. If any of the chickens are found, they should be returned immediately to Alabama Poultry Inc.

Other than Johnson and Bernell, 23 people were injured in the pile-up, but only with bruising. No one else was admitted to the hospital. The damage done to the 12 cars involved was minor. The same cannot be said of the eggs, though, as a lot of smashed ones were found in the truck's wreckage.

"It was so hot out there I thought we might have fried eggs for dinner," Jones said.

Exercise 5.14

5.14 Creating Lists

A High School World Religions Course:
Johansen High School in Modesto, California, has a 9-week religion course that covers:

• Hinduism
• Christianity
• Islamism
• Confucianism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism
• Judaism

Polio:

Wild polio is still an endemic in northern Nigeria because:

• there are stigmas against vaccinations.
• some think the vaccines  carry AIDS.
• some believe the vaccines are meant to sterilize Muslim girls.

Home Runs:

The record for home runs has been set by:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Hank Aaron
3. Barry Bonds

Bees:

Something positive bees can be known for is:

• their provision of food for humans.
• their pollination process, which helps grow food for humans.
• their hive location influencing healthy growth in gardens.
• their fascinating social structure in which no bee can live on its own.

CNA: Sports News

Trent Richardson dealt to Colts

The Cleveland Browns decided to trade Trent Richardson, a running back, to the Indianapolis Cults. Richardson was a first-round pick during the 2012 NFL draft. Since the Browns decided to trade him, they now need to find new running backs to fill in the hole left by Richardson.

Richardson Article

Stalock unbowed after adversity

Alex Stalock of the San Hose Sharks suffered through a severed tendon and nerve, and then a broken finger tip, all the while trying to just finish a season of hockey. Recently, Stalock has been able to play with the Sharks. He is not sure if his leg injury will ever get better, but he is still determined to play ice hockey and hopes to one day make it to the NHL.

Stalock Article

RG3 dodges talk of Redskins name controversy

Robert Griffin III, the quarterback of the Redskins, claimed that he was advised not to speak about the controversy surrounding his team's name. The controversy has existed for years but is now resurfacing because of a symposium held earlier this year to discourage using Native American names in sports. Those over Griffin claim they never said he could not talk but that he just chooses not to.

Redskins Article