Future tense

Do you hate the Indiana Daily Student Opinion staff? Do you often find yourself disagreeing with writers, yet find yourself unsatisfied by just writing the Jordan River Forum? Do you want your criticism to be more instantly gratifying?\nWell, your prayers are about to be answered. The Indiana Daily Student has officially launched a new opinion blog, called The Sample Gates. This new blog will finally drag the IDS Opinion page, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. \nSeveral of our columnists, who are dedicated exclusively to blogging, will regularly post updates. In addition to their usual columns, writers will compose posts in the form of everything from brief commentaries to links to Web sites, as well as alternative (read: non-boring) media, such as photos and video. The blog format will grant writers an unprecedented amount of liberty in terms of flexibility not normally available in the print version of the IDS. \nIn addition, the instantaneous nature of the Internet will allow for faster reaction by writers to current events. Want to know what we think about Chris Crocker as soon as we see his weepy face? You’ll get it. In addition, the blog format will also allow writers to post updates on past columns.\nThe online format will also afford you, the reader, more chances to bother us. By commenting directly on specific columns and other posts, rather than responding in the Jordan River Forum, you can zing us at an even faster pace! We’ll get instantaneous reader reactions, as well as a possibility of a response from the writer. Such interaction between writer and reader is, once again, something that is nearly impossible in the print version of the IDS.\nIn today’s media world, much of the decision of what to cover and how it is covered depends less on what editors decide is news and more on what the audience wants to read or hear about (see: OJ). The blog has become a key part of determining what journalists will cover, and The Sample Gates will be no exception. The posts which you whine most about will usually garner the most whines back from us, making them likely topics for us to revisit later.\nThe columnists chosen as bloggers will also cover a wide range of subjects, from politics and human rights to pop culture and everyday life. This will allow for a variety of readers to be able to find something to enjoy – or to enjoy disparaging – within The Sample Gates. There will be something for everyone’s tastes and distastes.\nThe variety of viewpoints will also allow for subjects to be covered from all sides. Due to the blog’s format, writers will be able to write responses to other columns, allowing us to do something we’ve always wanted to do: confront our fellow columnists in print, rather than in mortal combat.\nIn short, The Sample Gates blog will offer a new experience for both readers and columnists, giving providing an opportunity for unprecedented levels of interaction and up-to-the-minute updates and responses. To visit the blog, go to www.idsnews.com/blogs/thesamplegates.\nLet the complaining begin!