Eugene Discoll

Self described "cynical" and "disgruntal newspaper writer" Eugene Discoll is the editor of Valleyindy.com. The online publication has been open three months but in its first month had over 60,000 hits, a big deal for a small online publication, he bosted with a smile. The whole idea of the website is to cover the community and more or less give the people in that area what they want to hear.

Valleyindy.com is a two person job. Eugene and one reporter run the site with five other freelance writers. A question from the class was about how Eugene is constantly updating the site and he went on to comment that this is "the greatest job..." and how the freedom is what makes it so great. He has the freedom to write what he wants and cover what stories he want to.

Another good question from the class was about web writing vs. print in a paper. Eugene explaned that with writing for a paper he would write articles that he thought were so great but then people would read them and not have the same reaction. Writing on the internet people can blog or post comments which gives you, the author both positive and negative feedback.

I took some time after class to check out the site and even though I am not from the valley area Eugene and his six person staff have some good stuff up there. Im attaching the link at the bottom...check it out!

http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/