Electronic News Communications

Digital cameras Compressed picture and data files transmitted on wireless networks Time-critical news transmitted through wireless networks to news rooms

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Most news persons carry modem-equipped mobile computers these days. Some have cellular modems so that they can send their stories from the field as soon as they get some time to enter the story into the computer. A few are even being outfitted with inexpensive digital cameras. Windows-based packages are available to convert digital photos to DOS/Windows files that can be compressed and transmitted on wireless networks. A picture can be transmitted from any field site without the need for the news person to return to a hotel. Similarly, other time-critical news items can be transmitted through wireless networks to news rooms for editing.

Journalist 2000 is a joint development effort between PA News in UK. Ram Mobile Data, Hewlett Packard and AnD Computer Solutions. It comprises a HP Omnibook notebook PC running Copymaster — an easy to use and fully integrated editorial and communications software package from AnD Computer Solutions — and an Mobidem AT modem, which transmits information over the RAM network. The cost of sending digital photographs over wireless networks is still very high. Nevertheless, the cost is considered to be justified when the news event is important enough and timeliness is of the essence.