21st Century is the Internet Golden Era

21^st Century is the Internet Golden Era

A digital edition  paper ad posted on Standard Digital website. Newspaper are turning to the internet to survive

By MUSYOKA NGUI

Writing has evolved from using, charcoal, pencils, ball point pens, typewriters to computer keyboards and now screens. One can doodle on a smart magic wall to have their point passed across.

The open secret for all writers is that they read. When reading is your hobby writing also becomes another pastime. Actually reading provokes the thoughts of the writer to scribble down some ideas for the audience.

While writing is regarded as a tedious exercise compared to say watching television or listening to the radio, it remains the oldest form of mass media and thus the mother of the new age publishing.

The internet only reinvented books on the monitor. Online publishing site Issuu declares that the print just got better only that this time it does not happen with the death of trees.

Newspapers have online editions. There are also digital subscriptions which cost 50 per cent less. Kenya’s oldest newspaper, The Standard on its online store prominently pitches its digital version for all to log in. It is available on the mobile, computer, tablets and applications.

DIGITAL CONVERGENCE

Citizen TV, the most popular TV channel in Kenya also maintains a vibrant online edition called Citizen Digital that curates blogs, news and features.

The convergence of traditional media on the internet says a lot about the future of the internet and that of the elder siblings. One, the internet can no longer be ignored. Computer competence cuts across all professions and is mandatory. Journalists are advised to be all rounded to improve their marketability.

21^st century is the golden age of the internet. Ask millennials what is new and they will gladly brandish their smartphones. Mobile phones are no longer just calling and receiving devices but powerful tools of communication.

Innovators and software developers have better days ahead. Once one cracks the cypher they are the next big things. Microsoft’s Bill Gates is one of the richest individuals in the world due to his computer application skills. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg is another internet and technology billionaire.

We should ask ourselves what we are doing with iHub, Ushahidi.Com and other local startups? Can the youth afford and access entrepreneurial training and mentorship? Has the government provided favourable loans and grants to the youth? Now unemployment is the biggest employer in Kenya and is blamed for social ills including terrorism, drug abuse and sex trade. And what happened to Konza Technology City?