The Dagger marks its first anniversary this week. A year that has seen the birth of the future of news and entertainment reporting in this area. No, The Dagger is not the first site of its kind. The Huffington Post comes to mind, as well as others, but it is the first site based in Harford County, that I’m aware of, that continues to inform and entertain. Inform and entertain literally by the hour and sometimes by the minute!
My first exposure to the Dagger came as the Aberdeen elections were heating up this time last year. Watching the back and forth between the candidates and the comments by those same candidates and the readers made for interesting reading. I think we’re all a bit of a voyeur and watching the exchange made for great reading. But it was the power of the Web, the interaction of the readers and the total commitment of Dagger Founders Brian, Matt, Steve, and Carlin that really put the daggerpress.com on the map!
I was content to just watch and read until I had the pleasure of hosting Brian, Matt and Josh on Aberdeen Happenings in November 2007. During the interview it became very apparent that these three guys were very serious about this venture. They had a plan and plans to make this THE source for news, information and entertainment. The fact is they all had journalism experience and had hooked up with a guy (Steve) that could put a working, user friendly, interactive website together and also had big ideas of his own. Speaking to Brian and Matt after the interview and giving them my views on the world (We all have opinions, right?) I was invited to contribute.
Let me say, as host of Aberdeen Happenings I don’t always get to voice my opinion on the topics discussed. And that’s ok…my intent is to let my guests talk about themselves or their profession, civic organization, political beliefs, hobbies etc. That’s the format of my Show.
Now there is a forum, www.daggerpress.com, where anyone can contribute and state their opinions.
My first article was about the Horse Racing “Industry” in Maryland. This is a topic that I have strong opinions about and the Daggerpress gave me a place to voice them. It also gives others a forum to chime in whether you’re fer-it or agin-it or somewhere in between. Unlike a newspaper, where the editors pick and choose the letters written to the paper…all responses, with very few exceptions, are posted. The idea that someone can respond instantly to articles and each other is amazing, informative and at times entertaining.
The Daggerpress Crew was to make another appearance on Aberdeen Happenings. This time, the entire cast of characters was present: Brian, Matt, Steve, Kendra, Cindy, Molly, Carlin and Kristy. After a few tense minutes with the recording software, we were off and recording! Recording the very first hour-long segment of Aberdeen Happenings!
The Show, broken into 2, 30 minute segments, aired in consecutive weeks, gave everyone the chance to voice their ideas and dreams of where the Daggerpress was heading. It also gave me an even better appreciation of the total commitment that everyone involved has to make this THE place to go for information. Information that is timely, accurate and with the ability for the readers to respond immediately!
I have written several more articles including a “Memorial to my Dad”.
That one in particular I have written a thousand times in my head over the years. The Daggerpress.com gave me the opportunity to put pen to paper or more accurately fingers to keys. For that, I am very grateful to the Daggerpress.com.
As The Daggerpress enters its second year, there are plans in the works to continue to be on the “cutting edge” of news and entertainment technology. Daggerpress v. 2.0, if you will. Stay tuned and check in daily, hourly if you can! There is always something new and breaking on the site. Don’t be afraid to offer up a contribution. We’re always looking for contributors. Jump in!! The water is fine!
Lastly, I’m very proud of the people that I’ve gotten to know at the Daggerpress.com. We come from different backgrounds and have varying views on the world but we all agree that this is where news and entertainment is heading. Happy Birthday 1 Daggerpress.com and many more! www.daggerpress.com On the Cutting edge and the future of Media!
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