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March 1, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

What makes a good Daily Brief?

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Sometimes readers come up to me in person or email me and say how much they enjoyed a particular Daily Brief. I love the ego boost, of course, but implicit in the complement is that the quality of Daily Briefs varies from day to day.

With a full time job, numerous hobbies, and a grad program it’s hard to be consistent. Some of the things that hurt the quality of the Brief:  a slow news day, a day in which only the Signal is writing about Santa Clarita news (believe me I hate linking to only The Signal, I used to have many more sources), or a day in which I’ve got about 25 minutes (or less) to get the Brief done.

So with that big caveat, what makes a good Daily Brief?

What makes a good Daily Brief?

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Comments (45)

  1. Jim FarleyMarch 1, 2011 at 10:59 am
    I very much like the local perspective of the DB. The links to the Signal are fine. Even though I get the Signal e-edition there are times I miss something. My morning routine is to first check the Signal then the DB to see what is going on, and then deciding if I should add my two-cents to any issue. The DB is an important part of my daily routine. Keep up the good work!
  2. Joe GrandeMarch 1, 2011 at 11:46 am
    I voted “other”. I read the briefs for the links. For example, today’s brief has a link to “The Daily Show”, which I had never watched before. It’s almost funnier then the Signal.
  3. Chris AustinMarch 1, 2011 at 1:12 pm
    From someone who puts together something similar yet different, I hate slow news days, the kind when everything is so small and dinky that all I can think of is “so what”. I wish sometimes I could just post “It’s all boring, go do something worthwhile.” But you have to put something up because consistency is important. My website, much like the Daily Brief I imagine, is driven by the news of the day, and if there isn’t any, it’s boring. Nothing I can do about that, unfortunately.
  4. Berta González-HarperMarch 1, 2011 at 1:18 pm
    I enjoy the Daily Brief for the mix of topics and sources (city, local region, California, Federal, readers, etc) and the different opinions and discussions on the topics. What I do not enjoy is the routine use of profanity and the vile personal attacks. Some comments are removed while others are not removed, depending on the source or intended target. I think Jeff and crew do a good job but could do even better if they had consistent standards of what is objectionable and what is not.
  5. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:40 am
    Yes no more threats involving dog shit or dick jokes everybody. #hypocrisy
  6. Berta González-HarperMarch 2, 2011 at 10:30 am
    @Nate you would not know the truth if Lady Justice hit you upside the head. On the other hand, that might actually knock some sense into you. You and a bar of soap scraping across your teeth have a long overdue date. To think that folks like you are “the last great hope of this country”. Thank God, I know young men and women of your generation who are actually decent folks and know the meaning of “respect”.
  7. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 10:47 am
    Respect must be earned and you have not, so you get none from me. See, I don’t respect hypocrites who condemn others for things they have partook in.
  8. Berta González-HarperMarch 2, 2011 at 11:01 am
    @Nate certainly your prerogative. I do not respect smart mouth punks who insult me on my taxpayer dime no less nor have the guts to spew their $hit to my face ’cause they know there would be consequences.
  9. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:17 pm
    Neither you nor Bill had the guts to approach me either on your homeground no less… Btw saying $hit is not somehow better.
  10. Berta González-HarperMarch 2, 2011 at 1:48 pm
    @Nate, what are you talking about? Exactly what is my home ground, my house? Come on over. I will “welcome you” appropriately. The only time I ever even saw your image was when you posted your “video” of the rally. I did not know who you were, nor did you even speak to me at that event, nor have I seen you since then. As I recall you were even still posting as one of your many alter egos. NickelDime and Jim Farley introduced themselves, but not you brave young man that you are. Now I know what you look like and I would meet you wherever you like to “discuss” your disrespectful comments but am quite sure you would not show anyway so it is a moot point. Do you still work at City Hall; want me to meet you there? You are all mouth, no courage. Actions speak louder than words. I have nothing more to SAY to a punk like you…
  11. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:53 pm
    Well ND is much more polite and diplomatic then I am. If you feel that you need to chat with me.. A coffee shop is fine with me. I quit certain that is a gasoline & match combo. But whatever We can sell tickets.
  12. HermanMarch 2, 2011 at 9:33 am
    “I think Jeff and crew do a good job but could do even better if they had consistent standards of what is objectionable and what is not.” Where have I heard that before?
  13. JaneMarch 1, 2011 at 3:05 pm
    Enjoy funny, local topics. I read/view NY Times, LA Times, CNN, BBC, etc. daily but like more insight into the local stories as we all know The Signal doesn’t do such a great job of reporting.
  14. KLBMarch 1, 2011 at 3:35 pm
    I’m happy as long as that day’s Daily Brief is up when I get to work. It’s the first thing I read when I settle in at work with my coffee. I get to the office around 8:30am, so if you could make sure the Daily Brief is up by then, that would be great. K? Thanks. When you abandon your faithful readers and leave us without a Daily Brief because you want to go bike riding in Palm Springs, well, that’s just plain selfish. As far as content, I’m good with a mix, although I lean more toward the local news just because there are so many other outlets for state and national news. It doesn’t bother me when you speculate about stuff, you know, like certain stores closing or opening. I kind of like waiting and wondering if something will happen. I’m practically giddy when I see a long Daily Brief with gobs and gobs of summaries and links. I’ve been a faithful reader of SCV Talk ever since I stumbled upon your site in 2006, so you’re doing something right.
  15. Mr PerezMarch 1, 2011 at 4:28 pm
    I like watching Mr Reynolds and Mr Nate clash
  16. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:37 am
    You mean Nate owning Bill Reynolds
  17. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 8:01 am
    Mr. Perez, Jeff’s daily brief could be much more professional if he took Berta G’s advice. There are several in Jeff’s little clique here who are entitled to spew garbage thus diminishing this blog.
  18. MikeMarch 2, 2011 at 8:19 am
    Yeah Bill, you really class up the joint.
  19. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 8:26 am
    Yes people Bill is right. Let’s class this place up, no more ending your comments that have no actual argument with insults like “MORON, HA!” or “IDIOT, HA!” also no more ending poorly produced propaganda films with farts sounds. #hypocrisy
  20. Mr PerezMarch 2, 2011 at 9:47 am
    Break out the pugil sticks! Or at least those big sumo suits.
  21. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 10:05 am
    Only when responding to your garbage, Lil Natie. Jeff, see what I mean? These people lower the class of your blog.
  22. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 10:15 am
    For claiming to be such a bad ass you whine a whole lot, I just speak the truth. You need a tissue for that issue?
  23. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 1:02 pm
    Lil Natie, apparently I am bad enough that you are too afraid to meet me. You speak garbage.
  24. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:18 pm
    Afraid. I would be there with bells on. Name the time and place right now.
  25. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 3:58 pm
    Way Station – 8:00am March 3rd.
  26. Street KnowledgeMarch 2, 2011 at 4:10 pm
    Yo, can I show up?
  27. john AdamsMarch 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm
    LOL
  28. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 7:58 pm
    Helloooo… Lil Natie, are you there? See you in the A.M… That’s if you are not too afraid.
  29. Mr PerezMarch 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm
    Can’t you guys do this in front of Henry Mayo tomorrow instead? I really need to do blood work at 0800 and its a convenient site if anyone gets hurt.
  30. Bill ReynoldsMarch 3, 2011 at 11:23 am
    Lil Natie, can now be known as “Lil Natie No Show”. Where were you – I was there and you were not.
  31. TimBen BoydstonMarch 1, 2011 at 8:09 pm
    Jeff, You are doing a great job. Keep your open mind. Continue to question. Remember to value humanity. Stay big on the local issues…we have a million channels devoted to the national. Thanks for doing it for love.
  32. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 1:46 am
    I like variety in the daily brief. Less west ranch beacon especially when they are not the author of the content, don’t encourage bossert’s rampant plagiarism. Let’s have some standards.
  33. Bill ReynoldsMarch 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm
    Standards? Pretty funny coming from you Lil Natie.
  34. mikecMarch 2, 2011 at 8:02 am
    When Nickel Dime writes it! Oh Snap!!!
  35. John AdamsMarch 2, 2011 at 8:25 am
    I read the brief for the comedy. Not quite to the level of Chris Matthews but getting closer everyday.
  36. NateMarch 2, 2011 at 8:36 am
    Yes you do know your Comedy, who else would make Muslim jokes with wrong information on a post about someone’s death which has nothing to do with Muslims. One of our citizens dies and it is joke time, who would have thought!
  37. Mr PerezMarch 2, 2011 at 9:46 am
    The word insensitve $hitb@g comes to mind on all levels you covered Nate.
  38. CCMarch 2, 2011 at 8:33 am
    What makes a good daily brief?…one that shows up daily Thanks for the blog Jeff. I really miss it when it’s not here.
  39. MikeMarch 2, 2011 at 8:58 am
    In all sincerity, I think the brief is essential for anyone sincerely interested in the news in Santa Clarita. I appreciate what the Signal does, but their website is complete garbage. On a daily basis, the brief is a great curation of the best of the Signal, but more than that, the brief puts things it context. Jeff connects dots and follows threads over time and through multiple sources. When the brief was gone for a while, I really felt disengaged from local affairs.
  40. JayceMarch 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm
    What makes it good is that you make a real effort in keeping this place up. I love the links, the local news, the comments (yes it can bring some smiles to a crazy work day at times watching some people go at it). Keep up the good work Jeff (and others who contribute to the site)!
  41. Berta González-HarperMarch 2, 2011 at 2:00 pm
    @Nate, you won’t show, all talk…
  42. Berta González-HarperMarch 3, 2011 at 12:05 am
    @Mr. Pérez, Nate will not show. A common denominator of all bullies, whether schoolyard, internet, or whatever, is that they are all cowards. Nate, and all his pseudonyms, is no exception. He would not show up to face an old woman like me; he definitely will not show to face a Viet Nam Vet. Any of his “friends” on this blog willing to guarantee he will show up?
  43. Bill ReynoldsMarch 3, 2011 at 11:21 am
    Berta G. & Mr. Perez, be advised that Lil Natie, AKA: “Lil Natie No Show”, did not show up at the Way Station at 8:00am this morning. I was there 10 minutes early and left one hour later. So Berta G., you had it 100% correct that he is a coward, hence he will be forever known as “Lil Natie No Show”. Big surprise, huh Berta G.
  44. Berta González-HarperMarch 3, 2011 at 11:59 am
    @Bill, no surprise at all which is why I did not offer to be there myself. I also did not see any of Nate’s, and his multiple pseudonyms, friends step up to guarantee they would get him there either. As I said Bill, he is all potty mouth talk just like all the other (cyber and other) bullies out there.
  45. HermanMarch 3, 2011 at 12:57 pm
    I for one am shocked…shocked I say…that nate woul fail to appear to efend his honor. Not really, Stevie Wonder could see the guy’s a punk.

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