Just in time for NICAR's newest training push computer-assisted reporting for broad- casters - come two books for using online resources for news stories. The first book, "Wired Journalist" by long- time broadcast and print reporter Mike Wendland, is aimed at TV and radio journalists. Wendland is a full-time reporter at WDIV-TV in Detroit where he practices CAR on a daily basis. He also teaches at NICAR seminars and knows how to make computer technology easy to understand.
His book, published by the Radio and Tele- vision News Directors Foundation, is practical and to the point. He avoids "geek speak," using arelaxed and friendly tone to explain the Internet and how to use it for news stories. It's must read for broadcast journalists just starting to Net surf, and it's a handy reference book for those who have already begun. Also out is Randy Reddick and Elliot King's revision of "The Online Journalist," which is now called "The Online Student." Reddick and King, two university professors, had the misfor- tune to publish "The Online Journalist" right before the World Wide Web exploded.
Now they are back with a valuable excursion into online resources. More detailed than Wendland's book, this would be a good follow-up compan- ion. For professional journalists, the chapters targeting student concerns might seem unneces- sary, but this still is a good introductory text. Meanwhile, don't forget Nora Paul's excel- lent web book, which you can find at poynter.org, or order the hard copy from the Poynter Institute in St.
Petersburg, Fla.