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Currents: Submit Diarists on the news. By Avery Glasser (avery@diarist.net)

What is Currents? "Currents" was designed to bring an aspect of journalism to online journalists. "Currents" chronicles our opinions on various current events that affects everyone out here in this vast land called cyberspace. How does it work? The "Currents" editor will post a topic on DIARY-L. Anyone with a strong enough opinion on the subject is encouraged to write up a journal entry on the subject and then email me the URL to the appropriate journal entry. Some diarists might get an email request from me for a quote for the story... sometimes, I will just lift a quote or two from the text of the journal entries. Isn't this just like the Journal Collection? Yes, it's similar to the Journal Collection, except for the fact that your entry does not need to be prompted by the monthly "Currents" topic. For example, if the subject was Clinton-Lewinsky and you had a posting from three months ago which is applicable, you can submit that link. Just because it is going to be a "Currents" topic/event, it doesn't necessarily need to be a current journal entry. So, how do I get involved? On the first of every month, a subject will be posted on the DIARY-L list (usually with an accompanying news clip or two). At that point, think about the subject, and see if it's something that matters enough to mention in your journal. If it does, email me the URL of the entry. Cutoff dates will be listed on the subject e-mail, and will probably be the 10th or of the month. The story will be published on the second Friday of the month. Are there other opportunities to participate? Yes. On the 15th, I will send out a second subject to DIARY-L, but it will be specifically targeted to a specific segment of journallers. Example questions could be: NON-US RESIDENTS: The Clinton/Lewinsky situation: your reflections. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Your opinion on the California smoking prohibition. WOMEN: Lewinsky, why isn't she equally to blame? Every month, the second question will be directed to a second demographic group. The cutoff date will be the 25th, and postings will occur on the first Friday of each month. If I get less than five responses, the story will be posted to DIARY-L, but not to the diarist.net website. If it looks like I am not getting enough responses, I will let everyone on DIARY-L know well ahead of time. In addition, if something spectacular happens in the news, a new subject may be sent out. Of course, cutoff dates will be specified with these special subjects.