The Daily Mississippian online can now be accessed on iOS devices through a native application available for download on the App Store.
A development team made up of Cynthia Joyce, assistant professor of journalism, Tom Chapman, manager of media technology at the student media center, and recent marketing graduate Jeff Hamm created the application featuring online and print content from The DM.
Hamm said developing the application began with hopes to develop a mobile platform for Rebel Radio.
“I originally pitched the idea for an app for Rebel Radio and began to research,” Hamm said. “I discovered that most people do not use apps for just one radio station, so I thought it would be wiser to turn the concept into a news app for The Daily Mississippian.”
Hamm said that, although challenging, he enjoyed building the application.
“It was fun,” Hamm said. “It was really neat seeing that I could do it — being resourceful, I could pull it off.”
Hamm learned to code the application through the process of building the software.
“I taught myself, looking things up on the internet and learning how to do it along the way,” he said.
The app was modeled in porting software which allows for virtual development and testing of the application before “packaging” the final product for distribution to individual devices.
“It’s kind of like a build-your-own-app platform,” Hamm explained.
Hamm said that the experience of developing the software was worth the time spent developing the skill.
“The lines are beginning to blur between journalism, marketing, and technology industries,” Hamm said. “If you are able to pair marketing with technology, you are able to specialize. Pairing journalism with technology, as well, lets you specialize and is a good way to stand out.”
Student Media Director Pat Thompson said Hamm’s work illustrates the best of student media.
“Jeff spent many months developing the app before he graduated, and he never gave up,” Thompson said. “He showed up in our newsroom one day and never left. Our journalism and advertising students learned from his marketing background, and he learned about the media industry from them. Student media is all about giving students opportunities to work through real-world challenges.”
DM Editor in Chief Adam Ganucheau said he is pleased with the digital offering.
“I am really excited that we can offer this convenient new medium to our readers,” Ganucheau said. “The app is very easy to use and accessible, and I think that anyone involved with Ole Miss would greatly benefit from this app.”
Breaking news, Twitter feeds and highlights from the print and online editions can be accessed through the app’s main functions.
Sports commentary and multimedia content are accessible as well.
Android and iOS devices alike are supported by the new app.
— DM Staff Report
