Two interesting examples of decidedly un-digital entities taking steps into the world of apps, tweets and all things online, technological and social.
Expect a follow-up in the coming months to check on their progress.
Bill Cosby promotes his new album with a new media plunge:
These days, it is not unexpected that a veteran comic would plant a flag on the Internet: Shecky Greene has a Web site, and Shelley Berman has a Facebook fan page.
But lately Bill Cosby has put them to shame. This fall, he has taken the new-media plunge with both feet: his Web site, billcosby.com, includes eight outlets to follow Mr. Cosby, including the micro video-blogging site 12seconds; the audio streaming site blogtalkradio.com; MySpace; Facebook; and Twitter. There is a Flickr feed, and a Facebook application that allows users to try on one of Mr. Cosby’s familiar sweaters.
And the PBS mainstay, The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, is undergoing a major alteration:
It has been a tough 19 months for “NewsHour” as it has dealt with a severe budget shortfall as well as the prolonged absence of Mr. Lehrer last year, due to health problems. But Mr. Lehrer returned reinvigorated. Instead of stepping down, he pushed for what has been the program’s biggest overhaul since 1995. And PBS hopes the changes will attract new audiences, whether on air or online.
Beginning Dec. 7, Mr. Lehrer’s name will not be on the program. Instead it is being renamed “PBS NewsHour,” and there will be a variety of co-anchors aiding Lehrer.
A redone Web site will go up Thursday. It will be easier to find Mr. Brown’s popular but often hidden Art Beat blog. Ms. Woodruff and Ms. Ifill, along with much of the rest of the staff, will begin contributing to a news analysis blog, as well. Mr. Sreenivasan, once he settles in, will anchor regular video news updates on the site, which will also feature extended interview material not used on the air.
All the show’s content will be more easily adaptable to various digital outlets, including an iPhone app.
Born Curious 
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