ONA conference superlatives

I’m back from Evanston, and here are some scattered thoughts on the Online News Association conference (for more coherent thoughts, see our coverage):

Most quotable quote: “Everything has already been said, but not everyone has had a chance to say it.” –Esther Dyson, chairman, Edventure Holdings

Understatement of the weekend: “Newspapers as institutions are defensive, perfectionist cultures that don’t adapt easily.” –Jack Fuller, president of Tribune Publishing

Biggest disappointment: On-again, off-again Internet access. Fortunately the Panera Bread around the corner offered fast, free Wi-Fi.

Distance award: Again goes to Chris Janz of Australia’s News Interactive, who this year brought along his boss, Bill Burton. Added reward: They got to see their team rout New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup.

Coolest architecture: The new Tribune Interactive space in the former Chicago Tribune pressroom, where Friday night’s reception was held… I love the metaphor of the web operation replacing the presses.

Biggest head-scratcher: In the panel on the Iraq war coverage, Maj. Riccoh Player’s criticism that the media “made the decision to make this a bloodless war” by leaving out pictures of soldiers wounded or killed in battle. What does the Pentagon public affairs officer have against journalists displaying a little sensitivity?

Biggest terminology shift: MSNBC.com’s Dean Wright observed that the term “new media” is increasingly inaccurate, because the medium is no longer new. He’s right. I am going to start training myself not to use the term. (And one of these days I’ll have to rename my site, too.)

Most overused word: Blog.