5 digital media sites you should be reading

Whether you are just getting your feet wet or you are a seasoned expert, there are plenty of Web resources to enhance your digital media experience. My Google Reader and Twitter feed are overloaded with news sites and blogs on the topic (and there is a nice list of links on this very site), but I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. Here are the five site I go to most often for news, tips, tutorials, inspiration and advice:

1. Mashable – A treasure trove of up-to-the-minute news and resources on digital and social media. I especially like the lists they regularly compile on a wide variety of topics. Mashable recently announced a subscription-based model that will launch later this year, but for digital media junkies, the information is worth the $10/month price tag. Readers can bypass the fee by sharing articles on Facebook or Twitter, which is how I usually come into the site: On Twitter: @mashable or at facebook.com/mashable.

2. ReadWriteWeb: A top technology blog since 2003, ReadWriteWeb covers everything from tech news to social media to mobile. Follow them on Twitter: @rww or at facebook.com/ReadWriteWeb.

3. 10,ooo Words: The site’s tagline is “Where journalism and technology meet.” I think that about says it all. Follow them on Twitter: @10000words.

4. Poynter Mobile Media: I’m on Poynter’s website all the time for a number of reasons, from reading up on the media industry at Romenesko to utilizing their educator resources at News University. It is an unparalleled resource for journalists. I just recently came across their Mobile Media blog and have found it to be very useful to me as a mobile user, and also as I work to incorporate mobile reporting and publishing into my course curriculum.

5. Smashing Magazine: This site is designed for Web developers and designers. I am really neither of these things, so much of the content on this site goes right over my head. But I’m learning, and it is a useful tool in that pursuit. There are a lot of good design examples, as well as resources for cool Web tools for the more sophisticated developers among us. Follow them on Twitter: @smashingmag or  at facebook.com/smashmag.