JNN's Closure
01.15.2005
Welcome to the former home of Jotaku News Network Interactive, or simply known as JNN. This site has now closed, but here you'll find a few notes on its fate. Taking a page from the Gundam Project, I've organized this into a simple Q&A.
What was JNN anyway?
Proudly Canadian, JNN was a site devoted to my interests in anime, CNN and politics. In reality my site turned into a CNN "fan site," and JNN became pretty much synonymous with my CNN section JNN/CNN (or vice-versa). Its official launch day was April 7, 2000.
For my CNN section, the real meat of the site, I wrote a monthly news/commentary column on the news network. Those proved to be the most popular parts of the site. As well, when it was possible I would add an occasional feature - a report on a single topic written by me or by my dedicated staff.
Sometime ago in my anime section I would review videos and soundtracks (which were removed a couple of redesigns ago). In addition, I restructured the section to include my anime stories - transcripts from my fictional anime cable news network, which never really got of the ground.
Finally, my politics section presented my views on various issues and such from a liberal perspective. My columns focussed on Canadian, American and international politics.
And now it's going away?
Yep, as of January 15, 2005 JNN was closed down. However, the site will remain up for historical reasons just as long as I keep renewing my web space.
So, what did "Jotaku" mean?
"Jotaku" was a word play based on my name, Joe and the anime term, "otaku." In North America the word means an obsessed anime fan, while in Japan it's a reference for an obsessive fan of a topic, theme or hobby (in a more general fashion).
Basically, I merged my name and the word "otaku" to form "Jotaku." In essence, calling myself this meant that I was a fan of anime, CNN and politics, which made up JNN. Later I learned that the word is related to ping-pong in Japan, but that's a different story...
Why close down the site?
For the complete details, please read my opening in CNN46. That should answer most of your questions. But more to the point, since I was no longer going to write on CNN (the bulk of the site) I decided to shut JNN down completely. After doing this for about 5 years, I felt it was time to move on and pursue different interests. As well, the site had reached its creative potential and impact.
However, I may reappear and take up the pen once again on the very rare occasion.
Why can't you have somebody else run it?
JNN was and is still my idea and my "baby," if you will. I will never give my site away for free or for profit. I am not Ted Turner.
Well, that sucks. So what happens now?
Since I won't be providing news and commentary on CNN anymore, I don't want to leave you out in the cold. So for your CNN insider news check here, here and here.
The only section of my site that will remain open is my CNN multimedia archive. So you are still free to request for CNN music and promos. As well, you can expect new cuts/tracks and videos on a periodic basis.
So what will become of the Webmaster?
My mom's been telling me to get more sleep. Perhaps it's time to take her advice. I'll still be active in the CNN fandom community, but only in a limited role. Like I said in the above, I'll still be digitizing music and promos. Other than that, I really have no idea at the moment. Anyway, I'll be moving on to other things and maybe revisit a couple of ideas. Nevertheless, you can still contact me at jotaku at shaw.ca.
Any closing thoughts?
Well, I can't really find the correct words to close my site with, but I'll say it was an amazing 5 years. The most rewarding part of my site was communicating with the many CNN fans that wrote in and contributed to the site. I really enjoyed our discussions. As well, building the music archive was enormously fun and challenging.
I must thank you all, my readers, for visiting my site. It was a pleasure informing you about CNN through my writings and insights.
Your CNN otaku,
Joe Seto
- Former Webmaster of JNN (jotaku at shaw.ca)