One of the things I've learned is that it doesn't matter if you beat the "big names" to the scoop if you don't already have enough authority.

If the first few "big names" mention you, it'll be good... but otherwise...

You can email tips to mainstream reports, they'll be happy to get info. (Just as any blogger is happy to get tips emailed, I might add.) I don't expect mainstream news to always get the attribution right when it comes to scoops... sometimes -- at least in German media -- you will see "according to news that broke in blogs on Wednesday bla bla", which is a weird way to attribute everyone and no one. But hey, so what -- mainstream news just leanred how to use hyperlinks like, 2 years ago ;)

AP picked it up now. (cnn.com, among others).

It's funny to watch the progression of news stories. Sometimes old news--like the guy who published his boarding pass generator, doesn't become news until it is blogged about.

I listened to a radio interview this morning with one of the reporters who broke the news about Bill Walsh's illness. Apparently dozens of reporters were sitting on the news out of respect for the former NFL coach's wish to keep it private. He finally caved and asked a couple of Bay Area reporters to write their articles. It was on AP within an hour.