Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Social Media and Stupid People


Legal, Policies, Ethics

It is no secret that people are stupid.  That being said, people are even more stupid when it comes to social media.  How many people have been fired for what they posted on any given social media outlet about their place of employment?  How many teachers have been fired for racy photos posted on Facebook?  Are the posts made in poor judgment?  Have policies been made for such actions? 
Social media causes challenges not only in the workplace, but the courtroom as well.   The ethics and legality of social media in the courtroom has caused such concern that recently Sandra Day O’Connor was the keynote speaker for the Bar Association earlier this year.  Social media is still somewhat new and the policies and ethics are still being defined as well as the legality of everything.  Read more about the legal limits at of http://gigaom.com/2011/02/26/how-social-media-is-pushing-the-limits-of-legal-ethics/.

In the article found at http://abovethelaw.com/2010/07/social-media-policies-for-legal-types/ the key point is “Don’t say stupid things.”  How many times have we put something stupid on our Facebook or Twitter?  I know that I have put quite a few stupid things, but I don’t take social media outlets to be the gospel truth on my life.  At the same time, I also try not to put anything that I wouldn’t want my mother or the good man upstairs to read.  Mind you I believe that is the Southern upbringing coming out of me, but there you have it.  Don’t say stupid nonsense especially if you don’t want your momma or whomever you pray to at night seeing what you have posted or tweeted.  Use some common sense people!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Danger Will Robinson Danger


Apps

Mobile Apps are becoming more and more necessary if you want to get the most out of your Smartphone.  Then once you have your mobile apps you have to keep updating the apps as necessary.  I find mobile apps quite useful.  I enjoy having Sims, Facebook, Twitter, TradeNations, etc. on my iPhone.  These apps keep me happy when I am stuck like chuck.  Mobile apps are not only convenient but also efficient. 


“Mobile applications are undoubtedly the next wave in the evolution of e-business. Possessing features and functions that are unique to mobile devices, such as mobility, personality, and flexibility, mobile applications are able to provide end-users’ added values, including anytime, anywhere access, ability to pinpoint users’ locations, and flexibility in arranging tasks. It is predicted that the mobile users will increase dramatically in the near future and the rate for mobile services will drop significantly. However, the promising future of mobile applications has been inhibited by the infant stage of mobile applications, the drawbacks of mobile devices, and the limitations of mobile services. Nevertheless, mobile applications are gaining attention both from academics and practitioners. Understanding the values of mobile applications has become particularly important. It would be helpful to explore the values of mobile applications from the end-users’ perspectives (customers and company’s employees) and determine how the values could be achieved, especially for companies embarking on implementing mobile applications or customers who are embracing mobile applications.”

Tonight, while I was pacing the sidewalk chatting on the phone, I noticed a girl looking down at her phone and texting as she was driving down the hill.  This makes me quite nervous as I live across the street from an elementary school.  Luckily for her it was about 10pm so the likelihood of children randomly running out onto the street was quite low.  What happened this evening reminded me of how dangerous it is to text and drive.  Texting and driving should be like oil and water.  They just don’t go together.  We are constantly reminded of the dangers.  About a year or so ago, an elderly woman was hit walking in the crossing area of a store as she headed to her car.  She died a day later due to injuries sustained.  It was discovered by police that the alleged person who hit the elderly woman was texting at the time of the incident. 
About three years ago, I remember being in the car with a good friend of mine and we were in Sardine Canyon.  My friend has quite the lead foot, and was going about 85 mph and texting on her Blackberry at the same time.  Mind you it was also about one in the morning.  She is usually a safe driver, but what had me concerned was that we were in the middle of a Cache Valley winter and we were about to come upon the tight curve right before Sherwood Hills.  So, I told my friend to either let me drive or let me text.  I knew that she wouldn’t let me drive her car, so she had to trust me to be capable enough to send the text.  The moral of the story is: Don’t be afraid to tell your friend to not text while driving.  Remember, the driver is holding your life in their hands. 
I am a Car & Driver gal.  I love cars to say the least.  So here is an article Car & Driver did back in 2009 highlighting the dangers of texting while driving.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

viral videos


Viral Videos

YouTube is a hotspot for those looking to make it big by making a viral video. What makes a viral video? It all depends. So many factors play into what videos make it big and what videos do not. Film maker Steinbaurer said:

"When I think of things like the Christian Bale rant, or that horrible Alec Baldwin message that he left for his daughter, those are creepy, and I don't want to listen to them over and over again. But there's something about the way Jack expresses frustration — not only with those around him, but specifically with himself — that is so lyrical and memorable and quotable."


Here are some of my favorite YouTube videos!







Friday, November 4, 2011

Traditional Views


Traditional Views
Integrating social media with traditional media is not an easy task.  Social media and traditional media platforms are different, and because of this it is quite a challenge to properly infuse one with the other.  You have to engage your audience in social media and with this once you engage you receive a response.  Sometimes you are going to receive comments that you aren’t going to like.  You have to be customer service friendly in this aspect.  You have to decide how you are going to handle negativity. 
In social media you have to “pay” your follower with something.  In traditional media, viewers tolerate commercials because in the end they get to view the television show that they are watching.  Remember that the metrics are different between social media and traditional media, and it takes specialized skills to successfully integrate the two.
“Integrating social media and traditional media requires a detailed understanding of both platforms and a thorough understanding of the marketing and consumer behavior concepts that underpin success in both platforms. NEITHER of your social media or traditional marketing team may know anything about marketing and consumer behavior.  Hiring someone to brand your products who doesn’t KNOW marketing is like hiring an accountant who never took an accounting class.  They can do it, but it isn’t RIGHT.”  Read more at http://www.business2community.com/marketing/5-reasons-why-integrating-social-media-with-traditional-media-is-hard-066025

The second article I read provided six tips for integrating social media with traditional media.  The first tip states to engage journalists through Twitter.  Who would have thought?  Apparently more than 90% of journalists use Twitter.  Beware though, the tip states not pitch to journalists via Twitter, but to follow and cultivate relationships instead.  This will help when you do pitch to a journalist.
Another key use of Twitter and, to a lesser extent, other social media platforms, is as a venue for building your spokespersons’ thought leadership on a particular issue as you pitch the story. Many journalists turn to social media to vet sources and see who’s already talking about issues they want to cover, so be proactive and position your experts as thought leaders via social media beforehand.”
May think that traditional media is pretty dead, but that I not the case.  Consider live-streaming news conferences and events.  Also keep in my interactive and user generated opportunities.  The biggest key is to communicate, communicate, communicate.  One cannot stress enough how important it is to effective communicate to your audience. 



Location Based Programs


Location Based Programs

Facebook is the largest social network with over 800 million users. Facebook is constantly changing and adapting to the needs of the users. With constant updates and changes the users have to adapt which usually is no fun. As soon as you get use to the changes, Facebook comes out with more changes that are often quite dramatic from the version you just got use to. Facebook has a lot of good features. Read more at http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/facebook_inc/index.html

Foursquare is another location based program. I am going to be honest and say that I haven't heard of Foursquare till this Social Media class. I am not a huge fan of people knowing where I am at, but on the flip side it is my choice on how I set my privacy settings. You have to be smart about what you are willing to have posted for the world to see. Foursquare started in 2009 and has been steadily climbing the location based program world. Many companies such as Walgreens, Pepsi, Redbox, and ESPN are just a few that take advantage of this location based program. See how these four major brands are successfully using Foursquare at http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/How_four_major_brands_are_using_Foursquare_9321.aspx

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Search Engine Optima


Search Engine Optimization

Let me just say that I love reading the NY Times. For some odd reason, reading it brings warmth to my cold soul. What is geotagging? According to the article I read, geotagging is “a bit of data providing longitude and latitude of where a photo is taken. This makes me want to check all my photos on Facebook because I don't want some weirdo figuring out the exact location of where I am or was at a moment in time. In the past year, security concerns have increased about geotagging.

Security experts and privacy advocates have recently begun warning about the potential dangers of geotags, which are embedded in photos and videos taken with GPS-equipped smartphones anddigital cameras. Because the location data is not visible to the casual viewer, the concern is that many people may not realize it is there; and they could be compromising their privacy, if not their safety, when they post geotagged media online.

The good news is that you can disable this feature. To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/technology/personaltech/12basics.html

What are infographics? I swear I am learning more stuff about social everyday. So infographics “are visual presentations of information that use the elements of design to display content.” They are important because they allow viewers to better understand a complex message. They contain a “self-contained message or principle.” They also express the messages quickly and clearly.

If a road sign has too much information on it, then it is difficult to read. Infographics compress and display this information in a visually pleasing way so that drivers don’t miss the message.”

Monday, October 24, 2011

Collaborative and Distance Communication Tools


Collaborative and Distance Communication Tools

I love Skype.  The reason why I love Skype is because you can take it with you whether it is on your iphone, ipod, laptop, smartphone, just about any mobile device can have Skype on it.  It is so mobile and accessible…all you need is internet connection.  The article I read was quoting the NY Times and how video conferencing is used for online therapy.  I never would have thought to have a therapy session online, but it if works, I am not going to knock it.  The article I read questions the NY Times legitimacy of the article.
While I have no idea the kinds of problems Ms. Weinblatt is seeing a therapist for, I don’t think they are the same kinds of problems that many people seek therapy for. How many people would be comfortable delving into their childhood abuse or deep, dark depression while lounging at your friend’s pool?
Skype takes geography out of the equation for therapy.  Would you use video conferencing on Skype to reveal your inner most thoughts?  Read more at http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/09/24/skype-away-online-therapy-is-still-exciting/

My second article focuses on Second Life.  I will admit, I have tried it but I got bored pretty quick…not sure if that is due to short attention span or lack of entertainment.  The article in Business Week (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982001.htm) focuses on how people make money by being avatars in the virtual world.   The author proceeds to say:
Oh yes, this is seriously weird. Even Chung sometimes thinks she tumbled down the rabbit hole. But by the time I visited her simulated abode in late February, I already knew that something a lot stranger than fiction was unfolding, some unholy offspring of the movie The Matrix, the social networking site MySpace.com (NWS ), and the online marketplace eBay (EBAY ). And it was growing like crazy, from 20,000 people a year ago to 170,000 today. I knew I had to dive in myself to understand what was going on here.
Users pay a monthly fee for the privilege of playing.  Users also hold full ownership for their Second Life creations.  Is it me, or is this just a bit too far fetched?  You decide.

Blogging


Blogging

I am not one for blogging.  I did it while in India to keep my family and friends updated since there was such a time difference.  I do not know what makes a blog successful because I am quite the novice.  So, I decided to go to good ole Google and search for articles on blogging.  I went to http://www.bloggingtips.com/2011/10/24/bring-new-readers-to-your-blog-by-comment-posting-in-early-days/ and learned that there are plenty of ways to boost your readership, but they focused on comments and commenting early in the game.  They suggest to not only search for content on the like of Twitter and Facebook, but to also keep your content up to date.  They also mentioned timing your comment for just the right moment.  Try not to be on a high traffic site because there is a high possibility that your comment will be overlooked.  Post a good and productive comment, make sure that your link is visible, and keep the conversation going.  By paying attention to when you post and what you post you can increase your readership quite a bit.

The second article is about the top 100 blog tips from http://kisswebmaster.com/top-100-blogging-tips-all-time/.  I like it just because its tagline is “keep it simple stupid.”  For some reason that just warms my heart.  The #3 tip is to use WordPress.  I feel like a loser because I only use WordPress for my online portfolio.  All my other blogs are on blogger.  I wonder what this says about me as a blogger.  They also mention to blog daily.  I seriously do not know how people can write a “new post” everyday. ..maybe I need to manage my time better.  Here are just a few of the tips they provided:
2.    Learn about your Competitor Blogs and Improve yourself
3.    Take Blogging as a business and spend more time for it
4.    Chose the Right theme for your Blog
5.    Don’t allow people to Copy your Content – Warn, Punish them
6.    Make Unique and Fresh Posts
7.    Think Different , Do Different – Write what other bloggers missed to write
12. Spend time tweeting your Posts (you can use Twitterfeed)
15. Reduce the number of Blogroll Links
16. Make your Text font attractive and readable
18. Include a Top Searched Keyword in your Blog Title
19. Discover something new and post it

Organizational Uses


Organizational Uses

As most of you are aware, I spent the summer completing an international internship with an NGO (a fancy way of saying non-profit outside the USA) in Pune, India.  While there were networked with many other NGO’s in our area.  The first article I read is about social media and non-profit organizations.  I found it quite interesting how they quickly identified the challenges non-profits face in a very social media minded world. 
“An astounding 97 percent of nonprofits are using social media, far surpassing even the business world,” says Nora Ganim Barnes, co-author of a study released last year by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research.
The article gives tips like don’t delegate a campaign to an intern, measure everything, integrate social media, and get help with content.  Having interned for an NGO, I can say that the tips and suggestions are a 100% spot on.  Social media needs strategic planning to be successful.  You can read the whole article at http://philanthropy.com/article/How-Nonprofits-Can-Use-Social/126402/.

The second article I found on CNN.com.  It details how Iceland’s president is using social media. 
"This so-called social media has transformed our democratic institutions in such a way that what takes place in the more traditional institutions of power -- congress, ministries, even the White House or the presidency and the cabinet in my country -- has become almost a sideshow," Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Iceland's president, said in an interview with CNN on Thursday at the PopTech conference here in coastal Maine.
He continues to say that social media is “transforming” politics in such a way that traditional democracies won’t be able to keep up.  Others say that social media protests are healthy.
“Grimsson, an even-spoken figure with Bill-Clinton hair and a charming Nordic accent, said protests organized by social media and technological developments are healthy for society, whether or not that offers him much in the way of job security.
It is interesting that there are such opposite views.  You be the judge read the entire article at http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/tech/innovation/iceland-president-social-media/index.html?iref=allsearch

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Big Seven


The Big Seven

The first article I read was from the New York Times.  It focused on new magazine publications that focus on Twitter, Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn.  The focus of the magazines is to educate small business owners on social media.
 
Eric Yaverbaum, associate publisher of the magazines, says “he and his partners see an opportunity to use the print magazine format to reach some business owners trying to learn more about the digital world. 
“Small-business owners and entrepreneurs are all trying to figure social media out,” Mr. Yaverbaum said. “Print magazines help make the information accessible to them. There will be great success stories and useful information.”

I think that this is a great forum to help small business owner’s learn more about social media and how they can apply social media to their businesses.  You can read more at http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/a-print-focus-on-social-media/?ref=socialnetworking.

The second article I read discussed how effective social media tools are in the business world.  They mentioned that the larger the company the more imperative social media was for the company’s success.  I really liked how they mentioned the following:

“ ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink'. A business can offer tools and technologies that support more effective collaboration or that try to engage with customers, but it's up to those individuals to take the steps required to interact. So it's important to really think about what you are trying to achieve by using social media and plan your strategies/implement your tools carefully.

 The article goes on to say how you have to be careful when using social media.  It can be distracting and time consuming, but it can also be proactive and incredibly effective.  I really enjoyed this article because it pointed out the positives and negatives of social media.  You can read the full article at http://www.cmswire.com/cms/social-business/over-half-of-orgs-consider-social-business-imperative-to-success-socbiz-013160.php


Friday, March 25, 2011

Assignment 5

BEFORE

AFTER- I cropped the pic, changed the levels to make it look kind of dark and then I added some random rain drops



BEFORE- I cropped the pic, made it grayscale, and then I had the flowers "pop" from the rest of the pic


AFTER- 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Reading #3

Ever wonder what happens to your search history?  If you are using Google, then your search history is collected and store at Google.  This is not a good thing if you are concerned about your privacy.  If Google is issued a subpoena, they have to divulge your information.  The Department of Justice is looking at other providers such as Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL etc to also release private information.  This is a problem with expectation of privacy for many.  There needs to be reform that ensures privacy.  The Electronic Communications Privacy Act was enacted in 1986 and is in desperate need of reform.  A word to the wise, until lawmakers reform the law, don’t look anything up on your computer if you would be embarrassed to have God and your Mother see it.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Online JCOM Reading #2

Why build your resume?  Do you want to be seen by future employers?  Taking six simple steps will help you get your resume seen by potential employers.  First, put everything in a Word Document.  Second, hyperlink all your information to multiple websites such as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, etc.  Create an html version of your resume.  Write a fabulous introduction.  Introduce yourself as you would to a loved one.  Fifth, attach your word doc.  Lastly, don’t expect anyone to click on your online resume.  If asked for an interview don’t overload the interviewer with questions as to your blog posts etc.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Online JCOM-Reading 1

Online JCOM- Reading One

Online Netiquette is a necessity when publishing anything on the web.  Think before you type and hit the send button.  There is another human being that is reading what you are typing and not some robot.  If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say (or type) anything at all.  If you have to get something off your chest.  Write a draft, then cool off some, and then go back and start the editing process.  There is not need for vulgar language or typing in all caps.  Yes, typing in all caps is considering as YELLING at someone.  It is also not kind.  Moving right along, if something online appears to be illegal, chances are that it is and you should avoid it at all costs.  Also, pay for what you are using online.  If you use shareware, pay for it.  Same goes for music, movies, etc.  To get to the basics of Online Netiquette, just remember if you wouldn’t do it with someone in person, then don’t do it online.