Adios, Finale, Peace out

So here it is...the end of the semester (YES!) I must admit that this class has been very useful, and at most times entertaining. Going into the class, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have found that it has really helped me break down the elements of web writing.
Web writing is a very specific thing and contains thousands of niches. It's important to be active and update when using the web, and offer the users the "entertaining information" they are looking for. Also, as a web writer you need to make it easy for users to find what they want on your site and navigate through it. Information can be found on millions of different websites, so it's important to make your site stick out from the rest. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). That is the main difference between web writing and other forms of writing; the specific categories and needs of the audience.
All and all, web writing is a very niche oriented and fast-paced form of writing. News and information is continually being updated and improvements come quickly. It's vital to keep up with the changing news and trends, so that your website isn't left out in the cold of cyberspace.

"Long Tail" theory

When I go shopping, I go to the specific stores that sell my kind of clothing, music, food, and interests. I really don't care for shopping, so I usually go the stores of my niche, by the stuff I need, and get out of there as quickly as possible. Im a busy person and I know what I want, and the niche stores and shopping make is easy for me to find what I want without having to go out of my way. Computers, television, and advertisements make it easy for me to see what stores sell what I want and where I can go to get the products I want.
What does the "Long Tail" theory and niche economy have do to with web writing? Well the truth is...alot. Due to the shift in the market, web writers are going to have to be more specific with what they are writing and make sure they know everything about the niche they are representing. Also, web writers are going to have to continuously update their writing and find new ways to keep the niche interested. The web is a useful source for finding and buying niche products. Everyone has access to the Internet, therefore it is the first place we turn for quick searches and helpful information. Web writing is only going to get more and more specific as more and more niches pop-up and demand representation.

Current Web Designs

It's funny how websites have become like designer purses; everyone wants to have the hottest, newest, and most fashionable one possible. After browsing through all the listed websites, I have come to the conclusion that I like all the different designs. Each one has their own style, but at the same time each has similar elements. I've noticed that a lot of the websites have blogs, drop-down navigation, and lots of art. Not only is the content brief and easy to read, but the sites are pleasing to navigate through and look at.
Personally speaking, I think that our group could definitely benefit from some of these hot trends being used; the 3-D effects and active nagivagtion is really eye-catching and fun to use. I like the idea of having our site visually active, but simple at the same time. I also think that our site could benefit from using center-aligned content. Not only does it put the issue right in the middle like BAM, but it also shows that we are up-front and generally passionate about our topic.
Just like fashion trends, website trends go out of style, so it's vital for websites to keep up with what is hot in order to keep the audiences attention and concern. Without an audience, there is no site.

Daffy Duck & Web Design

I definitely must admit that this cartoon was quite nostalgic for me, considering I used to spend COUNTLESS hours watching Looney Toons. At first I wasn't sure how any of this had to do with Web writing and design, but after breaking it down, there were a few correlations.
This video is like Web writing and design in that sense that everything should be related and look as though it belongs together. Daffy Duck was getting frustrated over the fact that nothing went together; this is probably a frustration of users when websites' design and content aren't cohesive.
Another way that this cartoon relates with web design and writing is that it has to be updated. Websites are supposed to be updated so that users know what is going on and stay interested. Just like Daffy Duck when he was constantly changing, so do websites, web writing, and web design.
Lastly, Daffy was an intersting and intriguing video...that exactly the element that is vital to any successful site; it keeps people interested and coming back for more (I watched the video a few times). Just the fact that this assignment was based on a video made it interesting, so imagine what one can do for a website.
It isn't so looney to use looney tunes when it comes to web design and writing.

Heroin Addicts via the Web

So, I hate the word Heroin. It's gross and it reminds me of needles a.k.a my greatest fear in life. That picture in the article made me FLIP OUT! *Breathe* After digressing from that horrible image and really thinking about it, the term does fit comfortably when it comes to the Web. Think about it...everyone you know is addicted to a minimum of at least 3 websites. Whether they are buyers, bloggers, info seekers, or networkers, they are addicted to some form of the Web. Personally, it absolutely throws me off balance when I can't get onto Facebook, MySpace, or my e-mail at least a few times a day. I am a people person, so "heroin content" for me would intail messages, comments, photographs, updates, and indirectly stalking people I am friends with. I can say that knowing with full confidence I am not the only one who does this.
Tying this in with my group project, I feel that some of my personal addictions might be able to be applied with the website for Invisble Children NU Chapter. Constantly updating stories of the children, adding pictures, and allowing people to comment on the content could keep them coming back for more. Also, I feel that if we offered people a chance to buy some of the merchandise (which is reasonably cheap), they would stay interested. By offering them constant updates and making them think the website is all about what they want to have or know, we can reel them in for the deal. (Pun Intended)

Heads or Tails; Yes or No?

I must admit that the question to this blog didn't really have a specific point of direction, but I enjoy ambiguity every once in awhile. In response to the article "Is The Net Good For Writers", I must say that I am kind of riding the fence at this moment in time about the use of the Web and its impact on writing. I like to think that I am decent writer, so I guess this leaves me torn. I feel that everyone should have the chance to write, but I feel that at times the Net takes away from the initial purpose of writing.
In the article, it was really interesting to read what some "authentic" writers had to say about the Web and writing; there were writers on every point of the spectrum. I really enjoyed what writer Jay Kinney had to say; "it's a mixed blessing". I feel that the immediacy of our society has taken away from the true beauty and integrity of writing, but on the other hand I feel that the Net offers everyone a chance to say what they need. Erik Davis was the one who voiced my main concern the best; how will the writing on the Web effect my job and what it is that I want to do? Writing and communication is constantly changing and with that comes the loss of credibility and value for quality writng talent. For someone who loves, I mean lives, to write, this is a hard concept to swallow.

Web 2.0 Effect

In regards to Richard Manus and Joshua Porter in "Web 2.0 for Designers", I must say that I have slighty felt what is known as the Web 2.0 Effect...or phenomenon. When I first started using the web there were a few main sites that I used to get specific information, but now it seems as though there endless amounts of options. Websites have started carrying a variety of information and the amount of sites has grown dramatically. Also, sites are displacing more power on the users; it was never like that before.
Personally, I keep up with all this information and web changing by sticking with the sites I have always used.I check my e-mail on Yahoo!, my news on CNN.com, and I use Facebook to stay in touch with all my friends. I use the sites I am familiar and comfortable with. It's kind of like staying with the brand of shampoo you have always used because you know it won't make your hair fall out.
I think that web writing, technologies, and design need should definitely take back some of the control that has been lost. It's nice that people are able to voice and write their own information, but it's kind of taking a toll on credibility. I feel like the option for users to comment on information is nice, but they shouldn't be able to edit it. Certain websites should be locked. It's just getting too frustrating not knowing what to believe and what can be used as a credible source.

Blogs on Dancing

Before I even typed in the words "dancing" and "blogs" into the box, I knew what the outcome would be for my search; there were basically 85 million blogs out on the Web about my favorite hobby. Okay, so maybe I exaggerated, but there were 14,700,000 under the Google seach I completed.
I can't say I was at all surprised to see the amount of blogs that are dedicated to dancing. Dancing is such a popular hobby and its not just a national thing, it's global. People all over the world dance for different reasons and there are so many different types of dancing, so it was inevitable that there would be lots of blogging about it. In reading some of the blogs about dancing, there was a large variety of things being said and talked about. Bloggers were giving each other advice and tips on technique, thoughts, choreography ideas, dances, etc. There is are also alot of blogs about where dancers put up their dances and ideas for critique. There was also some blogs about different dances from around the world and what they mean to different cultures. It's very interesting. I can't really say if I agree with what everyone was discussing in the blogs because a majority of them were giving advice and helpful information. It was just interesting to read everyone's views on interpreting the meaning of dance and voicing why they loved it so much. It's nice to see people passionate about something that you hold dear.

What makes a website "good"?

Personally speaking, I think the three most important elements of a website are images, display/set-up, and the ease of use. The ironic point about the following is that they are all interdependent of each other. If one of the listed is not up to par, it could throw the other two off as well.
Today’s web reader is one that relies heavily on brief text and lots of images. Photographs draw in the reader and offer them instant information. Images are very powerful. I feel that a website that doesn’t have good visual sources tends to turn people off immediately as they have nothing to keep their attention.
Display/set-up is another element of a good website. If the set-up is confusing or messy, then it could instantly turn the user away to another site. Set-up has to be clean, attractive, and efficient all at the same time.
Last but not least, the ease of use is important for a website. Navigation should be user-friendly and the site as a whole should offer mindless experience to the user. If the website is difficult to use, then it could force people to look for information/products else where. This could be devastating for a company/organization considering the dependency on the Internet of today’s society.

True or False: How to Decide What Is Real on The Web

As a consumer of Web writing in both personal and professional contexts, I find it difficult to determine what is accurate on the Web. I would like to believe that when reading a Facebook or MySpace profile, that a peson would only disclose information that is positive to their character. With companies and organizations, I would like to trust that they have integrity and only use information that would benefit their cause.
When personally using the Web for writing, I try to write as I would talk. I believe that if my readers were to see consistancy in my writings that they would be able to believe that it is really me. I would form a personality with my words. For those who know me, I put all of myself in my writings.
I feel that organizations/personalities shouldn't be able to edit their own Wiki entires. It's so easy for a group/person to be biased about themselves. Important imformation that should be written about them can be easily erased. Also, false information should be added to their entries could be left out. It's too easy for people to change themselves. Can you imagine reading an article about Paris Hilton written by Paris Hilton?
Yeah, there goes the neighborhood.

Re-thinking Life Online w/ Web 2.0

Web 2.0; not only does it offer new Internet functions, but it is completely changing the direction all together of how the Web is operated by users. According to Michael Wesch, there are going to be many ways Web 2.0 changes the path of the Internet. Coinciding with this change, many aspects will have to be re-thought.
One of these aspects is ethics; the science of morality…right vs. wrong. In Wikipedia, anyone has the right to edit and re-write. If Web 2.0 allows users to eventually do this with every site, what will be able to be considered legitimate and reliable information? Just imagine what would happen if everyone had the right to change information on any website. Users will not only be given powerful voices, but they will have the ability to take over the voices of others.
Another aspect that will need to be re-thought is governance. How can a governing body exist and tell people what is appropriate to post, when anyone will have the ability to alter information? It would be an endless dog chase trying to catch people who are abusing this power. How would “Web Police” be assigned in a situation like this? What could they actually govern without stepping over the ethical line of freedom of speech?
Life online as we know could change forever.

To Read or Not to Read...Newspapers, that is

Personally speaking, I would have to agree with this weeks assigned article...Newspapers should worry, if they haven't been already. I must admit that although I wish I was an advid newspaper reader and news watcher, I am not. The only way I really read a newspaper or turn on the television to get news updates is if I happen to be home. Both my parents, who belong to the Baby Boom era, subscribe to local newspapers and news stations. They have the time to enjoy the luxury of reading a paper or watching the News at the same time every night. Being a senior college student, I barely have time to eat and sleep! The quickest and easiest way for me to consume media is via the Internet. It's interactive, continusouly updated, and easy to access. I can do my homework, check my e-mail, and read about global news at anytime from one location. Not only that, but most sites I visit have videos, sound bites, and links to other sites. I can consume at my pace and surf what I am interested in.
After being in the field of Communications for almost 4 years, I am a firm believer that newspapers and magazines should worry. I also feel that there is no way for them to turn this tidal wave around. People in today's world want fast, efficient news. Considering the average age of a computer and/or cell phone owner gets lower and lower, so do the chances of newspapers making any impact in our fast-paced world. Magazines and newspapers are going to fade away significantly when the "dead-tree readers" such as my parents start to fade. It's a sad statement, but it's the truth.

Consumer of the Web, That's Me

I have always been in love with words. Being a slow writer, I instantly fell in love with the idea of being able to type fast and have my work instantly ready for an audience to read via the computer.
Being a consumer of the Web, I read articles and updates online daily. I often use websites such as Newsweek.com or MSNBC.com to quickly catch up on the happenings of the world around me. Being a busy college student, these sites offer immediate and precise writing with the help of photographs and sound clips.
Being a producer of the Web, I use tools such as Facebook, MySpace, and Yahoo e-mail. I write notes, e-mails, blogs, and comments every day using one of these listed sites. Not only is it an easy way for me to communicate with loved ones, but it also allows me an outlet to post the triumphs and struggles of everyday college life.
Looking into the near future, I see Web writing playing a vital role in my profession. Being a senior communications major, who has already completed several internships, I realize that the Web is used for every company and often they call on communications experts to write, read, and edit all the information that is displayed online. When you write for a company’s website, you are representing that company.

Well here I am...

Let the writing begin!