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)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)