Week 14 - Facebook & More

Assignments from this week focused a lot more on Facebook specifically, and how it functions beyond that of just a website where people can share thoughts and ideas, keep up with old friends and family, etc.  This week we learned about the Open Graphs initiative, event though the original idea was introduced in 2010.

This concept of open graphs is an idea that interconnects websites, software, advertisements, music and people on a sub web created by tracking and analytics.  Facebook specifically wants to create a Facebook Open Graph by linking itself with other sites outside of Facebook.  Allowing people Facebook functions on other web pages allows the website operators the benefits of full Facebook analytics while also, however, allowing Facebook information about every site visitor in great detail.

This works by websites adding Facebook log-ins to their sites - apps do it too.  A lot of people are reluctant to sign up on new sites with new usernames and passwords they may forget, on sites they know nothing about.  Many people feel safer using their Facebook log-in information in lieu of creating these new accounts.  This works to everyone's advantage in the plan for the open graph.  Sites may be more likely to get new users, including the consumer demographics, and Facebook gains consumer insights.  The pattern continues on multiple websites across multiple genres and boom! The open graph is formed.

Though Facebook isn't the only large analytics company on the Internet gathering mass amounts of data, it is doing the best job of seamless, seemingly nonintrusive collection.  Google gets amazing amounts of information, but doesn't have access to every consumer's demographic information - because that requires a log-in.  Hence the reason Google+ was formed.  Google+ is basically a version of Facebook that was created as a social platform but collected demographic information about users for their profiles (which is the main advantage Facebook has over its competition).

All in all, Facebook does  a lot more than act as a landing group for sharing thoughts and pictures while staying connected with friends.  The larger it gets, the more trusted it becomes, and the better it gets at collecting data that can be recorded and expressed in ways that deliver customized web experiences to consumers.  The footprint is growing, like it or not, and some believe it could be problematic.

In a nutshell, anything that alters the presentation if data to appeal to on person specifically is changing regularly programmed content and censoring it by narrowing it.  Any alteration that limits information is censorship, and censorship holds extreme powers of control.  That's not excellent.  While a customized web experience sounds like a good idea, I'm interested to see what parameters are created and enforced in the near future as a result of these processes that will limit the power of large web conglomerates.

Week 13 - Learning A Lot About A Lot

This week we're focusing on social media and how it's relevant to today's lifestyles.  Not just looking at the beasts of Social Media as marketing tools, advertising platforms, or ways to spread information, the real goals of this week's assignments are to open our minds to all the ways Social Media are integrated into our lives, and how to use and understand that information.

I was introduced to a totally new facet of social media via Twitter, called  a TweetDeck.  I had no idea that even existed, and I'm fairly savvy regarding online platforms and Social Media as a whole.  I certainly would't consider myself an expert, as I am willingly not extremely involved, but I use accounts such as Facebook regularly.  I have a Twitter account, and an Instagram, but I have to admit that I only seldomly get on them to explore, much less post.

Based on what I have completed this week, I can say that I have learned a new way to use social media as a platform to my benefit professionally.  I kind of hate that fact that business really have to have social media sites these days in order to be relevant.  But they function as much more than places consumers can visit to learn more about brands and brand identities.  They also function as landing grounds for consumers to actively communicate and participate with the brands they either love or hate, but still post about.  Not to mention, Facebook has some of the richest analytics mines for business, including measurable reach.

In addition to social media topics, we were instructed to read a really interesting article called "Contagious: Why Things Catch On" by Jonah Berger.  The concepts in the article weren't new to me, but the article was an excellent read that was extremely well written.  The author has a way with words, and even the most uninteresting topic can become interesting when presented in a skillful way.  Though I was familiar with the main ideas of the article, I appreciated the way he organized his ideas and the STEPPS process.  Check it out here, if you're interested: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_x8VqUy9HyNRUdRWGZGSW9KLU0/view?pli=1

Overall, this week was informative and a bit inspirational.  I got to write about things a actually know a bit about, and read an article that only enhanced those ideas.  We'll see what next week has in store soon!

Twitter Timelines on Blog Posts? Apparently so!

This week we learned how to connect our twitter post timeline onto our blogs.  This was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and I think it could be really helpful in the future, or maybe even to promote awareness of my side project I mentioned in my previous posts, the promotion of my friend's soccer scholarship fund.

For this assignment, i chose a sidebar as the location for my Twitter feed.  I'm not very active on Twitter currently, but I can see the potential for promoting my endeavors.  I don't care to promote myself, necessarily, in Twitter at this time, but I think inserting a side-bar gadget such as this one is a cool way to link sites together and help promote personal or corporate brand identities.

As we learned, the more links a webpage has, the more relevant it becomes in search engines, yielding more results and placing higher on the result rankings.  Attaching a Twitter feed seems like and easy to increase links and compliment the individual styles of personalities or brands online.

Check out how it looks!  It appears more credible, even without reading the posts or content.  I think this was a positive addition to my blog, and it does help identify me as a person, which also helps people understand my writing personality:

Week 10 - Learning About SEO and Analytics

This week continues to be a challenge, trying to learn how to use Google Webmaster Tools to optimize search engine results, increase or at least manage web traffic, and how to interpret all the data I receive as a result of implementing these concepts and tags, keywords, etc. on to the pages I want.  As usual, I'm using my Blogger site as the Guinea Pig for my fumbles and attempts to learn these concepts and see what effect they have over time.

I think the information will be really helpful for sites I have for personal and business ventures.  I plan to track our newly created and still in progress memorial page in honor of my childhood best friend who I lost to suicide in March of this year.  I still have some work to do to update the three pages we are using as platforms for our cause, so if you visit them, please keep that in mind.  I will have them looking by the end of the year, but I need some time - which I have NONE of - to really polish them.  Until that is done, however, I invite you to visit our pages in progress.  I will be entering them into my Google Webmaster Tools page soon, so we can be aware of how effective our sites are, if they're reaching beyond our group of friends and family, and if they are helping encourage traffic and donations to our soccer scholarship fund.

I think this assignment will be very useful, even though I haven't had the opportunity to employ them for substantial use yet, in maintaining an active role in the performance of our web presence.  Please follow the links below and visit the pages we have so far, though they are still in progress.

 https://www.facebook.com/ShareETLLove/?ref=hl

https://www.jaxcf.org/give/erica-lewis-soccer-scholarship-fund

http://etlfund.wix.com/youbeyou

Thanks for this hard, but beneficial assignment.  I hope you all view our sites!

School, Me, and What It's Worth

Beginning this blogging project, I feel a bit unsure.  This school assignment could really help me develop my casual writing skills, and of course will result in an academic figure, but who will read it?

I am required to post my thoughts and ideas on the Internet, for any and all to read, as a course assignment.  Without this assignment, I can't say that I have ever really seriously considered regular postings to update followers on anything.  I suppose I have been under the impression that friends, much less strangers, honestly cared enough about my personal viewpoints and opinions on specific matters to intentionally subscribe to them.  Perhaps I was wrong.

As I sift through social media each day, I'm not committing my friends' images, memes, or complaints to memory, not am I intrigued by most of them.  I am, however, constantly reading articles posted by organizations I follow.

Creating a New Google Map - Using Google Drive Sheet

This week I learned how to create my own, new Google map using a spreadheet I created in Google Drive.  I have never created my own map before, but I've always wondered how to do it.  I'm actually really glad to have completed this assignment.  For the activity, we were to create a Google map that included all the pool locations for the JaxParks Aquatics program.  Their current format on their site is not user friendly, nor is it well organized.  Though they do include link access to individual locations, they don't encompass them all into one, easily viewable map.  So that's what we did!  Here is the map I created, based on the pools listed on the JaxParks website.  Follow this link to view their page:
http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/jaxparks-aquatics/jaxparks-public-swimming-pools.aspx

This new map translates that list into an easily viewable, clickable, and printable database:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zSm1Fn6yfSH8.klLBdMNlTzGE

There are several ways self-made Google maps could be useful to organizations and consumers.  I can think of a few maps I wish existed right now, and I know I can use this lesson in future business.  I would have used it for an event I helped organize with my internship last week if I knew how to do it!  There were a few areas where the project could have used something of this nature - not just for the special event - but to help promote the purpose of the non-profit organization itself.  I'll recommend that we input this information into a file for year-round and special events as soon as I see the owner tomorrow!

I personally, though, would love to see a map of all the locations that host Craft/Farmers Markets.  I love to shop local and support my community, and I really enjoy walking around outdoors with my family and talking to the people who made or grew the products they're selling.  I feel good about buying from other members in my community, supporting our local economy, and making friends with vendors who may toss in some apples as a bonus to my order because they appreciate my business - just like Ms. Rosie did yesterday at the Town of Orange Park Fall Festival!

Jacksonville's Hidden Gems - My Addition

Take a look at my contribution to this map, Camp Chowenwaw Park!  I love this little gem!

Still Working on Analytics

This week we're working on Google analytics still.  Learning more about how the figures are generated helps me understand how to interpret the data I see represented on the analytics on pages.  I used my blogger page as the landing page for the Google analytics code for Lab assignment 7-1.  It didn't take a long time for inquiries to appear and numbers to start reflecting changes.  Take a look:

I still struggle a bit understanding exactly what I'm looking at, however the graphs do make things a bit easier to view.  As a newcomer to the field of web analytics, I find it interesting that so many ideas can be represented in numerical data such as those I see on the back ends of websites.

I have basic knowledge and only limited access to the back end of websites, but I'm seeing so many similarities and representing trends from site to site, I imagine it's only short period of time before I truly understand what all the figures I'm seeing really represent.

A problem I have, though, with web analytics, is that they may or may not actually represent what the audiance actually feels or thinks.  Clicks don't always equal sincere interest in a site, much less a brand or product, so it's difficult to decipher what the data actually represents.

Understanding Web Data

This week we are attempting to learn about the matrices used to quantify web data such as analytical, numerical representations of user behaviors.  This seems fairly complex, and it is.  But perhaps the most difficult part of understanding it all is that it is math based on non-math.  In other words, the matrices attempt to assign numerical values to things that have no real quantitative data, but are instead qualitative.

Just a refresher, quantitative data is that which can be represented in numbers, that is factual and not objective.  Quantitative data is a non-numerical set of data that is represented by words because the data is in regard to non tangible thoughts, behaviors, and influences.  To me, the matrices do a great job of attempting to compute user behaviors, but the actual data ends up being somewhat unreliable.

Just because some one clicks on an ad doesn't mean they did it on purpose.  Sometimes those annoying pop-ups are intentionally created to make it very difficult to close the window without being redirected to the host site.  This would register as a visit by the web user, and perhaps clicks, but it isn't an actual representation of the user's intentional behavior.  For this reason, the quantitative data collected, which would be one page visit, would represent false information.  The we user never intended to visit the host site, didn't want to be redirected, and wasn't actually interested in the information presented by the host.  Thus, the calculation of popularity by page visit/click is unreliable.

Other difficulties one might run across while attempting to understand web data is the terminologies.  Some of them are so similar but mean totally different things.  Clicks are not the same as click-throughs, for example.  It is rather difficult to keep track of.

This week has been a challenge for these reasons, but also because of the work load assigned.  For a course of this level, I find it very difficult to swallow four hours worth of additional independent learning in addition to reading writing lengthly papers, blogging, etc.  Also, three hours won't suffice; if you didn't complete the entire six course modules, you get no credit.  I find this very stressful and not to my benefit.  I shouldn't have to spend so many hours on one course alone, especially an undergraduate elective.  It is great experience to learn about what's out there in technology and the venues media are currently using, but I am not a web designer, coder, analyst, etc.  I am an advertising major attempting to understand media vehicles and delivery with a creative process.  I would rather appreciate the opportunity to learn more, but not always the requirement to go above and beyond the work parameters of any given undergraduate course.

Needless to say, I will not be able to complete all of my assignments this week, though I am a diligent, hard-working, committed student with time management skills.  I hope the load next week allows me time to really understand the concepts, and not just read as fast as I can to try my best and squeeze out 500 words on one topic, then another 500 on another topic.  I'd like to thoroughly understand one rather than partially understand two or three.  Better luck next week! Let's see how I do!

How to Use a Creative Commons Licensed Piece!

This week we were assigned a pretty simple task: to select a piece of work on the Internet that is protected by a Creative Commons License and place it in our blog, citing it correctly.

I feel like I never do this exactly the "right" way, but I always use photo captions that identify where I borrowed the image at the very least.  I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about making sure I do this properly, as it always seems too easy.  I'll give it a shot here, though!

Here is the image I selected, as I am thinking about work while I'm working on school work.  Funny how that happens all the time...

So this is something kind of like what I would make a million of during any day's work.  This picture was acquired from the creative commons site, and credit belongs to:

Description	English: Cloud 9 - round 2 (Vancouver, Canada, BC, British Columbia, 2006, travel, hotel, robson, cloud 9, bar, restaurant, empire landmark, lounge, level 42, drinks, booze, liquor, pretzels, cherry, cherries)
Date	2006-08-11
Source	Flickr
Author	Rick A. (rick)
Permission (Reusing this file)	Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Learning How to Copyright Photos Is Fun! CC Licenses to Protect My Work

This week I'm learning about protecting my online intellectual property.  It's pretty relevant stuff, considering that I produce content regularly.  The more I learn here, the more I can apply to the many other ventures I'm pursuing.

For this post, I decided to use a photo taken while kayaking over the weekend on Black Creek in Fleming Island, Florida.  It's beautiful and peaceful, and I think it is a great example of the state park's "The Real Florida."  Maybe I'll post my CC'd photo on their site!

So, please enjoy my original photo, but not the rights to use it!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This was really easy to do!  According to the license I chose:

You are free to:

• Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
• for any purpose, even commercially.

• The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.

Under the following terms:

• Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
• NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.

• No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Week 3 - Lab Assignment 2 - It's Mytube Right Now!

Here is an embedded link for my assignment.  You're welcome, world, for bringing it back!



Now that I've shared this charming video, let me tell you why I selected it...

When I was in the fourth grade, I loved everything Debbie Gibson. I got her tapes and perfume for Christmas, and I bought a walk-man just to play her music. I wore my headphones atop my over-sized sweater and ripped-jeans clad body, everywhere, everyday. I remember visiting a farm with my grandparents in north Alabama with my walk-man clipped faithfully to my braided leather belt. To me, there was no better music! I jammed out to all three of her tapes, but my favorite was the Electric Youth album; it was the first Debbie Gibson song I ever heard. I was hooked, and I enjoyed her tapes for years.

Now that I am all grown up, I like to share some of my favorite music from my childhood with my daughter. She loves Taylor Swift, so I know she would really be into Debbie Gibson as well - oh, and the Pointer Sisters, and the Bangles, and Amy Grant, etc. Somehow, on the long drive home through rush hour today, I thought of dear Debbie and youtubed four of my favorite songs to play for my daughter. As anticipated, she loved them! We rocked my little SUV the rest of the trip, and I landed in my driveway a happy woman.