Hello to all of my blogging buddies! The end of the semester is drawing near and we have gone through a lot together. I wanted to share with you this very insightful article I read about Web 2.0 tools. Not only was it was extremely helpful while writing my paper, but also clearly explained what the term means in a general sense. You can find the article here: What is Web 2.0 by Tim O'Reilly.
O'Reilly provides a description of how the term started and what the creators originally had in mind. There is a chart to help explain the thought structure and a chart that helps describe the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. While this may not provide the only definition of Web 2.0 tools, it does provide a basic interpretation that I found valuable.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Screencast about Blogging
Well, it's taken a lot of work, but I've finally finished my video for class. It is about how to use the different features on http://www.blogger.com/ to manage your blog. I used Camtasia to make the video, and I am pretty pleased with the results. Take a look here:
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Podcasting in Education
Hello Friends! It has been awhile since my last post, but I promise the wait has been well worth it! In my never-ending quest to share my adventures in school with you, I have a new podcast to present. I'd like to explain first what the project was about, and then I will give you my opinion on how easy it was to set up.
Our assignment was to create an account on Podbean.com, and record a podcast about 2-3 minutes in length. My podcast is about the presence and use of podcasting in education. This is an important topic. As many of you know, not only am I learning about podcasting in school myself, but this mode of communication is fast becoming a way for professors to get lectures to students. My podcast, of course, goes into greater depth than that, and includes some thoughts on the benefits of podcasting in terms of technologically advancing classrooms.
In terms of set-up time and effort, I was pleasantly surprised. Initially I was concerned about how labor intensive setting up Audacity and my microphone would be, but it turned out to be no big deal. The most difficult part of the whole process was recording without catching too much background noise. I imagine some individuals with a more technological background would find it easy to correct some of that, but for someone like me it provided a bit of a challenge. The Podbean website was really enjoyable to use, and seemed very user friendly. If you are looking for a website to post your podcasts, I suggest you give it a try!
Our assignment was to create an account on Podbean.com, and record a podcast about 2-3 minutes in length. My podcast is about the presence and use of podcasting in education. This is an important topic. As many of you know, not only am I learning about podcasting in school myself, but this mode of communication is fast becoming a way for professors to get lectures to students. My podcast, of course, goes into greater depth than that, and includes some thoughts on the benefits of podcasting in terms of technologically advancing classrooms.
In terms of set-up time and effort, I was pleasantly surprised. Initially I was concerned about how labor intensive setting up Audacity and my microphone would be, but it turned out to be no big deal. The most difficult part of the whole process was recording without catching too much background noise. I imagine some individuals with a more technological background would find it easy to correct some of that, but for someone like me it provided a bit of a challenge. The Podbean website was really enjoyable to use, and seemed very user friendly. If you are looking for a website to post your podcasts, I suggest you give it a try!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Blogging with Multimedia
The assignment due today in Podcasting, Vodcasting and Blogging class was to write a 5 page paper about Blogging with Multimedia. The focus specifically was on the use of multimedia in business blogging.
My paper included an introduction that discussed the difference between print media and online media - and why it's important to understand that they are two entirely different animals. It then when on to explain the different reasons a business might use multimedia in blogging. The sections following delineated use of photographs, podcasting and vodcasting as multimedia in a blog. Finally my paper concluded with some rules to follow when using multimedia in a blog and what results to expect.
Writing the paper really opened my eyes to the possibilities available when using multimedia. It also reminded me of how valuable dynamic and updated content can be.
My paper included an introduction that discussed the difference between print media and online media - and why it's important to understand that they are two entirely different animals. It then when on to explain the different reasons a business might use multimedia in blogging. The sections following delineated use of photographs, podcasting and vodcasting as multimedia in a blog. Finally my paper concluded with some rules to follow when using multimedia in a blog and what results to expect.
Writing the paper really opened my eyes to the possibilities available when using multimedia. It also reminded me of how valuable dynamic and updated content can be.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Promoting Your Blog on Twitter
Hello to all my fellow bloggers and blog followers! It has been about a week since I have last posted. Talk about a crazy week! At any rate, I've been thinking a lot about blog promotion lately. This has been prompted by an assignment our Podcasting professor gave us. The assignment is to write a paper about how blogs are being used in business. I'm not entirely sure yet what angle I'll be writing my paper from, but I wanted to share a link that could be useful for any one of us.
I do not promote my blog anywhere yet, but this article lists tips for promoting a blog on Twitter. I think this could be especially relevant for those active on Twitter, or those with plans to try to make money by blogging.
Have a great week!
I do not promote my blog anywhere yet, but this article lists tips for promoting a blog on Twitter. I think this could be especially relevant for those active on Twitter, or those with plans to try to make money by blogging.
Have a great week!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
PlayStation Move Release
Hello friends! Thank goodness for weekends right? Not only do I have to run some errands, but I need to make a big pan of baked ziti for dinner too. No small task I assure you! Enough about me though...
Yesterday, the new PlayStation Move was released in stores in North America. Designed to compete with the Nintendo Wii, the system offers active gaming that is sure to appeal to a wide variety of people. It offers many of the same features as Wii, but appears more technologically advanced because it also includes augmented reality and 3-D capabilities. (Ever the safety-conscious consumer, my biggest concern is that I didn't see a wrist strap. Can we just assume this may result in increased television sales due to broken screens?)
We own a Wii in my home, so I doubt we'll be purchasing any new gaming systems for awhile. However, if any of you are in the market for one, or perhaps thinking ahead about holiday shopping, you should check out PlayStation's blog.
Yesterday, the new PlayStation Move was released in stores in North America. Designed to compete with the Nintendo Wii, the system offers active gaming that is sure to appeal to a wide variety of people. It offers many of the same features as Wii, but appears more technologically advanced because it also includes augmented reality and 3-D capabilities. (Ever the safety-conscious consumer, my biggest concern is that I didn't see a wrist strap. Can we just assume this may result in increased television sales due to broken screens?)
We own a Wii in my home, so I doubt we'll be purchasing any new gaming systems for awhile. However, if any of you are in the market for one, or perhaps thinking ahead about holiday shopping, you should check out PlayStation's blog.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
New To Blogging? Watch This Video!
If you are not sure what a blog is or how it works, the video called Blogs in Plain English will help. This video explains why blogs are such a "big deal." To view the video, just click on the large arrow in the middle of the video window below.
Whole-House Surge Protection
It's important to protect all your electronic devices, not just computers, from surges. Printers, televisions, appliances and computer peripherals all require protection. However, it can be inconvenient to use individual surge protectors on all devices that need protection. One solution is to install a whole-house surge protector as shown in this photo. The device is installed by an electrician and is attached to your circuit breaker panel. Whole-house surge protectors function like other surge protection devices, but they protect all electrical devices in the house at once. The typical cost of $200 to $300 (installed) is generally less than buying individual surge protectors for every electrical device in your home.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Podcasting News at Your Fingertips
Hello to all my blogging friends! It's Monday and I have a hot tip to share with all of you. Interested in hearing the latest in podcasting news? Want to learn more about podcasting's impact and even podcasting jobs? Check out this awesome website I found called Podcasting News - New Media Update. At the very least, the articles are entertaining :) Enjoy!
Also - as an update to my CMPT1700 classmates, I'm in the process of claiming my blog with Technorati. They wanted me to include this on an entry, but you can ignore it: RYUFF5R68PDH
Have a great week everyone!
Also - as an update to my CMPT1700 classmates, I'm in the process of claiming my blog with Technorati. They wanted me to include this on an entry, but you can ignore it: RYUFF5R68PDH
Have a great week everyone!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Will the Internet Kill TV?
I bought a laptop last spring in April. It broadened my horizons to a whole new world of possibilities. Not only could I do my schoolwork while sitting on the couch, but also I had a new benefit available to me. Rather than sitting at my desk to watch a TV show online, I could enjoy shows in the comfort of my living room. Sure, the laptop isn't as big as our television set, but when you don't have cable, who cares? I started watching shows that I'd only ever heard friends speak about, and really became hooked on a few series. And then it hit me - if I'm watching all of these shows online, how is TV going to survive?
This is not a new question. Hulu.com has been providing TV programs online free-of-charge for some time now. And many networks provide at least a few episodes for free online as well. I decided to do some research on this topic and stumbled upon this interesting opinion piece. The writer suggests rather than the Web moving away from TV, it is moving towards it.
This is not a new question. Hulu.com has been providing TV programs online free-of-charge for some time now. And many networks provide at least a few episodes for free online as well. I decided to do some research on this topic and stumbled upon this interesting opinion piece. The writer suggests rather than the Web moving away from TV, it is moving towards it.
Fastest Growing Age Group on Facebook
Surprise! It probably isn't what you are thinking (teenagers). The fastest growing age group on Facebook these days is adults age 50 and older, at least according to a survey given by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. Why the increase? As the article on Inc.com explains, older adults are looking to reconnect and keep in touch with family and friends.
This is not having a positive effect on the number of young people signing up for, or even staying with, Facebook. Recent studies have suggested young people are not overly comfortable with parents, grandparents, nosey Aunt Cindy, or potential employers having access to their social network. New websites such as CollegeOnly.com are being launched to cater to this group of privacy-craving young adults.
Where do I fall on the spectrum? As a 27 year old, I have to admit I haven't always been crazy about my family members or in-laws friending me on Facebook. While I value being able to keep in touch with them, I use the privacy controls available and make sure to not post anything I wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.
What about my fellow classmates out there? How do you feel about Facebook and the privacy it affords you?
This is not having a positive effect on the number of young people signing up for, or even staying with, Facebook. Recent studies have suggested young people are not overly comfortable with parents, grandparents, nosey Aunt Cindy, or potential employers having access to their social network. New websites such as CollegeOnly.com are being launched to cater to this group of privacy-craving young adults.
Where do I fall on the spectrum? As a 27 year old, I have to admit I haven't always been crazy about my family members or in-laws friending me on Facebook. While I value being able to keep in touch with them, I use the privacy controls available and make sure to not post anything I wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.
What about my fellow classmates out there? How do you feel about Facebook and the privacy it affords you?
The Popularity Oracle and Password Security
Password security on websites is becoming increasingly important as cybercriminals become more advanced and brazen in their attacks. This morning I read a fascinating article about a new concept being developed called the popularity oracle. The general idea behind the concept is to monitor the popularity of passwords on a particular website, and when necessary, alert the user that they may want to select a different password that is not as common and therefore possibly more difficult to guess.
The current password guidelines that are in effect suggest using a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols. These rules can be cumbersome, and as the developer interviewed pointed out, could still result in using a popular password (for example: P@$$w0rd).
But how, you ask, could the popularity oracle could be protected? And is this really a viable option moving forward for major large-scale websites such as Hotmail and social networking sites like Facebook? These issues are all addressed in the interview, which I highly suggest reading.
The current password guidelines that are in effect suggest using a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols. These rules can be cumbersome, and as the developer interviewed pointed out, could still result in using a popular password (for example: P@$$w0rd).
But how, you ask, could the popularity oracle could be protected? And is this really a viable option moving forward for major large-scale websites such as Hotmail and social networking sites like Facebook? These issues are all addressed in the interview, which I highly suggest reading.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The iPad's Newest Competition - Galaxy Tab
Today Samsung Electronics Inc., showed off its newest addition to the family, Galaxy Tab. Weighing 13.4 oz with a 7 inch touch screen, this is one cute baby! Meant to compete directly with the iPad, it runs on Google's 2.2 Android operating system and offers features such as two cameras, ability to run Adobe Flash and support of Bluetooth, 3G and Wi-Fi. Sleek in design, the Galaxy Tab seems to float seamlessly from a work environment to home environment while remaining fully functional. (It can even function as the remote for your TV!)
If you want to know more, check out the official website: http://galaxytab.samsungmobile.com/. The website itself does an excellent job of exhibiting the product's abilities, and even shows how the product can use augmented reality.
If you want to know more, check out the official website: http://galaxytab.samsungmobile.com/. The website itself does an excellent job of exhibiting the product's abilities, and even shows how the product can use augmented reality.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Apple's Big Event - September 1st
The web is abuzz with speculation about what could happen at Apple's press conference tomorrow (Wednesday, September 1st at 10:00am PST). According to http://www.itnews.com/, Steve Jobs will take the stage at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center amid rumors of a new Ipod touch or possibly a revamped Apple TV iTV. The event is supposed to be streamed live online on Apple's website.
As for myself, I do not actually own any Apple products. (Is that a shocking statement?) What I do find highly entertaining, however, is the rock-star quality events that Apple puts together. For the full article: http://www.itnews.com/entertainment/21969/prediction-apple-event-bring-new-products-oohs-ahhs
As for myself, I do not actually own any Apple products. (Is that a shocking statement?) What I do find highly entertaining, however, is the rock-star quality events that Apple puts together. For the full article: http://www.itnews.com/entertainment/21969/prediction-apple-event-bring-new-products-oohs-ahhs
Microsoft Office 2007 for Students - Cheap!
Microsoft is running an offer especially for college students called The Ultimate Steal. For a limited time, students can obtain a copy of Microsoft 2007 Ultimate Edition for only $59.95. To qualify for this offer, you must be enrolled at a US educational institution and have a valid email address that ends in the edu domain. Considering this package is available at retail for around $500, this is a fantastic deal for students. So check it out and save some $$$ today!
Even though you can download the software from the Web site, you should also consider purchasing (for an additional fee) the software on DVD. This will make reinstalling the software much easier in the future in case you have a problem (such as your hard drive fails).
Even though you can download the software from the Web site, you should also consider purchasing (for an additional fee) the software on DVD. This will make reinstalling the software much easier in the future in case you have a problem (such as your hard drive fails).
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Let the Adventure Begin....
Welcome Classmates (and anyone else bored enough to read this),
With the hot and hazy days of summer just beginning to wane, and the sounds of the UT Rocket Marching Band practicing in the distance, yet another year of collegiate academics is upon us. I look forward to the challenge this semester brings, and the rigors of finishing my Certificate in Web Design. I say "challenge" because it's not easy working full time and trying to go to school all the while trying to keep up with the usual hum-drum life brings (you know - laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills, etc.) For those of you not yet working, when graduation arrives and you see the real world just a few steps in front of you - RUN! Run the other way as fast as your little educated legs can carry you! Just kidding...it's not that bad.
I am enrolled in this course in particular for a few reasons. For starters, I know how to read blogs but thought it would be more fun for me if I knew how to create my own. Secondly, I have high hopes that this will some day be applicable to my career. Finally, as mentioned in my bio, I have a huge family. I don't live where I grew up, so eventually this could be a good way to keep them informed about my life.
My experience with blogging is almost non-existent. Like I mentioned above, I know what blogs are and how to read them. (This is where I will confess for the first time that ashamedly, I do read the blogs on Bravo of the Housewives of New Jersey. That show is such a train wreck I just can't pull myself away!) I do not know how to create or maintain blogs.
I have friends that keep blogs, and via peer pressure, I'd like to be able to maintain my own. My hope is to learn enough that one day, they will be jealous of my blogging, vodcasting and podcasting skills.
-Ms.Wilson
With the hot and hazy days of summer just beginning to wane, and the sounds of the UT Rocket Marching Band practicing in the distance, yet another year of collegiate academics is upon us. I look forward to the challenge this semester brings, and the rigors of finishing my Certificate in Web Design. I say "challenge" because it's not easy working full time and trying to go to school all the while trying to keep up with the usual hum-drum life brings (you know - laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills, etc.) For those of you not yet working, when graduation arrives and you see the real world just a few steps in front of you - RUN! Run the other way as fast as your little educated legs can carry you! Just kidding...it's not that bad.
I am enrolled in this course in particular for a few reasons. For starters, I know how to read blogs but thought it would be more fun for me if I knew how to create my own. Secondly, I have high hopes that this will some day be applicable to my career. Finally, as mentioned in my bio, I have a huge family. I don't live where I grew up, so eventually this could be a good way to keep them informed about my life.
My experience with blogging is almost non-existent. Like I mentioned above, I know what blogs are and how to read them. (This is where I will confess for the first time that ashamedly, I do read the blogs on Bravo of the Housewives of New Jersey. That show is such a train wreck I just can't pull myself away!) I do not know how to create or maintain blogs.
I have friends that keep blogs, and via peer pressure, I'd like to be able to maintain my own. My hope is to learn enough that one day, they will be jealous of my blogging, vodcasting and podcasting skills.
-Ms.Wilson
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