Website Ideas

Strategy

Site Objectives:

I would love to have my website be a complete guide to who I am (as a student and potential employee) for employers to look at when considering me for internships, and, in a year, jobs. As a Communications Studies Major, there are many fields that I could potentially go in to. Currently, I am not entirely sure what I would like to do but I have interests in marketing, public relations, college admissions, and speech-writing. Based on my interests and the fact that I'm currently looking for a sum mer internship, I am hoping that my audience is potential employers. They need to see my qualifications  and why I am a good candidate for the job. This means that my resume, possibly a cover letter, contact information, and portfolio need to be easily found and accessible.

One possible scenario includes potential employers looking at my credentials to see if they want to hire me. I will include my resume and portfolio and keep a professional tone throughout my website.

Scope:

Some content and features the I will include: social media widgets (LinkedIn), a contact form and information (email), my resume, portfolio (a few papers, links to my slideshow, video), valuable experience (study abroad trips), and possibly a photo gallery of my experiences.

Design inspirations:

This website has a very interactive home page, is colorful and fun but clearly well put together.

This website is also pretty interactive, but also includes the tabs for navigation as you scroll down. I like that it always allows you to find where you are.

I also like this website because it is simple and pretty and easy to navigate.

Although this is a single page website, I like the (city) landscape background and having the navigation screen overlay it. (In case you couldn't tell from my blog).

On this site, I like that the widgets and navigation tabs are so easily accessible, but not the main focus, and being at the bottom of the screen is somewhat unique.

Bonus! I love that this site is simple and uses pictures as control tabs. It's also interactive and friendly, but still professional.

Redish, "Letting Go of the Words"

Know Your Audience

When speaking, it is important to know who you are speaking to; it's the same case online. However, in addition to altering your wording and phrases, you need to change your look as well. Web users vary in how they want the information displayed, how well they can navigate, and how they view the online world. Once you figure out your demographic and survey your audience, you can create a persona, something that Redish describes as "an individual with a name, a picture, and specific demographic and other characteristics."

This fictional representation of reality allows creators to target their designs to best fit their audience and consequently raise page traffic. Redish discusses how these personas become a part of the web teams, and are referred to throughout the process. The teams go as far as to purchase mouse pads and place mats with the personas pictures on them to constantly remind the designers who they're catering to. To me, that seems a little creepy, but I can see how it would be effective in adequately designing the site.

From the personas, designers need to create scenarios that are applicable to the personas. These vary greatly, and each one needs to be addressed. They can help you understand all types of web users, and your entire website needs to cater to all of the scenarios and your entire audience. Have you ever been on a site that you felt was clearly targeted towards a demographic different from your own?

When it comes to presenting your website to the appropriate audience, you must also consider that most people make judgments immediately, and thus your home page must set the tone. If it is aesthetically pleasing while also being simple enough to understand (depending on your scenarios). What is the first thing that you notice when you visit a site? Are you more likely to continue using it if it is visually appealing and difficult to follow, or vice versa?

Garrett, "The Elements of User Experience"

You had a bad day, you're taking one down

I would first like to formally thank Garrett for acknowledging that every once in a while we have a day that just goes terribly wrong.

Unfortunately, on a day like that, I don't think that all of the pieces that broke down could necessarily prevent a similar day from ever happening again. Do you believe that with technology in particular, the user experience will ever be perfect or will there always be an issue for someone?

User Experience Online

Although I often joke that I am technologically challenged, in reality I can maneuver around the Internet fairly well. However, it is one of my biggest pet peeves when I can't find what I'm looking for on a website, or when the site continually leads me to the same (unhelpful) page. So, when Garrett started talking about usability of websites and how we tend to blame ourselves, I immediately thought of my internship search.

Like I just mentioned, I am generally pretty Web-friendly and can usually find the information that I want. Unfortunately, there is one search where I always struggle to find applicable information; the search for a summer internship.

Trying to find an internship for the upcoming summer is like jumping into a rabbit hole. Respectable companies that you would expect to have clear information about their internships often have links labeled for "internships" but are really entry level jobs. Or, the page for internships claim they have positions available, but other little other relevant information, leaving the user with about a thousand questions.

This search is one I have been on for a few months now, and something that I have done several times before. And in agreement with what Garrett mentioned about self-blame, I used to think that I was missing information or accidentally overlooking links. However, again in sync with Garrett, I have come to believe that it is the fault of the website most of the time. Maybe this is because I refuse to admit how horrible I am at this particular search, or maybe it is true. 

Is there any particular research that you do periodically where you struggle to find what you're looking for?

Social Media in Admissions

Carroll, Chapter 6 "Getting It Right"

Editing is Everything

When people joke that they didn't proofread their paper, I may laugh but I know that if they're anything like me, it's going to affect their grade. I am pretty meticulous when writing my first drafts, but since I am usually exhausted when I finish my papers I know that there are multiple mistakes hidden in there. The same goes for online writing, but times ten. Academic papers and newspaper columns are generally the same format and rarely have unique design details. However, everything online is about capturing the viewers eye with design, and thus it must be edited.

In terms of visual appearance, it must be clean and appealing in order to attract and keep viewers. When it comes to factual and grammatical accuracy, that may be even more important. Gaining credibility online is difficult enough, but having small mistakes almost instantly repeals this authority, almost permanently. Have you even encountered a grammatical mistake online? Did it completely discredit the source or were you more empathetic?

KISS

When I was in 5th grade, my teacher always used acronyms to help us remember things. One that I remember well was KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid. The meaning of this is obvious, and usually she was referring to math and writing, but Carroll advocates keeping multimedia presentations simple. Considering how short our attention span is becoming, this is completely accurate, especially when it comes to videos. Unless it is the most intriguing thing I've ever watched, videos that are more than 3 minutes can sometimes feel like a chore to watch, even if I'm only watching it as a distraction.

However, when I am watching TV, I can watch for hours (sadly not an exaggeration) without feeling bored. But videos online that last 1/10th the time of a regular TV episode, I fidget and wonder if I should end it early or tough it out so I don't feel like a quitter. Am I the only one who struggles to watch 3 minute videos online but loves half hour or full hour TV shows?

Douglass & Harnden, "Point of View"

Douglass and Harnden discuss the differences between first and third person storytelling in film. On point they make is that third person is generally seen as more credible by the audience than first. In academic papers, I was taught (over and over again) in high school to never use first person in our papers. Any use of I, me, mine, etc. called for an immediate 10 point deduction. At first I found this difficult and didn't understand why it mattered. However, I quickly realized that my opinion on such large issues rarely constituted anything in scholarly works--at least when I used first person. Despite what tense you use on paper, it is your opinion whether or not you clearly state that, and only your credibility is questioned.

The issue of first person credibility also appears in film, but the idea of opinions in storytelling does not. In movies, if you are treated as an outside viewer (third person), then  you trust what's happening but feel removed from the decisions of the characters. In first person, audiences still feel like they have no control (and they don't).

However, first person point of view is very popular in horror films, especially as the predator. Seeing the victim from the predator's eyes helps build suspense, while also letting the viewer know that something is about to happen. Although, there are some shows that I've watched where the camera angle is from that of the attacker, but something happens to thwart their attempt and the camera goes back to third person point of view while the attacker retreats, but is never shown. This tactic builds suspense in both the present, but also the future since you know the attacker will be back to finish the job at a later point.

What do you find to be the most effective point of view for cameras in movies? Do you like first person camera angles, or does it frustrate you since you have no control over the characters actions?

Osgood & Hinshaw, "The Aesthetics of Editing"

More than You Could Imagine

It's interesting that our reading today discusses editing and starts with a quote that attempts to describe the challenge of proper editing. The reading also shares how the crude videotape editing in the 1960s required editors to get creative with how they manipulated footage; one in particular was for the show Laugh-In, in which the editors had to splice tape using a razor blade under a microscope. This made me think of a Buzzfeed post (embarrassing, but what's new?) I was reading yesterday about how incredibly complicated it was to create the stop-motion picture film, Nightmare Before Christmas. 

This one piece took 24 frames!

For me, before I started editing my video, the craziest fact was that one minute of the movie required an entire week of filming. That is so much time and work for a minute that probably feels like a few seconds to the viewer. However, once I truly understood what a frame was and how difficult it is to edit, the most astonishing fact was that each second of the movie had 24 frames, resulting in 110,000 frames for the whole film. Just the idea of that is beyond daunting, and I can only imagine the patience and incredible skill needed to create such a coherent movie from such a monstrous editing process. If this movie were to be made with today's technology, do you think the editing would be just as tedious?

Time Constraints

Television programs and commercials have designated time slots, leaving the film and content to become very manipulated by the editors. Since I have enough trouble trying to make page requirements on my papers, I completely understand the struggle of time constraints in video editing. I haven't filmed enough scenes for my video project for me to start worrying about meeting the time requirements just yet, but I'm sure that I will struggle deciding which frames to cut or keep. In fact, when I was working on my slideshow, I photographed and edited many more pictures than necessary and faced serious internal conflict when deciding which pictures wouldn't make it to my slideshow. It's even more difficult for TV shows with consecutive story lines to show scenes and how they relate in less than 27 minutes. For commercials, it's 30 seconds that they have to tell a story in, which can be very challenging. Do you think you could create a meaningful story in that amount of time?

Zettl, "The Two Dimensional Field"

It's more than fitting words on a page

When I first learned how to change the layout of my paper on Microsoft Word, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Being able to fit more words on a page?! Genius! Granted, I was in second grade and didn't quite understand how physics worked or why it would actually be useful. 

As I was reading the Zettl article, page 1 talked about how the lines in photos effect how we see them. More specifically, a horizontal arrangement "seems to suggest calmness, tranquility, and rest," while a vertical orientation is "harder to manage" and thus more exciting and powerful. After reading this I thought it could be somewhat true, but it wasn't until I looked at the examples on the next page when I was shocked to realize how true this is. I've seen other pictures that have given me the same feelings without me even realizing that it was the lines to blame for my subconscious emotions.

To prove it to you, I've included my own examples. I always imagined the beach (and pictures of it) to be relaxing and tranquil, to put me at ease and comfort me. Above is a perfect example of one these picturesque beach scenes, where you will most likely feel perfectly content while looking at the image.

However, once I saw a similar photo of a beach shown vertically (to the left), with strong vertical lines, I immediately felt jarred and uneasy. Since the beach is beautiful and I love the ocean, I consciously thought that it looked nice, but couldn't shake that feeling of being slightly uncomfortable. Do you feel the same way after looking at these two pictures or do you have no change in feeling?

Frame your life

There are many other generally undetectable aspects that go into making a picture seem 'just right,' from framing, to alignment, to placement; and most of these are then inspected and subconsciously reordered in our brains. Our minds often fill in more than what is pictured, or automatically connect it to something else. I am fascinated by those images of lines or dots that ask if you can tell which is longer or bigger because these illusions always prove just how complex our minds are. My favorite book as a child was an Eric Carle book, called Hello, Red Fox, that used color and shapes to bring up other images. One example from this book is shown to the right. It you stare at the dot in the middle of the goldfish for 30 seconds and then look at the dot on the blank page, a new color fish will appear, based on complimentary colors and such. This is similar to some of the illusions Zettl discusses in this chapter. 

However, as we examine images and their effect on our feelings, I have to wonder if being told what we should feel affects us. Do we want to feel normal and thus imagine feeling a certain way or do we wish to rebel against authority on every level and therefore refuse to acknowledge specific emotions?

"Social" Media: the Cost of Being Online

Virilio, "Open Sky," Part 3

Virilio opens by questioning what makes a real tree. This reminds me of an earlier post reviewing an article by Sturken and Cartwright questioning the meaning of images. Virilio argues the importance of his question, since it will determine how we view photographs moving forward. He also refers to the "overexposure of the visible of the age of image animation" in light of the underexposure of the written word, which is reminiscent of Carr's article about Google. This again reminds me of an earlier post about the decline of academic reading in response to Carr's article.

Back to the Future

The way that we see the world has changed considerably, even since the invention of the light. Before that, humans could only see the world from ground level, in the light of the day, for the time they were looking. Today, with satellite images and airplanes, with night vision and cities that light up, with still pictures and videos, images have been forever and irrecoverably changed, as has our ability to view them. Animated GIFs, or moving pictures (eerily similar to the way photographs are depicted in Harry Potter), are a fairly recent innovation that have changed the Internet yet again. Like Carr argues, I believe that they have been detrimental to the written word by making online lists even more appealing. 

However, despite their detriment to literacy, GIFs are an interesting step towards the future of imagery. They can be entertaining (as they often are on Buzzfeed's lists) or can be utilized as a helpful tool for learning. For example, this is an animated GIF of a model of DNA; it is better than a still picture because it shows how bases are added and in what pattern, and some would argue that it is better than a video because it shows the same motion over and over so students can more clearly see and remember how it works.

Of course, as many inventions perfect for educational use, they can also be turned into entertainment. It is this that has the potential to cause a problem for the future of images. I am starting to find animated GIFs more interesting to look at than regular pictures. Do you believe that these moving pictures will eventually lead to the extinction of still pictures or will they always have a place in our world? If GIFs were to overrun still photographs, do you think that would be detrimental to society?

Virilio, "Open Sky," Part 2

Smaller, Faster, Smarter

This section opens with with an admiration of the mosquito; how it can detect its prey, draw blood painlessly, and function completely at such a microscopic level. This marvel is then compared to the abilities of a machine if (when) we harness the mosquito's abilities for our benefit. Contrary to the popular saying, it seems that smaller is better.

"...little by little, technological reductionism is spreading to all branches of communications and telecommunications."

While this book was originally published in 1997, it was edited in 2008. The original edition came out before Twitter existed and I doubt this quote was changed in the newer version; making his statement completely true and forthcoming. Twitter is the epitome of the fast-paced digital age. With only 140 characters, a person can share breaking news, promote a product, cause a frenzy, or try to trick people into thinking they're funny. 

Although some scoffed at the idea of a social media sharing website that restricted how much you could share, Twitter is one of the top social media sites. According to Technogist, Twitter is the second most popular social media site, behind Facebook. It has been especially great for businesses and media, allowing for both interaction with customers/fans and promotion.

'I was born into a century in which the whole earth had been discovered, whereas the Ancients scarcely knew a third of it.'

--Jérome Cardan

This is an incredible thought, when you apply it to technology today. To think that 100 years ago the modern X-Ray tube was invented and was considered revolutionary because it could show photographs of deep anatomy and tumors is amazing. Today we have machines that can show almost everything inside our bodies, more than with just X-Ray machines, but also with MRIs and others.

With that much progress in a seemingly short amount of time, it's almost terrifying to think about what might exist even in another 50 years. Especially if there are tiny, robotic mosquitos flying around and sucking our blood as part of some scientific experiment.

There are some theories that these crazy sci-fi inventions have already been created and are just waiting to be released; do you believe these conspiracy theories? Why or why not? What is the next big technology that you imagine being created?

Paul Virilio, "Open Sky," Part One

Woah. This reading was very heavy on the technical terms and dove right into concepts that I knew very little, if anything, about. I will (try to) analyze one piece of information from the article that I understood and found interesting.

The Breakdown of the Family Unit

Virilio blames the "technological evolution" of the new convergence culture for the breakdown of the family unit. While many would argue that it is the new era of liberated values and looser morals (in the younger generations) that causes families to grow distant and fall apart.

Technology is to blame because:

-Globalization- As the world gets smaller, we feel the need to reach out farther, thus ignoring the ones closest to us. We can instantly chat with our friends across the state instead of paying attention to our family, and in the teenage years, this is unbearably tempting.

-Less Talking- In instances where face-to-face talking was inevitable, like car rides and waiting rooms, we now have an array of other options. Instead of chatting in the car, kids can now play games on their phone or text friends.

-Skewed Priorities- I think we can all admit that it is nearly impossible to ignore our phones. No matter how important a conversation is, when my phone goes off my eyes immediately dart to it. Especially when this goes to extremes, it can be very damaging to relationships, and eventually deteriorate the family.

Technology is NOT to blame because:

-Demoralization- The more recent generations have had decreasing moral values in the past decades, so it is their loose morals that explain the breakdown of the family. Teen pregnancy (as glorified recently by shows like Teen Mom) is hard on families, and often leads to single parenthood. Also, rising divorce rates means that more children are being raised by grandparents or third parties.

-Other Options: On Saturday night, when a family could go out together or stay in and play a board game, society now offers many different entertainment options for all ages.

-Increasing Demands- With a bad economy and increasing demands in the workplace, parents are forced to stay at work longer and remain more distracted when they are home. This again leaves children to be raised by nannies or others, and can build resentment towards their parents.

Do you find that you have become more distant from your family since you've gotten a smart phone? Or do you feel that it is society that has been separating families?

Welcome to Furman!

Created with flickr slideshow.

Behind the Scenes

My last post was a slideshow of Furman, showing what it's like to tour Furman University. I tried to focus on the digital aspect of the admissions world, although it was somewhat difficult to do in pictures.  For example, I recently learned that Furman will be checking students in on iPads instead of on paper in the near future, but couldn't represent this in photos. Either way, I'm really proud of the pictures I took and the edits I made. Below are some examples of photos before and after I edited them.

First Impressions Matter 

Before

After

Let's Be Eco

Before

After

The Perfect Instagram Opportunity

Before

After

 Over Hill and Through the Woods... 

Before

After

Beautiful Day

Before

After

Kress & VanLeeuwen, "Reading Images"

I had trouble reading this article. It was a combination of the confusing page order, the references without pictures, and the industry terms that were difficult to understand in context. Nevertheless, I tried.

What a Great Coincidence!

Kress and VanLeeuwen discuss the placement of image in magazines, and their "reading path." This reminds me of reading magazines when I was younger (going back to GL, yes) and thinking it was such a grand coincidence that ads were so wonderfully placed. For example, if I was reading an article on how to get the perfect summer glow, on the adjacent page would be an ad for self-tanner. As an uninformed, unicorn-loving child I definitely thought this was pure chance, and certainly never consider that it was part of a great scheme developed in the marketing department of a huge company. Obviously, I have become more aware that pretty much everything orchestrated.

Kind of...

When Facebook first started directing ads at me, I still may have thought that it was a coincidence. Advertising Taylor Swift merchandise? How do they know?! Although I didn't understand at first, I realized they were tracking my activity and targeting me much quicker than when I was a GL-reading girl. Promise.

Let's Try!

Since I have almost no idea what the article is talking about, I thought I'd try to analyze a picture based on what I did get from the article. Below is an interesting image I found online and an attempt at an analysis.

Disclaimer: This could be completely wrong.

Although I'm not sure of the information value of the image, I do know that the size and placement of the woman and elephants are salient. Additionally, the framing does not appear to separate the women from the animals; if anything they seem made to appear more similar than anything else. Do you believe that the image is made to represent the similarity between man and animal, or for another purpose?
In the center of the picture is obviously the woman, although she is clearly smaller than the two other objects (the elephants). The elephants are aligned left and right.
Something that we should also consider, but may not have the answer to, is the purpose of this image. It seems to be purely for artistic purposes, and I find it pretty intriguing. Not only is the model posed, but so are the elephants, which is pretty unusual (and pretty difficult I can imagine). The stark contrast between the woman's white gown and the elephant's dark skin helps for her to be the focus of the image. However, her lines mimic those of the elephants, as does her pose. To me, this makes the image more interesting--the similarity occurring simultaneously with the contrast.

Sturken & Cartwright: Viewers Make Meaning

The Eye of the Beholder

Have you ever looked at a picture and absolutely loved it, but never seem to get the same reaction from others? Obviously, tastes differ and people may like mountain views more than ocean views, but to me, at the core of everything is the connection a viewer makes; a connection to a past experience, a memory, a person, place that they want to be. This is what makes certain photographs so special to each viewer.

For example, this picture of the sun reflecting on the ocean is perhaps overly simple, but means the world to me. I took the picture on my Blackberry two summers ago, so it clearly is not the best quality nor overly interesting. I was on the ferry on a sunny day, headed to my favorite place in the world (Block Island), about to see some of my closest friends that I hadn't seen in several months when I took the picture. Now, whenever I look at this picture, I get a nostalgic feeling and instantly feel happy, even without a context. 

Being from the Ocean State, I also feel a sense of home when I see the ocean. However, as Sturken and Cartwright were discussing, I am part a group of viewers, and in order to fully understand the image I must understand my lack of individuality. When someone from a land-locked state sees an image containing the ocean do they think of vacation since the sea is less prevalent in their home?

Do Producers exist?

Barthes discusses how there is really no author of producer, but rather that texts are produced by the act of viewing them. If there is a website that exists to explain how the galaxy works, for example, can you really say that it is produced if it is never seen? It is there physically, but never being viewed negates the legitimacy of it. This is an interesting concept that could be taken too far philosophically, although it fits for the purpose of the article. 

Rowe: Framed and Mounted

There are athletes and then there are female athletes...

Why is the differentiation needed? In everyday life, it's not. However, in the media female athletes are severely underrepresented and misrepresented, and thus require a separate title than their "superiors." Not only are male athletes pictured and revered considerably more than female athletes, but the way in which they are presented is also skewed. The magazine covers for men and women's fitness magazines differ greatly; men are presented as strong and healthy, while the women's images are sexualized and offer secrets for staying skinny. Let's look at some images to better compare the two.

 To the left, the "fit" female is wearing a bikini that is fairly revealing, and certainly not something she would ever workout in. She is flirty-laughing and positioned in a way the is similar to soft-core pornography, as Rowe claims. Meanwhile, the man is completely clothed and positioned in a power stance that shows off his toned biceps. These two images depict a very different version of "fitness."

"Ladies" Sports

I remember reading an article in Girl's Life magazine (GL, embarrassing, I know) when I was about 11 years old about how what makeup stays on through sweat, and how to wear my hair in a sporty-cute way. At the time, I played soccer and basketball and could care less about how I looked while doing it. To me, sports were messy and sweaty and I had no problem with that; I remember being confused as to why people would put so much effort into their appearance when the emphasis was (or should have been) on how well they played. At the time I was amused and confused, and certainly didn't read into it until I read the article. However, now it makes perfect (but sad) sense. 

Although men are sometimes sexualized in fitness magazines, why do you think it is more common for women to be provocatively posed? Especially since it is generally women who read fitness magazines for females?

Sturken and Cartwright, "Images, Power, and Politics"

Mis-Representation

Sturken and Cartwright discuss how words and images "create meaning about the world around us;" that what they show is a representation of something else. However, there are also many instances where a picture can misrepresent something, or been seen in a different way. This can often be detrimental to the project, but sometimes it simply offers a new way to see the world.

Representations can also refer to a more philosophical viewpoint. For example, there is an image of a pipe, with "This is not a pipe" written in French below it.

While there are many ways to view this image, one could argue that the caption is true because it is not an actual pipe, but rather a representation of one. This reminds me of Plato's Allegory of the Cave and his Theory of Forms, both of which comment on the fact that there is one true object (like a pipe), and all the others are simply recreations. Plato's image of the cave shows that the prisoners (whom he infers are representative for people in society) are only seeing reflections of reality, through the shadows on the wall. It is only the enlightened man, whom walks towards the source of light to discover the sun and ascend to the world of forms, which is true reality.

This is related to the pipe image in that picture that we see represents the real thing, but the image itself is not a pipe. While this is the more philosophical way to view this image, do you believe (like many) that it was made on a more basic level, simply to be a joke?

Also, people often believe that pictures are direct representations of reality, in that an image of a woman crying is depicting sadness, when in reality they could be tears of joy, or something void of emotion that has been completely staged.

Recently, a video of a girl twerking and catching on fire went viral, and people went crazy. Some thought it was hilarious, some thought she deserved it for performing such a scandalous dance, and some felt pity for her, but regardless of how people felt, they shared it and accepted it as reality. It wasn't until Jimmy Kimmel revealed that it was all a hoax, crafted by his team and performed by a stuntwoman, that it became obvious how easily fooled the Internet community is. Images are everywhere online, and since they are seemingly a direct depiction of an event, people don't question them. However, it is what you don't see and what happens behind the scenes that matters the most. Why do you think people are so easily swayed by an image, despite there being so ways that images can easily be distorted?

Rettberg, Chapter 6

This chapter is called “Blogging Brands,” and discusses the business of blogging. I’ve always been interested in the business side of things, particularly of media, so I found this chapter particularly intriguing. Below are some of my thoughts and questions about the pieces that stood out the most to me.

“In just a few more years, the current homogenized “voice” of business-the sound of mission statements and brochures-will seem as contrived and artificial as the language of the 18th century French court.” 

This comes from a book published in 1999, and as we draw closer to 2014, it couldn't ring more true. Today's businesses need to be more human, start a relationship with customers, and continue to build trust; people don't want to feel like they are just a number or just a sale, they need to feel special. Creating a human relationship as a business is the way to do that. I'm not sure whether it is due to society or to the accessibility of technology that has made people think they are special and deserved to be treated so, but either way, it is something that businesses need to be aware of. Even the advertisements of companies have become more human focused. In a Google search of ads in the 1980s (top), you can see mostly products being pictured, with big tag lines. However, in the image of the 2013 ads, there are mostly human faces with little else besides the brand name. Human voice of business indeed.

"Manolo the Shoeblogger? Sorry, not me. But it's very funny, isn't it? Hilarious!"

This is a quote from famed shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, displayed prominently on a blog that supposedly records his thoughts and quips. "Manolo the Shoeblogger" is clearly not trying to deceive people into thinking he is the real Monolo, and adding the quote adds credibility. When I read this in the chapter, my initial reaction was disgust and frustration that someone was pretending to be someone else, until I saw the quote and understood the satire. The fact that the real Monolo likes the blog made ME like it more.

"But, it turns out, my blog is really personal, I take it personally, and I need it to be that way."

This is what one blogger said after she ended her contract that paid her to blog and link to a certain site. Another added that even though it wasn't a diary-stlye blog, it was still "really personal." I can completely relate to this, especially since I made this blog for class and only post about things related to digital communications. However, it is still my reflections and therefore still personal, but mostly, writing is a form of communication that is unlike any other because you can rethink and edit what you've said, but the inflections can't be shown and you can rarely see the readers reaction. It is almost an extension of your person that you put into the world to be criticized. Long story short, blogging is a very personal form of communication.

"Blogs are a way for corporations to try to create a 'human voice,' as the authors of The Cluetrain Manifesto would have said."

These corporation blogs set out to establish credibility and show expertise in the field, but also to create relationships with consumers. While I think this is a great idea for businesses, I often wonder how often they cross the line, particularly on social media. For example, when laptop maker ASUS tweeted this and received a lot of backlash.

With so many ways to be politically incorrect, are corporate bloggers more of a hassle for public relations? Especially since Rettberg talked about how bigger companies encourage their employees to blog about their professional experience. This is a BIG door to open, that has the potential to end very poorly. Why do bigger companies (who presumably have more to lose) relinquish so much control of much of the content that has their name on it? Rettberg discusses this somewhat when he talks about the need for transparency in corporate blogs, but I could also see other things going awry. An angry employee or a hacked account could be detrimental to the company's image.

Rettberg Chapter 4, "Journalism of Verification"

Chapter 4

To me, the idea of blogging is similar to that of keeping a journal; although many blogs are formal and educational, many of them simply share thoughts and opinions. This blog, for example, highlights the main points of our readings, but also explains some of my opinions. Often I feel like I’m babbling on about my life and experiences, which is the point I suppose, but also seems like it would be rather pointless to everyone else. Thus, it is hard for me to think about blogging as a form of credible journalism, even though I do sometimes read blogs for current events. 
Also, first hand accounts, like that from the Virginia Tech shooting, offer a new insight that is particularly intriguing and helpful to gaining a full perspective. Although it was a deeply personal account, I would still call it mostly credible and definitely important.
Is there a way to separate personal or uninformed bloggers from those that act as journalists?

"Journalism of Verification"

“The essence of journalism is a discipline of verification.”
I discussed this somewhat earlier, when I questioned the validity of bloggers because anyone can be one. Journalists are fighting a constant battle to legitimize themselves and their work, often doing so by fact verification.
However, journalistic bloggers have a harder time doing so since they rarely have editors and are published on a notably unreliable source, the Internet. It is extremely difficult for a blogger to verify their stories and opinions, although sometimes they try. Since journalists and bloggers both seek verification, which is the essence of journalism, by default can they both considered journalists without question?
I don’t know the answer to this question, but I sometimes wonder about its importance. As new mediums emerge and technology continually changes, should we work so hard to define something that may not even need definition in a few years? Or that doesn’t seem all that important to define now?

Rettberg, Chapters 2 & 3

Chapter 2

Overall, I found this chapter to be very interesting, especially the ideas about technological determinism and the modern public sphere. In this post, I’d like to elaborate on the idea of the public sphere.
In seventeenth and eighteenth century Britain there were coffeehouses where people would meet and were allowed the chance to discuss politics and other topics of the elite in a public, but safe atmosphere. Prior to coffeehouses, there were parlors where society’s elite and educated were invited to discuss similar topics. The idea that these group discussions were exclusive for a while before coffeehouses were invented is similar to how digital news sources were before the open forums began.

On television and the radio, only those who were invited to speak, due to either money, education, or experience, had the opportunity to share their thoughts. Now, with online forums and viewers texting or calling in, everyone has the opportunity to speak. While most are strong proponents for more conversation, some are against giving everyone equal ground, because not everyone is an expert on everything. However, this begs some questions: doesn’t more participation make a better democracy? Is it more beneficial to have only the educated speak, or for everyone to have a say? Quality over quantity?

Chapter 3

“What a small world!” This is something that I say often, although not surprisingly since I’m from the smallest state and I go to a small school. However, it appears that the world is shrinking smaller with the Internet, especially with blogs. The blogs I read daily are for entertainment or inspiration and they often link to other blogs, which leads me down a whole new trail of entertainment, and of course procrastination. I doubt that the bloggers personally know the authors of the other blogs, nor are they close via geographic location, and yet they are creating these ‘weak ties.’ The internet creates and foster thousands, if not millions of weak ties everyday. The way that I most often interact with people not inside my immediate circle of friends is mostly through Facebook. Sharing an article, liking a picture, or posting on someone’s wall is an easy way to initiate contact but doesn’t require much effort. Globalization through the Internet has certainly shrunk the world, but does it also foster more empty relationships? Are these relationships the same as weak ties, and thus beneficial or detrimental?

Chapters 4 & 7

Chapter 4

This chapter, “Headlines and Hypertext,” focuses on how to properly format a website so that viewers have an easier time navigating. One example that the book found helpful was the University of North Carolina website. Since Furman has recently revamped their own webpage, I thought it would be a good idea to evaluate Furman’s page based on Carroll’s points. How does Furman’s website, used to attract new students and utilized by current ones, rank according to Carroll?

Hypertext

Furman does a good job of including important hyperlinks on the homepage, but in the actual articles themselves the site is lacking. In the interest articles listed on the site (about freshmen move-in, for example) have few, if any hyperlinks, which decreases its overall value. The informational tools and sites do have many hyperlinks, helping students find more detailed information.

Headlines and Subheads

There are many headings, which is a little overwhelming  but there are plenty of subheads and headlines to help organize the site. It is fairly easy to navigate through and get the main ideas solely from scanning. 

Type

The font on Furman's homepage is excellent. Clear, concise, and still interesting enough without confusing the viewer more than necessary. 

Overall

Overall, I think that the Furman site is a little overwhelming. There is a lot happening on the homepage and while it maintains interest, it may be a little difficult to navigate sometimes. I do like the slideshow on top and the menu of the main categories that scrolls along with the page. These keep the site interesting and more manageable. Also, the search bar location is great--right on the top of the page! Putting the search bar in a poor location is one of my pet peeves.

Chapter 7

I had never really thought of how blogging came to be, or how it has transformed into a  form of journalism. It’s interesting to me because I believe that most of what I read on the internet is a form of blogging, even if I don’t realize it. Blogs are an excellent chance for people to share their thoughts and opinions, discuss current events, relay information, or simply entertain. 
Blogging as form of journalism is also an intriguing topic, as the book discusses the debate over bloggers are journalists. Carroll asks if all bloggers are considered journalists, but I wonder more about journalists as bloggers. Since blogs have become more popular, should all news sources have a blog(s)? These would allow opinion pieces from the journalists, but also give a platform for readers to respond. Most websites already cater to this by allowing comments on the stories, but I find that blog posts (if done properly) can be more informational and more interesting than a singular comment.

Huffington Post Evaluation

What is your first impression of the site? Think of the “3 second rule.” 

Our first impression of The Huffington Post website is that it is very overwhelming.  Even the tabs at the top are over stimulating, and there are too many pictures.

How does this site establish credibility? How does it establish trust? Or does it?  Authentic voice?  Genuine?  Transparency?

By looking at the website, it doesn’t immediately establish credibility because the more serious stories are mixed in with completely irrelevant “fluff”.  However, the articles themselves are generally credible, with appropriate quotes, interviews, and links to other articles.  There is a mix of unbiased, transparent articles as well as editorials and blog posts.

What is the general writing style? Biased?  Objective?

Generally the articles are written from an objective point of view; the blog posts and editorials are understandably biased.

Does the writer IDENTIFY with his or her readers, or not? How (or why not)?

The actual articles are more information based and focused on telling the facts, so these authors do not really identify with their readers within the article.  However, beneath some articles are picture slideshows with very persuasive and powerful images that do sway the readers.  The editorials and blog post authors do identify with their readers, because their writing is more passionate and opinionated, and seeks to persuade readers to their points of view.

Does the writing style get to the point?

The writing is very clear and concise, giving information but not unnecessary details, so it gets to the point very quickly. 

How is it arranged? Is it arranged in reverse pyramid style?

Yes, the articles are arranged in reverse pyramid style, with the most important facts and information at the beginning of the article.

Is content shaped for scanning? How is the content layered? 

Yes.  The content is layered with large images and smaller sections of text, so it is easy to scan.

Is the tone or rhythm of the site consistent throughout?

On the home page, the tone is not consistent because there are heavier articles placed below or right next to “fluff” articles.  However, within the articles themselves, the tone remains consistent.

How does the site use headlines? 

The main article that the site is trying to promote has a massive headline.  Other articles with pictures have smaller headlines.  The wording of the headlines draws readers in.

How does it use links? Effectively or not?

The Huffington Post uses links extremely effectively.  Every article (except the “Most Popular” articles) offers the option to select “quick read” with a one or two sentence abstract that gives the general information relayed in the story.  

How is multimedia used? Is it distracting? How is it displayed on the site? Does the multimedia tell the same story as the text, or a different side of the story?

Some multimedia, like the pictures used on the homepage, are overwhelming and distracting.  The pictures are displayed too often and too heavily.  However, the slideshows at the end of some articles and the videos used are very effective, and often tell a different story than the articles,  in the sense of offering more persuasive perspectives.  For example, an unbiased article about war had a slideshow at the conclusion with extremely powerful images that relayed information more intensely and persuasively than the text.

How does the site “package” stories?

In terms of the tabs at the top of the Web page, the site attempts to package stories based on their topics.  However, on the home page, major and minor stories are placed next to each other.  In some cases, “fluff” is placed above major stories.  This is not an effective way to package stories.  Additionally, each paragraph is relatively short.  The photos are clear and show almost solely human faces.  The font used is also Georgia, which is very readable.

How are graphics used? Too cluttered?  Are the graphics consistent through out the site, and consistent to the brand? Do they encourage or discourage use, and how?

The graphics are too cluttered on the home page.  However, in the articles themselves, the graphics contribute to the article.

Can each page stand on its own? 

Yes, each page and each article can definitely stand on its own.

How is the navigation? Do you get lost? Do you always know where you are? How (or why not)?

The site is fairly easy to navigate.  There is a prominently displayed search bar and tabs at the top of the page that separate stories into topics.  There is also a scrolling ticker at the top below the tabs that displays breaking news headlines.

How does the site incorporate/interact with its audience? How does it embody the social aspect of the internet (or does it)? 

The site effectively interacts with its audience by allowing them the opportunity to respond to articles by using a comment section.  The site also allows the audience the share articles on social media, and lists articles according to popularity.