So I've been thinking about themes for my final web portfolio, and I think I've wrangled up some winners. So far, I have:
- A seed traveling in the wind, hitting it's destination and growing into something (flower...tree....etc)
- A sailboat going through the waters, stopping along the way and finally getting to a destination
- A recipe for something (meal or baked good), including each ingredient and finally becoming something to eat
- A mean green music loving machine could be applied to my portfolio...more specifically embracing the website re-design theme with my blog and SMS.
As far as brainstorming goes, that's all I've got. I know I want to correlate my blog theme and the social network site theme into my final portfolio, so hopefully I can successfully do so.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Notes on Facebook Causes
This is how Facebook defines Causes:
"Causes is an application that enables users to organize themselves into communities of action that support specific issues, campaigns, or non-profit organizations.
Non-profits can use Causes to spread awareness about their work, recruit new supporters, launch fundraising campaigns, and sponsor petitions. Some large non-profits will launch separate causes for specific campaigns, and non-profits of all sizes will often find that users have already set-up causes in order to organize their Facebook friends to donate to the organization. Feel free to work directly with existing causes or start a new cause. Causes is the most effective organizing tool available to non-profits on Facebook. Since launching in 2006, Causes’ 30 million members have started and joined 150,000 causes, benefiting 32,000 non-profits and raising more than 4 million dollars."
The success and awareness that Facebook Causes brings to certain organizations (non-profits, etc.) is phenomenal. It gives opportunities to bring people together to support the organizations that normally wouldn't have the attention. For any non-profit or organization, recruitment is very important. The more members you have, the more awareness is brought to your cause. I feel that Facebook Causes' goal is totally targeted towards the betterment of organizations.
The fact that you have the freedom to post anything about your organization is key in gaining more members and creating a voice for your organization.
"Causes is an application that enables users to organize themselves into communities of action that support specific issues, campaigns, or non-profit organizations.
Non-profits can use Causes to spread awareness about their work, recruit new supporters, launch fundraising campaigns, and sponsor petitions. Some large non-profits will launch separate causes for specific campaigns, and non-profits of all sizes will often find that users have already set-up causes in order to organize their Facebook friends to donate to the organization. Feel free to work directly with existing causes or start a new cause. Causes is the most effective organizing tool available to non-profits on Facebook. Since launching in 2006, Causes’ 30 million members have started and joined 150,000 causes, benefiting 32,000 non-profits and raising more than 4 million dollars."
The success and awareness that Facebook Causes brings to certain organizations (non-profits, etc.) is phenomenal. It gives opportunities to bring people together to support the organizations that normally wouldn't have the attention. For any non-profit or organization, recruitment is very important. The more members you have, the more awareness is brought to your cause. I feel that Facebook Causes' goal is totally targeted towards the betterment of organizations.
The fact that you have the freedom to post anything about your organization is key in gaining more members and creating a voice for your organization.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
"Social Networking for a Social Change"
In response to my professor Joannah Portman-Daley's article, I have a few things to bring up.
1. She quotes Saskia Sassen in saying “political agency around the roles each of us plays in the cycle of global production and consumption” and stating that “[m]any political acts we perform each day, in terms of our economic citizenship, occur not in the voting booths or even the statehouse but in the stores, the workplace, and in our homes”. This quote really made me think that it's not the high-honchos in the big city offices that make the biggest difference. It's not the monetary effects that make the changes in the world, its when people come together and help as a community. People in large quantities coming together for one cause speaks volumes about the importance and necessity to bring attention to that certain cause.
2. I definitely agree with her stance on Facebook "Causes", and how they can really create a social network within a social network. She says, "Facebook Causes aims to increase the idea of socially aware Facebook groups by adding a level of legitimacy to them. For example, when users create Causes, they have the option to link them to actual non-profits, which allows users the ability to donate money". This linkage allows people to explore an open door to a world that they wouldn't have thought existed. One cause can be customized to each and every person out there, i.e. people who have no idea what the cause is about and people who know all about the issue, and want to learn more in order to help. I like the fact she says that the new level of awareness has shifted young adults' social networking activity into a space in which their interests can be reflected by their understandings of impression management and the ways in which others see them.
1. She quotes Saskia Sassen in saying “political agency around the roles each of us plays in the cycle of global production and consumption” and stating that “[m]any political acts we perform each day, in terms of our economic citizenship, occur not in the voting booths or even the statehouse but in the stores, the workplace, and in our homes”. This quote really made me think that it's not the high-honchos in the big city offices that make the biggest difference. It's not the monetary effects that make the changes in the world, its when people come together and help as a community. People in large quantities coming together for one cause speaks volumes about the importance and necessity to bring attention to that certain cause.
2. I definitely agree with her stance on Facebook "Causes", and how they can really create a social network within a social network. She says, "Facebook Causes aims to increase the idea of socially aware Facebook groups by adding a level of legitimacy to them. For example, when users create Causes, they have the option to link them to actual non-profits, which allows users the ability to donate money". This linkage allows people to explore an open door to a world that they wouldn't have thought existed. One cause can be customized to each and every person out there, i.e. people who have no idea what the cause is about and people who know all about the issue, and want to learn more in order to help. I like the fact she says that the new level of awareness has shifted young adults' social networking activity into a space in which their interests can be reflected by their understandings of impression management and the ways in which others see them.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites have increased drastically within the past few years. Now that Myspace is in our past, Facebook and Twitter have truly dominated the social networking scene. In the article “Social Networks: Definition, History, and Scholarship”, social networks (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site.
I agree with all of these definitions because I believe that from the social media websites I use, I feel that the sites accomplish the objectives listed above.
Despite the fact that social networking sites allow people to have access to other people's information and connect with others more effectively, the sites still control many aspects of the "freedom" we think we have. For example, LinkedIn controls what a viewer may see based on whether or not they pay for their account. This type of control is based upon the simple luxury of paying to use LinkedIn, versus using it for free.
Social networking sites allow users to freely express their beliefs and feelings, and in a way is an effective writing outlet. You're writing in an electronic environment where people can read and respond to your work. It's like writing an essay and getting peer review. This public display of beliefs and information is crucial to social networking sites because it allows anyone who comes across your profile to see exactly how you feel about certain topics or what your personality is.
However this may be effective, it is also misleading. Sites may allow people to become far bolder in their posts than they would in real life, which poses a problem for their credibility.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Webmaster Contact
Personally, I have found that Pinterest is an extremely impressive and useful site. Through going on this site daily I have realized it became a staple in my life. My e-mail read,
Hello!
Dear Webmaster,
I am an avid Pinterest user and I absolutely love the aesthetics and design of your site! I have to ask, how did you choose to have pinboards as the main theme of Pinterest? I love the fact that you can compose your interests in an organized fashion. The design of the site as a whole is extremely efficient and professional, and it keeps me coming back daily!
Thanks!
I have not heard back as of today.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Design Ideas
Looking at different food blogs and sifting through pins on Pinterest, I have found many different ideas as to how to design my food blog. I find many different font ideas that peak my interest on multiple food blogs I regularly look at. Also, I look at different ways the effects and illustrations correlate with the theme of the blog and/or post on Pinterest. Usually things in my every day life and personal interests influence my design techniques and habits.
Key Ideas of Kimball Ch. 17
Website that works: www.google.com
Why: Google has always been a reliable search engine for people to use to find sources for school, work or everyday life. The goal and design of Google has remained the same throughout the years which lends itself to be a credible site in the eyes of many. In being so reliable, Google has provided useful information throughout the years in an easy and maneuverable manner.
Website that needs work: www.facebook.com
Why: Despite the popularity of the site, and despite the fact that even I use it, it constantly changes. The template design and layout of the different pages change quarterly. This makes it difficult for the users to keep their information straight and useful to the people who look at their page.
Key Ideas of Kimball Ch. 17
- Keep in mind your designated audience and purpose, that way you can effectively create an appropriate design. The audience and purpose determine the design.
- Three types of organizational structures:
- Linear: Similar to a series of pages in a book
- Hierarchal: Pages linked together according to level of hierarchy
- Interlinked: Each page is linked to one or all other pages of the site
- Guidelines for a well-working, effective website design:
- Strive for consistency through the site
- Home pages provide navigation tools for the rest of the site
- You should have an appropriate use of color throughout the site
- Avoid overuse of graphics
Website that works: www.google.com
Why: Google has always been a reliable search engine for people to use to find sources for school, work or everyday life. The goal and design of Google has remained the same throughout the years which lends itself to be a credible site in the eyes of many. In being so reliable, Google has provided useful information throughout the years in an easy and maneuverable manner.
Website that needs work: www.facebook.com
Why: Despite the popularity of the site, and despite the fact that even I use it, it constantly changes. The template design and layout of the different pages change quarterly. This makes it difficult for the users to keep their information straight and useful to the people who look at their page.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Draft Entries
Entry 1:
So you've made it through breakfast, maybe antiqued a little, and now you're starving. Here is a solution right here: Aneka Rasa. Now if you're going to Allston, you have to have an open mind and expect to experience culture. If it's the crazy Thursday nights with indie bands at bars or the Malaysian food you find at Aneka Rasa, culture IS there. Aneka Rasa is on Harvard Ave. which puts it right in the middle of the Boston suburb. It's an inexpensive way to get great, ethnic food. The hours that they're open are extremely convenient for any agenda you have.
Aneka Rasa
(617) 562-8989
122 Harvard Ave. Allston, MA 02134
Open 7 days a week 11:30am -1am
Reservations are accepted, if you so choose to make them
Entry 2:
So maybe you slept in and skipped breakfast, and antiqued a little, and now you're starving. Here is a solution right here: brunch. You can find a great deal for a great meal at the Breakfast Club. This place can get you brunch for two under $14, which is extremely generous for the quality of the food. Unfortunately, this establishment is only open during the breakfast/brunch hours, but it is a great destination if that is what you're looking for. They take Visa and Mastercard, for the Allston-goers that don't carry around cash.
Breakfast Club
(617) 783-1212
270 Western Ave. Allston, MA 02134
Open 7 days a week 6am - 2pm
So you've made it through breakfast, maybe antiqued a little, and now you're starving. Here is a solution right here: Aneka Rasa. Now if you're going to Allston, you have to have an open mind and expect to experience culture. If it's the crazy Thursday nights with indie bands at bars or the Malaysian food you find at Aneka Rasa, culture IS there. Aneka Rasa is on Harvard Ave. which puts it right in the middle of the Boston suburb. It's an inexpensive way to get great, ethnic food. The hours that they're open are extremely convenient for any agenda you have.
Aneka Rasa
(617) 562-8989
122 Harvard Ave. Allston, MA 02134
Open 7 days a week 11:30am -1am
Reservations are accepted, if you so choose to make them
Entry 2:
So maybe you slept in and skipped breakfast, and antiqued a little, and now you're starving. Here is a solution right here: brunch. You can find a great deal for a great meal at the Breakfast Club. This place can get you brunch for two under $14, which is extremely generous for the quality of the food. Unfortunately, this establishment is only open during the breakfast/brunch hours, but it is a great destination if that is what you're looking for. They take Visa and Mastercard, for the Allston-goers that don't carry around cash.
Breakfast Club
(617) 783-1212
270 Western Ave. Allston, MA 02134
Open 7 days a week 6am - 2pm
Reservations are accepted, if need be
Entry 3:
So you've made it through antiquing your way through Allston and now you're starving. One word: italian. This eatery is the hot spot for great, affordable Italian food. It goes by the name Carlo's Cucina Italiana. This italian delicacy in the heart of Allston features all of the italian comfort food you crave, from Eggplant Parm and baked ziti, to tiramisu and bruschetta. It is definitely a place that you want to try out before leaving Allston. Reasonable prices for delectable italian food? Sign me up.
Carlo's Cucina Italiana
(617) 254-9759
131 Brighton Ave. Allston, MA 02134
Hours:
Sunday: 12pm - 10pm
Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 11pm
Reservations are accepted
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