A couple of weeks ago in class we discussed a website called www.pleaserobme.com. It is a website that posts feeds from Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter in regards to people's location. I also discovered that people are advertising ways to search Twitter to find the posts that let users know they are not at home. "Cleverly designed Twitter Search" does just that.
In this past Thursday''s Indianapolis Star there was also an article about pleaserobme.com A family had been robbed and they believe it was because of the tweets they had sent while not at home.
It seems it has been a recent development that sites like pleaserobme are becoming popular. The economy is bad and times are tough. There are desperate people out there. Its incredibly easy to know the whereabouts of people and if its a good time to rob them. Its sad that a fun social networking tool can be used against you but its a reminder to everyone that what you post is public. Use safe practices when tweeting. Do not post that you are going to be out on vacation for a whole week and that you wouldn't find a house sitter.
I enjoy using Facebook to post pictures of events that I attend but I feel that its safer than posting on Twitter because of the security settings. Only my friends can see my posts. I do not accept all friend requests and I make lists to determine who can see what. I think Twitter needs to have the same options.
If I didn't use social sites on the internet then I would talk to my friends even less. Using Facebook and Twitter has allowed me to stay in touch with friends and family. Its an amazing thing to catch up with someone that you haven't spoken to in 10 years. Even though there are people out there that want to use social networking to their robbing advantage, I will not stop using Twitter or Facebook. I will be careful and mindful about what I post but I can't give up on something that I enjoy so much.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
What I Have Learned - Week 5
I bookmarked an interesting article from my class's twitter account that offers ideas on what to post about. The article can be found here:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/10_ways_social_media_will_change_in_2010.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29
I wanted to write about the impact woman will have in particular on social media. This excerpt can be found on page 2.
"2009 revealed the growing role women play online. Women make 75% of all buying decisions for the home, and 85% of all consumer purchases. Social networks have at least 50% female members, and it is women ages 35-55 who make up the fastest-growing population on Facebook -- not the expected Gen-Y population as previously anticipated. Previously limited by organizational hierarchies and job demands, women today are free to create, express and promote themselves using social media channels. Innately excelling at communication, relationship building and multi-level attention, women will take the reins on their careers and network becoming both a sought-after consumer segment as well as driving business strategies for social-media-connected companies."
Its exciting to read that industries and people are taking notice that women play a major role in how social media will develop. This economy is depending on women to make the smart decision. 75% of women make all the buying decisions for their home. It only make sense to market towards these women. Develop sites with women in mind. Tweet coupons, friend grocery stores, blog about the necessities that a woman and her family can not do with out. For example, I do not make a major purchase without doing some serious investigation work. It would be nice to have a website that does the work for me but also gives me the feeling that its other women making the reviews and these women are in similar circumstances as me. I'm seen a site or two like this but it usually isn't developed well. If what this article is predicting is true then maybe there will be more sites that offer this to me.
2010 will be an exciting year as far as social media goes. Not only will women make the majority of the purchasing decision but women will also have careers, families and other responsibilities. With all of these things on our plates we want things to be streamlined. We want to have our grocery list, our friends updates, email, projects and music all in one place. We want it all. It must not be complicated, it must save time and money. What will 2010 bring? I can't wait to find out!
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/10_ways_social_media_will_change_in_2010.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29
I wanted to write about the impact woman will have in particular on social media. This excerpt can be found on page 2.
"2009 revealed the growing role women play online. Women make 75% of all buying decisions for the home, and 85% of all consumer purchases. Social networks have at least 50% female members, and it is women ages 35-55 who make up the fastest-growing population on Facebook -- not the expected Gen-Y population as previously anticipated. Previously limited by organizational hierarchies and job demands, women today are free to create, express and promote themselves using social media channels. Innately excelling at communication, relationship building and multi-level attention, women will take the reins on their careers and network becoming both a sought-after consumer segment as well as driving business strategies for social-media-connected companies."
Its exciting to read that industries and people are taking notice that women play a major role in how social media will develop. This economy is depending on women to make the smart decision. 75% of women make all the buying decisions for their home. It only make sense to market towards these women. Develop sites with women in mind. Tweet coupons, friend grocery stores, blog about the necessities that a woman and her family can not do with out. For example, I do not make a major purchase without doing some serious investigation work. It would be nice to have a website that does the work for me but also gives me the feeling that its other women making the reviews and these women are in similar circumstances as me. I'm seen a site or two like this but it usually isn't developed well. If what this article is predicting is true then maybe there will be more sites that offer this to me.
2010 will be an exciting year as far as social media goes. Not only will women make the majority of the purchasing decision but women will also have careers, families and other responsibilities. With all of these things on our plates we want things to be streamlined. We want to have our grocery list, our friends updates, email, projects and music all in one place. We want it all. It must not be complicated, it must save time and money. What will 2010 bring? I can't wait to find out!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Reflect on what you learned - 4
Course Project
In week four, with the help of Dr. Ho, I chose a course project. My project will be about the censorship in either Iran or China. I'm excited about the topic because its something I know a little bit about but have never researched. What limitations does Iran have? What do I take for granted that the Chinese can not access? It interests me greatly! I would never do a project for any class that didn't intrigue me. I will learn a lot from this project. My proposal is due next week and I have to make sure I include a clear outline of what I will discuss.
I'm becoming more familiar with Twitter. We're suppose to learn how to better utilize the site for research next week. That will be good. I know more about Twitter but it seems like I'm still missing something...
Google Buzz
I plan on checking out Google Buzz later this weekend. I have a gmail account and ever since I opened it I have been real pleased with my account. I like the layout, storage, attachment size quota and I like having iGoogle has my home page. Needless to say, I'm a fan of Google and like checking out their latest creations when they are released.
Blogging
I read any interesting article about blogging that provided statistics on the decline and rise of blogging between age groups.
A study released by the the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project has indicated that blogging has dropped among teens and young adults while simultaneously rising among older adults since 2006.
http://www.eyefortravel.com/news/marketing/study-indicates-decline-blogging-among-teens
It went on to say that the overall blogging on the internet has remained the same but that it had shifted in age groups. I wasn't to surprised by that analysis. I did think it was interesting 73% of teens use social networks compared to 55% in 2006. It shows what we already know. Social networking is HUGE. Its a great tool for businesses and people.
The article also mentions Twitter and states that the biggest users of Twitter are from the age range 18-29. I hear about Twitter constantly on the television and I also see it on websites. Its almost a catchphrase now for businesses to advertise "follow us on Twitter". I haven't followed a business on Twitter yet. I wonder what the benefits would be? I'm sure they tweet about upcoming sales and promotions and maybe links to coupons. Saving money is always a benefit to consumers.
In week four, with the help of Dr. Ho, I chose a course project. My project will be about the censorship in either Iran or China. I'm excited about the topic because its something I know a little bit about but have never researched. What limitations does Iran have? What do I take for granted that the Chinese can not access? It interests me greatly! I would never do a project for any class that didn't intrigue me. I will learn a lot from this project. My proposal is due next week and I have to make sure I include a clear outline of what I will discuss.
I'm becoming more familiar with Twitter. We're suppose to learn how to better utilize the site for research next week. That will be good. I know more about Twitter but it seems like I'm still missing something...
Google Buzz
I plan on checking out Google Buzz later this weekend. I have a gmail account and ever since I opened it I have been real pleased with my account. I like the layout, storage, attachment size quota and I like having iGoogle has my home page. Needless to say, I'm a fan of Google and like checking out their latest creations when they are released.
Blogging
I read any interesting article about blogging that provided statistics on the decline and rise of blogging between age groups.
A study released by the the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project has indicated that blogging has dropped among teens and young adults while simultaneously rising among older adults since 2006.
http://www.eyefortravel.com/news/marketing/study-indicates-decline-blogging-among-teens
It went on to say that the overall blogging on the internet has remained the same but that it had shifted in age groups. I wasn't to surprised by that analysis. I did think it was interesting 73% of teens use social networks compared to 55% in 2006. It shows what we already know. Social networking is HUGE. Its a great tool for businesses and people.
The article also mentions Twitter and states that the biggest users of Twitter are from the age range 18-29. I hear about Twitter constantly on the television and I also see it on websites. Its almost a catchphrase now for businesses to advertise "follow us on Twitter". I haven't followed a business on Twitter yet. I wonder what the benefits would be? I'm sure they tweet about upcoming sales and promotions and maybe links to coupons. Saving money is always a benefit to consumers.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
ECET 209
I'm taking a class called Intro to Microcontrollers this semester. I remembered when I first started my education at IUPUI my advisor warned me about Intro to Microcontrollers or ECET 209. She told me it was an extremely difficult class and not to take it with several other classes at once since I work full time. It would be to heavy a load. I was left basically with the impression that I was not going to enjoy the class and that since it was a requirement I had no choice but to take it and suffer through it.
I can happlily report that my advisor was wrong. I love the class! The material is so interesting and the instructor is an excelent teacher and communicator. The lab can last as late as 11pm on Thursdays after the 3 hour lecture. Its is great to take a class that is so interesting and really keeps you involved.
The first half of the class is programming machine code and the second half is about C+. I have taken programming classes before and I struggled. I am not a programmers. I thought this class may fall in the same category but again, I am happy to report that I am learning!
This past lab our assignment was to write a program that lit up the switches on a board. I was partnered up with another student and we really went through the lab line by line and learned a lot. It was late by the time we were done but it was so thrilling to complete the lab and know that it was a job well done.
I have taken many classes at IUPUI and I really believe that if you do not have an instructor that is passionate about the topic they are teaching that it reflects in the student grades and attendance. I am lucky that this sememster all 3 classes that I am taking all the instructors are excited about what they are teaching and enjoy doing it.
Thank you to all the teachers out there who love what they do and pass on their knowledge to their students. As a student I appreciate it, I am thankful for it, and I learn a lot from them. Education is so powerful and what a great responsibility it must be to be able to pass it along to other generations.
I can happlily report that my advisor was wrong. I love the class! The material is so interesting and the instructor is an excelent teacher and communicator. The lab can last as late as 11pm on Thursdays after the 3 hour lecture. Its is great to take a class that is so interesting and really keeps you involved.
The first half of the class is programming machine code and the second half is about C+. I have taken programming classes before and I struggled. I am not a programmers. I thought this class may fall in the same category but again, I am happy to report that I am learning!
This past lab our assignment was to write a program that lit up the switches on a board. I was partnered up with another student and we really went through the lab line by line and learned a lot. It was late by the time we were done but it was so thrilling to complete the lab and know that it was a job well done.
I have taken many classes at IUPUI and I really believe that if you do not have an instructor that is passionate about the topic they are teaching that it reflects in the student grades and attendance. I am lucky that this sememster all 3 classes that I am taking all the instructors are excited about what they are teaching and enjoy doing it.
Thank you to all the teachers out there who love what they do and pass on their knowledge to their students. As a student I appreciate it, I am thankful for it, and I learn a lot from them. Education is so powerful and what a great responsibility it must be to be able to pass it along to other generations.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Reflect on what you learned -week 1
In my first week of class for CIT49900 I was introduced to Diigo, Twitter, Friendsfeed, and this website -blogger.com I am not in the habit of keeping a blog so this will definitely be an adjustment. I'm typically a private person and prefer to not express my thoughts on the internet. I will do my best though!
I opened a twitter account and sent a couple of "tweets." I'm familiar with Facebook and like that site a lot so maybe the transition to twitter won't be so hard. The navigation in Twitter seem more difficult though. I also like the privacy settings in Facebook and I don't believe Twitter has many privacy settings. I'll have to do some research.
Its fun trying to figure out who is who in my class from their username and profiles. Dr. Ho seems to be a master at Twitter and I can recall being introduced to Twitter a couple of years ago by him. I not sure I'll get to the level of sending as many tweets as him but you never know.
Its interesting to see how media sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube have really taken off and influenced our nation. Its amazing how fast this technology is growing and uniting us.
I opened a twitter account and sent a couple of "tweets." I'm familiar with Facebook and like that site a lot so maybe the transition to twitter won't be so hard. The navigation in Twitter seem more difficult though. I also like the privacy settings in Facebook and I don't believe Twitter has many privacy settings. I'll have to do some research.
Its fun trying to figure out who is who in my class from their username and profiles. Dr. Ho seems to be a master at Twitter and I can recall being introduced to Twitter a couple of years ago by him. I not sure I'll get to the level of sending as many tweets as him but you never know.
Its interesting to see how media sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube have really taken off and influenced our nation. Its amazing how fast this technology is growing and uniting us.
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