So I’ve tapped into audio platform known as Soundcloud. And
admittedly it still seems a bit odd to me.
Perhaps I need to identify some sort of categorical arrangement. It seems somewhat random in a definitive
search. But I have immediately recognized the platforms usefulness.
Clips
from the Soundcloud platform could be used within a site as references. They
seem to bring an intimacy or personal point of view to the subject matter. They can illustrate or emphasis through audio
tracks, to give the reader a clearer sense of your intention. It can also be utilized highlight
collaboration efforts.
Overall,
I find it to be a small, but advantageous tool.
The frenzy of Social Networking is
all about us. Through media websites like Facebook, Google +, and Twitter,
people are connecting both personally and professionally. Armed with an interactive
arsenal of tools like e-mail, blogs, and message boards, individuals are
reaching out to convey their interests and concerns. The technology is being professional
utilized by businesses to create career contacts, to educate, and to conduct commerce.
Social media increasingly become more subjective.
Even
in connection with businesses, blogging has emerged as a staple. In fact, today
a business is neglecting their potential reach if they do “...not have a blog
(or “learning center”) that is actively updated on a regular basis.”(Beachum) Whether its conventional blogging
or Microblogging, the broadcasting of up-to-date activities can help to keep
interest in your ideas, and the incorporation of hashtags will indicate a
trending topic.
Other
services, such as Short Message Service
(SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service
(MMS) enable messaging by way of cell phones. Though this facilitates a mere
160 characters on average, it also allows the transfer of audio and video files
via text messaging.
The
ability to Chat is facilitated through a web interface or special client.
Within a chat room, people are able to converse in real time, on usually a
particular designated topic. However, there are chat sites more tailored toward
conventional discussions, such as the ever popular Skype or web-based chats that
allow participants to explore a variety of ongoing discussion threads. As
always though, caution must be taken to insure the security of personal
information over such sites. Not all users of social media are as friendly as
the sites they may prey upon.
When considering the statistic that
“more than 94%of Internet-connected
American adults use e-mail,” it is safe to assume that most people are
fluent with e-mail transactions. Perhaps it’s because of this fact that
marketers intend to increase their email advertising budgets over the next year.
The immediate advantages of e-mail, including that of speed, affordability, and
accessibility are obvious and beneficial to both individuals and businesses.
But the actual components of the system may not be so familiar.
www.business2community.com
Beginning
with an e-mail client, such as Microsoft Outlook, an account is set up to support
the creation and transference of various e-mail communications. Once synced to
a particular e-mail address, the messages are transferred via TCP/IP suites and packet switching. A DNS server determines the path of the
messages and directs them through several alternate routers until arriving at a
designated mail server.
Depending
upon the e-mail client, messages may be handled in different ways. Through a POP server, all messages are downloaded
and stored onto the customer’s computer. Though all mail is managed by the server,
all messages must be managed from the customer’s computer. An IMAP mail server,
however, stores and maintains all messages on the server, allowing the customer
more flexibility in their e-mail management. IMAP also allows synchronizing accessibility
from differing computers.
An
e-mail could be as simple as plain text message addressed to a single recipient,
or an elaborate formal communication to several addressees. It could include a
lengthy message, graphics, attached files, and links to pertinent web pages. A
customer can receive, compose, and send messages instantly anywhere at any
time. But always keep in mind that e-mails are also very impersonal and,
because they lack tone or expression, can be misconstrued.
My initial reaction to Google Docs was one of pessimism. I
am an avid fan of Microsoft Word, and there was no way something else could
produce at such a universal level. But I soon realized that it is in fact a
whole new level of document crafting. The program excels in both capabilities and usability.
After
familiarizing myself with a few Google Docs forms, I recognized several
potential applications for it as a writer. Beyond the fundamental use of word
document creation, the spreadsheet and presentations formats of Google Docs will
enable me to address the business aspects of professional writing. I can now easily articulate myself through
both literary and visual expression within the same document. It serves as
almost a self-publishing program.
Whether
my future pursuits take me into public relations, marketing, or any media field,
I can create rich supportive documentations to convey my creative ideas. That
fact that it is located in one place helps to insure originality and
authorship. Yet I am still able to allow my writing to be edited by selected
individuals.
Over the last month, I've been linked with others through
the highly praised social connection of LinkedIN. The initial establishing of an
account and discovering compatible contacts was relatively easy. I even received
several requests from other professionals within the writing arena.
My
opinion of this endeavor thus far is still divided. For the reason that I look
at it as yet another collection of my personal life left at the curb for all to
rummage through. I’m beginning to believe there is no privacy left within our
everyday lives. Plus, it seems be another facet to constantly be checking in
on.
Yet on
the supportive side, we have the professional aspects of it. After all, I’m not
simply connected to professionals; I am connected to authorities within my area
of interest. Much like Twitter, I have daily interaction with literary agents,
publishing firms, or simply other writers. And those are things I could definitely utilize...
So I
think I will need to see which way the scales tip as I continue to pursue my
career as a writer.
Gone are the days of being shackled to desktop computers, as
businesses turn to mobile devices in an effort to be more productive and
efficient. Any basic search of Yahoo will produce countless articles and blogs
pertaining to the future of mobile technology. But in looking deeper into first
hand authoritative sites, we find the essential need for untethered commerce has
gone to lofty extents.
www.3seventy.com
Private
devices within the workplace were once highly frowned upon. But now businesses
want their employees to be “connected.” They
want to broaden their products and ideas far beyond the company structure. Mobile devices enable this by keeping task
lists for employee, scheduling projects and updating statuses. Accessibility to
company information while on the job site has helped to reduce travel and
energy costs. Apps give the ability to track expenses, customer relations
through social networking, or communication with clients. Additionally, there is
the benefit of mass storage within these devices; “Up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of
data (equating to approximately 80,000 boxes of paper) can be stored in a
device as small as a pen.”(Milligan)
Yet,
every improvement has its drawbacks. Foremost, the substantial cost to large
companies in providing their employees with current technology in an ever
advancing age; yet another reason why many companies encourage the private
devices. Having differing Android and iPhone operating systems can produce
great problems for IT managers. There are multiple security and management
issues when utilized for a business, from viruses to the theft of company
information.
A
possible option for companies is the development of Cloud Computing.
I have now obtained a LinkedIn account and increased the
size of my digital footprint exponentially.
Being quite conservative socially, it all gives me this sensation of
standing at the edge of a great chasm, in about 50 mph winds. I realize that it
a progressive step in life, even as it goes against most of my reasoning.
Right
out of the gate I can see the benefits of having such a connection;
professionalism. It will allow me to connect and engage with specialized
contacts that will inevitably further my professional career. Through it I can
keep current with other writers and publishers, be alerted to prospective job
opportunities, and create a somewhat social resume for others to view.
My concern,
aside from immediate consumption of even more of my limited time, is the incursion
upon my privacy. Unlike many, I do not like to openly share. My closest friends
do not ever know what I will get them for Christmas or when I might stop in. I
want my words, not my everyday life to be known. I like to be enigmatic, which
to me is intriguing. I don’t need to know people that well; and well, I
probably wouldn’t want to anyway.
Perhaps
I am being too vigilant. All things considered, we live in a world where all is
accessible and little is wondrous any more. Unwittingly we follow, to be like
all others, to be the carbon copy, to leave our carbon digital footprint.
We as Americans aren't the world’s largest benefactor of the
internet; standing at a mere 22% last year. Yet the majority of us still log on
daily. Nine out of every ten Americans are searching for something, even if it’s
nothing more than to explore a word. It can begin with entering a query search
in address or search bar. Your default search engine will then find possible
results for you.
A way
to help expand upon your search resources is to integrate additional search
engines. This can be done by adding
supplementary search name within the drop-down menu of your address bar. In addition
to giving you more search options, it can be customized to recommend certain
sites based upon your specific preferences.
Not
only are alternative search engines expedient, they are essential. In today
congested media highway, it’s difficult to get where you want to go. Google is
great for the proficiency of common everyday use. But if you are looking for detailed
information on specialized subjects, you don’t want suggestions to blog posts, you
want definitive facts. To achieve this, you need a specialized search engine.
Services
such as LexisNexis or Dialog specialize in the attaining of scholarly
information. They assemble articles such as business, law, and medical from centralized
databases to provide a comprehensive source for researchers. A service like
Wolfram Alpha procures, analyzes, and provides statistic information to the
user, that no average search engine could possible deliver.
“Usage and Population
Statistics.” Internet World Stats. Miniwatts Marketing Group. 10 Sept. 2013.
Searching for a specific topic on the web can
be achieved in several ways; both directly and circuitously. If the exact
web page (URL) is known, it can simply be entered into the browser’s address
box. If that isn't known, a search query
can be performed by entering key specific words into the brower’s search text
box.
The
more explicit words utilized, or the use of quotations to join words, the
closer the web results will be. A targeted search with distinct key words will
provide more focused results, whereas an open-ended search with general wording
will provide a broad scope of web results. The best thing to do is to definitively
target the desired information.
Beyond
the initial appearance, there are things to consider when choosing your web
sources to insure finding the best possible information. According to Dr. Robert
Harris, retired professor of the University of California, the first step in obtaining
reliable information is to determine "What source or what kind of source
would be the most credible for providing information in this particular
case?"(Harris) The credibility of a website must be determined before
accepting its information. Can its material be authorized? What is the quality
of its content, and does it seem to cover the material completely, and
impartially?
The
utilization of search tools such as Directories and Search Engines can help to hone
in on the precise subject you wish to view. Directories gather relevant
information and organize it in an assentative fashion. In this method, there is
a visible trail to follow as you make your way through varies subcategories.
A
search engine works in relatively the same way. Engines like Google search the
internet and index key words to web pages. They amass this index so that as similar
key words are sought by users, the search engine can refer the web pages they
were found upon.
For
the purpose of searching several search engines at once, a Megasearch Engine can be used. At present,Search Engine Watch deems the most popular to be Dogpile.
These specialized search engines examine several engines, directories
and specialty search sites to provide an accumulated list for the user based
upon the requested information. However,
many of these metasearch engines are heavily influenced with sponsorship, and
thus will not always recommend the best site first.
Harris, Robert. "Evaluating Internet
Research Sources." VirtualSalt. 15 June 2008. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm>.
IP (Internet Protocol) address is requested from
a web server. Based upon the explicit numbered address, the server connects
with the location of the web page. To
facilitate users, a domain name, which is broken down into four designating components,
is given to correspond with the sites IP address.
Web sites can vary in their content and purpose. Principally,
they are designed to accommodate specific users for a specific goal. In gaining
access to the information they provide, a process of client/server computing is
utilized, whereas a web page’s
Much of
chapter two within Discovering the
Internet illustrated the locations and usage of tools to utilize the Web.
It demonstrated the method of navigating over home pages and their features,
such as display area, tabs and access tools, to opening web pages for applied
use. I was familiar with much of its initial recommendations. Even so, I did
learn the simple process to activate pop-up
blocking.
In my
particular field of Communications, the use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication)
has been emphasized as a vital tool. These feeds will allow me to actively keep
abreast of media news and updates. The step by step illustration enabled me to
understand how to successfully find and subscribe to various feeds. There was
still a need to effectively create RSS feeds that the chapter did not elaborate
upon, so I am seeking information through sites such as http://codex.wordpress.org/Customizing_Feeds.
Another
area of unfamiliarity to me was the subjects of Cookies. I have been advised on
the deletion of cookies periodically, but never informed on their use. I now
know that they are small files of personal information that are intended for expedient
accessibility and efficiency. However, the information may also be used
maliciously. It must be monitor similar to any threat of spyware.
It affects all of us whether we
like it or not, the idea of Net Neutrality. In today society, the Internet has
become an essential part of everyday
life. So when we attempt to access the
information we’re seeking, we expect to obtain specifically what we want from
where we would like it.
Basically, Net Neutrality is the supposition
that broadband network providers be completely impartial to what is sent over
the networks. There should be no limit to the amount or control over the source
of information provided to the public. This method is ideal to insure the greatest
transference of information to the majority of users.
In its absence, providers would
have the capability to control aspects of information to the public for their
own financial gain. They could redirect or block specific data at their own discretion.
Communications companies such as Verizon are against any proposal for Net Neutrality
regulations, citing that such “requirements are unconstitutional, and their
elimination will create more business opportunities.” (1)- They seek to solicit a “tier” (2) - network
where consumers pay more for a higher and more liberally accessibility.
The
general public and Federal Communications Commission are
in support of the regulations. However,
any amendment for the FCC to enforce the Act has been voted against by both
Congress and the Senate. (3)- Some lawmakers believe there isn't enough of a problem
to justify action. Nonetheless this perspective comes in the wake of telecom advocates
insistence that they need addition revenues to cover costs to upgrade heavy
data traffic on their networks.
I have
no doubt that we, as the consumers, must
take affirmative action before we find ourselves being taxed based upon which
website we wish to access.
The Internet is a global structure
of unified computer network that facilitates the exchange of information. It
serves as an electronic communications link connecting users, networks, and computer
facilities worldwide. By using the
standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) it allows various operating systems
to interconnect, enabling synchronized communication of differing devices.
Developing from a 1969 U.S. Defense
Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network); its
first purpose was to provide a secure communications system counter to war. It
was primarily utilized by only a few specialized universities. But through numerous
advancements in technology, other researchers advanced on its early capabilities.
This expanded the use and number of ARPANET affiliates. By 1991 the public
gained access to the World Wide Web. With the creation of the Gopher system and
Mosaic Browser, the Internet’s desirability led to the explosion of World Wide
Web sites and users. From there, the Web has been utilized in every facet
imaginable, by companies and individuals. Access to the Internet can now be achieved
by a variety of methods, from radio signals to fibre-optic connections.
Though the internet’s initial
purpose was for academic and government research, it is now utilized by
billions to conduct business and share information. Companies use it to analyze sales or to
promote products. Individuals may use it to shop or communicate with others.
Schools, hospitals, and other government organizations utilize it for research
and information exchange. Its advancements have incorporated media firms with
an alternative method to reach the public, via blogs and RSS feeds. A trove of
information is available at one’s fingertips.
The connection of the Internet to businesses
and individuals begins with a request to your Internet service provider (ISP) for
certain information. That request is routed until it reaches a domain name
server (DNS) which locates the domain name and connects to the server's IP
address. Once it reaches the web server, it will return the information to you in
the form of packets. The packets will then be organized by your device thru
rules of set protocols. Data is retrieved within seconds.
The entire creation and
organization of the Internet is an incredible achievement, with profound impact
upon humanity, presently and in the future.
The infinite drive to reach further with its technology is both a value
and a peril. As we create this super expressway through life, each generation
become increasing reliant on its use. Information is everywhere, perhaps before
we are ready to ever know it.
Shelly, Gary B., Jennifer T. Campbell. Discovering the
Internet: Complete Forth Edition. Cengage Learning. January 2012.
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