Reflection

It is hard to believe that the end of the quarter is so close. The communication technologies that I have learned to use will be enormously helpful in my professional future. 

I have created a business card and personal logo that will be crucial for networking in my future field of work and creating a brand for myself. Inspirationfeed has some really creative examples of personal logos as well as advice on how to create one.

I have learned how to use Adobe Creative Suite programs such as PhotoShop and InDesign, which are both fun to use and offer extremely valuable tools, especially in communication careers.

I have also learned how to use the program Audacity to record and edit sound files. I found this program to be very fun as well. I am not sure if podcasting will ever be a staple of my career, but it is cool to know how to do it!

After joining Reddit, I find myself checking it from time to time. It can be very addicting; I could be on it for hours! Honestly, before joining Reddit I thought it mostly attracted users looking for funny videos. However, I have realized it values reputable sources in more serious categories like politics. In a sense, its standards resonate with those in the journalism field. 

Reddit can play a huge role in making videos go viral. That is, if Reddit users like it. One of my friends created a funny video and once it was posted on Reddit, the view count skyrocketed! If you're interested in watching a hilarious and short video, here it is:

I plan to continue blogging for as long as I live, whether it is for personal or professional reasons. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and in today's world, blogging is a wonderful medium for this. I interned this summer for a real estate blog, which was a incredible experience. Keep an eye out for my name in the blogosphere! 

Web Design, Layout, and C.R.A.P. Basics

We all came back to class on Thursday after a nice, week-long hiatus from class. Evidently, our professor is one of those who has a soul and knows that attending a night class on Halloween is not desirable. The class after that was cancelled as well, so my classmates and I had ample time to complete our intros and outros for our podcasts.

On Thursday, we listened to each duo's MP3 files and voted on our favorite to be chosen as the class's official podcast intro and outro. Ours was not chosen but my partner and I are pretty happy with what we managed to produce. Take a listen, and if you are an XX fan you will probably appreciate this:

This week we will be discussing all things web design. This includes layout tips and C.R.A.P. basics. 

Layout

An optimal layout can have many aspects, but simplicity is always key. When there is too much information stimulating our brains at one time, we give up on trying to decode the web page's message.

Simple does not mean plain and boring. A simple web page has few conflicting elements that vie for your attention. Elements include: 

• number/size of images
• font size/style
• background pattern/color
• number of videos/gifs
• amount of text

For example, if you have three images that stand out, you may want to tone down the amount of text and choose a background that does not distract from the important information.

This brings me to my next point: emphasize what is important, and deemphasize what is not important. This may seem intuitive, but there are plenty of websites out there where it is unclear what the point of their existence is.

For more web layout tips, check out Design Shack 10 Rock Solid Website Layout Examples

Do not fret if you feel that you have no design expertise. Inspiration is easy to find, and airing on the simple side will always be beneficial. 

One technique is choosing an image as the background and having simplistic text in the center. Another technique is using mostly black and white and using color to highlight the important message. Also, having multiple images, some with text inside and some without, and no background color or text outside of the images is a great way to incorporate variety while keeping it simple. 

For sources of inspiration, check out websites like Smashing Magazine Original and Innovative Web Layouts.

C.R.A.P. Basics

Contrary to its name, C.R.A.P. basics are valuable. I will outline what each letter of this acronym stands for.

Contrast

This is pretty obvious. Contrast refers to two elements being opposite of each other. This could mean having large text and small text, lots of busy images with a plain background, or having three images varying in size. 

Repetition

Repetition is like uniformity. With repetition, a pattern is consistent throughout the entire webpage. For example, one font could be used for all body text while another font could be used for all headlining text.

Alignment

Alignment is similar to repetition; every element should flow in a pattern, with nothing placed arbitrarily. Much can be communicated through alignment. Elements that are similar should be aligned with one another. For example, all titles within a page should be aligned while all subtitles should be aligned.

Proximity

Proximity refers to the distance between two objects. This goes along with alignment in the sense that similar elements are both aligned and close to one another. In order to prevent confusion, items that are different should be placed far apart from one another. For example, if there are images that coincide with certain sections of text, these should be close in proximity.

That concludes this week's blog post! Stay tuned for next week's; sadly, it will be my last.

Social Media and Website Builders

This week, our assignment includes joining a new social network and building a website. Personally, I feel that I already belong to enough social networks. If anything, I think I should be using social media less.

However, one social media website stood out. I have perused Reddit a few times, but I never considered signing up for an account. If I have to join another social network though, Reddit seems the most attractive.

Reddit

Key features of the site include the main categories: hot, new, rising, controversial, top, gilded, and wiki. You will see these at the top of the page when you land on the homepage. There are subreddits, and each subreddit has posts filed under each of these main categories. The homepage subreddit is considered "front". Subreddits can range from general, such as "funny", to specific (and maybe peculiar), such as "todayilearned". 

As a member of Reddit, you can post on the website under a specific subreddit. You can submit a new link or a new text post. You can even create your own subreddit!

Reddit was started by two University of Virginia graduates, and the website launched in 2005. Reddit became so popular that it caught the eye of Conde Nast, which acquired the website in 2006. In 2011, Conde Nast handed control of Reddit to its parent company, Advanced Publications. For more Reddit milestones, refer to CrunchBase.

One of the founders, Alexis Ohanian, has recently been on a tour spreading advice about how to compete as an entrepreneur in the Internet world. He explains that everyone wants to create a website that is the first of its kind, when they really should be focusing more on the quality of the website.

Ohanian goes on to say that trust and credibility are more important than mere page views. I definitely agree with this, and after reading about Ohanian, I like Reddit even more!

However, Reddit has not been free of controversies. The website has volunteer moderators that commit to ensuring that the posts in their subreddit are in line with Reddit's value of credible journalism. On Monday, the website's "politics" subreddit, known as r/politics, banned a slew of websites to be mentioned in their subreddit. 

Websites banned include Huffington Post, Mother Jones, and Salon. Personally, I think the r/politics moderators made the right choice because with a topic as sensitive as politics, credible sources are absolutely necessary.


Website Builders

Website builders sure have come a long way since Geocites. Assignments for this Emerging Communication Technologies class include building a personal and a group website. Two website builders that are recommended to us are Wix and Weebly. 

I have heard that Weebly is more user-friendly, so I chose that one. However, I noticed some other classmates using Wix and it looks the same to me. 

Weebly makes building an aesthetically pleasing website a piece of cake. You can create a free website under the domain "www.yourwebsite.weebly.com" or pay a fee for "www.yourwebsite.com". Since this is for a class, we're opting for the free domain.

You can customize everything on the website, from font to colors. There are a ton of templates to choose from, and you can modify them as you please.

My group's website has not been officially made, but at least I was able to secure the perfect domain name for us. Our topic is "Made in Bellingham". We are focusing on providing a guide to all of the best local businesses in Bellingham, WA. Stay tuned because we will be adding content very shortly: http://madeinbellingham.weebly.com

For more information on how to build a website on Weebly, check out this video:

I really enjoyed listening to this tutorial. It is simple, clear, and easy to follow. Also, it was uploaded to YouTube recently. Sometimes choosing a video based on its view count is not always the best! The Weebly tutorial with the most views was uploaded a year ago, and it discusses features that have changed. I recommend viewing this tutorial or another that has been uploaded within the last few months.

Some Final Thoughts

I already belong to LinkedIn, but I think this social network is one of the most valuable. I definitely recommend using this website if you are interested in connecting to other professionals in your field.

If you are looking for a website that has just about everything, I highly recommend becoming a Reddit member. Its commitment to true journalism and plethora of topics will surely reel you in.

Also, website building is not just for businesses. I was under this assumption prior to taking this class. I thought, why would I need a website for myself? Truth is, it can actually be incredibly helpful for job seekers, especially those who are about to graduate college, like myself.

Having a personal website helps you brand yourself and market to prospective employers. While I hate thinking of myself as a "brand", this is essential in today's job market. I am excited to continue building my group's website and begin building my website! 

Last week I discussed podcasts and the fact that I will be creating one. Currently, my class partner and I are working on it! After working with Audacity, I have found that I really enjoy it as well! The podcast will be posted on here shortly.

Thanks for reading!

Podcasting: What & How

What do English class, cassette tapes, fried beef, and Keanu Reeves have in common? Read further.

In class this week, we will be learning how to create podcasts. Podcasts can be about virtually anything - in a sense, they are radio shows broadcasted on the Internet. 

The program in focus is Audacity, a free audio recording/editing program. We'll also cover use of music beds and sound effects. In order to better understand this range of topics, I scoured the interwebs for some tips. Here are the gems I stumbled upon regarding podcasting:

General Podcast Tips

Mashable has a great list of what a successful podcast entails. I am a little biased because I really enjoy the aesthetics of the website. The layout of this tech-savvy site is simple and clearly showcases the plethora of eye-catching articles. The content is helpful, cutting edge, and quirky. Here is a list of the tips that made most of an impression:

1. Your topic should mean something to you. This is a 2-step process. First, ask yourself, "what interests me and what is the purpose of this podcast?" Think about the benefit you are providing listeners. Second, research your topic and related podcasts on iTunes. What is out there and how is what you have to say different and interesting? (Note: iTunes also has a podcast webpage with tips, FAQs, and more)
2. Brand, plan, structure, and grow. Brand your podcast like you would a product: pick a memorable name and logo. Next, plan what you are going to say because your content is the point of the podcast. Make sure you give it structure as well. Imagine reading an 8-page essay that is all one big paragraph. Last, continuously work on building an audience. Promote it on other social media websites. Consider creating a website devoted to the podcast. Your goal is to form a community of listeners, and having a space for the community to interact is key.
3. Fine tune the tech. Record and edit your podcast. For this, I will use the essay metaphor again (I like writing). When completing a writing assignment, would you say editing it before turning it in yields a better grade? Many times I have forgone editing a paper due to laziness. However, my grades are undoubtedly higher when I do edit. If you take the time to edit the podcast you are already putting in the time and effort for, listeners will notice. 

Source: http://mashable.com/2011/03/25/podcasting-tips/

How do you edit and record podcasts? Use a program like Audacity. 

Audacity

It works with Macs and Windows users alike, as well as the GNU/Linux crowd. The best part is you can download it for free. Audacity does not have all the bells and whistles of a beautiful designed website because it really is not necessary.

I recommend clicking on the About tab at the top of the homepage. Here you can learn more about what Audacity is. Next, click on the Features tab on the left. This will tell you what Audacity does and how to use it. Here are the basics:

1. Recording
• Through a microphone, line input, or USB/Firewire device, Audacity can record live audio
• It can also digitize cassette tapes, records or minidiscs. Perfect for a podcast focusing on music from the last millennium!
• Streaming audio can be recorded if you have Windows Vista, Windows 8, or Windows 7 or particular sound cards (more info here)
2. Import and Export
• Import and edit sound files, as well as combine them with new recordings
• WAV, AIFF, AU, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis files can be imported and exported (Ogg Vorbis is an open and patent-free audio encoding and streaming technology)
• Certain programs can be used to import and export other types of files
3. Editing
• Cut, copy, paste, and delete (a given)
• Unlimited undo and redo
• Can use multiple clips in a track and label tracks
• Envelope tool fades volume up or down
• Automatic crash recovery, so no need to panic if your computer freezes
4. Effects
• Change your pitch without changing the tempo, and vice-versa
• Eliminate background noises
• Change frequencies
• Alter volume
• Create voice-overs

Source: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/features

Music Bed/Sound Effects

I had to look up the definition of "music bed" for this one. The consensus of the web is that a music bed is a sample of a song sans vocals that is implemented in a commercial or informative setting such as an advertisement, radio show, or podcast.

Music beds can be costly. There are many websites that offer music beds from recording artists for a fee. Do not fret, though - there are free music beds out there! Websites like Free Music Beds and Free Stock Music offer a wide selection of cool tracks.

FriedBeef's Tech compiled a list of 7 best sources of royalty free music for video and podcasts. The bottom line is you can find free music for your podcasts, but ensure that you credit the musician based on the guidelines of the download.

Sound Effects

Free sound effects can be found on iTunes, such as this compilation by user SoundByter.com. Whether you want booming dubstep or smooth jazz, you can find it here.

SoundBoard also has some fun sounds, ranging from the basic applause to Keanu Reeves talking about global warming.

I can already tell that I am going to thoroughly enjoy adding in music beds and sound effects to my podcast. You might be wondering what my topic is. 

The guidelines of the assignment included that a partner and I must choose a topic in emerging communication methods. While not necessarily the newest social media community on the block, we decided on Tumblr. Why? 

1. Tumblr has been in the news lately concerning its desire to implement ads throughout the website, amid user angst
2. Marissa Mayer, President and CEO of Yahoo! acquired the popular blogging site for $1.1 billion
3. Because of #1 and #2, Tumblr is surely worth talking about

I did not realize it at first, but this is actually a good segway into next week's topic! Get ready to learn about the mystical land of social media.

Creative Suite 101: Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and InDesign

Midterms are approaching and Western's tree-lined streets are boasting fall palettes. 

One month into the school year and the Emerging Communication Technologies class has hit the ground running with the latest versions of Photoshop and InDesign. 

Our expertise ranges from "I have no idea what I am doing" to "I can do this in my sleep", but we have all been having fun with our in-class projects. So far, we have used:

• Photoshop to create personal logos
• InDesign to create newsletters
• InDesign to create magazine covers
• InDesign to create book covers and pages

Now that I know how to use Photoshop, I find myself using it whenever a design is involved with an assignment. The hardest part was remembering what each tool does. However, there are many tutorials out there that make it easy to get the art of photoshopping down. Once you get familiar with the program, design possibilities are endless. 

Here is a YouTube tutorial that demonstrates how to turn yourself into a Na'vi from Avatar:

Learning how to use InDesign was a piece of cake after learning Photoshop basics. I found a very useful guide prior to learning InDesign. This helped me familiarize myself with the program, and once I started using it a lot of the tools seemed intuitive. 

Here is a YouTube tutorial that goes over some basics:

Dreamweaver will be the next program we approach as a class. It intimidates me a little, as I had never heard of it prior to Day 1 of this class. This web editor is the go-to program for creating and managing a professional website. Adobe offers a nice list of 10 steps to building a simple website with Dreamweaver. I think I'll probably start with that and hopefully work my way up to creating a more complex website.

Here is a YouTube tutorial that I am watching to prepare for Dreamweaver usage:

Next week I will be discussing podcasts. This is in preparation for the podcast I will be recording with a partner from class. Our chosen topic is Tumblr, one of my favorite social media sites. We will be putting a fun spin on the traditional tutorial format, so stay tuned!

One great, uniting aspect about these programs and assignments is that individually and as a class, we are given many opportunities to channel our unique creativity.

Hello and Welcome

Hi readers of my blog,

You may be wondering why this blog exists, or who I am. Or not − maybe you got here by accident, but if so, I invite you to stick around!  My name is Sharona, and this blog is part of a quarter-long assignment for my Emerging Communication Technologies class at Western Washington University.☟

Source: Professor Jason Lind

We are located in scenic Bellingham, Washington, a port town nestled in a sea of evergreens. In fact, our town is as "northwest" as you can get in the US, geographically speaking. 

Source: www.alltheragefaces.com

 

Every week this quarter, I will be writing on a topic related to communication technologies. Consider this a journey across the information channels of the World Wide Web, in search of new tools and tips. This week, I'm going to share the best website design tips the Internet has to offer.

Top 10 Rules of Website Design

1. Brand your website with a sleek logo. A unique and professional-looking logo will catch the reader's eye and increase the website's credibility. Link the logo to the homepage, as it will ease navigability. 
2. White space can be good − clean up the clutter. Information-overload can cause a reader to lose patience. A simple and organized layout is much easier to process, holding the reader's attention longer.
3. Less is more when it comes to the mousepad. Too many links and endless scrolling can cause a reader to abandon ship. The less clicks required, the higher engagement with what they see on the screen.
4. Make your words count. Website content that lacks proper spelling, readable font, and sufficient spacing looks unprofessional. Using a spell checker, implementing clear font with a contrasting/simple background
5. Size matters. Whether it is the font, photos, or page width, be conscious of size. Font should be large enough to read and the width of content on each page should not be too narrow or wide. Photo size should be limited as larger photos take longer to load.
6. Put yourself in the reader's shoes. Consider the type of content they want to read; make what you say interesting and important. Also, make sure the website can function on varying browsers and operating systems.
7. Focus on the necessary and eliminate what is not. Write concisely and avoid using too many graphics. This goes along with the notion that less is more.
8. Organize content efficiently and strategically. The source of this tip, Hongkiat.com, cites that studies show that most people spend more time at the top of a website and may not take the time to scroll down. By putting most of the content
9. Know when to use serif or san serif. Headlines tend to be san serif and bold, as it makes the words clearly stand out. Text is often serif.
10. Stick to a layout of no more than three colors. Colors that contrast each other stand out to readers. Too many colors can be distracting, and too few can make the website seem dull.