References

ABC News 2005, 'What Is Blogging?,' viewed 8 October 2007, <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=889289&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312>

Facebook 2004, viewed 2 October 2007, <http://www.facebook.com/>

Haines, Stuart 2007, 'Blogging: ethics, community and censorship,' viewed on 8 October 2007, <http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/Resources/11904/Offshore%20study%20guide%202007/Weblogs/Blogging_ethics.ppt>

MOCCA 2007, viewed 6 October 2007, <http://www.mocca.com/>

Myspace 2003, viewed 8 October 2007, <http://www.myspace.com/>

White, N. 2006, ‘Blogs and community: launching a new paradigm for online community?’ viewed 8 October 2007 <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/white.pdf>

Nielsen, Jakob 1994, ‘About Jakob Nielsen,’ viewed 13 October 2007, <http://www.useit.com/jakob/>

Nielsen, Jakob 1997, ‘How users read on the web’, viewed 13 October 2007, <http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html>

Nielsen, Jakob 1994, ‘The Difference Between Paper and Online Presentation’, viewed 13 October 2007, <http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting/wftw1.html>

Paparazzi 2007, Flickr, viewed 6 October 2007, <http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofacade/354808986/>

Reep, DC 2006, ‘Document design’, Technical writing: principles, stratergies and readings, 6th edn, Pearson/Longman, New York, Chapter 6, pp.133-172

Schriver, KA 1997, ‘The interplay of words and pictures’, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York. Chapter 6 pp.361-441

Tan, Sumiko 2007, ‘Take a break, log on to YouTube’, Sunday Times 7 October, p.14

YouSendIt 2004, viewed 30 September 2007, <http://www.yousendit.com/>

YouTube 2006, viewed 7 October 2007, <http://www.youtube.com/>

Reflection

Being an idiot to blogs, it is definitely a challenge for me to get use to writing online. I needed to learn how to design for documents on screen and develop my own unique personality in writing online. It is certainly different from writing my usual essay assignments.

My aim is to design my blog in a way that it’s not boring, and at the same time interesting and easy to the readers’ eyes. I experimented with the fonts and sizes, making sure that my blog is scannable and readable. On top of that, i learnt how to write html codes in my posts to allow another window to pop out when links are clicked.

I added as much information in the word limit as I possibly can to online idiots out there. The information gathered are from websites, newspapers and books written from experts.

Now, I feel that I am loving it! After this assignment, I will definitely start a new blog on my personal online diary.

How did I design my blog for YOU as a reader?

Nielsen, Jakob
How users read on the web
The difference between paper and online presentation

Print and Online
Web allows splitting of multiple hyperlinked pages, while print documents forms a whole entire set of information. Multiple pages allow readers to click easily on the direct information that he/she needs.

Print allows more word count than web, as readers find it difficult to read too much text on screens. That’s where scannability comes into place.

Designed for scanning
According to Nielsen Jakob (1997), people rarely read web pages word by word, but rather, scan through. Following the principles mentioned in his article, I highlighted useful links in my blog, used sub-headings for easy scanning, bolded important points and structured my text into short sentences.

Links placed at the beginning of each post
I have chosen to place my web links at the beginning of my article instead of placing them at the end. This is to make them more prominent for readers to click. In additional, I have also hyperlinked images to the source, to provide a convenient method for readers to access the source.

Know what to expect in each links
According to Schriver (1997, p396), showing just links without much information would take a long time for readers to go through all. Readers would like to see more information on what to expect. Hence, I added images and explanation to my links to provide a glimpse of what to expect, and to make my blog as rich as possible. For example, I wrote a short description on what to expect in the blogs that I’ve recommended.

Consistent visual rhythm
Schriver (1997, p404) also mentioned that web designers should maintain consistency in setting up a visual rhythm for the reader’s eye. Following that, I’ve consistently placed all images in the centre column, to avoid readers having to look on the left and right and everywhere else on the screen for images. Moreover, consistent colors and fonts are used throughout my postings.

White Space
According to Reep (2006), white space is the term for areas on a page that have no text or graphics, which may not always be white, but it can be solid black, textured pattern and etc. It helps readers process the texts efficiently, and rests readers’ eyes and directs them to important information. I designed my blog in a way where it is not overloaded with moving texts, boxes and etc. My white space creates a path that will guide the readers from the header to text and images.

Blogs and Communities

ABC News
White N.
Blogging Ethics

‘The best bloggers talk in their own voice, celebrate their unique identity and tell the stories that are real to them.’ (Glaser 2005)

What are blogs?
I know what you are thinking, ‘A blogging idiot explaining about blogs?’ Yes! Here are some information I have gathered from experts of blogs and communities.

Blogs are literally online diaries with articles, writings, images and links (ABC News 2005). Entries are typically listed starting with the most recent postings to the oldest postings. Most blogs allow readers to leave their own comments or links to topics and other Web sites relevant to the entry or the blog's topical focus.

‘Blogospheres’ are created when bloggers interact with each other’s blogs centered around specific themes, topics or interests.

Blog based communities today
There are three types of communities (White N. 2006).
Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community is the first forms of blog based community that emerged when readers begin to comment and get to know the blogger and the community of commentors. The blog is owned by one owner or organization. In additional, the power of this community is firmly in the central blogger’s control. For example, take a look at Stephen Downes (key blogger) and Anecdote (run by an organization).

Central Connecting Topic Community is a network formation. This form is a community that arises between blogs sharing a common interest. The boundary of the network is a combination of subject matter (domain) and membership (community). Both power and identity are distributed across the community. Take a look at the

Global Voices and community.



Boundaries Communities are collections of blogs and blog readers hosted on a single site or platform. An example of this community is MySpace. Most of these include discussion boards, social networking features and instant messaging.

Some interesting blogs: (click on the images)

Xia Xue's blog is one of the most popularly read blog. Though some comments are rather direct, they are rather interesting as well. More than the many pretty pictures of herself, she included one section- XiaXue Media Centre. This is where she places her interviews and other interesting articles.

Mr. Brown is an entertaining blogger. He uses humor and posts interesting subjects happening around. For example his posting on 'Who is a Singaporean?'

Read them for yourself!

Take a break, log on to YouTube

That’s the title of another article I saw on the Sunday Times today. The focus is not on YouTube, but on cyber-loafing. It is rather similar to the previous article on Facebook.

Tan Sumiko (2007) the reporter of the article, states that some see cyber-loafing as a sign that employees are lazy, bored, unmotivated and unchallenged, and think they should be punished. However, others believe that workers who cyber-loaf are more productive as they are better able to priorities and manage their workloads. Moreover, it also reduces stress and allows workers to enjoy their work day more. It forms happier effective workers!

Technology changes our lives
A good point is made in this article that I would like to share. It is that technology has taken away the frustration of waiting. For example, if I have a sudden desire to shop in the middle of the night, I just go online. Another example would be SMS replacing letters.

Personally, if I would like to express my love to my boyfriend, rather than writing a long love letter and mail it to him (which takes around 1-2 days), I would choose to email him, and perhaps create a beautiful video of our photos through Photoshop, easily attach the video to YouSendIt, and email him the link. In moments of seconds, he would receive it.

This is how technology changes our lives.

YouTube idiots

http://www.youtube.com/

Alright, I know what you are thinking, ‘Everybody knows about YouTube!’ Fine, but I am still going to post this up for YouTube idiots out there.

Background
YouTube was founded in February 2005, and became the leading destination to watch and share online videos worldwide. It received funding from Sequoia Capital in November 2005 and was officially launched one month later in December. In November 2006, within a year of its launch, YouTube was purchased by Google Inc. in one of the most talked-about acquisitions to date. It has struck numerous partnership deals with content providers such as CBS, BBC, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, NBA, The Sundance Channel and etc.

Everyone can watch videos on YouTube
You can see first-hand accounts of current events, find videos about your hobbies and interests, and discover unusual and funny videos. You can also easily upload and share video clips on YouTube, and across the Internet through websites mobile devices, blogs, and email.

Interesting videos
People share all kinds of videos on YouTube, from MTV to Japanese humors.

Here are some interesting videos I gathered: (click on the images)

MOCCA- Search, Buy, Sell & Connect

http://www.mocca.com/

MOCCA is MediaCorp's platform for classified advertising and online communities in Singapore. For those who are wondering what does ‘MOCCA' stands for, here it is ‘MediaCorp Online Communities and Classified Advertising.’

It has categories like Property, Vehicle, Travel, Entertainment, Pets, Health and Well-being, Jobs, Food, Personals, Education and Training, Fashion and Beauty, Home services, Fitness and Sports, etc.

Access is free!
You can visit the site and search and browse ads at no cost at all. Registration is only required when you want to post an ad or activate a service such as email alerts about new postings. However, certain features such as Save Ad and Email Alert are only available to registered users.

You would need to register if you are placing ads on MOCCA. By doing so, you will get your own MyAccount page which will be your control centre for managing your MOCCA experience. This is where you will find details of your active and inactive ads, your listing or price plans, and your other MOCCA services or settings.

Classified Advertising Online
Online classified advertising is definitely different from other forms of classifieds. For example, you are able to use the search function.

All you need to do is to fill in your Contact Details, Ad Listing (what you are offering or what you are looking for), the Category for your product or service, Ad Title (key selling point), Ad Summary (special qualities of your product or service), and Ad Details (describing your product or service). You can even enhance your Ad by uploading images and a video link for example to Youtube.

Check these three ads out from MOCCA! (click on the images)

Sounds interesting?

Try it yourself!

Facebook connects YOU with the people around you

http://www.facebook.com

We're (Net) Working
That's the title of an article I saw in the Sunday Times a few days ago, and thought that it is a good sharing to those who are not aware. The article was about the rise of Facebook causing employers to address the issue of cyber-loafing in the office.

In Britain, it is estimated that companies lose 233 million hours every month to staff visiting networking sites when they should be working. The lost of productivity calculated is $390 million a day. In Singapore, a poll of 20 companies found that four blocked Facebook and other networking sites entirely, while six had limited access!

Well said! My mum told me that she is guilty of cyber-loafing.

Facebook idiots
'What is Facebook? I have never heard of it.' Well, here are some information for newbies. Facebook is the latest and hottest social networking sites in Cyberspace. You upload your personal profile to communicate with your real-life friends and virtual friends. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg- a Harvard college kid.

'What is so addictive about it?' It comes with applications ranging from online games to quizzes to time wasters like a virtual garden where you can plant your flowers. You can even send virtual gifts to one another, like the image below.

Here is a video that was posted on the 'Fun wall.'

Facebook is different from Friendster
Unlike the two rivals, it is harder for you to cheat your identification on Facebook. It is populated by people who are commonly affiliated to schools, companies and organisations, through real world networks. If you hide your true identity, you may find yourself with few friends. On the other hand, Friendster is different, you can type in whatever you want, and nobody knows if what you had typed in is true. Facebook only allows you to see profiles of your classmates or coworkers on the site and people in your networks, unlike Friendster.

Try it yourself. But don't let your boss catch you!