When I first signed up for my blog, I looked around at some of the different settings and options and found a tool that used photos off of flickr... It allowed me to enter in a keyword and it would then display images that were tagged with that word on my blog as a slideshow! Currently it is set to display images tagged with the word 'green' I think that while it isn't exactly what the 9th thing is asking for, it is the same idea.
I chose the word green because it is my favorite color and I thought it would keep the images open-ended and completely random whereas if I were to have entered in the word dog... chances are it would all be pictures of dogs. I wanted more variety than that. I tried a few different words before deciding upon green and previewed some of the images that were given to me... Words like sky, art, flying... None of them were too interesting to me. Maybe it only appealed to me because green is my favorite color, but I really do enjoy the added visual of the 'green' images.
Check out my main page on the right hand side below my avatar to see my flickr slideshow of all things GREEN! =]
16 December 2009
Stairway to my dream Supply Kit [thing 8]
What did you find interesting about the wiki concept?
I've always found the idea of wiki's pretty interesting. I don't really remember when it came to be such a popular idea... it just, was! And now that it's here... I think some people wouldn't know what to do without it! It is definitely a very useful tool and similar to the social networking sites we learned about, it can be updated instantly. For instance, I remember when a WWE wrestler died... Chris Benoit. (What, so I used to watch some wrestling?!) there were all these crazy rumors going around that his wikipedia page had announced he was dead before it was released in the press. Weird how things like that happen, huh??
What types of applications within schools and professional organizations might work well with a wiki?
I think that it would be a good way to run a sort of 'comment box' type of idea. Easy access, easy way to input your ideas and quickly get responses. I think there are probably a million ways that a wiki could be used within a school or professional organization.
Many teachers/faculty "ban" Wikipedia as a source for student research. What do you think of the practice of limiting information by format?
I think that it makes things harder for students, but I also think that is partially the point. When it comes down to it, nothing is just going to be right in front of us at our own disposal. You have to work to find credible information and while it is all cited and referenced on wiki sites, the fact still remains that ANYONE can upload onto their site. Wikipedia tries to defeat this roadblock by including a 'warning' of sorts that the information on a particular page may not be credible....
Which wiki did you edit?
I requested access to edit the Dream Supply Kit entry and now I just need to wait to get access to it!! When I do, I will edit the entry and will include a 17" MacBook Pro, Adobe CS4 or whatever version is currently out when you start school, Wacom tablet and accessories, along with an external drive with a terabyte of space. THAT is what every student should have!! =] While there would be a lot more people would enjoy having... Those are exactly what I would choose to have in my Supply Kit!
Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin IV or Physical Graffiti and why?
Led Zeppelin IV simply because it has Stairway To Heaven. Gotta love it.
EDIT [thing 7]
For thing 7 we were prompted to use an online file editor (a free one). I tried using Zoho writer but it didn't seem to be as straightforward and easy to use as Google's editor was. We were given a document called 'Tips for Ai Students" and told to edit it then send our revised copy out. I've attached what I changed...
Which of these tools is easier for you to use?
As I had stated, the Google tool seems to be more usable for me. The tools are laid out similar to how you may see them in a word document. That works well because it uses a convention that is known to work out for some people. Nothing wrong with conventions!
How do the features of each compare?
Maybe this is just a stupid mistake on my part, but I couldn't use the Zoho writer very well. I wasn't sure if the tools were somewhere that I just couldn't see or if i actually needed to download the file and then edit directly on my computer. With the Google editor, it was simply understood that all necessary tools were right in front of me and ready to use.
Does one have features that would make you choose it over the other?
Yes I mentioned that I prefered the Google editor over the Zoho one. It seems to me that it is just more user friendly. If I needed something to mirror the comparison... a PC would be Zoho and Mac would be google! =] Ha!
What would the Founding Fathers think of these tools?
I'm sure they would've been able to do a lot with tools such as these. Good or bad... who knows.
Would the final draft of the "Declaration of Independence" have been better had these tools been at their disposal? Hmmm, I wonder...
No! While I think everyone's opinion counts for something... I also understand that everyone being allowed to input their ideas and edit themselves would be complete CHAOS. People could include any sort of 'amendment' as it is, to the declaration and then someone else wouldn't like it so it would be amended again... With things going that way, there would never be a final version because there would always be someone disagreeing on one point or another. Too many cooks in the kitchen is how the cliche goes I believe.
Which of these tools is easier for you to use?
As I had stated, the Google tool seems to be more usable for me. The tools are laid out similar to how you may see them in a word document. That works well because it uses a convention that is known to work out for some people. Nothing wrong with conventions!
How do the features of each compare?
Maybe this is just a stupid mistake on my part, but I couldn't use the Zoho writer very well. I wasn't sure if the tools were somewhere that I just couldn't see or if i actually needed to download the file and then edit directly on my computer. With the Google editor, it was simply understood that all necessary tools were right in front of me and ready to use.
Does one have features that would make you choose it over the other?
Yes I mentioned that I prefered the Google editor over the Zoho one. It seems to me that it is just more user friendly. If I needed something to mirror the comparison... a PC would be Zoho and Mac would be google! =] Ha!
What would the Founding Fathers think of these tools?
I'm sure they would've been able to do a lot with tools such as these. Good or bad... who knows.
Would the final draft of the "Declaration of Independence" have been better had these tools been at their disposal? Hmmm, I wonder...
No! While I think everyone's opinion counts for something... I also understand that everyone being allowed to input their ideas and edit themselves would be complete CHAOS. People could include any sort of 'amendment' as it is, to the declaration and then someone else wouldn't like it so it would be amended again... With things going that way, there would never be a final version because there would always be someone disagreeing on one point or another. Too many cooks in the kitchen is how the cliche goes I believe.
Really Digging-in [thing 6]
For thing 6 we were instructed to look at a few different sites that are solely based on user-posting and feedback. On Reddit, which I found to be my favorite, people can post things about politics, news, life, NOTHING... And people vote on different topics to see what the general population of Reddit is most interested in. Once again, there were a few specific questions that were referred to...
1. How can you use Digg to collect research for your next report or design project?
After poking around a bit on Diggs site, I found out that there are a whooooooole boatload of articles and posts concerning design, graphic design and art of all sorts. It would be easy to look through some of these blogs, tutorials, articles... etc and find something to catch your eye. What an easy to way find some inspiration! If you have a particular topic for your project, I'd be willing to bet that you could find something to reference and get more info!
2. How can you use Digg to establish your reputation and credibility?
I think using Digg would allow you to showcase your knowledge and understanding of the field, your talent and just overal intelligence. Showing that you know what you are talking about through constructive criticism, positive feedback, brainstorming... etc will be an easy show that you are a reliable 'source'.
3. How can you connect your other social media circles to Digg and increase your popularity?
On facebook you can always add links to outside sites, blogs etc. I think that Digg would be one of those opportunities. Also, the main point of Digg is bringing in other site's information and sharing it with people. The more you interact, the more you blog, the more you share and give back... The more people will know you! (or become more popular... if you want to word it that way.)
4. Reddit is using Twitter. Discuss what combining the experience means to you in terms of saving your oh so "precious time"?
If someone has a Twitter account and also uses Reddit... The fact that Reddit is now using Twitter themselves saves the Twitter user a step. They can get some of the information directly from Twitter that they would normally have to go to Reddit's site to get. It pretty much saves the user a step or it would be one less click through the navigation.
5. How can you ensure that information on an open source website like Reddit is credible?
I would say that you can't always trust that info you find on reddit is credible. You should do the extra work and find out if something is legit or if its just a bunch of crap that someone decided to post on their site. If need be though, there is always the idea of citing sources. If someone posts facts or something of the sort, they can be 'proven' correct if the user has included a reference to where they got their information. That saves you the step of researching to find WHERE that info might be. Instead, the user has put it right in front of you for you to see!
6. Who's crazier; old shaggy-haired Kate or the "new" Kate with the 80's sk8er punk haircut?
....Who is Kate??? Either way I'm going to say shaggy-hair because it makes me think of Shaggy in Scooby-Doo! =]
7. Have you ever seen a photograph of Jon Gosselin when he wasn't wearing an Ed Hardy shirt? Is that all he owns or what?
OHHH... That gigantic family from that stupid show! ha... Yeah I don't know if he owns anything non-Ed Hardy. Eh.... To each his own. I'd rather finish my 16 Things then talk about these people.
1. How can you use Digg to collect research for your next report or design project?
After poking around a bit on Diggs site, I found out that there are a whooooooole boatload of articles and posts concerning design, graphic design and art of all sorts. It would be easy to look through some of these blogs, tutorials, articles... etc and find something to catch your eye. What an easy to way find some inspiration! If you have a particular topic for your project, I'd be willing to bet that you could find something to reference and get more info!
2. How can you use Digg to establish your reputation and credibility?
I think using Digg would allow you to showcase your knowledge and understanding of the field, your talent and just overal intelligence. Showing that you know what you are talking about through constructive criticism, positive feedback, brainstorming... etc will be an easy show that you are a reliable 'source'.
3. How can you connect your other social media circles to Digg and increase your popularity?
On facebook you can always add links to outside sites, blogs etc. I think that Digg would be one of those opportunities. Also, the main point of Digg is bringing in other site's information and sharing it with people. The more you interact, the more you blog, the more you share and give back... The more people will know you! (or become more popular... if you want to word it that way.)
4. Reddit is using Twitter. Discuss what combining the experience means to you in terms of saving your oh so "precious time"?
If someone has a Twitter account and also uses Reddit... The fact that Reddit is now using Twitter themselves saves the Twitter user a step. They can get some of the information directly from Twitter that they would normally have to go to Reddit's site to get. It pretty much saves the user a step or it would be one less click through the navigation.
5. How can you ensure that information on an open source website like Reddit is credible?
I would say that you can't always trust that info you find on reddit is credible. You should do the extra work and find out if something is legit or if its just a bunch of crap that someone decided to post on their site. If need be though, there is always the idea of citing sources. If someone posts facts or something of the sort, they can be 'proven' correct if the user has included a reference to where they got their information. That saves you the step of researching to find WHERE that info might be. Instead, the user has put it right in front of you for you to see!
6. Who's crazier; old shaggy-haired Kate or the "new" Kate with the 80's sk8er punk haircut?
....Who is Kate??? Either way I'm going to say shaggy-hair because it makes me think of Shaggy in Scooby-Doo! =]
7. Have you ever seen a photograph of Jon Gosselin when he wasn't wearing an Ed Hardy shirt? Is that all he owns or what?
OHHH... That gigantic family from that stupid show! ha... Yeah I don't know if he owns anything non-Ed Hardy. Eh.... To each his own. I'd rather finish my 16 Things then talk about these people.
PLURKING [thing 5]
texttext
1. Which social journal did you choose? Why?
I've never been much of a fan of Twitter. I feel like it's all about the 'stars' and what they are 'twittering' about. I guess that's what people are into. Anyway my point is that I tried to sign up at Plurk but the website was not loading my registration when I filled it out. It kept giving me an error. While I'm not a fan of Twitter... having a networking site unable to register me... is worse! ha! So, I chose Twitter by default.
2. What is unique about the online journaling experience?
I think that it is unique in the way that it is such an IMMEDIATE way to get in touch with people. In seconds you can have the word out about something and spreading like wildfire. Find a cool art show in the area? 'Tweet' about it. Or is it twit?? hmm.......
No matter, the point is that if you find something interesting, develop something of your own you want to share; you can pass it along to people in a matter of seconds. Same as I mentioned with facebook, it is a way that you could get instant feedback on a composition or find out what is going on in the area.
3. Can you see this having some application to school work or professional development?
Most definitely it would apply to professional development. NETWORKING NETWORKING NETWORKING! It's like in real estate/business, don't they say location, location, LOCATION! Well I'd say it's all about networking in our field. Facebook, Twitter and all the sites can all be used for that very thing... They really can do more than just let you talk to your friends and see what the stars are upto! =]
As for in school, I think it would be a great idea to have updates from the school through Twitter or another social site similar to it. It could be updated with info just as it is on our home page. I believe that is already started through the GD meeting that we had a few weeks back... I think that worked out well. People I spoke to knew more about the meeting through the social media access!
4. What are some ways that these tools could be used for evil, instead of good?
Putting your information and/or work out there into the world means a lot of people can see it. Who knows what people have to say and there is always the chance of people saying things you don't necessarily want to hear. Or lets say for instance you have some unprofessional and not-so flattering pictures on your website and your employer or even potential employer sees them.... That is NOT a good thing. You always want to present yourself in a positive light to employers and you must be aware of what you chose to include on your sites.
1. Which social journal did you choose? Why?
I've never been much of a fan of Twitter. I feel like it's all about the 'stars' and what they are 'twittering' about. I guess that's what people are into. Anyway my point is that I tried to sign up at Plurk but the website was not loading my registration when I filled it out. It kept giving me an error. While I'm not a fan of Twitter... having a networking site unable to register me... is worse! ha! So, I chose Twitter by default.
2. What is unique about the online journaling experience?
I think that it is unique in the way that it is such an IMMEDIATE way to get in touch with people. In seconds you can have the word out about something and spreading like wildfire. Find a cool art show in the area? 'Tweet' about it. Or is it twit?? hmm.......
No matter, the point is that if you find something interesting, develop something of your own you want to share; you can pass it along to people in a matter of seconds. Same as I mentioned with facebook, it is a way that you could get instant feedback on a composition or find out what is going on in the area.
3. Can you see this having some application to school work or professional development?
Most definitely it would apply to professional development. NETWORKING NETWORKING NETWORKING! It's like in real estate/business, don't they say location, location, LOCATION! Well I'd say it's all about networking in our field. Facebook, Twitter and all the sites can all be used for that very thing... They really can do more than just let you talk to your friends and see what the stars are upto! =]
As for in school, I think it would be a great idea to have updates from the school through Twitter or another social site similar to it. It could be updated with info just as it is on our home page. I believe that is already started through the GD meeting that we had a few weeks back... I think that worked out well. People I spoke to knew more about the meeting through the social media access!
4. What are some ways that these tools could be used for evil, instead of good?
Putting your information and/or work out there into the world means a lot of people can see it. Who knows what people have to say and there is always the chance of people saying things you don't necessarily want to hear. Or lets say for instance you have some unprofessional and not-so flattering pictures on your website and your employer or even potential employer sees them.... That is NOT a good thing. You always want to present yourself in a positive light to employers and you must be aware of what you chose to include on your sites.
SOCIAL - not just the 'everyone drinks' kind [thing 4]
Thing 4 is all about being social. Networking! As graphic designers, it is very important to know people in the industry. Knowing people in the field will help you find freelance work, meet other artists and bounce ideas off of one another, get inspired by other people's work, and find jobs! That's only the start to what networking can help you do though.
The 16Things site has included a few prompt questions for this entry...
1. Now that you have a profile on Facebook or MySpace, how will you share information about yourself to meet other students at Ai and start to build your network?
Being 'friends' with people who are at your school is always a good idea. Being that I'm still a student, its nice to know you have immediate access to contact someone in your class if you need to. (or they can get in contact with you if they need to) I've added a few small things that I've done to facebook for people to see and critique as they please which I feel is one great way to get some feedback. I am 'friends' with multiple people from Ai, but not all of them are in my classes when we do critiques. Having the ability to upload my work to a social site and have people be able to give me some feedback gives me a great advantage to better my work and get many more perspectives. In addition to that, it's always a plus to 'know' people. As I mentioned previously, it always helps when looking for work!!
2. Keeping in mind that employers use social networks as a recruiting tool, how will you use Facebook or MySpace to promote yourself to potential employers?
If employers go to your facebook and see a bunch of drunken pictures, chances are they may not be so convinced that you are the proffessional they are looking for. It would be important to represent yourself in a professional manner as much as you can. Don't lie, by any means but you also shouldn't go out of your way to make yourself look stupid! With facebook you have the ability to create 'EVENTS' and invite people to them. Why not have an open house and show some work? Why not set up a workshop or study night or ANYTHING that would get you involved with other people in the field to get your name and designs out here!
The 16Things site has included a few prompt questions for this entry...
1. Now that you have a profile on Facebook or MySpace, how will you share information about yourself to meet other students at Ai and start to build your network?
Being 'friends' with people who are at your school is always a good idea. Being that I'm still a student, its nice to know you have immediate access to contact someone in your class if you need to. (or they can get in contact with you if they need to) I've added a few small things that I've done to facebook for people to see and critique as they please which I feel is one great way to get some feedback. I am 'friends' with multiple people from Ai, but not all of them are in my classes when we do critiques. Having the ability to upload my work to a social site and have people be able to give me some feedback gives me a great advantage to better my work and get many more perspectives. In addition to that, it's always a plus to 'know' people. As I mentioned previously, it always helps when looking for work!!
2. Keeping in mind that employers use social networks as a recruiting tool, how will you use Facebook or MySpace to promote yourself to potential employers?
If employers go to your facebook and see a bunch of drunken pictures, chances are they may not be so convinced that you are the proffessional they are looking for. It would be important to represent yourself in a professional manner as much as you can. Don't lie, by any means but you also shouldn't go out of your way to make yourself look stupid! With facebook you have the ability to create 'EVENTS' and invite people to them. Why not have an open house and show some work? Why not set up a workshop or study night or ANYTHING that would get you involved with other people in the field to get your name and designs out here!
3. How will you use Facebook or MySpace to build your professional network?
Being that facebook is an easy site to access, I would say that it would be smart to show some of your work on your page. Showing your stuff for potential employers to see is a great idea... If you can catch their eye with one/some of your designs then you've already added some to your professional network! Finding and getting in touch with companies is another great way that facebook can help you. Keeping up to date with news feeds or following their RSS feeds as we learned about in Thing 2 is a simple, effective way to keep in touch with important people.
4. What interests and personal details will you share with your circle?
I'd say that only the basics should be included. No need to get TOO detailed. Being artists though, I think that it is important to show some of YOU to the people in your network. No harm in showing some of your personality through your facebook! Actually, it's quite the opposite. I would think that an employer would love that they could see some of your personality just from some words typed up on a website. We are artists... Be creative and showcase your talents!
5. How is professional networking different from social networking?
Social networking is for keeping in touch with friends, family and whoever. It's a place to play games, write blogs, talk with people, upload pictures, etc... Professional networking can still involve all of those things, but the purpose is where the biggest difference lies in my opinion. When you are on a social network, it is primarily for entertainment purposes... FUN! It's fun to keep in touch with your friends and post funny bumper stickers on their wall, but when it comes to professional networking, it is all about who you know and how you present yourself. It can still be fun to network yourself professionally, but it should still be done in a different way.
simple so far... [thing 3]
For thing 3, we were to make sure our student email accounts were working. Mine has been up and running just fine for a while now. Although while the switch to gmail was happening, I was having some troubles logging in. So this assignment was the perfect opportunity to test it all out. I actually was able to log in after I registered my student account with gmail. It was not a difficult task. To prove that you can navigate through your email and use the email, we were to send an email to the 16things address... I took a screenshot of what I sent...
You cannot see the text well, but you can clearly see that I've logged into my student account and sent the email to the specified address. As an extra challenge, we were asked to forward all of our emails from our student accoutn to our personal account. Instead of following the instructions to do that task, I just navigated through the gmail site myself and found it under the settings bar. I have a personal account at hotmail so having my emails from here forwarded on is a very useful thing!
You cannot see the text well, but you can clearly see that I've logged into my student account and sent the email to the specified address. As an extra challenge, we were asked to forward all of our emails from our student accoutn to our personal account. Instead of following the instructions to do that task, I just navigated through the gmail site myself and found it under the settings bar. I have a personal account at hotmail so having my emails from here forwarded on is a very useful thing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
