FaceCloak

There is this new plug-in for Facebook & Firefox that hides some of your information posted on Facebook from the public. It sounds kind of confusing to me. I am not sure if I fully understand it, but if you post your address for example, you can type "@@" in front of it to make it private. So, when people other than your friends view your profile, FaceCloak will insert some sort of random gibberish in place of it. Sounds like a good idea, but I am just wondering why people do not just adjust their privacy settings in the first place. There is an option on Facebook to have your profile only visible to Friends. Again, I am not sure if I am understanding it correctly, but it seems to be a good idea since there have been so many instances where students & professionals have gotten into trouble based on what they have posted on their Facebook profile.

Mac!

So, I just got a Mac computer. I absolutely love it, but it has been difficult adjusting. It is completely different than a PC. I like it a lot better though. It seems faster. I have not figured out how to transfer all my pics, iTunes music, and documents to it yet. I guess I could just use a flash drive, but it would take an awful long time since I have so much stuff. I have a built-in mic and mircophone, so it's easier to use skype and talk with my fiance anytime. I really want to buy Photoshop and maybe take a class to learn how to use it. I also would like to learn how to use iMovie. My Boiler Communications group shot a video/commercial and one of my group members used her Mac to edit the movie. It seems like a great and useful program. Anyway, I highly recommend Macs to anyone. I showed my mom my Mac, and she loved it. She is very computer illiterate, but I really think that Macs are easier than PCs. It just takes some practice to get used to it. _

Skype

Hi! This week, I have been thinking a lot about Skype. I use Skype to chat with my fiance, family, and friends. Being able to use a webcam is pretty awesome. Sometimes I am just amazed at how far technology has come. It really helps to be able to actually see the person I am talking to instead of just talk with them over the phone. Webcams really break the communication barrier where we otherwise are unable to read facial cues. I did have one idea that I am sure will make its way into the industry at some point - integrating skype capabilities into cell phones! I think they have some form of video calling on landline telephones, but it would be awesome to have video calling on cell phones as well. I am sure it will be the iPhone that comes out with it next. It seems like Apple is constantly coming out with products that have been upgraded with a few new features. I always wonder why they can't just wait until they have a BUNCH of new features and THEN come out with the new product. I guess that's just the way the market works - when there's a technological breakthrough (however small), there's always an opportunity to make money $$.

Well, that's all for tonight. :]

Boiler Com & AdSense

Hi everyone! This week has been busy. I am definitely counting down until October Break, haha! I am in Boiler Communications, a student-run public relations firm. My group and I just met with our client and were discussing ways to publicize his organization and events. Our client is Nameless Creek Youth Camp (located in Greenfield, IN). We are in the process of planning a Tailgate Event which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 7th. We will have a 3-on-3 sand volleyball tournament, food, games, cornhole, and many other activities. We are hoping to attract Purdue students, high school students, local residents, and many other groups. Anyway, I volunteered to create a Facebook and/or Twitter page which I am really excited about. I have my own Twitter account that I created last Spring, but I never completely understood the point of it. For the organization, I think it will work a whole lot better for gaining publicity and that sort of thing, so I am anxious to get it started. The Facebook account will be fun as well. Our client just mentioned how helpful technology can be. Passing out flyers and putting ads in newspapers still helps, but creating a Facebook event and updating with 'Tweets' will definitely help get the word out about our event. Stay tuned for more info about the event!

I have also been reading about Google AdSense. My fiance is creating a website and was talking to me about AdSense and how it works. It's pretty interesting because basically, AdSense chooses ads to display on your site and it will generate revenue on a per-click basis. I'm excited to see how it will work out. The trick is creating a website that will be unique and appealing to internet users so that the site will see a lot of traffic. It sounds like a great way to make some extra cash! It seems like Google has just thought of everything. Like what we discussed in class on Monday about how you can acccess documents through Google docs...pretty cool!

Well, that's all for today. :)

Club meetings & guest speakers offer great insight!

Today was a busy day despite having only one class. Lots of studying to do and a few club meetings as well. The club meetings I had were for Event Planning and Association of Women in Communication. Both of which had guest speakers today. We had a wedding planner come, and she offered some valuable insight into the event planning world, wedding and corporate. She talked a lot about Twitter and how it has become a very effective tool for her business. I set up a Twitter account last Spring but have not yet become a consistent user. A lot of people do not quite understand the point of it and opt instead to continue their use of Facebook and MySpace. The wedding planner, Ali Philips, said that it has been useful for her business because she can network and update people on event planning news, conferences, and advice. In such a busy and fast-moving society, I can see how it helps to use tools such as Facebook and Twitter to connect fast and easy with other people. At my other meeting, we had speaker Bill Page. He also offered some great tips and advice. He talked about Twitter and Facebook and stressed the importance of keeping up to date with up and coming social networking sites. Mr. Page also said it is important to know how to use programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and other visual communications tools. The public relations/advertising/graphic design industry has integrated itself and it is important to gain knowledge in all of these areas in order to be successful.

In every aspect of my life and education, I am encouraged to get involved and learn about technology. I am truly beginning to realize how much of an impact it has in the communications industry and in everyday life.

Another interesting tidbit I picked up today was that I needed to learn how to play golf and to stay current with sports. So much of business today is done outside of the office and the golf course is definitely a common place. Sports is a great topic that almost everyone keeps up with, and it is an easy way to establish common ground with people.

That's all for today! :]

Link

Link to Zeynep

First post!

I am writing this to test out my new blog for my class, Com 435. =]