- Recent
- Popular
- Tags (0)
- Subscribers (1)
- Scrabulous… Scandolous?March 5 2008
-
I was actually searching NYTimes.com for an idea for my broadcast journalism class radio project when I came across this article describing the recent online scrabble craze called Scrabulous. It’s an interactive online version of the classic board game, Scrabble. People can play in on Facebook, arguably the most relevant socialnetworking site to a large portion of college students and other users.
The companies who own the legal rights to Scrabble are up in arms, accusing the creators of piracy. While I have no position on the matter, I do think that the phenomenon of Scrabulous represents the overwhelming popularity of the Internet. I know I am on my computer much more than I should be. When I am bored, I will waste time on the Internet instead of watching TV or reading a magazine. My computer is my go-to. When my laptop is broken or missing or otherwise unavailable to me I feel somewhat… naked. I know this may seem like a huge jump from an article talking about an online version of Scrabble, but I think the fact that people can become so passionate about a game and its preservation (i.e. the Facebook group” Please God, I Have So Little: Don’t Take Scrabulous Too”), that it just shows how much our lives have been changed by computers.
- Quintura’s Site Specific WidgetMarch 5 2008
-
This TechCrunch article describes Quintura’s announcement that a widget is now available to help users obtain site-specific results. One of the things I have learned while enrolled in this IMS class is that there are so, so many tools available that can help make research more effective and much easier. I am sure that the majority of people, while searching the Internet, are not aware of several programs, features, and techniques that can aid in the search process. While I myself have realized the benefits of RSS feeds, I will continue to look into widgets such as the one mentioned in the article that continue to take the intimidation factor out of the very vast world wide web.
- Google Makes Websites EasyMarch 5 2008
-
This article from Wired talks about how Google is taking steps to make creating web sites easier. I think this idea is one that will bring Google more users. The fact that Google is acknowledging that “regular” people now have the need to make websites and actually are making websites is a huge step. Creating websites is not only something that is reserved for people with enormous knowledge of the Internet and computers (a group which from which I do not include myself).
As a journalism major, we are constantly being told that to be competitive in the job market, we have to be able to work a website. This idea has seemed daunting to me in the past, but suddenly, it’s becoming a lot less frightening… especially with companies like Google reaching out a hand…
- In-Class Activity: Comparing Search SitesFebruary 28 2008
-
Clint Reinbolt, Ann Koblenzer, Erin Bowen
We searched the topics of Adderall and John Stamos on Google, Technorati, and BlogPulse.
When searching Adderall, Google provided information sites such as Wikipedia, Drugs.com, and adderall.com. These sites seemed mostly informational. On Technorati and BlogPUlse, the first blog to appear happened to be the same one. Of the top ten, two of the blogs listed with the same. The sites that appeared on Technorati and BlogPulse were personal accounts of Adderall usage.
When searching John Stamos, Google provided links to imdb.com, his homepage johnstamos.net, his fan page, and Wikipedia. The first listing about Technorati wasn’t truly about him. Some videos popped up, but none of the sites that appeared really had any substance. BlogPulse provided links to blogs with light commentary about the 80’s, cute guys, or ER.
Thank you for reading
LOVE, clint, ann, and erin xoxoxo - RSS Feeds… They really are useful!February 27 2008
-
I have to admit that when I first heard about RSS Feeds, I wasn’t convinced. As we’ve had to find articles for blogging, I’ve found that RSS feeds are more than useful. I’ve found myself thinking of other ways that could be helpful to use RSS feeds.I am the features editor for The Miami Student and am constantly in need of ideas. I am thinking of sites that I could tag and receive RSS feeds for that would help me stay on top of the news and provide me with some ideas.The article that I linked gives readers more ideas of how RSS feeds can be helpful in their lives. I guess I have finally realized that just maybe RSS feeds are a good idea…
