Boyd defines social network sites as a service that allows any user to create a profile to share with other individuals by connecting and viewing information. I also had not had a distinction between "network" and "networking" in reference to these sites, the difference here being that networking implies forming these connections with strangers while most people only network - forming online connections with users they know. Through the social network, users with similar interests can share their ideas and connect with certain individuals.
Since I have a Facebook account, I was familiar with Boyd's introduction of the various features of a SNS: the friends list, the fan pages, video/photo sharing and the emphasis on the public display of comments, connections and interactions.
I found it interesting that I have never heard of the first SNS to incorporate many different aspects of the social network, SixDegrees.com. For me, at least, it is interesting how other more simpler sites have outlasted or have remained more popular than this one.
I thought that the time line showing the release dates of all the SNSs was a great way to show the progression as well as the increase in interest since a greater amount were being launched between 2003 and 2006. It is interesting, also, to notice how fast some of these have grown as well as how long it has taken them to become popular. Facebook, for instance, took off immediately, while it took Twitter a couple years to become widely known and utilized.
I think that the issue that Boyd addresses in regards to Friendster is an issue in any SNS context. Where can you draw the line between people you know and people you "kind-of, sort-of, don't-really-know-at-all"? And when does this start to become a danger when you're making these connections online?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
5 Causes that interest me (Project 4)
1. Sex trafficking
2. Domestic violence
3. Music programs in schools
4. Sexism
5. Racism
2. Domestic violence
3. Music programs in schools
4. Sexism
5. Racism
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Design analysis of Shogun website
Contrast:
More-so on the Warwick page of the site, the contrast is poor on the "About Us" tab. With a green background and black text it is a little difficult to read. The pictures aren't symmetrical and aren't all of similar sizes so it is difficult to find a true focal point. The Shogun logo (which is also small in the top, middle of each page) should be made larger so as to be made the focal point of each page on the website.
Alignment:
There is some alignment in the text, and all of the contents of each page stop at an invisible border, keeping them in the middle about two inches away from each edge. Each menu link has a different alignment: Some of the titles are direct center, some are all capitalized and some are not.
Repetition:
The background is white on all pages except for the "About Us" tab (which has a green background for the Warwick location and a grey background for the Wakefield location). Also, the "Drinks" tab has a different format and text than the other menu tabs (Appetizers, Dinner, Sushi & Sashimi) and also has a graphic picture behind the menu. The navigation tabs and photos are consistent on each page. Some of the font headings (which should be consistent) are different sizes and appear to also include several different fonts and include a different mixture of font colors.
Proximity:
The navigation tabs across the top are very close together. Everything seems squished towards the center of the screen. It would probably be good to spread it out so that it is easier on the eye and has a more relaxed feel. In the menus, some of the descriptions are squished/ there should be an extra space between entrees that include a description and the entree that follows.
Interface Design
On the homepage, it has a horizontal orientation but on the menu pages, it extends to a vertical orientation to accommodate the listings.
Because the pages for each location feature the same information, pictures and different directions and come colors, it would definitely benefit the website to condense the information to one homepage and include another navigation tab which features information and directions specific to each separate location.
More-so on the Warwick page of the site, the contrast is poor on the "About Us" tab. With a green background and black text it is a little difficult to read. The pictures aren't symmetrical and aren't all of similar sizes so it is difficult to find a true focal point. The Shogun logo (which is also small in the top, middle of each page) should be made larger so as to be made the focal point of each page on the website.
Alignment:
There is some alignment in the text, and all of the contents of each page stop at an invisible border, keeping them in the middle about two inches away from each edge. Each menu link has a different alignment: Some of the titles are direct center, some are all capitalized and some are not.
Repetition:
The background is white on all pages except for the "About Us" tab (which has a green background for the Warwick location and a grey background for the Wakefield location). Also, the "Drinks" tab has a different format and text than the other menu tabs (Appetizers, Dinner, Sushi & Sashimi) and also has a graphic picture behind the menu. The navigation tabs and photos are consistent on each page. Some of the font headings (which should be consistent) are different sizes and appear to also include several different fonts and include a different mixture of font colors.
Proximity:
The navigation tabs across the top are very close together. Everything seems squished towards the center of the screen. It would probably be good to spread it out so that it is easier on the eye and has a more relaxed feel. In the menus, some of the descriptions are squished/ there should be an extra space between entrees that include a description and the entree that follows.
Interface Design
On the homepage, it has a horizontal orientation but on the menu pages, it extends to a vertical orientation to accommodate the listings.
Because the pages for each location feature the same information, pictures and different directions and come colors, it would definitely benefit the website to condense the information to one homepage and include another navigation tab which features information and directions specific to each separate location.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Good Website, Bad Website
Good Website: World Wildlife Fund
http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html
This website is a very large website with numerous pages. The main bar is available on the top, always, on all pages and the same list of pages that expand on top are listed on the bottom of each page with links to those pages of the site. There is an icon of a panda with the WWF logo in the top left corner of every page, indicating that users can always return to the homepage. Links to other sites open in new tabs. Some graphics are used, but they are simple and not distracting to the content of the site.
Bad Website:
http://homeforprofits.com/web-resources/examples-of-very-bad-web-design-and-web-navigation/
In this page that is talking about bad web design, the page itself has some bad web design because many of the links do not open a new tab. Other than the links, this website is ok but it was the only one that I could find without stumbling upon that had this example to give of links that didn't open a new tab.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html
This website is a very large website with numerous pages. The main bar is available on the top, always, on all pages and the same list of pages that expand on top are listed on the bottom of each page with links to those pages of the site. There is an icon of a panda with the WWF logo in the top left corner of every page, indicating that users can always return to the homepage. Links to other sites open in new tabs. Some graphics are used, but they are simple and not distracting to the content of the site.
Bad Website:
http://homeforprofits.com/web-resources/examples-of-very-bad-web-design-and-web-navigation/
In this page that is talking about bad web design, the page itself has some bad web design because many of the links do not open a new tab. Other than the links, this website is ok but it was the only one that I could find without stumbling upon that had this example to give of links that didn't open a new tab.
Palmquist response
In this article, Palmquist went over some basics about web design and different structures and features. The first thing that I found interesting was the importance of Pop up windows versus Links. From personal experience, I know that it can be annoying if a website's links always change that window to the site in the link instead of opening a new window. That always makes it a little more annoying to return to where you were initially reading and I think that the Pop up window/ floating window link is more efficient than the normal link.
Also, Palmquist's distinctions on the four organizational structures of websites were helpful and clear. Linear structures follow a backward or forward, book-like format. Hierarchical structures are used more in informational or government websites, but this form is not the most common. Interlinked structures are used in smaller websites and each page has a link to every other page on that website. I think that the most common and plausible structure is the last one: a combined organizational structure which uses parts from all of the other structures. It is probably the most used and most efficient format for medium-large websites.
Finally, Palmquist's guidelines for web page design were also helpful. I think that the most important ones to keep in mind are: to have consistency across all of the pages in design and format, to remember that simple is better and to make sure not to overuse graphics or digital illustrations. I think that in creating a web page, many people may want to take advantage of the availability and capability of using graphics and interactive content, but Palmquist brought up some important things to think about: that these aspects may slow down the loading of the page, some may not even load depending on the user's browser, and an overuse can be more distracting than helpful.
Also, Palmquist's distinctions on the four organizational structures of websites were helpful and clear. Linear structures follow a backward or forward, book-like format. Hierarchical structures are used more in informational or government websites, but this form is not the most common. Interlinked structures are used in smaller websites and each page has a link to every other page on that website. I think that the most common and plausible structure is the last one: a combined organizational structure which uses parts from all of the other structures. It is probably the most used and most efficient format for medium-large websites.
Finally, Palmquist's guidelines for web page design were also helpful. I think that the most important ones to keep in mind are: to have consistency across all of the pages in design and format, to remember that simple is better and to make sure not to overuse graphics or digital illustrations. I think that in creating a web page, many people may want to take advantage of the availability and capability of using graphics and interactive content, but Palmquist brought up some important things to think about: that these aspects may slow down the loading of the page, some may not even load depending on the user's browser, and an overuse can be more distracting than helpful.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Entries for WikiTravel
Ogunquit
See
(Scenic walk at Marginal Way, A beautiful one mile path along the seashore ending at Perkins Cove.) This popular walkway has plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the views on benches and is a great trail for couples and families. More than 100,000 people walk the Marginal Way every year. Dogs are not allowed April through September.
Z Name Shop, 1 Beach Street, +1 207-646-4990, http://www.znameshop.com. Located directly in downtown, this shop is a great place for tourists to find souvenirs.
Eat
The Egg & I, Route 1, Phone: +1 207 646-8777, http://www.eggandibreakfast.com/. Breakfast. Located on one of Ogunquit's main roads, this moderate-sized, family oriented pancake and waffle house is easily accessible. They offer breakfast, lunch and a kids' menu. $7-$12 per person. Accept only cash and traveler's checks. Parking is shared with Ogunquit Lobster Pound across the street. Lines form quickly so go early.
(Ogunquit Lobster Pound, 504 Main St, Phone: +1 207 646-2516. This Ogunquit institution serves more lobsters in a week than many restaurants do in a lifetime.) You can choose to personally select your own live lobster for your dinner. You can either eat inside the restaurant or outside on picnic tables. For desserts, they feature a delicious chocolate lava cake a la mode. The parking lot is shared with The Egg & I, which is across the street.
See
(Scenic walk at Marginal Way, A beautiful one mile path along the seashore ending at Perkins Cove.) This popular walkway has plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the views on benches and is a great trail for couples and families. More than 100,000 people walk the Marginal Way every year. Dogs are not allowed April through September.
Z Name Shop, 1 Beach Street, +1 207-646-4990, http://www.znameshop.com. Located directly in downtown, this shop is a great place for tourists to find souvenirs.
Eat
The Egg & I, Route 1, Phone: +1 207 646-8777, http://www.eggandibreakfast.com/. Breakfast. Located on one of Ogunquit's main roads, this moderate-sized, family oriented pancake and waffle house is easily accessible. They offer breakfast, lunch and a kids' menu. $7-$12 per person. Accept only cash and traveler's checks. Parking is shared with Ogunquit Lobster Pound across the street. Lines form quickly so go early.
(Ogunquit Lobster Pound, 504 Main St, Phone: +1 207 646-2516. This Ogunquit institution serves more lobsters in a week than many restaurants do in a lifetime.) You can choose to personally select your own live lobster for your dinner. You can either eat inside the restaurant or outside on picnic tables. For desserts, they feature a delicious chocolate lava cake a la mode. The parking lot is shared with The Egg & I, which is across the street.
3 tips from the Manual of Style that I think are important
One tip that I thought could be particularly helpful was in article layout: where you can stick it. I think that for people who are especially new to WikiTravel, they may not know exactly where to put a piece of information. This page allows you to distinguish whether a museum is something you would place in "See" or "Do." It includes a large list of items to help writers determine how to categorize their posts.
Another page from the Manual of Style that I found useful was in formatting content: Wiki markup. It gives examples showing how to create certain visual and formatting layout outcomes. Therefore, if you want italics, bold words or links to click on, this page explains and displays how you can go about doing that.
Third, I think that in the writing style section the tips pertaining to tone are useful. This page covers how you (as a writer on a WikiTravel post) should address the [general] reader. It also lays guidelines for how you should write your posts, including not treating your reader like an idiot, how to include humor and the importance of being concise and specific with the information you provide.
Another page from the Manual of Style that I found useful was in formatting content: Wiki markup. It gives examples showing how to create certain visual and formatting layout outcomes. Therefore, if you want italics, bold words or links to click on, this page explains and displays how you can go about doing that.
Third, I think that in the writing style section the tips pertaining to tone are useful. This page covers how you (as a writer on a WikiTravel post) should address the [general] reader. It also lays guidelines for how you should write your posts, including not treating your reader like an idiot, how to include humor and the importance of being concise and specific with the information you provide.
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