Emoticons

When I was reviewing all of my notes, I found one thing that I may have to talk about. It is Emoticons. Emoticons play an important role in message-based communication such as text messages and emails. These Emoticons differs from countries to countries. I will introduce Japan's Emoticons because I think it is better than those in US and Canada. (because I did not figure out at first and noticed that I have to tilt my face to see the face)

Happy:
(^-^)
ヽ(^o^)ノ

Sad:
(T_T)
(＞＿＜)

Angry
（＊｀ー´＊）

Hey!:
( ^_^)／

Good luck:
(○^-^)b

Boo:
（=з=）

It was very interesting to know the fact that Emoticons are different. They reflect the culture and language too because the impression and expression have a milliions way to perceive in Japanese. We use intonations to differentiate the meaning so we need Emoticons to express and support the emotions in order to avoid miscommunication by ICT. I analized that this background made Japan develop many kinds of emoticons and "emoji" (picture letters).

LOGS

My search words in the search engine, firefox, are based on study. I rethought which websites I visit, and concluded that the websites I mainly visit are those on my "bookmarks toolbar". They are Youtube, Myspace, mixi, MSN Japan, Facebook, Brock, COMM2P26, Wikipedia, Twitter, Blogger, Brock Jobs, Agenda-setting theory, and Cultivation theory.

Probablly, the only websites I look at are these and those keywords appeared in my search words are study purposes because I cannot find in my bookmark toolbar. I am not saying that I am a study-oriented person, but I have been overwhelmed by school work and I do not net surf (Actually, I do not know how to do it well). So my search words are valuable to my study and also third parties as well, especially studends (COMM specifically).

I picked "gibson flying v" this time, because music is one of my hobbies.
Google
1. Wikipedia
2. Flying-V.ch
3. Gibson.com

Yahoo
1. Wikipedia
2. Flying-V.ch
3. Gibson.com

MSN
1. Wikipedia
2. Gibson.com
3. Gibson.com

As you can see, they have similar results. I guess this indicates that many people go to obtain basic knowledge and information about Gibson Flying V (guitar) from Wikipedia rather than the official website. I guess its because people seek useful information rather than commercialized and biased infromation because those who search Gibson Flying V must be concerning buying one.

It is very interesting to know how the result differs from engine to engine. and I thought the results are useful marketing data and statistics to see the social phenomena.

2P26 rocks! (commentary about the course)

It's been 4 months since this term has started. It was quick.... I can't believe how fast it was. I guess this means that I have been overwhelmed by my courses, but at the same time, I have enjoyed this course.

The course content was very familiar with today's university student lifestyles and environment. The study area was not fresh for me, because I use the Internet everyday, but there are many things that I have never done or even seen before, so it was a very productive and fruitful course for me. Surprisingly, I did never get bored or tired of this course. Actually, this is my first time to fully enjoy learning COMM. Here are some I have learned through this course

• Blog -->here I am typing blogs now. I have never experienced blogging til I take 2P26. It is actually not bad. Especially when I get some comments on my entries, I enjoy posting my own thoughts.
  

• Twitter --> I have not even heard of this service. It was very very new to me. I did not think twitter is an exciting piece of social networking because I totally assumed that nobody was even interested in what I do. Howeverrr, I have got many feedback and that makes me motivated to update more about myself and check out how my classmates are doing. In the end, I came to check Twitter every single day, at least 4 times a day. This is an on-going and growing new social networking system. I am sure it will keep growing.

• RSS Feeds --> I did not even know what RSS meant although I have seen it many times on my internet browser. Although I have failed to install RSS feed form twitter, I still think it is a useful infromatinos system in contemporary busy world, bcauese people still want to be informed evey hour.

• My ICT --> ICTs are entertainment, leisure, socia activity, email for school or work, IM, , cell phones etc… They are base of our lifestyles that smoothen people's lives today. I have experienced living without the Internet and cellphone (homephone too) in 2008, not in 80's. Though I felt no pressure from information and friends, I felt an extream unconvenience. I would say people in contemporary world rely on ICT too much and will have a hard time to live with out any of these. As a further infromation, cellphone plays more imporant role for Japanese, because cellphones in Japan function as mobile (internet), Email (and also SMS), TV, recording TV, wallet, remote, GPS, Video Chat, pedometer, Word/Excel/PDF reader... Many Japanese people say they cannot live without cellphones. This clearly shows that our lives are based on ICT. It indicates too much reliance on ICT in the near future. It makes me worried about technology.
  

• Technology and ‘human service’ --> People always seek more convenience and we have invented much technologies. As a result, human activities and services are replaced by ATMs, automated registers at grocery stores, big screens on campus and in retail stores and so on, for example. People are becoming more and more lazy. I am sure people eventually build automatic floting wheel chair so people will not have to walk anymore. That will destroy the importance of human activities and existence...

• Social Network --> I have again took a look at my social networking. I noticed that the role of my networking does not really do much in my life. I do not rely on SNS because I have been aware of the purpose of SNS (Marketing and business) and do not like the fact that many people bother other people on SNS. My friend connection does not really reflect the real life. This means that although I have many people on my SNS, I know who I like to hang out with and who my best friend is. My network by nexus portrays that I do not have much concentrated connected ness as other class mates do, but I found that there are a large number of poeple who know each other. I analyzed the reason and came up with this answer: the communities in St.Catharines and Brock University are small and limited. Therefore, there occurs many concentrated connection among friends.

• Social media and marketing --> I have also learned that social media and marketing are tightly connected through this course; or marketing created social media. It is an evolution and revolution of Social media. Many people do not know that social networking / media is created and used for marketing purposes. As a Business communication student, it was a great opportunity to know that thre are always business involved with media and sometimes business factors are hidden. In order to advance the quality of life, it is enssential to take advantage of the media for business, however, I hope they do not abuse its advantage.

• Wiki--> is an useful and convenient element of information media. The most familiar wiki for internet users may be "wikipedia". I also think using wiki for developing a group discussion at different time and ad different places. Because I have had a hard time on contacting with people in a study group by email, I will definitelly make a great use of wiki for future study.

• Google --> Google has been very successful on building users trust and good quality. Its search results are very reliable and credible. People use to send a snail mail to Google to get search result within 30days at most, however, it takes about 0.11 seconds to obtain results today. I strongly believe that we should not take this for granted. We should appreciate that the technology made out lives more comfortable and convenient.
  

• Delicisous & Diigo --> They are online bookmarking service. Diigo also has extra funcitons such as highlighter and stickie notes. When I lost all of the vaforite in my webbrowser oneday. I wish I have knew this websites earlier so I could maintain my favorite online and can access to them anytime and anywhere like online email (hotmail and gmail).
  

• Moblog; Photoblog; VideoBlog; Audioblog --> Because cyberspace became another place for us to keep data (pictures, videos, and music) and also share the data with anyone online. These types of blogs exists in SNS websites such as facebook, myspace, mixi, but these blogs introdueced in our class are specialized in each specific area. I personally do not use them, I found they will still survive in cyberspace because I found not everyone are utilze SNS. It was informative to know there are many kinds of blogs .
  

• Linkedin --> This website was amazingly helpful and useful. I was very amazed by its functions because I have had a hard time on making resumes sicne I have not learned how to make one. I will have to apply for a job during the summer so I will definitelly rely on it.
  

• SNS's privacy issues --> Yet SNS is useful and fun to use for mayn people, we always have to be aware of mischiefs and sexual offenders within cyberspace, because you can be anyone on the Internet. I am not comfortable with SNS's using my information for even a marketing purpose because it is still using my privacy and personal information. However, it is hard to delete my account and cut one of the useful the communication tool. So I deleted the important and personal information such as birth year and date, real name, email address etc. The only way to avoid invasion of your privacy is to protect yourself by yourself. I will be always aware of protecting myself and my information.
  

I also realized that Youtube, in particular, is plays a new role of music industry. Many people post their performance. As Youtube Live was held, many musicians became famous from just posting video clips on Youtube. I found that the way of sending musical talent is changing. Musicians used to sing on the street, perform at bars, join musical events in the summer etc... However, they take a great advantage of the open space online to sell their tallent and obtain the public's awareness. I am one of people who make original songs. I have a myspace but realized that it is not as popular as facebook and youtube. Therefore, I decided to post my song on Youtube when I figure out what kind of visual elements I should include.

ICT has an extreme influence and pottentials. ICT is expanding its possibility and will be the primary method of exchanging information.While I strongly want to remain and appreciate face-to-face communication, I agree that I need to keep up with the technology because people's lifestyles, technologies, and cultures are always changing. I appreciate to learn manythings listed above through COMM2P26. I will definitely make a great use of the knowledge in my future career. Thank you for teaching us with many interesting & informative thoughts, proftracy!!

Protect yourself online

As the Internet use increases, it is almost impossible to avoid revealing the personal information online. Whenever you sign in to some websites, they always require you to put your private data. Typing your personal information means making your information public. Yes, anyone, from anywhere, can access your personal information at anytime, but you never know if its happening. This is SCARY. When you receive ads with your name and address in your mailbox, your information online might have been sold to the company.

I have signed in several social networking websites due to my friend's invitations. I did not even know what the websites' purposes to run this business. Last year, one of my friend, Diggory (i use a fake name since im writing online) told me that facebook is a terrible website. I did not understand what he meant until he told me some suspicions. According to him and a couple of clip that our proftracy showed us in the lecture, facebook utilizes the information that each individual put on his/her own page such as interests, favorite brands, music, films, etc. for marketing purposes. Additonally, they can segment cus by classifying facebook users by the age, gender, locations that are chosen by us on facebook. It also asks you to put your real name, birthday and year, and pictures. It appears to be very useful to have birthday alart when your friend's birthday comes by, however, your bank account, tax management, and other important tasks could include your birthday and year as your own password or something like that. Isn't it very risky? After I heard all these facts, I became very frightened and insecure. I decided to delete some of the social networking sites that I have signed in, and pictures, birth date and year, email address, real name and so on.

After all, I feel so much better. I am not lying, but I need to hide my personal information and put unnecessary information that I do not even care.

If you want to avoid information abuse online, protect yourself by yourself.

SNS

Social Networking Sites does more than you expect. After watching the clips during the lecture today, I felt like deleting all the information or even an account. However, the reason why facebook still survives under such suspicion is that many people already have their connection with other people on facebook so that it is hard for them to delete the account, which means cut off connections with many people on facebook.

Although SNS connects many people, it is crutial for every user to know the policies and understand what SNS's objective is, because it is a business. They do have a purpose: marketing and selling personal information.

- I do not mind if SNS such as facebook, myspace, or mixi gather people's interests as a marketing tool as long as they do not abuse my information. However, important personal information like birthday and year, real name, phone number, address... etc can definitely be viewed by facebook and sold to other companies or government. This is a big problem for me. So I do not put my birthday, however, I put a fake birthday when my real birthday comes by so people can be aware of my birhday and celebrate it lol. I also change my spelling of my name.

-In addition, I strongly hate that facebook bothers what I do in my personal space. Once somebody put pictures which tag me, everyone knows where I was, who I was with, what I was doing, and when I did it. This is none of anybody's business. St. Catharines is such a tiny tiny town. There is nothing to do and people are bored. So they go on facebook and gossip about others. However, I just do not understand why people are interested in others. I cannot accept this fact on facebook.

- I do share my myspace URL, which I put my song on so I can look for band memebrs, unimportant information like my interests, faceborite music, flag, pictures without me in...
- I do not share my personal information, birthday, relation status and stuff, because tehres no point of noting these details online. I can personally tell people if they want to know. I rather prefer face-to-face communication when shareing culture, value, and privacy. My friends and I were actually making fun of each other by hacking facebook and change status and adding random people.

Social networking for jobs

I have tried to post my findings and feedback on "social networking for jobs" on Feb 27, 2009 of http://comm2p26.wordpress.com/. However, I could not post it on it although Ive tried 4 times already. I could not figure it out so decided to post it on my blogger. This is the description:

• This week’s ‘collection of tid-bits’ is themed around work/employment & social networking sites. I’d like you to find some articles/info/blog posts etc that are related to this theme; people finding work via SNS or how to use SNS for employment etc.

Here are the websites that I found...

- http://www.job-hunt.org/social-networking/facebook-job-search.shtml
- http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/Job_Search_Networking.htm
- http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2/c1ee8c441db66525011db6f5e34200c8_Networking_more_than_a_job_hunt.do.html
- http://www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/ArticlesDetailView&articleId=sr20060926File1Article1&lang=EN&articleSource=SwartzRetorts
- http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=51731
- http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/Universities+turn+social+networking+sites+hook+recruits/1076193/story.html

i never realized that social networking in north ameria occupies much share on employment and job hunting. as i researched about facebook a bit before, i found that facebook is an excellent marketing tool based on what people's interests, age, gender,,, etc. so i think it is easy for companies to segment favorable possible employees in the future as well. i am pretty surprised that, now, job hunting is web bssed and is much easier for students to look for a job through social networking. therefore, as one of these website mentions, we need keep our profiles clean and reliable, because you have no idea how many and what kind of people have visited your profile or viewed pictures of you through other friends' album.

These pictures are...
LinkedIn demographics: an up-market social network and an up-market job site
Both groups contain the sort of people that are in demand, both as consumers and employees. So it’s interesting to see how LinkedIn’s user profile swings against the average for both our Social Networking and Forums and Employment and Training categories in the charts.

Myspace, Facebook, Linkedin, "Social Networking" Job Trends
This graph displays the percentage of jobs with your search terms anywhere in the job listing. Since July 2007, the following has occurred:
- Myspace jobs increased 147%
- Facebook jobs did not change or there is no data available
- Linkedin jobs increased 712%
- "Social Networking" jobs increased 153%

Ainsley's blog

The blog theme she has is the one I selected at first. I like the design. As I emailed proftracy, I could not post my comment on her blog...

Her blog is simple and easy to read because its not as formal as mine. Comparing to hers, I think my blog is boring to read. lol I also liked that she put her own picture on. It makes readers to feel that he or she is actually reading "her" blogs". It feels more friendly.