Week 9: Blog #2

PEGGLE!!!!!

Peggle is yet another example of a mobile video game that is highly successful. Originally it was a points purchase on Xbox, but due to its popularity they have made many more versions including downloadable ones for mobile phones and other devices, laptops and Ipads. The game is a simple arcade game but i find it addicting and it will be a staple in my college memories as a result of many hours of killing free time. I think it is a good example of social media's potential at its finest. The creators originally made a cheap arcade game for the Xbox, but of course nobody really buys those. So they had the genius idea to create it on a social media platform and distribute it to smart phones and Ipads, which of course has turned out much more profit and notability than they ever could have hoped to achieve if they left it alone as an Xbox Arcade game.

Week 9: Blog # 1

On this week's Ted Talk we listened to Rhonda Lowry as she discussed our identity and second life with new technologies and social media. This was the first Ted Talk that i did not find particularly interesting, largely due to the fact that i wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about or where she was going with the conversation. I got lost on the idea of a second life. Eventually i caught on with the references to things like Facebook and Timeline where something like a design or page layout was altered and at first there was backlash and an uneasy feeling. However, in almost no time at all most people just accepted and moved on, much like they do with other technologies and life in general.  A new road is opened, and everyone thinks wow a great new shortcut, but after a month they are already complaining again and the new road feels as old as every other road in town. Also i definitely prefer face to face interaction over virtual chats and avatar sit ins.

Rhonda Lowry

Topics in class that relate could be to the idea of a virtual reality and second life are the industrial revolution, collaboration of course, and social media serving a higher purpose. The Industrial Revolution comes to mind because it was a time where many new inventions and resources came about. At the time they were amazing and unlike anything else, yet today much of what evolved in that time is obsolete or forgotten because it has simply become a part of everyday life. Collaboration is an obvious one because it directly relates to what she was talking about. Any form of communication through technology and social media is collaboration. Basically in my mind any form of group communication with a purpose or goal is collaboration so that is pretty broad. Finally, this leads into the idea of social media being an outlet for everything in life, from work to play, business to friends, etc. Social media is continuously evolving and as a result many different functions are coming into play like the use of online meetings and personal avatars for business as well as pleasure.

Week #5: Blog one and only

What is on my mind...

First off, i'm hungry and tonight i'm faced with the infamous college dilemma of whether to go out or study. My fraternity is having a social tonight, but my friend and I are in the middle of preproduction for a film we want to shoot this summer and he is going home tomorrow. I also have this blog to finish, of course.

Other than that, i'm ready for the fests, i went running today for once,  and I wish i had a car down here. I'm waiting to get paid, and i have work again saturday at 4PM. I also need to start checking my email more often. Right now I am about to clean my room and grab some food. Till next time.

Week 4: Blog #2

• What is the most interesting concept?

My favorite topics of discussion have been the ones that revolve around the future of social media and where it is headed in terms of business. I enjoy the discussions about how there is an increase in use of social media like blogs, social networks, and wikis as tools for recruiting,  collaborating and group communication in general.

• The least interesting concept

I hate to say it but using blogger has to be the boring part. I have been genuinely interested in each lecture for the most part so the only part of class i dislike it the blogs. Even though it's probably good experience for me, i'm just a little  blogged out from Media 203.

• Real World Relevance

My major is currently video production, and ideally i would like to move out west to pursue a film career. The need to to be proficient in social media is obvious. Marketing myself is going to be half the battle, and the other half will be finding opportunities and jobs. The media industry is dominated by the use of online networking and advertising. Being able to use and understand the vast number of different tools social media has to offer is going to be crucial in navigating the harsh world of film and Hollywood. 

Week 4: Blog Post #1

What Brogan discusses regarding comments on social media pages is interesting and something that i have wondered about before. I have my doubts about the growing role technology has in our everyday lives, but the use of social media for communication continues to amaze me. The ability to communicate not only with friends and family, but also be able to share information and news with mass numbers of people is what i think makes social media so special, and comments, "Like" features,  and sharing options all play a big role in this pay it forward type process of collaboration.

Adrian Andrade
Amanda Olszewski
Andrew Sigrist

Week 2: Blog #2

I use Facebook about once a day and that is a modest guess at best. i use it mainly to keep up with my friends and also for school, groups and events. When i work with people on group projects, especially new people, things like groups and messaging are extremely useful. I would add feature to watch videos on it sort of like a mini YouTube. There is really not much else i can think of. I am not a huge fan of Timeline, but my main problem with Facebook would be the posts about failed relationships, crushes, and small problems. I think Facebook has survived so long and been so successful because of the seemingly endless possibilities is provides for people socially. Anyone can find people, meet them, get to know them and form a connection whether it personal or professional. The ability to plan events and then invite your friends, form groups for projects, and keep connected is unparalleled among social networking sites.

I never used Myspace for long, not because of Facebook but because after Xanga i was tired of the social network phenomena. That was freshman year of High School and i only recently joined Facebook the beginning of my freshman year here. So, i really don't know what is different between Myspace and Facebook besides that there are definitely more collaborative options and features on Facebook. Nor do i know what could be changed to help improve Myspace besides try to think like a college student with a cocky attitude in a Harvard dorm room. No , even though i hate Facebook because i can't get away from it i won't go back to Myspace anytime soon.

Week 2: Blog #1

I have several goals for this blog. First, it is a class assignment so naturally i want to do well and create a blog that meets expectations. Second, i hope this weekly assignment will help me generate ideas and answer some concerns i may have about the future. Oftentimes when i am working on class assignments i get the most of them when i am able to form ideas based on the contents of the assignment. I wasn't sure how to word that so a good example is a recent assignment i had  in psychology that led to an idea for a short film. Also, in my Script Analysis class i have already learned a lot about professional screenwriting and the opportunities in the field that surpassed my initial estimate and is starting to impact my professional and career goals. I look forward to this class having the same effect as social media has such a direct connection with my everyday life. Finally, i want to have a good time and learn to enjoy my time blogging since it looks like there will be a fair amount in my future.


From Google Gadgets i have added Interactive Monkey simply because it looked something fun to do while i procrastinate my blogs. I also added Google Calendar since i tend to forget things. Now, assuming i use my calendar, my blog can also help me keep track of dates and times and keep my entertained. I look forward to much personal gain by using these additions and this blogging experience for my remaining time as a blogger.