Category: PUB101

When I think about a comment section on social media, I immediately think toxic. I think about the no-filter responses people give without any thought of repercussions.

Comment sections can be detrimental to some individuals’ mental health and well-being. Comments can be utilized to tear people down and isolate them.

In my opinion, over the years people have become more aware of the issues regarding the comment sections on differnt social media platforms. Although people have become more aware, the problem is still exists.

For example, when I was in middle school and high school there was a social media platform called ASKfm. ASKfm was an online platform where people could anonymously ask other people questions or leave comments on their pages. ASKfm was used to create cruel rating systems of peopel and to anonymously leave hateful comments.

From a greater perspective, the whole idea sounds harmless. However, in application, it was horrible.

Trying to navigate middle school alone is a challenging time, but adding social media bullying to the mix, made it a struggle.

The whole idea that people exude hate on the internet is exhausting. The more ideas of comments, the more I think of differnt social media platforms. For instance, I think of the early days of Instagram, where people would post and rate each others pictures and posts. For example, people would rate a photo out of 10 on how “attractive” someone looked in a photo. 

Social media comments are not built for success. 

When I think about Lyz’s (2022) story, I can understand and support why she would make those comments. Living in the world of social media platforms is difficult. Comments are a free space where people can comment whatever they feel.

The one slightly good perspective of comments is the opportunity to share information. For example, sharing recommendations for places to go, or commenting on where someone purchased a item. Therefore, using the comments as a place to distribute information.

On certain platforms, the idea of negative toxic comments is highly unlikely. To some extent, I believe trolls and scammers are not be looking at unpopular websites or media. Trolls and and scammers are more likely to spend time on platforms that generate more attention. 

For my website, I choose to have the comment section available. Based on my posts and the platform I created, I believe the idea of negative comment curating is low. Of course, if someone were to comment anything hurtful or toxic towards someone else, I would address it and remove it. For right now, I don’t think my website needs the comment section removed.

References 

Lyz. (2022, February 2). That’s how it works when you’re a woman on the internet. That’s How It Works When You’re a Woman on the Internet. Retrieved from https://lyz.substack.com/p/thats-how-it-works-when-youre-a-woman?s=r 

The idea of storytelling across multiple different platforms made me reflect on my website as well as the ones I view in my personal life. 

From my standpoint, creating my website has been a journey. I think it was more difficult than I anticipated. Throughout posting on the blog, I have been unintentionally incorporating different media within the blog. The problematic area within that is I used my platforms rather than creating platforms directly for the blog itself.

For example, in the second mini assignment based on incorporating a video, I strategized making the video using Instagram. I utilized the Instagram platform for editing and creating the video. Still, instead of posting it on that platform and tagging the link to my webpage, I saved them and uploaded it to a private YouTube page for easier viewing. 

Similarly, I followed that same pattern when I created a remix, I used a template I saw from TikTok, created it on Instagram and then uploaded it onto YouTube. From there, the same pattern continues. I made the gif assignment using a gif template app and then downloaded and redirected where I uploaded it.

To incorporate transmedia into my website, I should have been creating a different platform to not only upload the content but also allow other users to use it. 

When I think about the reading of Pókemon as the transmedia storyline, I think about several other platforms that replicate similar processes for storytelling. For example, similar ideas like marvel comics, became movies, shows, action figures, and more. It demonstrates different variations and platforms of the same thing. 

When I was thinking about transmedia on a social media scope, I thought about celebrities. Several celebrities have their websites/blogs, clothing lines or makeup lines, along with their social media platforms. These platforms help promote the celebrity and gain social media attention and awareness.

It’s interesting because prior to completing the reading on transmedia and attending the lecture, I never thought about the scope. Transmedia has a large impact on the delivery and dispersal of information in the media world. Therefore, I believe it is widely important to have multiple platforms to generate awareness.

Before this week, I honestly had no idea what SEO was or how it even worked. I had no idea of its importance or any idea of how it influenced the internet.

The biggest and most important step in understanding SEO was knowing that it was an acronym. SEO is for search engine optimization (Hollingsworth, 2021).  Before I went on to the readings, I wanted to understand each component of that. 

I know it sounds silly to not understand the components of SEO, but honestly, I had to break it down. So, I took each word in the acronym and broke it down. 

My definitions: S.E.O

Search: to look for something or someone. It’s the process of looking. 

Engine: something that is a moving part. Meaning, it facilitates something. 

Optimization: something that provides the best or most effective possible outcome. 

After I was able to create my definitions and break down the word slowly, I was able to read and understand the articles. 

Essentially SEO helps facilitate, promote, and benefit the growth of a company/brand (Hollingsworth, 2021). Hollingsworth (2021) outlines 15 reasons why SEO is important to a company/brand by reasoning it promotes growth and awareness. 

I found the process of understanding SEO interesting because I was able to break down the whole wording into my own definition and apply it to the readings.

I find that if I ever am confused or stuck on the wording of something, I find I just have to break it down. I don’t know why, but I sometimes have a short mental block when I come across wording that is unfamiliar to me. Therefore, I have to take a step back and look at it in small doses to easily break it down. Once I do that, I have no problem understanding it. 

After reading Hollingsworth’s (2021) article and sitting in a lecture, I can understand the importance of SEO. I find I was able to understand how it impacts a user’s experience with the content online. 

References

Hollingsworth, S. (2021, August 6). 15 reasons why your business absolutely needs seo. Search Engine Journal. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-seo-is-important-for-business/248101/#close 

Leaving a digital footprint almost seems unavoidable. Anywhere you go, someone always asking for something… especially when you go shopping.

I found after reading Norman’s (2016) post on trying to avoid leaving a digital trail, completely relatable. Almost every shopping mall and or store asks you for your email, your phone number, and or some type of contact information. I find it nearly impossible to have a trip to the mall that does not include some type of contracting information question.

Everything needs to be digitalized.

Some stores try to promote their digital footprint by indicating they will send deals and discounts to the contact address. Therefore, if you are willing to give stores the contact information then you specifically will benefit from receiving secret information.

With that, I feel like the idea of using or giving digital information has become the preferred method.

I have come to realize, that the idea of using cash at some stores almost seems to be ridiculous. Many times, I have offered cash to the store attendees and have found they almost looked surprised, like “really, you want to pay with cash?”. Honestly, I have gotten to the point where every time I want to pay with cash, I seem to always ask the working attendee if it’s okay if I pay with cash as if cash is a foreign payment.

With the strong push for consumers to pay by credit and with debit cards, cash almost seems like a burden. I find it becomes awkward as some employees make it feel like it is an inconvenience. Several card payment options include simple tap features or slide features, making transactions quick and easy.

To some extent, I think the peak of Covid-19 had a lot to factor into avoiding cash payments. Cash payments require a type of contact exchange. Thus, stores were trying to minimalize physical exchanges. Although I understand that contactless payments avoid physical exchanges it makes it hard to reverse the mindset that cash exchanges are bad.

Now, I have found that several stores and companies now push for contactless payments. Stores have created this by having signs indicating a preference for consumers using a card method of payment or having signs indicating they don’t accept cash payments. Therefore, pushing consumers to leave digital footprints on basic transactions.

Overall, I find digital footprints unavoidable. They are everywhere.

References

Norman, S. (2016, March 7). Trying not to drop breadcrumbs in Amazon’s store. Publishing @ SFU. https://publishing.sfu.ca/2016/03/breadcrumbs-of-data/

Last week, I was working on making a remix. Honestly, I had no idea what to do with the word remix. When I thought about remixing, all I could think about was music. Music is where the artists blend two or more songs to create a new sound.

Thompson’s (2022) article explores the acceleration of the internet and the changing of the word lingo. From Thompson’s perspective, I can understand the confusion. I feel like the new slang words in social media are constant. I find I am constantly learning and adapting to the newest and trending sayings.

Yes, the word “remix” is not exactly new, but the idea to remix things other than music, is a foreign idea to me.

To gain insight into remixes, I set out to do some research. 

When I first went beyond a remixing song in the way of collaboration, I thought about remixing lyrics. Meaning, adding new words, rhythms, and rhymes to the popular trending lyrics. Thus, putting a twist on Gen Z slang (Thompson, 2022). What I quickly realized was trying to remix music was out of my realm of expertise. 

Next, I thought about poems and making a collage using only old magazines and newspapers. When I thought about this concept, it brought up a lot of memories of my old childhood bedroom. I use to cover the walls and hang the weirdest collages from my ceiling just so I could be surrounded by my interests.

All through this idea seemed great in theory, (who doesn’t love a good collage?) I realized that I have not owned a glue stick in YEARS. So…

Onto the next idea. 

While I was flipping through my camera roll on my phone, I started laughing at all my old videos and pictures. I was getting a good laugh at watching the memories back. One video that I watched a couple of times was about my parents finding out I got a tattoo.

When I rewatched the video and saw my parent’s facial expressions I knew I wanted to remix it. 

When I was thinking about the different ways of remixing, I could just hear a specific TikTok audio. (Oh No).

Before merging the two, I could tell the original audio mimicked the TikTok song. I knew the video and the audio would match up and create something funny.

Next, all I had to figure out was how to combine the video and the audio.

TikTok seemed to be the place.

Although TikTok is a trending app, I feel completely intimated by it. As Thompson (2022) indicates the internet world is changing for the new generation. 

After playing around with the audio and the video footage, I was able to crop the pieces accordingly to make a concise video. 

The original video contained a whole introduction and then the revealing of the tattoo. Whereas, the remixed version only showcases a snippet of my parent’s (mainly my mom’s) initial reaction to seeing my tattoo.

Overall, I found using different technology outlets challenging as it was new to me. However, after trial and error, the process produced a funny remix. Without the assignment, I would have not gotten the opportunity to remix the video.

References

Thompson, D. (2022, May 16). Is the internet changing how we talk about slang words? In The Know. https://www.intheknow.com/post/slang-words-tiktok-gen-z-linguist/?guccounter=1

 

Thoughts and Concerns.

This week we were exploring the world of online media. I was thinking about online information and the available content. I started to think about my interactions with online content and my general opinions and feelings about the accessibility of online content. 

Depending on what you are reading, the content can be fake, real, and or a bent view of the truth. The creator and author can decide what they want to explore, discuss, and leave out. Thus, online content can always be skewed. 

The online server is endless with content. It is open and available to anyone and everyone. 

When I was considering the type of content I read and the reliability of the sources, I thought about the importance of research. I thought about the digital research of knowing the background information and realizing the “vehicle” it pertains to, meaning, referencing the source’s relevance, appropriateness, detail, currency, authority, and bias (Caulfield, 2016). 

When I thought about Caulfied’s (2016) article on digital literacy and analyzing the truth, I thought about validity. The validity in finding out and testing whether the information being stated can be backed up. Meaning is the reference reliable. 

To consider digital literacy, I believe previous knowledge and or skepticism about the content must exist. I think questioning the content allows for a greater perspective on the situation. I find it allows for curiosity. 

Older youth, adolescents, and adults may know to question the information online. However, young children may not have the capacity to question the online world. So, to some extent, I believe the accessibility to online content is a problem. 

I know everyone has their own right and ability to explore the internet but to some point, the internet is not curated and filtered to young views. As Bridle (2017) pointed out, the internet can provide content that contains violent and sexual content that can be viewed by anyone. Random searches or ad promotions from videos can expose and desensitize children. I think this can be problematic. 

I think exposure and knowledge of the dark world are important at some point. However, exposure at a young age is scary. I think children deserve to have their own blissful innocence before they are exposed to the internet. 

References

Bridle, J. (2017, November). Something is wrong on the internet. Medium. https://medium.com/@jamesbridle/something-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2

Caulfield, M. (2016, December 19). Yes, Digital Literacy. but which one? Hapgood. https://hapgood.us/2016/12/19/yes-digital-literacy-but-which-one/

 

Lululemon

As a frequent shopper of Lululemon, I visit their online store regularly. At first glance, the website is quite clean and put together. I think it has a great contrast of colours and an efficient organizational system. The site provides different categories and subcategories that make online shopping accessible. 

Lululemon’s brand and website have grown over the years. As Kaptelinin would comment, Lululemon has utilized modern graphic technology to create an intuitive design (n.d.). Meaning, Lululemon has seen advancements in their products to accommodate newer designs. 

The website models inclusivity for the most part. It provides and encourages diversity amongst its models of ethnic backgrounds and body types. Therefore, making the website and brand more accessible to all individuals. 

Lululemon’s webpage has a standardized website look. As Mauve Pagé suggested, websites typically read from left to right with the logo being in the top left-hand corner, the drop downs being in the middle, and personal account information/places to sign in are on the top right-hand corner (2022). 

The webpage demonstrates a good contrast in colours by having the background be white and the models and clothes be a different colour. I think having a neutral background of white and having neutral colours for the model’s backgrounds allows for the clothing on the models to pop. 

The topography of the website is simple, yet effective. I would not say that the topography does not provide a unique level of braiding, however, highlights and bolds its simplicity of it. For example, the important items and categories may be bolded at the user’s discretion.

Overall, the design of the website is aesthetic. 

Although a strong fan of Lululemon I noticed the website was missing some key items. I found the website is missing accessibility to alternative text boxes with photos, different colouring lighting and font enhancement. Therefore, the website may be unusable for some individuals. 

In addition, the website sometimes lags or kicks you out of the session without warning. To some extent, it can be contributed to the number of users accessing the Lululemon website but could also be contributed to errors on the website. 

On a personal level, I know my website is not completely accessible to all users. I have been trying and playing around with different word press plug-ins and identities but have not yet been able to settle on something extremely intuitive. 

Overall, I enjoyed relooking over the different web pages I explore regularly through a different lens. I found looking at the different designs encouraged me to revisit the design and layout of my webpage.  

References:

Kaptelinin, V. (n.d). Affordance. In The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction, Chapter 44 (2^nd ed). Interaction Design Foundation. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from      https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-encyclopedia-of-human-computer interaction-2nd-ed/affordances

Pagé, M. (2022, October 18). Designing yourself. [Lecture notes]. 

Designing and producing my content for a website has been rather challenging. I have found myself contemplating what direction I want to take with each post and considering how the content reflects me. I have been trying to produce semi-meaning posts that reflect my online self. Some of my posts looking back, have been rather all over the place and quite random. I am trying to find a solid direction in the path I want to take when displaying my online self. 

Creating an online self and showing the media little snippets of your personality is harder than I anticipated. As a person who is shy about the online world, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to create and re-create yourself in a different format. The online world only knows what you want it to know and only sees it singularly. Meaning, it matters how the information is presented as it is only one dimensional. 

Yes, I am overthinking a lot of this website design and content. So, that’s where the random assortment of content comes from. It is displaying the thought process of exactly what is going on in my life or what I may be thinking about. In saying that, I do try and make the posts intentional, rather than just spewing out randomness. 

I found the online reading from Basu (2020) highlights my process. To some extent, my website is the digital garden as it displays my learning process and growth while highlighting my interests. Although it is like a blog for a greater audience, it is also a digital garden for myself and online growth. Indicating, it’s a quiet space to explore what the online world is all about. 

As Basu (2020) states “everyone does their own weird thing”. 

I think Basu indicates an important aspect of exploring your own growth. Stating “everyone does their own weird thing” shows the perspective that everyone is different and creative in their own way (Basu, 2020).  Meaning, that not everyone is the same or does the same thing. Everyone is unique and creative in their own way. 

Moving forward with my website, I feel like I must concentrate on the right now aspect of my online self and be okay with their mistakes. Lean into the different learning curves and just try. Thus, allowing my website to grow. 

References

Basu, T. (2020, September 3). Digital Gardens let you cultivate your own little bit of the internet. MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/03/1007716/digital-gardens-let-you-cultivate-your-own-little-bit-of-the-internet/

When I originally started this webpage, I imagined I would have a type of audience that appreciated the idea of trying out new things. I imagined a younger demographic, ranging in age from 20 – 30 years of age. I pictured the audience being those who wanted to try out new lifestyle trends that help to effectively make their day-to-day life easier. In addition, look and focus on ways of saving money and becoming savvy with it. That way, they can pick and choose alternative options for spending. 

When I wrote my first post, I thought riding a school bus would not only save money compared to a limo or multiple Ubers but provide an experience with nostalgia and fun. Being able to be transported as a full group provides the opportunity to create fun and memorable memories.

Thus, the demographic would most likely be individuals who would have finished high school, are of age, trying to save and still like to go out. Therefore, featuring an adventurous audience looking to try new ideas. When I wrote my second post, I wanted to feature a different aspect of an underrated lifestyle trend. The second post featured a different style. A style that is not only amazingly comfortable but stylish and practical. The website provides information for different consumers looking for savvy underrated trends. 

As I have been adding and editing the webpage, I have been working on narrowing my focus. Mainly focusing on lifestyle. That way, providing lifestyle hacks that make day-to-day life run smoothly and save money. Moving forward, I am planning on just providing updates on underrated lifestyle choices that may enhance some individual’s life and benefit the day-to-day. In doing so, it will provide real-life experiences and opinions on the matter. Whether it be lifestyle changes that benefit activities, health and wellness, and or timesavers.

Therefore, I predict the demographic of my audience to be in their 20s or students. Having a focused audience facilitates the wants and needs of individuals looking to enhance their current life with tips and tricks related to their day-to-day lifestyle. 

I am wanting to create a simplistic and organized webpage that showcases the uniqueness of my content. The idea behind the webpage is to highlight activities and lifestyle changes that are seen to be unpopular and underrated, however, helpful and enjoyable for some individuals.

Although the content might be adventurous, I want the website to be easy to use. I want it to display a user-friendly aesthetic that can be straight forward. I feel that the simplicity will reflect my own persona of needing a simplistic design to navigate technology.

I am currently working on trying to make my website accessible to all users. I have been working on downloading and playing around with different plugins to add to my website. For example, I have been trying to find different text fonts, colours and different images that can help the overall look of the website.

Some aspects of the design process of the website have been trial-and-error. I think I have been trying a trial-and-error strategy to figure out what I believe works and what does not. This includes the perception of the website and actual use.

Trying to create a website and adding installations is not a cup of tea. As a person who struggles with technology, I found setting up my blog very difficult. I struggled with formatting, colour schemes, themes and organization. I have a newly founded respect for website designers and bloggers. Website designers and bloggers are UnderRated!

In starting the process of transitioning and applying my vision of my blog to the online web I struggled. I found I had all these ideas that were drastically spread out into different ends of my personality. I felt split in what I wanted to focus on or blog about every week. I was trying to come up with a concept that made the most sense personally, while also trying to decide on something worthy of reading.

Oh man, my roommate was killing themselves laughing at me trying to figure out technology. In my defence, they also had no idea what I was trying to accomplish or know what I was trying to do. Anyways, I spent WAY too long focusing and concentrating on trying to understand the different aspects of WordPress and Elementor before ever trying to play with it. I spent the time watching youtube videos like Elementor complete tutorial and how to make a website with WordPress, but I found the videos still left me lost.

I realized I needed to just post my learning process rather than just not post at all. My website is still all over the place and the design is a mess, but I am trying.

According to Watters (2015) owning a domain provides insight into understanding the world of web technology. Watters (2015) indicates that owning a domain permits the opportunity to directly experience the web while having a narrative.

I am hopeful that I can obtain a greater understanding of how web technology works while feeling a sense of control over what is projected. I am hoping that if I keep posting and working on my blog, it will eventually become and reflect my vision board. If not, I am optimistic it will be an honest reflection of myself.

References

Watters, A. (2015, July 15). The web we need to give students. Medium. Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://brightthemag.com/the-web-we-need-to-give-students-311d97713713#.4d7j8rs6x 

My experience talking with a stranger went smoothly. I left the conversation feeling content.

The usage of the word stranger could be taken in different contexts depending on the situation. I consider a stranger to be someone who I have never met before or have spoken to.

Conversations with a stranger can be strange. Depending on the situation and how I try and present myself, conversations can be weird. In a setting where the “stranger” is anticipating a conversation, I find myself to be proper, calm, polite and friendly. The conversation is usually surface-level but friendly. In a setting in which, the “stranger” is surprised by a conversation and is uneasy, I find myself feeling awkward and uncomfortable. The conversation is usually quick.

I enjoy a conversation with a stranger when they are face to face. When talking in person, I can use all five senses to engage with my fellow person. In doing so, I can interact with their body language and react to the discussion being had. Hence, being able to engage in pleasantries within their boundaries. Conversations with an online stranger can sometimes be challenging. I find them difficult as I struggle to guess how they are reacting to the discussion. Meaning, is the stranger enjoying the discussion, offended, or answering sarcastically? Online, it is harder to guess the response as the projection is being received singularly.

A person will continue to be a stranger without a conversation.