Over the hump...

Now that we're more than halfway through, I'm noticing a significant shift in the way I think about the web. I wasn't really sure what Web 2.0 meant before this class, but now I not only know that it's about participating, I am enjoying finding all of these new ways to connect with people. Even though I fit into the category of "digital native", I'd never really embraced the concept of virtual communities. I'm mostly an introvert IRL, but there's something about web communities - you put yourself out there, but with a greater degree of control and less intimidation than, say, if you walked into a club meeting for the first time. I dig it.

P.S. If you're waiting for me to grace your VT with my comments (lol), I'll get to it, promise. :)

G+ (again)

Spoken of, tweeted, and now blogged...

Won't you join me?

I've been watching your VoiceThreads...

One of my goals this week is to take the time out to view and comment on everyone's VoiceThread.

I've watched a handful so far, and it's interesting to see how each person perceived and responded to the guidelines a little bit differently. Some greatly emphasized the intellectual property concerns we've been discussing, while others took the time out to share each item in his or her collection. Still others spent more time explaining their sharing and tracking processes, and some (myself included) shared the pros and cons of using their chosen tool. I like that we all had slightly different approaches. They're more interesting to watch that way.

A gripe about VoiceThread: You can't be logged in at more than one location at a time. This is annoying, because (a)I was between computers while working on the project and (b) the tool lends itself to mobile use pretty well. I agree with others who've noted that it's easier to record your voiceover with your phone than with your computer. And, in my case, there's a lot less noise in the background since there's no whirring sound from the hard drive. Also, the countdown screen is a nice cue for when to start talking. But, as I was trying to view your videos on my phone (which I couldn't, btw, since free accounts are not able to see the content of other free account users without a direct URL (which does not work in the mobile app)), I had to keep logging in and out of each portal every time I wanted to try and see something I saw online on my phone. Also, the app was glitchy, so I had to delete and reinstall it a couple of times. And, when I changed my profile pic using my phone (there wasn't one I liked on my PC), I logged out and logged in on the PC and the picture was not changed. wth? Whatever.

Still, VoiceThreads are kind of neat. Your voices add personality to a presentation like a Slideshare never can (no offense to Slideshare). I've got an online group project coming up in another class and I'm thinking that VT is the way to go.

What did you guys think of VT? The first time I had to record my voice for a presentation was really weird for me. It was weird this time, but I kept recording my voice over and over to get it just right, so I guess I've gotten used to the way I sound.

How do you feel about listening to your recorded voice?

What? Meetup...if you missed it, you missed out

This is the only photo I took, unfortunately.

I'm blogging from my phone on the walk back home from What? Cafe where I just met up with Dr. D, Janet, and Jiyae. It was so nice finally getting to talk to each other IRL. We talked about the merits and cons of Facebook, #cellphonesforkids, class projects, balancing life with the demands of grad school (glad to know I'm not the only one struggling), and meeting up again...Janet suggested starting a storytelling group, and we talked about doing an international potluck (Janet makes a mean Jamaican curry, Jiyae's all over the Korean food) - maybe as a class or as an ISSA event. Either way, I'm in. 

It's a little late in the semester now, but I hope we can have more meetups like this one in the future, and I hope that you'll try to make it out.

PS @Vanessa - I'd much rather meet there for office hours, if you're gonna be there anyway :)

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Still trying to figure out the proper way to insert this button in the right sidebar using html. For now, it's here. :)

Social bookmarking vs curating

Yasin shared an interesting video on social bookmarking this week, and as I was watching it, I began to ponder my own use of bookmarking in the past and present.

I used to "add to bookmarks" everything I found interesting on my web browser toolbar, the old-fashioned way, as the video says, though I've noticed that I do it less recently. I think this is because of Pinterest. I have 43 boards on Pinterest, and a lot of it is re-pinned content I found while perusing the site. However, whenever I find new things online that I want to refer back to, my first instinct is to Pin it. I have pinned reading lists, tips for organizing, and general lifehacks, as well as things that I find aesthetically pleasing or just entertaining. Pinterest becomes frustrating when the link I want to post has no good photo associated with it. In that case, I'll typically just add the content to my browser toolbar, or go through the trouble of finding my own photo to upload (this has only happened once or twice in 2,095 pins thus far).

Though I'm familiar with the concept of tagging, I don't do it much. I have a Tumblr account, and on that site tagging is prevalent so I understand its usefulness in helping others find content. The hermit inside me, though, never wants to tag anything and has yet to lament over not tagging something I posted somewhere. Pinterest doesn't really do tagging. I suppose that because you can create an unlimited number of boards. Though it seems useful, I'm still hesitant to sign up for another site whose sole purpose is to organize the content I find online. There are so many already! I created a Diigo account for this class, but I have yet to use it, and I think it has a lot to do with the (imo) ugly interface. Delicious's interface is only slightly better. I like pictures with my content and idk if it's worth it to sign up for another account that I may or may not use.

All things considered, I'd say social bookmarking and curating are exactly the same, with a few nuanced differences amongst the sites.

Have you found this to be true?

Have you heard of Rebelmouse?

I came across this site called Rebelmouse today. It's a curation tool that incorporates real time social media updates. The company provides its services on different platforms for individuals and companies, and it seems that individual accounts are free.

This is the tool for those people who are constantly connected, and have a lot to say or share. The interface is really attractive, and designed with the modern web user in mind. No wonder the ad I saw was targeted to journalists. The business platform (which I'm sure is paid) is called Rebel Roar, and provides hard-core analytics while bridging the gap amongst social media platforms. The platform for individuals is called Rebel Explore. Rebel Explore touts itself as being "a full blogging platform that's social to the core", and suggests that users "Tell your story, your way", "Be your own newspaper", and "Recruit followers to join the battle". As I was looking through the site, I found myself thinking that I'd like to sign up, IF I were the kind of person who had something to say and wanted everyone to hear. Maybe I will someday. I certainly have a new perspective on how I can use the web to connect with the rest of the world.

This article provides a deeper description of the site's purposes if you're interested.

Would you use it? What do you think?