Tech Skills Students Need

The article Gee sent about tech skills students need to know was a great checklist to go through. I went down the line checking off what I know how to do and what I didn't; and then for the ones I did know, I questioned whether or not I was proficient in them. For the most part, I would say that I knew how to do them pretty well. I think that a lot of these skills will look great on my resume. I like to feel like I'm ahead of the curve for students my age because I'm in this social media class. I think I'm learning several different tools that will make me a marketable candidate to employers. Everyone is starting to jump on the social media craze and I like to think that I'll be a pro when everyone else is still learning. I have to thank Gee for most of this knowledge I have learned. The reports we did on the different types of social media have definitely been a big help! 

Using Social Media for Businesses

I just read one of Catharine P. Taylors posts about her most commented on blogs. Gee sent it out in an email. I read the one relating to socialmedia and businesses. I found this intriguing because Steve Glynn came in earlier and was talking about how he has been discussing the importance of social media with businesses and how some get it and some don't. I was trying to figure why that is? Are some CEOs and execs just more forward thinking, or is social media just to hard of a concept for some to grasp? I'll admit that when I first started participating in social media, I thought it was kind of frustrating. I felt like it was moving to fast and I couldn't keep up. I also didn't think I had anything interesting to say. After some practice I think I finally have the hang of it.  It was also comforting to see that others had written to Taylor expressing their frustration with social media. Now I know there are other social media inept people out there in the internet world. Gee also sent another email along about how a company should properly use twitter. I thought this article was interesting because there is a proper way to establish companies on twitter. Some of these companies that think they can do it by themselves without help from a social media expert might be in trouble. I definitely think that social media is something that needs to be practiced. 

Using Twitter to Water Your Plants

I was reading an interesting article in the newspaper about twitter the other day. So everyone that uses twitter just uses to stay in the know about the most current events, blogs, and websites on the web. Well now, twitter can remind you when to water your house plant. Yes, that's right, Twitter will tweet you when your plant needs water and attention. How you may ask? some students at NYU developed this nifty little gadget. There a device called the Botanicalls, which has sensors in the plant's soil. The sensors detect how much moisture is in the plant. Readings are sent to a micro-controller built into the Botanicalls device that translates the data into info that can be sent over the internet through embedded ethernet connection. The info is sent to a twitter account, and sends the plant's information via a text message to your phone. I think it's interesting how people are becoming more inventive and creative with twitter. It's becoming so integrated into our society that even plants are using it. I was curious what other innovative ways twitter will be used in our society. That's definitely something to ponder.

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20090206/SUMMITUP/902069989/1078&ParentProfile=1055&title=Summit%20up

This blog was kind of funny. It kind of gives an outsiders point of view about Wisconsin and I thought you guys might like it.

Mad Men-prehistoric social media

Ok, I don't know if anyone else has hear about the series on AMC called MADMEN. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a T.V. show about ad executives on who work on Madison Avenue in New York during the early 1960s. It's fascinating to watch because things have changed so much in the advertising business since then. However, the strategy is still the same, sell products. This got me to thinking about how much social media has influenced advertising since that time period. One of the major things that has changed since then is the strategy, and how advertisers get consumers to buy products. Back then all you needed was a catchy jingle or slogan and then people were hooked. Now, you need a catchy song and tag-line, but you also have to have a twitter and facebook account to keep up with the trends of the modern day consumer. The power of purchasing is being driven nowadays by social media. People search blogs and websites to find out other people's opinions on products and services. As consumers, we need reassurance that what we are buying is a quality product, and we look to others who have tried the products to reassure us in our decision. Back in the 60s, advertisers had to put on a show and make their product sound interesting, they would go to any length to sell a product. Now, there are so many ways to check up on the quality and creditability of a product via social media. 

Social Media Data

I played with the Groundswell data tool for awhile, trying out different groups and characteristics. I first examined what a female who is age 18-24, so basically me, would be characterized according to the chart. Just as I had suspected, most were joiners. I hate to be stereotypical but I know from personal experience that girls love stuff like this, all the social media, etc. We love finding ways to keep in touch and trying the latest fad out. I was also not surprised that girls who were spectators came in close second. I know, or so I've heard, that stalking is a favorite past time of many young women. It can be interesting to see what everyone is doing without actually having to check in with the person. Social media is becoming so mainstream now, and it is fascinating to watch how it is shaping our culture.