Monday, November 4, 2013


Along with social networks, applications and other technological advancements have been made as well. In a job environment, you are called upon to present your ideas in meetings and such. You are required to compile these thoughts in a simple and appealing way. We are most familiar with the application most schools have, Microsoft Powerpoint. Unfortunately, this application may be costly. Prezi, an alternative presentation application, offers a free 30 day trial and a $13.29 a month fee after that. You are able to keep your presentations private, network with coworkers, work online and off, which allows people to save your ideas onto your computer to work with them. Prezi offers another alternative to the computer application revolution. Established in 2009 by co-founders Adam Somlai-Fischer, Peter Halacsy and Peter Arvai. Today, Prezi is in the hands of Sunshine Capital, which assists with its progress. The name comes from the short Hungarian word for “Presentation”, which is not as ironic as it may appear.

            Simply, Prezi can be used as a business tool. In the work force, you are required to present your ideas for advancement in an organized and appealing manner. A presentation stands in your way of success of failure in that line of work. To create a production of this sort, you need a decent, simple application to utilize. Prezi gives these options. Working online with coworkers and collaborators, the cloud idea becoming increasingly popular, gives this program a benefit. You can also work offline, not with a collaborator, and save the product to your desktop. Completing a presentation on your own time accumulates most of your free time, which is a great feature the desktop option in Prezi gives. A downside to this, is that Prezi tends to give numerous options of slide transitions, which accumulate most of the user’s time. You must remember, to use this application, that the content is what will dazzle those who are receiving the presentation. Spectacular transitions are useless if not paired with content of equal skill. Other than that, the complaints of Prezi are limited. This is a good tool to use for your business needs.

            Prezi’s social, recreational and entertainment uses are very limited. Creating a presentation is rarely used for amusement and to socialize with friends. Prezi displays their most popularly viewed presentations on their website, available to watch and like. The amount of people that have viewed each presentation is viewable on the website. If you’d like to inform someone in presentation form of a topic you have particular interest in, which many individuals do on their spare time, a Prezi presentation helps with this. The only downside to this is that creating a presentation can be extremely time consuming. Prezi offers on their homepage also to sign up for their website through Facebook, which benefits them in form of advertising and also informs your friends of your use of this website.

             Those involved with news may also find this online presentation website useful. News reporters are constantly trying to deliver their information organized and efficiently. This way to organize their thoughts is creative and simple. The only downside to using this program, may also be an asset. Drawing attention to the slides is easy, with the many features it offers for slide transitions and effects, but this might take away attention from the fact that they are in fact trying to deliver facts. Everything in moderation, and if used with a balance this program may be efficient.






Thursday, October 31, 2013


            From day one of its creation in September of 1998, Google has set out to create an easier way to locate information. Larry Page and Sergey Brin were Ph. D. students at Stanford University when they developed this cloud computing website. Originally developing as a search engine, to organize the world’s information and make it accessible universally. The internet offered a place to look for information, always stored at the public’s disposal. Google supplied the public with a simpler way to access this. Imagine hopping onto a computer and copying a direct web address every time you logged on? Google made that simpler. Since its release in 1998, Google has purchased other companies and expanded on its own. One of these new features it has adapted is Google Docs and Google Drive. Educational, Business and even Recreational needs can be fulfilled with these cloud computing devices incorporated into Google. Today, we still use Google as a search engine, but we also utilize the many new features it develops for the public’s convenience. This company based out of Mountain View, California has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we work.

            For business purposes, Google Docs and Google Drive have undoubtedly created an easier atmosphere. If one coworker is working on a dissertation or presentation, they may upload their works onto their Google Drive and “Share” with coworkers. These presentations may then be worked on “Live” and together with whoever you wish to share it with. A downside to this is, your paper can be altered by workers who have shared with you, but also have that copy on their drive. Google stimulates economic activity in our country by the BILLIONS. Being a business itself, Google knows how to provide for the masses in this country and succeeds in it.

            Socially, Google Docs may also be used. You can share documents with family and friends, along with pictures as well. These features of Google Docs can help business connect, but may also be utilized for personal uses of course. The recreational capabilities of this website ties in as well to the social aspect. By placing these documents, pictures and such on this drive and altering them wherever you go. This also enables the users to have a lot more storage space than it does on a flash drive. The negative to this is that is the user is unable to retrieve their username or password, their work is lost. Also, losing internet connection on your computer can result in your work being unable to get done. There are always positives and negatives to relying on the internet.

            Google Docs does not have many uses for the news or Entertainment, but it is in fact applicable. Articles may be shared over Google Docs, over the computer. Instead of reading off to a companion, you can share the article through this program. For entertainment, you may also share entertaining articles, pictures, documents and such over this website. You may add folders and such to your drive, organizing your thoughts. Google Docs is essentially a flash drive without the external piece.

            Google Docs, or Google Drive has many useful features, such as being a flash drive without the hardware, but there is always the problem of relying on the internet, changing the format from Microsoft word to Google Docs and the risk of people you share this document with altering it.







Tuesday, October 29, 2013


                It is no untold secret that social networking is the center of today’s society. The year of 2004 brought countless new advancements in this area. MySpace was already in use, and a competitor was about to reach the market. February 2004 brought the beginning of the road for Harvard Students Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. They created a website, then known as “FaceMash”, listing two faces next to each other, letting the user of the site click on who is the better looking individual. These were mostly fellow classmates, and little did Zuckerberg know he’d be creating one of the largest internet communities in history to date. While studying psychology, Mark Zuckerberg developed “The Facebook”, where classmates could stay connected on a website. You could share photographs, write about your activities, chat and comment. This was the ultimate tool to connect the student body. The network slowly gained momentum, becoming available to all US universities, US high schools and reaching UK universities in October 2005. The name was purchased just the month before for $200,000. This free site is now available to anyone with an email address, and is constantly undergoing construction. Mr. Zuckerberg has so far refused to sell his website, but the speculated amounts offered linger around $2 Billion. Zuckerberg has also decided to release stocks from his company to be open to the public. They typically do not sell well, but Facebook has earned much revenue from sales of their stock. Leaps and bound this company has taken since 2004, and as we continue further on into the future, this Harvard drop out will continue on this road of improvement, forever changing how we share information and stay in touch.

                Facebook was originally used for educational purposes, but you can surely incorporate your business into the Facebook craze. Not only can you construct a profile for yourself, Facebook allows you to construct “Pages” to advertise. Customers can “Like” your business and receive notice about offers and specials you have in the near future. This is a simple, easy and cheap form of advertising. Downsides to this, is that your business can also be targeted negatively. Dissatisfied customers may spread their opinions throughout their social networking page, creating a bad image for your business.

                Socially, Facebook has developed. Once used to connect those at Harvard Law School, Facebook connects people from around the globe. You may post pictures, like pictures, comment on posts written or pictures, chat with distant relatives and friends, etc. Connecting over the internet, if once was easy, Facebook now made it even simpler. This can also be a disadvantage. Facebook does have a filter to detect inappropriate content, and you can report unnecessary posts, but some always slip through the cracks. We’ve discovered internet bullying and exposure on the internet comes hand in hand with improving the way we connect, and being so closely connected may not always be the best thing.

                Almost the whole population goes on Facebook in times of boredom to Entertain oneself. Browsing through a favorite celebrity’s page or looking at videos posted, we can surely use Facebook as a form of pleasure. The problem is, where does this pleasure end? When you’re up all night, too tired to do the rest of your assignments as a student? Procrastinating on a presentation? We take advantage of these social networking sites, and use them as a distraction and an excuse. It has been said that internet addiction is an actual mental illness. When does recreational use step into that boundary?

                News is easily spread over this website. Posts and Statuses regarding topics, locally and internationally, are posted around the world every day. The problem is, we cannot rely on those who write their opinion on a website as a reliable source, and the population does not always see it this way. Rumors and speculation spread like wildfire over websites like these, tampering the views of the public.

                Facebook can also be used as a recreational business. Investing in its stocks, which are public as of 2012, can have its benefits. Although, as in all stocks, the risks to lose money are always present.

                Facebook has revolutionized how we work and interact. Connecting with the world is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. Although we love being connected with those we care about, and makes connecting easier to associates as well, this connecting must be censored, or the beauty of the social network can be tampered.




Friday, October 25, 2013


            In a world where social networks were on the rise, developing new and improved ideas seemed to be the competition. Instead of appealing to the young adult and teenager generation, this website developed by Reid Hoffman would change the way people in the work force connected. How many people, colleagues, have you met and lost touch with throughout your professional career? Mr. Hoffman appealed to this social aspect of the business world. Build an online profile, add connections you’ve made in the work force and as you grow as a professional individual you will be able to quickly, simply and easily connect with these old acquaintances for opportunities and services required. It was to be called “LinkedIn”. This revolutionary site is still used for the same purposes. Although it hasn’t evolved much since it’s origination and development in 2003, it has changed ownership three times so far in its 10 year history and still manages to keep the same mission: connect those in the business world.

            The entire website is business related. It is essentially a “Facebook” for people in the work force, except you most likely find the traumatizing mistakes you made this weekend on your “wall”. You can create a profile for yourself and connect with people you’ve encountered throughout your job experience, ask them for services you need, and even check their connections to see if they know someone they can possibly refer you to. Even if you’re not employed as you originally were when you created your profile, LinkedIn can refer you and your experience to jobs and opportunities that might appeal to your expertise. If you are in the areas of recreation or entertainment, which are broad industries, LinkedIn allows you simply and easily to build a profile to outline yourself. Once you’ve created a network, references and opportunities come hand in hand. A downside to this business website is the group chatting feature provided for marketing features to potential customers, coworkers and employers. This feature, if utilized in the right way, is extremely helpful. Although, like any website, this one isn’t perfected from the internet hackers known to pillage the web. These hackers can send spam mail to your associates, angering them in some cases, annoying others and possibly even removing their connection with you. After all, who would like to receive spam from a potential partnership?  These things create an unprofessional image for your company, one which is dreaded in the work force.  This is a risk we must take by broadcasting and connecting on the World Wide Web. You receive an easy way to market your business, company or even yourself, but sometimes lose your professional aspects.

LinkedIn can be considered a website to socialize as well. Although your connections are made to keep for business purposes, the chats you can create can be used to associate with these connections on a personal level. There are many uses for products and services even if they were not originally developed for that purpose. The downside to this, is that it could make LinkedIn lose its professional purpose. LinkedIn was developed as a social network to keep people in business connected, not for chatting with your close connections.

Over time, LinkedIn has incorporated news into its many available and useful functions. With an available tab on the website called “News”, it links you to all articles which could affect you, your company, investments or partners. The downside to this is that all applicable articles may not always be provided for you. Technology is convenient, but may not always be the most reliable source of your information.

Technology and social networks are taking over our society, and LinkedIn has offered a service inspired by these revolutionary trends.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013


 

           Society as it is known today is formed around communication and the way we socially interact with other people. Its use today has not changed drastically, but the features and modifications that have occurred within the product have. Twitter is growing and expanding every day.

            Although most may be familiar with Twitter as an application that may be installed in the iPhone or website you could post your thoughts or feelings in 140 characters or less, Twitter was invented before the iPhone had reached its prime popularity. It was originally developed so its creator, Jack Dorsey, could communicate with his friends more efficiently. He could send out a message to a number, and all the contacts in his phone he wanted to receive it would. The user was able to stop someone from receiving a message, or stop sending messages altogether. Twitter started gaining its popularity when a music company known as South by Southwest Interactive started displaying the program, and that is when conference goers began tweeting avidly, streaming their thoughts and feelings. Twitter’s uses have now altered slightly, with how many people are on the site, how to use the site and how to access the program. Altering with what large social events occur, the Twitter site has accumulated an average of 150 million tweets every day.

            Socially, Twitter allows you to stay in quick and close contact with your friends, no matter your location. This was also the original concept of the internet. These passages in 140 characters or less could be sent throughout the World Wide Web at the touch of your fingertips, and all of those you wish to see it, may. Where this is a feat in social networking, it also has its harmful effects. These quick tweets may be sent, and the content uncensored. Derogatory messages may be exchanged with no interception, and it has been said that at least 15,000 bullying type tweets have been sent out every day. Self-image along with Self-Esteem has become even more of an issue in this generation, and internet hate adds to this increasing problem.

            For business, Twitter has been used to endorse and promote stores and services. You can promote a tweet, so it may be seen by any user of the program. Twitter in the beginning of last year was documented to have about 100 Million users, steadily increased by this year. Twitter even has a page (https://business.twitter.com/) that helps guide a business to advertise itself through twitter. Twitter could also negatively impact a business. Bad services and goods could easily be documented in these short reviews in form of tweets and negatively impact business on a larger scale than ever thought possible. Bringing the population together is a good and a bad thing.

            Twitter can also be used for entertainment. Major television channels, programs and specials may promote what they have to offer in the near future to the general public, providing a quick, easy and affordable marketing plan. Word of festivals and such may also be spread by twitter. On the negative side, spoilers may be released onto the web, bad for business and bad for the fans, looking forward to these events.

            Twitter is also becoming known for News. Well known news broadcasters such as CNN, NBC and FOX have all acquired a twitter account, releasing up to date information to inform the general public who does not have possession of a television at the time of what is going on in the world. The negative effects of using social media for receiving knowledge of the world, is that you are basing your education of what occurs in this world on a passage on a website in 140 characters or less. The twitter application goes hand in hand with the news channels, not in place of it.

            Recreational uses for twitter include checking on what your favorite celebrities are going, checking the news, and communicating with friends, etc. Twitter has successfully linked people all over the world together, but it is not necessarily a good thing. There has been talk of an internet addiction, twitter addictions and other social media becoming an actual disease. This website is a benefit to a fault, everything is good only in moderation.



Monday, October 21, 2013

My name is Alexa. I am enrolled in Mr. Henning's Business and Personal Computer Applications class, and here is my blog.