Social Media Project

The social media project was very interesting and challenging. I have learned so much in this class. I have been exposed to aspects of the web that I never used before. That being said, it can be overwhelming to essentially master every aspect required for this class. I realize that each part is critical to my success in the business world and for that, I appreciate the lessons.

Getting the team together was not easy. I was the first person to reach out to the group. The next person's post was three days later and he said the project was a mess. I was definitely not happy about that post. Immediately, I wondered where he had been for the last three days and how it was a mess when we had not even begun to assemble. Slowly, we began to communicate via a Facebook page. Here we were able to divide up the research aspect of the project.

The Google Doc was handy.I was a first time user of Google Doc and now feel comfortable using it in the future. Everyone on our team posted here. It was easy for me to research Facebook since I am so familiar with the site. Google Alerts was a service I had never used before. It certainly provides the user with more than enough information on the subject they wish to follow. I enjoyed learning about some of the other social media sites throughout the project.

I am not sure how the other teams felt about the onset of the project or for that matter how they felt about the completion of the project. Some of my team members were nowhere to be found at the end. I wonder if there were more specific requirements would there have been a stronger presence at the end.

All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed this assignment and this class. I learned more in this class (probably because of all the hands-on work) than in any other class I can remember. Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness when creating this class.
Here is the link to our wikispace: http://ism3004socialmedia.wikispaces.com/Nike+Inc.

Week 13 Clear Post Social Media, Peer Production & Web 2.0

Is is surprising to hear that Facebook has so many users that if the users were compared to nations, Facebook would be the third largest nation in the world? I would say so. It is proof to me that businesses have a large opportunity to get connected with their consumers and gain new ones. Today, businesses can utilize the web to reach people they likely would not have by owning a little store in a little town somewhere.

Creating an online presence is almost necessary for today's businesses. There are networks like Facebook where the business can set up a business page and create a buzz about their products. Twitter is a little more fast paced and businesses can use this format to answer consumer's questions about the product and offer reward to loyal customers. Linked In is also another way for businesses to establish their awesomeness. Since Linked In connects with workers, businesses can show off the things that make that company so special to work for. 

Companies that choose to keep their heads in the sand, can and will fade away. By refusing to join, essentially, the world, online, businesses will most definitely miss out on opportunities to promote their brand worldwide. They will also miss out on comments and concerns their customers would like to share in an easy online arena. YouTube brings web presence to another level with their capacity to share videos (advertising) from a specific cause or company that have the potential to go viral.

For more information about how your business can take the step in to the future... i mean the present, please watch this video: 

 

Week 12 Clear Post Telecommunications and the Internet

Telecommunications and the Internet had my undivided attention. What an interesting subject. This week I learned the difference between the Internet and the Web. You see, the Internet is the infrastructure of networks. The web is the way we access that network of networks. A process occurs when we engage a web search. A search engine will help us find what we are looking for.

Once the web address, URL or link is clicked the journey begins. The web server passes its contents to the TCP, transmission control protocol. The TCP breaks the Web page into easier to handle pieces or packets. The packets make a race to the user's computer. As the pieces arrive they are checked for errors and re-requested if there are errors. Once all of the pieces arrive properly, the TCP of the user's computer puts the pieces in order and then you see the Web page you requested.

TCP is one type of protocol. But what if you want faster images like when you are watching a movie? UDP, user datagram protocol, is the protocol we use. UDP sends messages and breaks video into packets just like TCP. The difference is that UDP permits some errors to increase speedy returns. 

There is a third type of protocol called VoLP, voive over Internet protocol. VoLP is used for Internet phone calls. VoLP uses packet-switched networks verses the land-line which uses circuit-switched circuits. VoLP are becoming more reliable as the Internet gets faster and more reliable.  

Here is a nice little video to help explain protocol a little more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyL1Fud1Z1c

Week 11 The Data Asset

 
Money, Information Technology and Data. The amount of data being stored is growing at an astronomical rate. The fact is, we need to figure out how to handle the influx of data which must be stored in an easily accessible and extremely safe way.  Businesses will use this data by converting it into information that can potentially increase profitability. 

There are two types of data: structured and unstructured. Since unstructured is even further from information, we should start with structured data. Structured data is, as the name suggests, organized, making it easier to transform into viable information. Businesses can use this transformed data from a database table by relating it with other structured data, creating a relationship between the data. By creating relational files, we save time and energy and reduce the opportunity for human error. 

Structured query language, SQL, is the most common language used to create and mold data into useful information via relational database servers. There are a variety of these servers including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and the open source, MySQL. Learning how to manipulate structured data into relational data gives the user real information to research and act upon creating opportunities for increased loyalty and greater impact on potential customers. To learn more about relational database management and data mining you can follow this link: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question599.htm or watch this video.