Facebook Facelift

Epicenter (I know… reference them all the time… I love Wired!) recently posted and article about the new Facebook redesign.

By now, I feel as though most people I know have switched over.  At the moment, the change is voluntary, going site-wide in early 2011.

My question to all of you (that’s right… the WHOLE INTERNET!) is what do you think? In the past, Facebook’s changes have been controversial. Many people simply don’t like change. Additionally, there have been so many privacy issues in the past that everyone gets their panties in a bunch every time a change is made. This time, thankfully, I have not heard of any privacy issues.

Personally, I kinda like the changes. I like that there are more faces visible on FB when I go to my page. I like the new design, although it took me a minute to find out how to update my status and comment on someone else’s wall. In the past I’ve been on the fence for some, and against other changes. This time, I’m not hating it.

Also- Google is starting a competing social network!? What? This is the first I’ve heard of that. I say good luck Google. You are awesome, and I love you, but I think FB has the market. Not even Myspace’s trendy new vibes could compete.

Google Gives

According to Epicenter, Google is giving free Wifi for certain airlines over the holidays.

They say it is to promote Google Chrome. I say it’s because Google gets the warm fuzzies around the holidays, just like the rest of us!

Check out the article!

Web 2.0 and Plagiarism

Anyone who’s been through high school knows that plagiarism is a big no-no. The fact remains, that people still do it. Additionally, anyone who’s had any experience with web 2.0 knows that plagiarism is easier than ever. Mashable posted this article about a blogger who fought against a magazine (! That’s right, a printed publication!) that plagiarized one of her 5-year-old blog posts. Makes you think…

Facebook Sobriety Test?

Mashable recently posted an article about a new plug-in that acts as a sobriety test before you post on Facebook. It’s actually called “The Social Media Sobriety Test” with the tagline, “Nothing good happens online after 1 a.m.”

The idea is that you can set certain hours between which this plug-in will put you through a series of tasks before allowing you to access and modify your Facebook. If you fail the test, it will post to your FB that you are too intoxicated to be on Facebook.

Okay, I’m sorry, but does anyone else see how absurd this is? This plug-in is obviously marketed to the idiot youth of the world. I myself enjoy the social lubricant that is alcohol from time to time, and yes, I’m sure that I’ve had my moments where I wished I had had a filter… but if you have the ability to set certain hours within which you think you will be too intoxicated to make good social media decisions, don’t you think you might have a problem? Try an AA meeting instead.

Hulu Plus

Epicenter, part of Wired.com, recently posted an article about Hulu Plus.

What is Hulu Plus?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Hulu Plus is a new venture from our favorite free online television streaming website.  Hulu has made a name for itself by posting recent television shows (along with some movies) that are available for the public to watch. They are backed by many of the major television networks. How do they pay for all this? Commercials! Luckily, they are short. Some programs even offer you the opportunity to watch a long form commercial before you begin, then watch your show commercial-free. Sweet. Hulu Plus is similar to Netflicks, without the DVDs. Basically, with Hulu Plus, the user will be able to stream hulu, commercial free (because it costs $8 a month), over your television (if you have the right device).

What is my take?

Sweet! I love Hulu! I personally shut off my cable because I’m a poor college student, and switched to Netflicks. I love it. The only thing I miss about cable, is seeing new episodes of the shows I like. Hulu usually takes care of that just fine! Hulu Plus is a great addition to Netflicks.  In fact, they should get together and sell it as a bundle! The only problem is, I do not have any of the devices that Hulu Plus currently supports. I have a Wii, which works well for Netflicks, but is sadly unsupported by HuluPlus.

The bright side is, that Hulu Plus is only a wee baby at only two weeks old. I’m sure improvements (but hopefully not higher prices) will be seen in the near future.

Mashable Web Design Awards

This semester I’ve been learning about web design.

Mashable posted this article showing a few really awesome websites.

Sweet List of Social Media Resources

Thank you Mashable.

This class has primarily been about using social media to your advantage. Mashable has decided to continue to be awesome by posting this.  It is a list of 41 new social media resources.

Sweet.

Facebook to Sociallize, Twitter to work

Wired recently published this article titled “More Professor Are Using Twitter-but Mostly Not for Teaching”. The article discusses how professors are taking advantage of Twitter to spread ideas in their free time, but not using Twitter in the classroom.

I personally love Twitter.  I signed up for twitter a few months ago and didn’t use it to it’s fullest potential.  I had a private profile, and I only followed people I know in person.  While this is an okay way to use Twitter, I feel as though I now know the better way to use it.  When I started this class (ims 201) we were required to get a Twitter account and to start following various tech news companies (Epicenter, Wired, Mashable, etc.) and we were encouraged to seek out experts in our fields, or big companies in our fields.

I have found so many amazing Graphic Design firms, and professionals. Whenever I want to keep up with the latest GD news, or tech news, Twitter is a fantastic resource.  I am a fan.

“U.S. Acts to Quiet Blaring TV Ads. Welcome to the 1960s”

Epicenter posted an article on Sept. 30th 2010 about proposed legislation to lower the volume of television advertisements.

We all know how it goes.  You’re sitting there watching your favorite tv show (Futurama for me) and a commercial comes on. All of a sudden, you’re worried your neighbors may wake up and dogs are baying in the background, the windows are rattling, and you’re afraid your eardrums are going to burst because the commercials are so freaking loud.  So you turn the volume way way down. Then, when your show comes back on, you miss the first ten seconds of dialogue because your busy turning the volume back up.  It’s outrageous!

Ok, so in case you haven’t gotten it by now, I’m way overreacting.  I also thing that this proposed legislation is somewhat a waste of time.  Is this really the best use of our government? To save us 5 seconds and a minor annoyance? Additionally, I actually have considered getting rid of my cable because I watch the majority of my television online nowadays (sometimes during my studio classes I must admit) and I’m usually wearing headphones.

With websites like Hulu, CBS, ABC, etc., you can watch almost anything online.  Additionally, if you want to go about it the illegal way (which I would never dream of doing btw….), there is always Vuze, bitTorrent, uTorrent, limewire, or kazaa (the last two if you’re still living in the dark). Any of these P2P file sharing platforms gives the user unlimited access to the newest music, television shows, and movies… sometimes before they’re even officially released.

So basically, my opinion is very similar to the opinion of the Epicenter article.  I respect and agree with their perspective.  There are better things to worry about in this economy than whether commercials are too loud on television.  Get up, grab the remote, and just turn it down… not too difficult.

Apple Delivers

Epicenter, part of Wired.com, recently posted an article titled “5 Reasons the Media Cover Apple So Much”.

The five reasons are as follows:

1. Apple delivers
2. Apple creates strong stories
3. Apple takes design seriously
4. Apple has a well planned ecosystem of products
5. Readers demand Apple news

I personally am a fan of Apple.  I’m using a Mac right now, my laptop is a Mac.  Although I grew up using a PC, I have loved my Mac since I first got one. I personally believe that Apple has done amazing things in its lifespan to grow as a company and to push technology.  They are innovative and they know how to sell. I completely agree with this article, especially when it touches on Apple’s design and Steve Jobs’ presentation style.