Small and independent or big and commercial, recording companies do have similar primary goals: for their artist to excel, - or, in lames terms: for their product to sell. It is the contrast between the secondary goals of these large and small companies that differentiates the companies from each other.
Small independent companies such as All That Productions Records (ATP), a small recoding company formed in 2005, claims that they are above the “Cookie Cutter,” “one size fits all” music and artist that large recording labels provide.
According to ATP Records, “…we thrive on being flexible enough to adapt a fresh approach to each and every Artist we represent.” Aside from recording, ATP Records also has a publishing division for writers who need representation on Music Row.
Major recording companies, such as Interscope Records, do not provide similar, diverse services that ATP Records does. However, Interscope Records also produces major artists like 50 Cent and Fergie while ATP has yet to produce a known music or written artist.
However, though major recording labels make the money and earn the fame, signing on with a major recording company has been described as a “the biggest risk of (an artist’s) career.”
“An artist who signs a major label recording contract today is probably taking the biggest risk of his or her career,” states Peter Spellman in his article The Real Reason Major Labels Suck. “With a mortality rate of 1 out of 10 failures, it's clearly a crap shoot.”
Though “1 out of 10” artists fail in the process, it seems like it’s the major recording companies that get the bands both money and fame, so what is the significance of small independent labels?
J. Fadden (personal communication, January 27, 2008), guitarist for Heroes of Valhalla, a band-in-the-making, explains that small independent labels help bands get noticed. Fadden explains that small labels help new bands get noticed through sponsoring, financially aided their tours, and advertising their music.
“Basically, they jump-start a band,” says Fadden. “They get the band noticed until the band can sign onto a bigger label.”
Without smaller independent recording companies, how would anyone, including the major record companies, discover these bands? Smaller independent companies seem to serve as the “jump-start” of the band, while the major recording companies bring the bands further.
Sources:
About ATP (2005). Retrieved January 27, 2008, from http://www.atprecords.com/about.htm
Artists (2008). Retrieved January 27, 2008, from http://www.interscope.com/artists/default.aspx
Spellman, P. (2000). The Real Reason Major Labels Suck. Retrieved January 24, 2008, from http://www.rapcointelpro.com/Why%20Major%20Labels%20Suck.htm
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Hey Everyone,
Currently, I am in an "Intro to Mass Communications" class. Last week, our class discussed privacy, which has been declining since 9/11 (i.e. USA Patriot Act: Anti-terrorism enacted on Oct. 16, 2001 and renewed in 2006).
It's a back and forth issue: are we slowly losing our freedom of privacy, or are these acts protecting us?
Either way, the people have the right to know what the government and other companies are allowed to monitor. Phones can be tapped, e-mails can be stored in databases, what about texting?
I was reading an article from Yahoo! about texting between Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and a top aide being monitored and stored. Their phone provider, SkyTel, refused to comment on whether they monitor or save texts, but Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Erica Sevilla claimed that unless the text was still on the person's phone, it was gone.
So, my question is, who is being honest? Are are texts monitored or not? If they are, who has access to viewing them?
My father says "only people who are guilty of something worry about having their phone conversations and e-mails monitored." However, I disagree. We have the right to know what the government and other companies are allowed and not allowed to monitor. We have the right to know who has access to this information. We also have the right not to agree with this uncertainty.
Sources:
Karoub, J. (2008, January 26). Most text messages are saved only briefly. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_hi_te/text_messaging_privacy
Currently, I am in an "Intro to Mass Communications" class. Last week, our class discussed privacy, which has been declining since 9/11 (i.e. USA Patriot Act: Anti-terrorism enacted on Oct. 16, 2001 and renewed in 2006).
It's a back and forth issue: are we slowly losing our freedom of privacy, or are these acts protecting us?
Either way, the people have the right to know what the government and other companies are allowed to monitor. Phones can be tapped, e-mails can be stored in databases, what about texting?
I was reading an article from Yahoo! about texting between Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and a top aide being monitored and stored. Their phone provider, SkyTel, refused to comment on whether they monitor or save texts, but Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Erica Sevilla claimed that unless the text was still on the person's phone, it was gone.
So, my question is, who is being honest? Are are texts monitored or not? If they are, who has access to viewing them?
My father says "only people who are guilty of something worry about having their phone conversations and e-mails monitored." However, I disagree. We have the right to know what the government and other companies are allowed and not allowed to monitor. We have the right to know who has access to this information. We also have the right not to agree with this uncertainty.
Sources:
Karoub, J. (2008, January 26). Most text messages are saved only briefly. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_hi_te/text_messaging_privacy
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Something I Learned About the Community (Extended Version)
After this week’s reading, I learned that people’s aspirations directly correlate to their civic places, concerns, the people they do and do not associate with, their “place,” sources, and stereotypes.
People aspire on the behalf of themselves and people in their current situation. For example, a person may aspire to become a company manager because of the pay raise (the behalf of themselves) and the opportunity to make certain company policies more applicable to its employees (the behalf of others).
How does it relate to others? Keeping in mind the previous example, the workplace is a civic place because it is a place where people get together and talk. Also, there is usually a company dress code and behavior policy (norms). There is much more diversity in the work place now than there was 20 years ago, but that does not isolate employees from each other, it allows them become more aware on other people’s perspectives.
Aspirations also align with concerns. If you want to achieve something, of course there will be possible concerns. Going back to the policy change example, you decide to go to two different sources as a bounce-board for your policy change idea. First you visit a Catalyst who agrees with your idea and praises that it will be a success. However, you also visit an Official Leader (i.e. CEO of the company), and he/she strongly recommends against it. Now you have a concern: which source is more valid? –and which source should you listen to? Though the Catalyst in competent about the company’s policy, he/she is still not a qualified official of the company. However, the CEO may not be reliable because they may have a hidden agenda (perhaps trying to keep lower employees pay low so the higher up employees can maintain their high salary).
If you told someone one of your aspirations, and that person disagreed with your aspiration, it would be doubtful that you would associate with them outside of the workplace. People tend to congregate with others who have similar norms, values, and aspirations. It is usually more plausible to make your aspiration happen if you have people around you who will support your idea.
If one has ever been in a high school cafeteria, then you understand how aspirations and “places” correlate. In a high school cafeteria, students interested in sports usually sit at the same tables, while students in theater, cheerleading, or any other group organization usually end up in the same places. Again, achieving an aspiration is easier when you are surrounded by a group of people who support and are going for a similar aspiration.
Sources and aspirations also relate simply because people use certain sources to achieve those aspirations. For example, it is doubtful that a doctor researching the cure for caner would use Yahoo, Google, or Wikipedia as a regular research tool. The doctor would use MRIs, Cat-Scans, PET scans; refer back to other doctor’s research, etc.
Stereotypes and aspirations do go hand and hand. Think back to the high school cafeteria division example stated previously. In high school, students who were into sports are often stereotyped as “egotistic” or “jerks” (of course, this is a much gentler word than what term is actually used…), theater students as “dorks,” and the list goes on. It is easy to stereotype student who aspire to succeed in athletes as “egotistic” due to their constant display of team spirit via wearing team jerseys, talking about how great their team is.
People aspire on the behalf of themselves and people in their current situation. For example, a person may aspire to become a company manager because of the pay raise (the behalf of themselves) and the opportunity to make certain company policies more applicable to its employees (the behalf of others).
How does it relate to others? Keeping in mind the previous example, the workplace is a civic place because it is a place where people get together and talk. Also, there is usually a company dress code and behavior policy (norms). There is much more diversity in the work place now than there was 20 years ago, but that does not isolate employees from each other, it allows them become more aware on other people’s perspectives.
Aspirations also align with concerns. If you want to achieve something, of course there will be possible concerns. Going back to the policy change example, you decide to go to two different sources as a bounce-board for your policy change idea. First you visit a Catalyst who agrees with your idea and praises that it will be a success. However, you also visit an Official Leader (i.e. CEO of the company), and he/she strongly recommends against it. Now you have a concern: which source is more valid? –and which source should you listen to? Though the Catalyst in competent about the company’s policy, he/she is still not a qualified official of the company. However, the CEO may not be reliable because they may have a hidden agenda (perhaps trying to keep lower employees pay low so the higher up employees can maintain their high salary).
If you told someone one of your aspirations, and that person disagreed with your aspiration, it would be doubtful that you would associate with them outside of the workplace. People tend to congregate with others who have similar norms, values, and aspirations. It is usually more plausible to make your aspiration happen if you have people around you who will support your idea.
If one has ever been in a high school cafeteria, then you understand how aspirations and “places” correlate. In a high school cafeteria, students interested in sports usually sit at the same tables, while students in theater, cheerleading, or any other group organization usually end up in the same places. Again, achieving an aspiration is easier when you are surrounded by a group of people who support and are going for a similar aspiration.
Sources and aspirations also relate simply because people use certain sources to achieve those aspirations. For example, it is doubtful that a doctor researching the cure for caner would use Yahoo, Google, or Wikipedia as a regular research tool. The doctor would use MRIs, Cat-Scans, PET scans; refer back to other doctor’s research, etc.
Stereotypes and aspirations do go hand and hand. Think back to the high school cafeteria division example stated previously. In high school, students who were into sports are often stereotyped as “egotistic” or “jerks” (of course, this is a much gentler word than what term is actually used…), theater students as “dorks,” and the list goes on. It is easy to stereotype student who aspire to succeed in athletes as “egotistic” due to their constant display of team spirit via wearing team jerseys, talking about how great their team is.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
E.B. White
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, E.B White began his career in writing “long before he went into long pants” (Books and Writers. 2000).
After graduating from Cornell University in 1921, White worked in some miscellaneous jobs, such as reporter for United Press, American Legion News Service, and the Seattle Times. In 1924 he returned to New York. He worked as a production assistant and advertising copywriter before joining the newly established New Yorker (Books and Writers. 2000).
Also, White was married to the magazine’s literary editor, Katherine Angell. White wrote editorial essays, verse, and other prose to the magazine for 11 years. He remained on staff for the rest of his career (MSN Encarta. 1997).
White enjoyed writing about modern society and its complexities, the drawbacks of the technological progress, the simplicities of urban and rural life. He also wrote about war and internationalism. He was skeptical about organized religion, and believed in respect for nature and simple living (Books and Writers. 2000).
In 1939, White moved to North Brooklyn, Maine, quitting his regular job and becoming a full-time writer on his own behalf. It is said that the barn near White's home in North Brooklyn inspired him and aided him in creating the characters in his children’s stories (HarperCollins Children's. 2006).
In 1978, White was awarded the gold medal for essays and criticism of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and a Pulitzer Prize special citation (Books and Writers. 2000).
E.B. White died of Alzheimer disease in October of 1985 (HarperCollins Children's. 2006).
Sources:
"E. B. White." HarperCollins Children's. 2006. HarperCollins. 24 Jan. 2008.
"E. B. White." MSN Encarta. 1997. MSN. 24 Jan. 2008.
"E(lwyn) B(rooks) White (1899-1985)." Books and Writers. 2000. Amazon. 18 Jan. 2008.
After graduating from Cornell University in 1921, White worked in some miscellaneous jobs, such as reporter for United Press, American Legion News Service, and the Seattle Times. In 1924 he returned to New York. He worked as a production assistant and advertising copywriter before joining the newly established New Yorker (Books and Writers. 2000).
Also, White was married to the magazine’s literary editor, Katherine Angell. White wrote editorial essays, verse, and other prose to the magazine for 11 years. He remained on staff for the rest of his career (MSN Encarta. 1997).
White enjoyed writing about modern society and its complexities, the drawbacks of the technological progress, the simplicities of urban and rural life. He also wrote about war and internationalism. He was skeptical about organized religion, and believed in respect for nature and simple living (Books and Writers. 2000).
In 1939, White moved to North Brooklyn, Maine, quitting his regular job and becoming a full-time writer on his own behalf. It is said that the barn near White's home in North Brooklyn inspired him and aided him in creating the characters in his children’s stories (HarperCollins Children's. 2006).
In 1978, White was awarded the gold medal for essays and criticism of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and a Pulitzer Prize special citation (Books and Writers. 2000).
E.B. White died of Alzheimer disease in October of 1985 (HarperCollins Children's. 2006).
Sources:
"E. B. White." HarperCollins Children's. 2006. HarperCollins. 24 Jan. 2008
"E. B. White." MSN Encarta. 1997. MSN. 24 Jan. 2008
"E(lwyn) B(rooks) White (1899-1985)." Books and Writers. 2000. Amazon. 18 Jan. 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Something I Learned About the Community
After this week’s reading, I learned that people’s aspirations directly correlate to their civic places, concerns, the people they do and do not associate with, their “place,” sources, and stereotypes, but there is a very specific correlation between people aspirations and their civic place.
People aspire on the behalf of themselves and people in their current situation. For example, a person may aspire to become a company manager because of the pay raise (the behalf of themselves) and the opportunity to make certain company policies more applicable to its employees (the behalf of others).
How does it relate to others? Keeping in mind the previous example, the workplace is a civic place because it is a place where people get together and talk. Also, there is usually a company dress code and behavior policy (norms). There is much more diversity in the work place now than there was 20 years ago, but that does not isolate employees from each other, it allows them become more aware on other people’s perspectives.
People aspire on the behalf of themselves and people in their current situation. For example, a person may aspire to become a company manager because of the pay raise (the behalf of themselves) and the opportunity to make certain company policies more applicable to its employees (the behalf of others).
How does it relate to others? Keeping in mind the previous example, the workplace is a civic place because it is a place where people get together and talk. Also, there is usually a company dress code and behavior policy (norms). There is much more diversity in the work place now than there was 20 years ago, but that does not isolate employees from each other, it allows them become more aware on other people’s perspectives.
Monday, January 21, 2008
An Hour of your Time Could Save You Way More than Nine
Want a scholarship? Doubt that you have what it takes to earn a scholarship? Don’t know where to look? Scholarships can be based on a variety of aspects: GPA, involvement in high school or college activities, creativity, writing abilities, artistic abilities, financial need, and even miscellaneous things such as a creating a creative video about yourself!
Everyone and anyone can earn a scholarship, you just have to take the first steps and start looking. Filing out scholarship applications can be tedious and precursors to headaches and irritability, but consider this: an hour spent filling out a scholarship application could result in a $1,000 reward. Just think, $1,000 (or more!) for only an hour’s worth of work! That’s more than a doctor or lawyer makes in an hour!
Below are just a few of the many available scholarships out there:
Scholarship Title: “I Deserve $1,000 Because” Video Essay Contest
Source: http://www.brickfish.com/Lifestyles/VideoEssay
Amount: $1,000
Description: Open to all students 14 years and older. Create a creative, original video that tells why you deserve a $1,000 scholarship. Enter as many times as you want!
Deadline: March 31st, 2008
Scholarship Title: “Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes”
Source: http://www.barronprize.org/index.html
Amount: $2000
Description: Open to all students age 18 and younger who have led and organized a project that has clearly benefited other people. Not applicable if project is an assignment from school or work. You must be nominated by an adult (non-family or relative) who understands your service project.
Deadline: April 30th, 2008
Scholarship Title: “Dale E. Fridell Memorial Scholarship”
Source: http://www.straightforwardmedia.com/scholarship/fridell/form.php
Amount: $1000
Description: Open to anyone (including international students) planning to attend any post-secondary education program in 2007-2008. Ineligible if already receiving or awarded a full-tuition scholarship.
Deadline: April 14th, 2008
Want more scholarship information? Check out these exclusive scholarship search engines:
FastWeb: http://www.fastweb.com
Next Student: http://www.nextstudent.com/scholarship_search/scholarship_search.asp
So spend some time on one –or several- scholarships. Remember that an hour of your time could result in more money than a doctor or a lawyer earns in an hour.
Everyone and anyone can earn a scholarship, you just have to take the first steps and start looking. Filing out scholarship applications can be tedious and precursors to headaches and irritability, but consider this: an hour spent filling out a scholarship application could result in a $1,000 reward. Just think, $1,000 (or more!) for only an hour’s worth of work! That’s more than a doctor or lawyer makes in an hour!
Below are just a few of the many available scholarships out there:
Scholarship Title: “I Deserve $1,000 Because” Video Essay Contest
Source: http://www.brickfish.com/Lifestyles/VideoEssay
Amount: $1,000
Description: Open to all students 14 years and older. Create a creative, original video that tells why you deserve a $1,000 scholarship. Enter as many times as you want!
Deadline: March 31st, 2008
Scholarship Title: “Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes”
Source: http://www.barronprize.org/index.html
Amount: $2000
Description: Open to all students age 18 and younger who have led and organized a project that has clearly benefited other people. Not applicable if project is an assignment from school or work. You must be nominated by an adult (non-family or relative) who understands your service project.
Deadline: April 30th, 2008
Scholarship Title: “Dale E. Fridell Memorial Scholarship”
Source: http://www.straightforwardmedia.com/scholarship/fridell/form.php
Amount: $1000
Description: Open to anyone (including international students) planning to attend any post-secondary education program in 2007-2008. Ineligible if already receiving or awarded a full-tuition scholarship.
Deadline: April 14th, 2008
Want more scholarship information? Check out these exclusive scholarship search engines:
FastWeb: http://www.fastweb.com
Next Student: http://www.nextstudent.com/scholarship_search/scholarship_search.asp
So spend some time on one –or several- scholarships. Remember that an hour of your time could result in more money than a doctor or a lawyer earns in an hour.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Reply to a Comment
Holly Grams said the following:
"How is it that you can say in a single sentance what takes me a paragraph to explain? Un any case, I agree about the intelligent debates. (arguments vs. discussions.)"
Thank you very much for the compliment Miss Grams. For me, I usually am not given much time to talk, and my brain gets sore when I think too much. So in actuality, I follow the rules of Darwinism; I adapt.
I am glad you agree with me on intellgent debates. Ever since "Reality" television shows became popular, I feel as if some of my peers want to focus more on short term drama. I admit that drama is fun, but in retrospect it doesn't accomplish much. Efficient/intellgent debates usually accomplishes more because the parties involved do not get "caught up" in the moment. Thus, compromises can usually be established.
Sadly, just because a person is intellgent does not mean they argue intellgently. Having an efficient argument is difficult; you have to set aside stubborness and be emphathic towards the opposing point-of-view (which is difficult, especially between pro-life and pro choice activists).
My brain hurts now. But I felt compelled to comment to your response. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog.
"How is it that you can say in a single sentance what takes me a paragraph to explain? Un any case, I agree about the intelligent debates. (arguments vs. discussions.)"
Thank you very much for the compliment Miss Grams. For me, I usually am not given much time to talk, and my brain gets sore when I think too much. So in actuality, I follow the rules of Darwinism; I adapt.
I am glad you agree with me on intellgent debates. Ever since "Reality" television shows became popular, I feel as if some of my peers want to focus more on short term drama. I admit that drama is fun, but in retrospect it doesn't accomplish much. Efficient/intellgent debates usually accomplishes more because the parties involved do not get "caught up" in the moment. Thus, compromises can usually be established.
Sadly, just because a person is intellgent does not mean they argue intellgently. Having an efficient argument is difficult; you have to set aside stubborness and be emphathic towards the opposing point-of-view (which is difficult, especially between pro-life and pro choice activists).
My brain hurts now. But I felt compelled to comment to your response. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog.
Internet privacy: Obvious or Oxymoron?
As of 2005, 68.4 million people are connected to the Internet, and these numbers aren’t about to lapse. Online shopping and gaming has become more accessible, and now even movies, whether homemade or top-of-the-box-office, can be quickly located and viewed without hassle and sometimes without charge; but at what cost? With more websites requesting and even requiring users to provide personal information, are we risking our privacy? After several interviews -including persons who regularly use the internet and those who have just learned to use the internet- it seems that internet privacy depends on the content the user views while accessing the internet. But whether you are a novice of internet use or a new user, is divulging personal information worth the risk of privacy invasion?
Mary Curtis, a regular user of ebay, complains that it troubles her when she receives an anonymous e-mail that includes her full name and address. At the same time, online gamer Randy Brown claims that his internet privacy has “never been violated.” Why such a difference in responses? Sites like ebay require contact information (i.e. full name, address, credit card number) before becoming a member. Some gaming websites may request contact information, but many others only require a name and an e-mail address.
Prospective college students applying for online scholarships are required to give full contact information, similar contact information that ebay requires for its members. Since Heinks has started applying for scholarships via internet, Heinks admits that she has received more spam e-mails and notices more scholarship and educational advertisements.
“I don’t like giving all my personal information and stuff when I apply for online scholarships. I feel like my privacy is at risk,” says Heinks.
New internet user Eric Bannister does not feel his privacy is threatened because he has all his e-mail screened my McAfee, a spam and virus detecting program. Bannister admits that so far, he has only had to give out his e-mail once. Unlike Curtis and Heinks, he does not use websites that require users to divulge personal information.
Eliminating users that do not access websites that require contact information beyond a name and e-mail, is their privacy being invaded? The answer seems to be yes.
As stated previously, Curtis has received e-mails from unrecognized users, and Heinks receives increased amount of spam e-mail and sees more advertisements to appeal to her interests. According to Buffalo News, there have been 125 millions records reported compromised in the United States in 2007. What does this mean? 125 million of people’s personal data (some collected from online websites) were stolen from these online databases and used for other purposes.
Is online use worth the risk? “Yes,” was Brown’s simple reply. However, statistics say otherwise. Shop.org clams that “Sites requesting too much information is another annoyance that drives away 35% of buyers.”
Is the risk of privacy invasion worth it? Users who can refrain from divulging personal information do not seem troubled. However, users who are required to give personal information seem troubled.
What can users do when users are forced to give personal information to access particular websites? Should we change the standards on how personal information should be collected? No. What would changing standards do if our personal information could still be taken from online data bases?
Risk of privacy invasion seems to be a necessary evil; it is similar to walking into a store. You may be at the store to buy cereal, but you know that you are going to see millions of advertisements trying to compel buyers to purchase their product. It is the same with the internet; if you want to use an online shopping site, be prepared to receive e-mails tempting you with their products. This goes the same for scholarships and any other site. If the risk of invaded privacy is too much, do what 35% of buyers did to online shopping in 2006; stop using it.
Sources:
Bannister, Eric. Personal interview. 17 Jan. 2008.
Brown, Randy. Personal interview. 18 Jan, 2008.
Cristensen, Tesha. “Mass Communication: A Critical Approach.” Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge. 8 Feb. 2008.
Curtis, Mary. Personal interview. 18 Jan. 2008
Heinks, Marnda. Personal interview. 17, 19 Jan. 2008.
Jesdanun , Anick. "Internet privacy concerns on the rise." The Buffalo News. 1 Jan. 2008. 18 Jan. 2008.
"Statistics: International Online Shopper." Shop.org. 2007. National Retail Federation. 19 Jan. 2008.
Mary Curtis, a regular user of ebay, complains that it troubles her when she receives an anonymous e-mail that includes her full name and address. At the same time, online gamer Randy Brown claims that his internet privacy has “never been violated.” Why such a difference in responses? Sites like ebay require contact information (i.e. full name, address, credit card number) before becoming a member. Some gaming websites may request contact information, but many others only require a name and an e-mail address.
Prospective college students applying for online scholarships are required to give full contact information, similar contact information that ebay requires for its members. Since Heinks has started applying for scholarships via internet, Heinks admits that she has received more spam e-mails and notices more scholarship and educational advertisements.
“I don’t like giving all my personal information and stuff when I apply for online scholarships. I feel like my privacy is at risk,” says Heinks.
New internet user Eric Bannister does not feel his privacy is threatened because he has all his e-mail screened my McAfee, a spam and virus detecting program. Bannister admits that so far, he has only had to give out his e-mail once. Unlike Curtis and Heinks, he does not use websites that require users to divulge personal information.
Eliminating users that do not access websites that require contact information beyond a name and e-mail, is their privacy being invaded? The answer seems to be yes.
As stated previously, Curtis has received e-mails from unrecognized users, and Heinks receives increased amount of spam e-mail and sees more advertisements to appeal to her interests. According to Buffalo News, there have been 125 millions records reported compromised in the United States in 2007. What does this mean? 125 million of people’s personal data (some collected from online websites) were stolen from these online databases and used for other purposes.
Is online use worth the risk? “Yes,” was Brown’s simple reply. However, statistics say otherwise. Shop.org clams that “Sites requesting too much information is another annoyance that drives away 35% of buyers.”
Is the risk of privacy invasion worth it? Users who can refrain from divulging personal information do not seem troubled. However, users who are required to give personal information seem troubled.
What can users do when users are forced to give personal information to access particular websites? Should we change the standards on how personal information should be collected? No. What would changing standards do if our personal information could still be taken from online data bases?
Risk of privacy invasion seems to be a necessary evil; it is similar to walking into a store. You may be at the store to buy cereal, but you know that you are going to see millions of advertisements trying to compel buyers to purchase their product. It is the same with the internet; if you want to use an online shopping site, be prepared to receive e-mails tempting you with their products. This goes the same for scholarships and any other site. If the risk of invaded privacy is too much, do what 35% of buyers did to online shopping in 2006; stop using it.
Sources:
Bannister, Eric. Personal interview. 17 Jan. 2008.
Brown, Randy. Personal interview. 18 Jan, 2008.
Cristensen, Tesha. “Mass Communication: A Critical Approach.” Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge. 8 Feb. 2008.
Curtis, Mary. Personal interview. 18 Jan. 2008
Heinks, Marnda. Personal interview. 17, 19 Jan. 2008.
Jesdanun , Anick. "Internet privacy concerns on the rise." The Buffalo News. 1 Jan. 2008. 18 Jan. 2008
"Statistics: International Online Shopper." Shop.org. 2007. National Retail Federation. 19 Jan. 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Successful Blogs and Its Components
After reading blog after blog, and looking up information about blogs, I believe the definition of a blog can be the following: a webpage which a person or persons can express their personal, artistic, athletic, and/or political view. Whether the expression is professional or childish, it is still a blog. However, the essence of a successful blog has different standards. A successful blog seems to have a balance of three components:
1) Popularity
2) Entertainment
3) High-speed
Popularity:
MySpace and Facebook. Without explanation, most people can see those two titles and instantly recognize that both are large-scale blogging sites. If a person wanted to create a blog that had a better chance of being noticed, it would seem obvious to create a blog on either (or both) of the sites.
Entertainment:
Consider both MySpace and Facebook. What attracts one to read someone’s blog? Is it a catchy title, like Neil Strauss’s MySpace video title “Don’t be yourself?”-or the logo used to advertise the blog Boing Boing? Does it follow Richard Broderick’s “30 second rule” (i.e. does the blog’s material catch the reader’s attention?). -Or is it hard-hitting serious blogs like those featured on Daily Planet?
High-Speed:
How often is the blog updated? Does the blog mainly talk about current events? –or is the blog specifically set up to cover only a certain subject matter (i.e. PJ’s Blog-a-beatz blog limited to poetry).
From what I have seen after viewing several blogs and reading about blogs, all three of the above mentioned components need to be put together to make a successful blog. Blogs such as MySpace and Daily Planet are great examples of successful blogs.
Sources:
Boing Boing. Happy Mutants LLC . 17 Jan. 2008 http://www.boingboing.net/.
Daily Planet. Ed. Mary Turck. 1 May 2006. Twin Cities Media Alliance. 14 Jan. 2008.
"Mom's Birthday!." PJ's blog-a-beatz. Word Press. 16 Jan. 2008 http://thinklikepj.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/moms-birthday/.
Strauss, Neil . "Don't be yourself." Rules of the Game. MySpace. 17 Jan. 2008.
1) Popularity
2) Entertainment
3) High-speed
Popularity:
MySpace and Facebook. Without explanation, most people can see those two titles and instantly recognize that both are large-scale blogging sites. If a person wanted to create a blog that had a better chance of being noticed, it would seem obvious to create a blog on either (or both) of the sites.
Entertainment:
Consider both MySpace and Facebook. What attracts one to read someone’s blog? Is it a catchy title, like Neil Strauss’s MySpace video title “Don’t be yourself?”-or the logo used to advertise the blog Boing Boing? Does it follow Richard Broderick’s “30 second rule” (i.e. does the blog’s material catch the reader’s attention?). -Or is it hard-hitting serious blogs like those featured on Daily Planet?
High-Speed:
How often is the blog updated? Does the blog mainly talk about current events? –or is the blog specifically set up to cover only a certain subject matter (i.e. PJ’s Blog-a-beatz blog limited to poetry).
From what I have seen after viewing several blogs and reading about blogs, all three of the above mentioned components need to be put together to make a successful blog. Blogs such as MySpace and Daily Planet are great examples of successful blogs.
Sources:
Boing Boing. Happy Mutants LLC . 17 Jan. 2008 http://www.boingboing.net/.
Daily Planet. Ed. Mary Turck. 1 May 2006. Twin Cities Media Alliance. 14 Jan. 2008
"Mom's Birthday!." PJ's blog-a-beatz. Word Press. 16 Jan. 2008 http://thinklikepj.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/moms-birthday/.
Strauss, Neil . "Don't be yourself." Rules of the Game. MySpace. 17 Jan. 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
About Me (First Blog)
Greetings,
My name is Katherine Curtis, and am currently enrolled in 17 credits, 3 of those credits being JOUR1189: Topics of Reporting, Writing, Editing, and Blogging.
Oddly, I enjoy writing (moreover typing). I am looking forward to this course because it seems that this class will get a taste of several forms of writing.
Now, just a bit about me: I enjoy intelligent debates. Translation: I enjoy arguing, but when it comes to name calling or abusing logical fallacies, the argument isn't an argument anymore; it becomes a war. Aside from this I have steady work habits and enjoy interacting with others.
Looking forward to this class.
- Katherine
My name is Katherine Curtis, and am currently enrolled in 17 credits, 3 of those credits being JOUR1189: Topics of Reporting, Writing, Editing, and Blogging.
Oddly, I enjoy writing (moreover typing). I am looking forward to this course because it seems that this class will get a taste of several forms of writing.
Now, just a bit about me: I enjoy intelligent debates. Translation: I enjoy arguing, but when it comes to name calling or abusing logical fallacies, the argument isn't an argument anymore; it becomes a war. Aside from this I have steady work habits and enjoy interacting with others.
Looking forward to this class.
- Katherine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)