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The Final Post... maybe

In my very first blog post I stated, “The entertainment phenomenon is highly addictive and cannot be avoided.” After a semester of writing weekly posts for my topic, “Technological Audiences,” I was able to explore even further from my previous knowledge, as to how true that statement is.

I thoroughly enjoyed writing this blog and must thank Professor Yaros for coming up with my blog topic.

I like that I was able find enough topics that were relatable to my theme of “Technological Audiences.” I remained entertained and interested in my topic enough to write 37 total posts throughout the semester. I was never short of posts topics because I was always on the hunt and taking notes on potential posts for the future. Once starting my blog, I found that I would notice post topics throughout my day. I’d see an advertisement, or overhear something, or see a commercial on television that would spark a topic that I could use later on.

My favorite posts that I wrote took place during the social networking week. I found that a lot of potential topics for “Technological Audiences” fit well into the social networking category. The post titled, “Shameless Social Networking,” that I wrote on Tuesday, March 9,2010 applied.
The post involved a game, food, and social networking. All three are fun and entertaining for college students. I was most excited and interested to see how CampusFoods.com could combine with Facebook to provide students at the University of Maryland with a way to get discounts when ordering food. The aspect of Facebook within Campusfood’s website provided the aspect of social networking. Technological audiences came into play prior to the food order being made when students have to play a game online in order to get money off. Technological audiences also came into play after the food order was made online. The site offers to connect the students Campusfoods.com order to their Facebook account to tell all of their friends about their order and how they made it. The premade status that the website provides reads, “Lauren just ordered from Shanghai Café Chinese Restaurant on Campusfoods”, and then provides a click for others to click on. While at the time I was annoyed with the company’s shameless promotion, it is also a topic that I was excited to tell others about through a blog post. The many aspects that this post involved made it my favorite.

The week that involved writing about education as well as the reading on the article titled, “Mobile Behaviors as a Result of Personality Traits,” were my least favorite posts. Some of the topics and readings were hard to interpret or mold into applying to each person’s personal topic. I think that some themes cannot be applied easily to each person’s blog considering the large realm they extended to. The reading was especially difficult because no matter how many times I read the article I still was unsure of what I was supposed to be getting out of the reading. I felt that it was repeating itself a lot and walking around the topic in circles. This left me extremely confused and unsure of how to analyze it for my own blog. This post was one of my least confident to put o my blog.

Through this class and writing my blog I learned an endless amount about social networking and how to further use technology. I have never had experience working with Twitter, YouTube, or Picasa prior to this class. I definitely found the wide range of informational topics to be interesting and something that can be used large beyond this class. I would have never created a Twitter account on my own. However, I found it useful to use in other classes to get quick information on news tweets from CNN, or the Washington Post.
I also learned just about huge Google is. I was surprised to see how they are linked to the search engine, email accounts, YouTube accounts, a photo-editing page, and are able to track the information of the site’s users

From my personal blog, I hope readers to able to learn some quick and fun information of the entertainment topic of their choice. I feel I took a broad topic and explored many areas within it. I discussed television, social networking sites, celebrities ranging from Hollywood to facility and the University of Maryland and much more. I believe I remained up to date for the most part and updated my posts like an official blogger would.

Technological Audiences Games

Recently video games activity has been skyrocketing. No matter the country or the age, the amount of people playing video games and the amount of time they play has been increasing.

Imagine a world where blogging, Tweeting, and commenting with other people was no longer done through sitting behind a computer, cell phone, or any other mobile device with Internet; but instead, if a virtual world could make it real. Think of the game along the lines of Second Life. You create yourself to go on about your usual day of being an audience to their favorite celebrities and television stars, but instead of writing to them and about them, you meet them and speak to them. You’re technological interaction because face-to-face instead of screen to screen. Another level of the game is you being a celebrity yourself. The player would be given a situation where they would have to find a way to publically address their audiences. The challenge would to get the most reactions from their audiences through technological outlets. It’d be a game as well as a lesson in Public Relations.

Social Networking in the Diamondback

"AXE deodorant, shower gel & hair products help guys look, smell & feel their best. We discuss products for men and serve up cool giveaways, hot new offerings & updates from AXE events. Become a fan of AXE... You can thank us later."

 

The most recent issues of the Diamondback have been filled with a half page advertisment from Axe. Towards the bottom right side of the page is the opportunity for viewers to log onto Facebook. This access to Facebook invites the readers of the Diamond to access their social networking site where they have the opportunity to learn more about the advertisment's information and also interact with other viewers of the ad.

The purpose of the advertisement is to make fans aware of the Axe Undie Run Challenge. One people go onto the fan page they can get more information on the challenge and also discuss anything on the wall. The Facebook fan page addresses their viewer with this statement: "We are always tuning into the discussions, chats, postings and other happenings on here. Comments that are unlawful, obscene, spam or otherwise offensive will be deleted. Basically, just keep in clean." This is a perfect statement to demonstrate Axe's attempts to get feedbacks and comments from their audiences.

Alternative information can be found on these following websites...
http://www.theaxeeffect.com
http://www.twitter.com/axe
http://www.youtube.com/axe
http://www.myspace.com/axe

A Day in DC

 

I know this picture does not actually visualize my topic but I heard it mentioned in class once that artistic photographs were open to be posted as well, so here one is! I went to Washington, DC this passed weekend to see the monuments. I really liked this picture and thought it followed the rule of thirds as well the other requirements.

Hanging With Abe.

 

This fan of Abraham Lincoln is startled by all of the technology that his camera provides!

Working Hard... or Hardly Working?

 

Even at work Vivienne can't help but need to follow her favorite celebrities on Twitter. This picture shows a fan at work quickly taking a look at what her favorite celebrity has to say on his Twitter account.

Stamp Student Union's Twitter Advertisement

Even the University of Maryland's Stamp Student Union is advertising the use of Twitter. After watching the screen go through the text display message, it encourages fans to further look into the organization's advertisement by following their Twitter. When I saw this at Stamp the other day I knew I had to come back to film how much of an communication outlet that Twitter as become. Viewers of the message can interact with other people within the organization by logging onto the Twitter link that they offer at the advertisement's closing. I wonder if any audiences of their display message got interested enough to contact them.

American Idol Interaction

This is my roommate Jen, an American Idol fan who talks about her experiences with interacting through the use of technology to cast her vote on who she thinks should be the next "American Idol." She goes into detail by explaining the technological process it takes her to text in her vote to the show twice a week. She has been an avid viewer since the show's beginning and has no shame in the fact that she calls in and texts messages her vote at the end of the show. This is her primary source as being a technological audience.

This is my first video that I am ever posted on YouTube. I am aware that there is background noise causing a muffle in the back and also that she is looking directly at the camera while she is speaking. For my next interviews I will be sure to hold the camera at the proper angle to improve the visuals of my interviews.

MTV interacts audiences with a live chat

With everyone’s busy lives, it is not always possible to be in front of your television for initial airtime of your favorite television show. Luckily, MTV is always willing to put up full episodes online for their audiences to catch up on during their convenience on their computers.

While I am watching my missed episode online I start to notice moving texts to the right side of the screen. As I look I begin realizing that a side-box chat room is running a thread for me to read as I watch the show. MTV places an interactive and instant chat room to be provided for all of the viewers who are currently watching the same episode online to comment and talk to each other while watching the episode online.



This is the most instant technological way to audiences to comment their thoughts that I have seen thus far. While blogs, comment boxes, and Twitter let audiences interact after an event occurs, MTV has provided an outlet for audiences to interact while the event occurs. Not only are the viewers commenting for the stars to see, the audiences are speaking and reacting to each other.

As I was reading I came to find that a lot of the people had already known each other. I went to other television shows to see if the comment box was there as well and if audiences are interacting as much as they were in others. The leading chat with the most conversation was for 16 and Pregnant. It seemed as though a lot of teen mothers were the ones on the site talking to each other. A lot of them were pregnant or already had a child. There shared their personal stories and information with each other. They also comment on the episode as well, speaking of how the new mother was handling the experience compared to how they had handled the experience.




People can also comment below the playing episode in the usual style that blogs and other sites allow people to comment.

Comments generally follow the format on the one below:



Kobe commented | 17 hours ago

hi i'm kobe i have watched all of these 16 and pregnant episodes and i'm 13. I am not looking for a child right now. I just wanted 2 tell you that you have really inspired me in this journey!! Thank you so much

Altered Photography to Visualize a Topic

This photograph is relatable to my topic because I sometimes write about people using blogs as an outlet to interact technologically with others. While it could be a celebrity’s blog to respond to an event, or the audience’s thoughts on the event on a public site or also the stars personal comment, blogs are using throughout my topic to pass along the interaction. When people blog they can either use their cell phone, iTouch, a keyboard, or anything with a keypad and Internet to write their thoughts and comments.

This specific picture taken from IBM, Microsoft, LSI and Silicon Graphics “mini-blog” experiment shows a keyboard, which goes along with a computer. The experiment consisted of technology experts from each company agreeing to “blog’ live’ for four days only – a unique opportunity for the IT and data storage communities to join a dialogue w/business-critical technology providers.”

What jumped out at me about this picture is that the keyboard is not the standard keyboard. Instead the keyboard letters spell out “blog” instead of having the usual letters, “d, f, g, h” in their place. This picture is clearly altered to send a specific message to the viewer about their this picture is trying to convey. The use of a keyboard having the letters “blog” spelled out connects the two items to take a related topic. This picture is similar to the one discussed in class related to the “Medical Technology” picture. While that picture illustrated a laptop with a stethoscope coming out of the side, this picture is also clearly altered from its original form after the photograph was taken.

I think that this picture does a good job at illustrating what the creator(s) are trying to visualize. There is no confusion as to what this picture is trying to convey. At first glance it is clear that the picture is relating the using of a keyboard to blogging. As I said before, I believe this picture is an example of a visualization of my topic, as blogging is an outlet for audiences to technologically interact.

Picasa Pictures

 

This illustrates two girls using their mobile devices as a source of interaction. While it in unknown as to what they are exactly looking at, it can be assumed that they are possibly texting a question to ask the stars of Mtv's Real World: DC to be read out loud by the host during the reunion show and then answered by the stars themselves. The girls could also be texting in their vote for who they thought sung the best on tonight's American Idol and deserves to stay on the show for another week. Regardless, the girls seems to be enjoying the use of their cell phones to partake in any interact technological behaviors.

 

 

These two photos can go along together or separate. The top one shows a girl in class using several forms of technology. While is she is using her personal computer to read PerezHilton.com's blog, she is also looking at the screen above during her class. It is clear that there are other students in front of her who are also using their computers as well as looking at the screen above them. The picture is a classroom setting.
The second picture can just be a person alone at the desk reading blogs. It illustrates people's use of blogs to read about their favorite celebrities and television shows. The blog can also be used to have the reader make their own comments on what they are reading about.

Man Vs. Food

If you have ever passed by the Travel Channel during a channel surfing session while Man Vs. Food is on, there is no way to deny that you haven’t stopped to watch. Adam Richman, who claims to have held every job in the restaurant industry, premiered his exploration of food on December 3, 2008. In each episode, Richman explores the food a different American city before facing off against a pre-existing eating challenges at that local restaurant while regulars or people of the town cheer him on.
While on the road, Adam and crew remain in contact with viewers through social networking options. http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Man_V_Food provides discussion boards, areas where viewers can recommended sites for future episodes, live videos from filming, and so much more.

Discussion boards include the topics below:

Fan v. Food
We want to hear from you! Have you attended any of the Man v. Food events at NASCAR, the college TailGate Tour or a restaurant featured on the show? We want to hear about your experience. And if you have photos, we want to see them. Post your comments and photos here.
108 posts

Recommend Your Local Food Spots
Have suggestions for Adam on where he should dine? How about what food challenge he should take on next? Tell us right here. We also want your photos and videos! You can upload them on our What's Your Trip site. Click here to see some of the videos and photos that have been collected so far.
3160 posts


Some examples of fan comments are shown below:

mkoopsmagoops
Junior Member

I am a very big fan of this show. I think Adam is one of the best host of a food show if not the very best ever. He does some amazing things and I can't wait to see more. Maybe a new season idea would be to got to overseas and do some challanges. Again big fan Adam and if you read this you are the MAN! Hopefully I will get a chance to see a challange next time you are in Michigan!

And…

foodtraveler
Junior Member

We travel a lot. When we travel, we go out of our way to eat at places featured on Man v. Food.

Travel Channel also promotes viewers to get involved through their mobile phones and/or through signing up for e-mails. All a viewer needs to do is click the link below ( while on the actual website ) to join to Travel Channel's networks.






For those of you who have watched Adam pack down food such as a SIX POUND BURRITO, you might wonder why the host, who is "a bit on the husky side", is not obese. Turns out that Richman spends an hour or so on a treadmill, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Being sedentary is incredibly uncomfortable. [...] [D]espite the fact that the first 10 minutes or 15 minutes on the treadmill might suck, it actually does alleviate a lot of pressure, and you feel better."

Interacting Online to Assist Animals

The Animal Rescue Site has found a smart way to get people to donate free food. This method is through a simple click of the computer mouse. Shown below, all people have to do is log onto the website in order to help donate to animals with no cost to themselves.

"The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing.

Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.
Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know.. "

Go onto the website and click! The site makes it very easy for people to assist the animals through technology, which everyone is already active with.

March Madness Mobile?

With March Madness in full swing, it is safe to say that talk of brackets have triumphed many recent conversations. Facebook statuses are filled with predications and the current status of their brackets, including the good and bad.

Statuses that I have seen include:

“byebye brackets. LETS GET THE MIDWEST TERPS! LETS GO”

“back in college park, but soo upset about the terps loss”

“early birthday brunch at turf valley then watching the terps fight for the sweet sixteen. LET'S GOO MARYLAND!”

“HERE WE GO TERPS! LETS GO MARYLAND”

and the more disappointing post…

so just found out that the clock was not started for approx .7 seconds after michigan st passed in the ball on their final possession...meaning the "game-winning" basket should not have counted, putting maryland in the sweet sixteen...thanks NCAA

For those who aren’t aware, the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single elimination tournament held each spring in the United States. This year’s competition began on Friday, March 19th in various locations such as Syracuse, St. Louise, and Houston. Sixty-four college basketball teams began the tournament, organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The first round includes two days of sixteen games. Once eliminates began, rounds of the titles include “sweet sixteen,” the “elite eight,” and then the “final four.” The tournament was first created in 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Since its inception, the tournament bracket predictions have created an active role for audiences to play in the tournament. Friends, organizations, companies, and maybe even small children have put money down and filled out their brackets in hopes of their favorite teams winning it all and in return taking home all of their brackets earnings. Websites sponsor and calculate the points for each player so people completing against each other can see who put what team in each position and how many points they have as a result.

Anticipation for the Final Four is shown below from a countdown taken from www.cbssports.com



Below shows how people can sign up individually or with groups.



cbssports.com also can bring the tournament to your cell phone through the on demand iPhone App.

Matchmaker Matchmaker find me a match...

Patti Stanger, known as a Millionaire Matchmaker, is no longer closing off her relationship advice to those who can front the cash. Now if a fan wants her advice, all you need is a phone. In April of 2009 Premiere Radio Networks debuted a Satellite Radio Special Hosted by Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger titled P.S. I Love You. The call-in special first aired on Sundays, from 6 - 8 p.m. ET/3 - 5 p.m. PT on The Pink Channel (XM Channel 24) and Mix (XM Channel 22) but is now on Thursdays. All of those Million Matchmaker fans can call in at 1-800-449-8686.

This is definitely a smart way to allow viewers to interact with Patti’s services regardless of their income and to make them feel like they are also part of the show by receiving her advice. Callers might got get the face-to-face interaction of the classic makeovers that she does to her clients but it’s still something! And fans don’t even need to fly to California for a consultation with Patti.

Patti describes the radio show as “racy” and invites viewers to call in. She also has special guests come in to co-host! She advertises the radio show on her Facebook, Twitter, and website. She is sure to keep fans update on how they can contact her through all of those online outlets.

Patti tweets:

Tune in to XM Pink 24 or Mix 22 to hear my brand new radio
show PS I Love You - every Thursday at 4PM Pacific. Co-hosted by @destinpfaff.

So be sure to tune in to hear about the women whose shows have “rubbed off on the matchmaking industry,” according to CNN.

Coach Williams

It seems as though Gary Williams might interact with the most technological audiences on the University of Maryland Campus.

After the buzzer beater game on Saturday versus Georgia Tech I heard the announcer make an advertisement for the Gary Williams Radio Show, where he would discuss the game and give fans the opportunity to call in and ask questions. Surprised by how reachable Gary Williams was to audiences I further researched the topic.

The Gary Williams Radio Show, featuring Maryland head basketball coach Gary Williams and Hall of Fame broadcaster Johnny Holliday, made its season debut on Tuesday, November 13 in 2007-08. Originally the radio Show was to broadcast from R.J. Bentley's on route 1 in College Park, Maryland. The live call-in show aired throughout the season on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. Shows on Mondays would run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In 2010, the show is still going strong and advertised at the end of basketball games. Currently the Gary Williams Radio Show airs from 7-8 p.m. throughout the season on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. The location of many shows has also changed within the years and now will be taped live at area Buffalo Wild Wings locations. Fans are still encouraged and invited to be a part of the show in person or by calling (866) 950-5225.
The 60-minute broadcast is the University of Maryland and Gary William’s an interactive way to allow fans to ask the head coach the questions. The show must be a success if years later he’s still on the air.

If you could like to tune in this week, the show airs on stations WHFS 105.7 FM and ESPN Radio AM-1300 in Baltimore. Network affiliates include: WJFK 106.7 FM (Washington, DC), WTBO AM-1450 (Cumberland), WEMD AM-1460 (Easton), WFMD AM-930 (Frederick), WARK AM-1490 (Hagerstown), WPTX 1690 AM (Lexington Park), WMSG AM-1050 (Oakland) and WQMR 101.1 FM (Ocean City).

He also keeps fans updated on when to call in through his twitter account:

“Show starts at 7pm. If you want to call into the show the # is 866-950-5225”
2:26 PM Mar 4th via web

Fans can also listen to the show online if they couldn’t get by a radio.

As I said before, Williams can also be found on twitter under the name “MDCoachWilliams.” I was surprised to see that Williams is an active twitter user. The bio for the page states that the page is the official twitter page of University of Maryland Head Men's Basketball Coach Gary Williams. Williams has 4,737 followers; he is following zero.

His tweets range from talking about his personal life:

“I just want to reiterate what a profound effect Coach Millikan had on my career and me. I would not be the coach I am today if not for him.”

Williams keeps extremely up to date about on his twitter page. Throughout the snowstorm he tweeted several times about weather conditions.

“I want to thank all the fans who braved the icy roads and made it out to the game.”
1:54 PM Feb 8th via web 


“I want to thank all the police, security, ushers and other personnel who made it to comcast despite the snow storm”.
1:52 PM Feb 8th via web

Williams also tweeted about the stats for senior Greivies Vasquez when his records were released.

“Greivis is now the first player in ACC history to reach at least 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds in his career.”

As for the night of the big Duke game, Williams are sure to acknowledge his appreciation for the fans and the seniors on senior night…

“Also congrats to our senior managers Kyle Sweeney and John O'brien. They have done a great job for us.”
9:35 AM Mar 3rd via web




”Not enough space to say what Landon, Eric and Greivis has meant to me, the team or the university over the last 4 years.

“ 


9pm tonight. I want Comcast packed. The fans, especially the students have been great all year. Lets send the seniors out on a great note.”

Between his Twitter and several years speaking for a radio show it seems as though Williams is very active in social networking. I foresee a Gary William’s post game blog in the future….!

Shameless Social Networking

It’s so secret that the campus dining halls have the most inconvenient hours. With the dining hall closed and a rumble in my stomach, my friend led me to a Facebook application, “Food Friendzy.” For those of you who have not been shown the website CampusFoods.com, Food Friendzy is a way to get coupons or money off from your order from the website.

Maryland’s CampusFoods.com has 39 restaurants near University of Maryland-College Park including Panda, D.P. Dough, and Bono Pizza. The website has lists of places to order food and where they are located. Once click on the restaurant you can view their menu and order from there. If you create an account on CampusFoods.com and then connect your account with your Facebook account the coupon winning can begin. All you have to do is go onto the Food Friendzy application.



How to play: (The game is a board of tiles)
1. Flip tiles to earn points.
2. Redeem points for prizes and local restaurant coupons.
3. Play everyday to win.

The game is three levels where you can earn various amounts of coins. Once you win on Facebook, Campusfoods.com connects your total point earnings from Food Friendzy to your account on their site. Depending on how many points you earn, winners can redeem a certain amount of money towards a Campus Foods coupons or the offers off a specific restaurant.

Now only was the game fun to play, but I got hour dollars off of my Chinese food order. After I made my order online I was further surprised by what I saw. My screen was taken over by this:




I was slightly impressed and slightly annoyed by the shameless advertisement these restaurants are willing to participate in. It was definitely interesting that a website connects with a social networking site to get more people to use their business. However, I feel it was overboard for the site to then expect the costumer to make their status about the food order they just made. This really goes to show the depths in which social networking has changed society, and specifically the business worlds source of advertisements.

CNN too...

Everyone seems to know that Twitter is the new way to reach out. Prior to the Oscar's start, CNN tweeted about a live blog for viewers to participate in.




The rules included as follows:

If you would like to participate in our Live Blog (and we hope you do) please follow our rules.

Here are some of them:

1) Please keep your comments short
2) Don’t write in ALL CAPS (we don’t like screaming)
3) No links
4) Use your real name

The blog ended with a total of 793 comments.
Some of the comments were...

Stacy from NJ March 7th, 2010 7:07 pm ET
Got my popcorn, got my candy, got my viewing pal (my cat Tarabelle). All ready!

Kerstin March 7th, 2010 7:08 pm ET
Nicole Richie is accompanying her boyfriend Joel Madden who is Dj-ing the Oscars

Rob March 7th, 2010 7:10 pm ET
Love this live blog idea, but having to refresh my browser to see the new comments is going to be a pain. Oh well. Thanks for hosting this, Jack. Is there no way for you to feed your updates to your Twitter account?

The Post Reaches Out Through Twitter

The Washington Post has taken to their Twitter account to ask readers and followers for their input on the U.S. Postal Service.




Clicking on the link leads to an article. The offered poll is the one shown below.

Are you a 'single' or a 'with'?

I have previously blogged about the television show, Kell on Earth. Specifically during one episode the women who work for Cutrone are all out to eat sitting at a dinner table. Instead of talking to each other they’re all on their blackberries. Kelly even makes a comment about how they look extremely bitchy and over obsessed with work and that is the reason that no men go up and talk to them. The article, Cellphones in public: social interactions in a wireless era, goes onto explore the actions of Cutrone and her crew as well as the rest of society. The article discusses people doing research on the effects of technology and social interactions post the growth of cell phones. Two perspectives are demonstrated through their research: “How social norms of interaction in public spaces change and remain the name and how cell phones become markers for social relations and reflect tacit pre-existing power relations.”

The behaviors discussed in this study are extremely valid today. The article asked, “How do these technologies change people and their social relations?” In the previously read the article it also about how different personalities use cell phones in social relations.

One of the most valid points that the article made was that, “despite social rules against eavesdropping, observations and interviews indicate that eavesdropping was a fairly common practice among people whose partners were on their cell phone.” This sentence definitely caught my eye considering one of our most recent assignments was to listen on the other people’s telephone conversations during the week. The website that was shown during class with that sign referencing someone’s inappropriate conversation proved that people typically do ease drop despite being aware that it is frowned upon.
The sociological terms defined by the study were most definitely accurate. While I was reading I couldn’t believe how on point everything they wrote was. When it came to discussing ‘cross talk’ and how to handle talking to a person on the phone while still interacting with the person in front of you I was laughing to myself thinking of how I have done all of those things. It was strange to think of how there truly is an etiquette to dealing with that type of social situation and how everyone just picks up on how to comply with it.

The study according to Goffman stating that “there are two types of individuals in public spaces: people who are alone and people who are with other people. ‘Singles’ and ‘Withs.’” It was interesting to put a term with the types because everyone has been a ‘single’ or a ‘with’ and one point and reacted in the exact manner that the study explained. The explanation of when a conversation where ‘one member of a ‘with’ momentarily sustains exclusive talk with someone who is not in the ‘With.’ This may result in the other person in the ‘With’ feeling awkward and exposed,“ also really made me realize how I have been in that same situation before. This study made it so clear how people act in social situations. The article also said, “People often feel awkward when their former partner is engaged in an exclusive interaction. As a result, people often engage in activities to bide their time until their partner gets off the phone.” This proved that when people do act in social situations, they rely on their cell phone as a back up way if interaction is interrupted or not running the way it had planned.

I think everyone point they made was just so alarmingly true. Something they didn’t talk about was people’s use of their cell phone as a gaming device. For the most part the article talked about how people use their phone in social interactive situations but it can also be used as entertainment during boredom if a personal does have a game on their phone. As for cheating I have never seen or heard of people using their cell phones to do so in college. I know that in high school people used the notepad on their iPods to copy notes and cheat off of that if the teacher allowed them to listen to their iPods during the exam. There was also a time that I knew of people texting the A, B, C answers to someone to a scantron exam, but again I have not seen any of that in college.

The Kaplan Advantage

As commercials were running through my dorm room as background noise from the television I suddenly became interested in what one of them said. The commercial was advertising for Kaplan University, who claims to be a “different school of thought.” The online school is based to offer “a learning experience that's both customized and flexible, so you can study on your schedule, on your terms. With more than 100 degrees and programs, we put you first. It's time to put your talent to work.” The school is based on convenience and flexibility. Hence having everything be offered online through the use of technology. Students never have to leave their homes. Their websites reference the “convenience of online learning” due to technology stating, “that’s just part of the Kaplan advantage.”
Interaction with teachers is also offered so students can ask questions or learn more information. Live chat with “dedicated advisors” is offered through the website. Interesting to see how technological all schools are becoming.

The areas of study available include:
Arts and sciences
Business
Criminal justice
Education
Health sciences
Information technology
Concord law
Legal studies
Nursing

Kaplan University seems to be the definition of blended courses. The Kaplan Flexible Learning gives students multiple options for “online learning with additional on-ground support.” Eight campuses located in Iowa and Nebraska “provide the facilities, faculty and staff, and career options” for the future success of their students. This face-to-face interaction allows students to also participate in face-to-face traditional learning.

Theatrical Blogging

Technological audiences have reached from celebrities (so basically strangers) to students interacting with other students. On Facebook I received an invitation to the event from my sisters friend at the University of Delaware titled, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog LIVE!”



It seems as though the University of Delaware is taking stage performances to technology to a new level by allowing interaction with viewers, aka other students. The show will be held in a theatre like a normal play and will run for several days with several show times. The information on the event described that, “the video blog is the driving basis of the show, it provides much of the plot, such as the heists he’s pulled, reading emails from fans or letters from the ELE, or talking about Penny, the girl of his dreams, who he sees at the Laundromat on a regular basis, but is too afraid to talk to.” Seems as though blogging has moved from being the computers to being up on stage. Interesting use of blogging…

iPad Update

Apple i-Pad Testing Group - Test It and Keep It!

THE FACEBOOK GROUP IS STILL GOING! join now!

A few people have given their reactions...



As you can tell, all of the reaction posts are rather recent so anyone could still have a chance to get an iPad. It would definitely be cool to be one of the first to partake in the iPad experience.

Twit Interaction

I find it interesting people can seriously interact with their favorite stars. Not only are people tweeting their reactions but they're connecting it to the star's personally. In the tweet pic below, not only is a tweet commenting on Kell on Earth, but bashing the new show in the time slow following, SPINdustry. It must be interesting for the stars to so easily gain people's reactions to what they're doing!

Viewers Respond to Personalities

Going along with the topic of personality, I wanted to take a look at what type of personality gets the most attention from viewers. Since my last post was about Kelly Cutrone, a tough worker with an even tougher attitude, I decided to look at the rest of the Bravo blogs to see what type of personality gets the most feedback from viewers. Viewers love controversy! And love responding to it online even more!

This seasons Real Housewives of Orange County is filled with five very different personalities.
Vicki Gunvalson plays the loud, career obsessed, trash talker. Her blog for this week had 78 comments.
Alexis Bellino is new to the show. She plays the religious peacemaker who is obsessed with working out. 50 people responded to her blog.
Tamra Barney, who claims to be the “hottest housewife,” is going through a divorce this season landing her blog with 94 comments.
Gretchen Rossi still remains high with her 83 blog comments despite last season being her big moment after her fiancé died. I guess her good looks and bubbly personality keep viewers interested.

The winner of the most comment goes to the extremely loopy and absent-minded Lynne Curtin with 394. With her recent eviction viewed on last week’s episode along with her daughter calling her a “bitch” on national television, it seems as though viewers are responding to her the most.

Like I said, viewers love controversy!

Kell On Earth

A new television show has been brought to Bravo TV, so naturally this will open up communication for all those viewing, and those who just like to voice their opinions.

Kelly Cutrone, a fashion icon and the founder of the public relation firm People's Revolution made her TV on February 1, 2010. Cutrone has previously appeared on three of MTV's reality shows: True Life, The Hills, where she was the employer of Lauren Conrad, and The City, where she serves as the professional and personal mentor for a former Hills star, Whitney Port. Part of Cutrone’s edge is her no sensitivity attitude. With that in mind, the new series title, Kell On Earth, is apppropiately titled to foreshadow what is to come in the season. Kelly’s reaction to the title is, “Why did I agree to “KELL ON EARTH” as a title for our show? I mean really c’mon – it is super close to hell which only propels this whole dark side thing.”

Going along with Kelly’s hard hitting personality is her new book, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside ... And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, which was released the following day from her television premiere. Cutrone tells her disciples to "gather up your courage like an armful of free clothes at a McQueen sample sale" and "celebrate the magic inside of yourself."

Within Cutrone’s personality I expected a lot of feedback from the show’s premier. So I took to the blog’s to find out viewers first reactions.

Emm-

I have seen you many times mostly on MTV through True Life, and The Hills/City. I will say this show clears up any stereotypes about you, and lets everyone see that you are a person also, lol. That being said, I love it! I have plans to study public relations in college and the fast pace and hard work of People's Revolution really intrigues me. Never know, maybe I'll apply to be an intern someday!
Oh, and wow Serrano drug dealing was hilarious haha, he seems to be a character.

PRWatcher-

I was pleasantly surprised by the show ... more insightful and less, um, catty? than I thought it would be. I liked what you said about one aspect of a career being the process of finding out what you DON'T want to do. Most managers know not to let a bad hire drag on for too long. And probably if it weren't for the tv drama, bad hires wouldn't last too long at PR either. My motto: education is never a waste!

jcj-

I love you and your show! You truely are a wonderful role model, it's so nice to see a reality show on a a strong, career driven women and mother. You and your show is the best thing that has happen to reality tv.

Georgia Peach

I love the chaos and energy on the show. I love the fact that everyone is yelling and speaking their mind!!

Holy Grandmothers Grail

The best line EVER was~ We are not mean, but we'll say mean things to you for sure. Hahaha...I would copywrite that to the BANK!

It seem as though people seem to really love the edge that Cutrone’s brings to a place of work. Let’s see what happens throughout the season! Will one comment by Cutrone go to far and make these loyal fan bloggers haters?

To check out the blogs for yourself go HERE

TEST OUT THE NEW iPAD

January 27, 2010 marked the announcement of Apple’s “most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price.” The technological creation that Apple was referencing in their advertisement was their newest device, the iPad, starting at $499. The tablet computer fills the void between the iPhone and laptop to essentially make a large iTouch. The iPad comes with a 9.7 inch screen available in 16GB and 64 GB versions. The screen size is designed to make it ideal to watch video, read newspapers and browse online. The Apple iPad has up to 10 hours of battery life and Wi-Fi capability. Apple is yet to announce a mobile contract to somehow connect to the device.
There was and continues to be much hype around Apple’s latest creation. The New York Times immediately signed on with Apple to create exclusive content, including articles with a newspaper look and play-in-page video in order to be part of the commotion. The iPad is sure to be in the hands of every Mac lover’s hands when the times comes… and now it can be in yours too

FOR FREE.

All you need is a facebook account.

The group titled “iPad research center- rest and keep it” explains that, “because of the big hyper around the iPad, several companies are giving away iPads for review purposes as soon as they are available.” All you have to do is become a fan to complete the first step of the process! And also advertise to your friends as per request of the group web page.

The people behind this one of a kind offer is a marketing research company that is looking for people to rest products. They claim to constantly want to improve products to bring continuous satisfaction to costumers.

The group goes onto explain that they looking for 10,000 lucky testers who are willing to examine the new Apple iPad. The testers will then luckily be allowed to keep the iPad for participating in the program.

Unfortunately, it might a little late to take action in this limited time offer. By the time I saw the group there were 327,711 fans but there still might a chance.

The group also makes it a point to clarify that the Facebook Page is not affiliated with Apple Inc.

Seems as though marketing companies are opening the lines of communication to their audiences. By allowing fans of the device to test the product they are able to respond with their responses. This idea is a perfect way to gain an insight on how audiences will be using technology.

Mobile Behaviors as a Result of Personality Traits

The 25-item Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory along with the 60-item NEO FFI Personality Inventory measured participants’ level of agreement and assessed participants’ evaluative attitudes toward themselves. The information they found amongst the 200 university student participants (146 females, 54 males) resulted in “evidence for high levels of communication technology use and indications of some addictive tendencies.” Their three indicators of addiction included withdrawal, loss of control, and salience. These indicators gauged the response to not engaging in technological contact, to engaging more than necessary, and to discover the activity behind the behavior. Through the exploration of areas of academic, social, family, and personal experience, the article also explained the research they found based off the participants personality types. When it came to disagreeable individuals, they reportedly spent increased time on phone calls. Those with lower self-esteem were reported to spend increased time using instant messaging (IM). Extraverted and neurotic individuals reported to having spent increased time text messaging. Other personal traits used to predict mobile phone behavior included extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and individual difference variable of self-esteem.
I would agree with the article’s study that states how certain personalities are more prone to different mobile phone behaviors. From personal experiences I know which of my friends are more likely to call me, or text me, or IM me if they would like to get in contact with me. For them personally, I believe it is more of a convenience form of communication and less of being part of their addictive personality.
As for the “results found evidence for high levels of communication technology use and indications of some addictive tendencies,” I have to respond by saying; well naturally people have become addicted. This class alone has me checking my e-mail, elms, blogs, and twitter account twenty six times a day. When other classes are factored in an addictive nature is what becomes natural. We have to keep up with our classes and also our family and friends. We need constant social interaction as well as interaction with our teachers and classmates to keep up with assignments.
Whether or not there is “a reliance on technology to validate social connection,” which “may have psychological implications, including developing technological addictions withdrawal,” there is also a need to constantly be communicating through technology.
For a large majority I do agree with the articles claims to certain personalities being addicted. I also cannot deny checking my phone for texts or missed calls in the morning.

Virtual Classroom

Technological audiences are now being moved into the classroom. Today's lesson has been a perfect example.

Today’s online Wimba virtual classroom explored the definition of a "hybrid" or "blended" course, which is what we are engaged in as students and teachers of JOUR289I. Some teachers may believe that posting a Power Point or notes on elms makes them a hybrid class. However, they are still not meeting the standards of what a hybrid class truly is. Putting information online to supplement learning that was taught inside the classroom on the outside the classroom does not suddenly make the teacher eligible to say they are teaching a blended course.
A hybrid course can be defined as are a combination of online and classroom instruction. But also, a combination of presence, learning online, distance learning is what makes up a true hybrid course. One part of a hybrid course includes to face-to-face learning at a specific place and time. Limited interaction is also a part of creating a hybrid class. Finally, “supplement learning” or online learning is essential to create a blended class. The mix of online and offline learned are essential to a hybrid course.
All three examples are what we engage in for Technology 3.0. We have a designated class location where we meet twice a week at a specific time, assignments are posted online along with articles to read and respond to, and just recently we have had a virtual class to all interact together. The virtual classroom took technology to a new level where without everyone being together we could meet online to write to each other, speak to each other, and video chat with each other if some one was brave enough. The virtual classroom allowed people to raise their hands and response to polls similarly to the regular classroom. This hybrid class uses technology to enhance learning beyond interactivity. As we learned in the virtual classroom, synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication also lead to a hybrid course. In class, where there is synchronous communication, everyone is talking together. Someone might be asked to explain something but feel shy and under pressure. Writing a comment on elms of posting an assignment is considered asynchronous form of communication where not everyone is physically present.
This course definitely goes along with my “technological audiences” topic. While I mainly focus on entertainment or celebrities responding to and interacting with fans, this course is the teacher’s way to respond and interact with students. While blogs provide opportunities for online communication for stars and fans, blogs are also being used to allow us to give our feedback and suggestions for the JOUR289I course.

The Deal with “Deal or No Deal”

Howie Mandell seems to be lonely on the Deal or No Deal stage lately.

Deal or No Deal has come up with an interesting way to involve their audiences … and save money in this economy. When the show debuted, the game was played with up to 26 cases along with 26 models standing along side those cases wearing identical dresses and heels. The players choose a case to knock an amount of money off the board. Recent shows have led to a more audience interactive game show. Models in matching dresses no longer accompany cases, but instead audience members accompany the cases. Where the models usually stand, potential contestants stand in their place holding the cases waiting to become eligible to play the game. So while the network, NBC, is saving money, audiences are also given the opportunity to become more involved in the game show. Other ways for the audience to be involved in the game show is when the inevitable “deal or no deal” question arrives. Audience members are allowed to scream out what they encourage the contestant to decide on. This new interactive way will help fans get more involved and may even result in increased show ratings, which had dropped prior to the show’s change up.

For more information on the show and/ or other shows on NBC check out the website: http://www.nbc.com/Deal_or_No_Deal/

CNN too

When Jamie McIntyre came to JOUR289I class on Thursday, something he said made my ears perk up. He made a reference to Rick Sanchez’s attempt to involve audiences making him another person to realize the audience’s impact. I further researched the topic and found this blurb on Sanchez’s blog.

“Rick's List is not a CNN newscast...it's YOUR newscast! Every day from 3:00 to 5:00 PM ET, Rick Sanchez presents two audience-driven, interactive hours of the day's news and smart conversation. Want to get involved? Sure you do! So get online. Now!”

the blog also stated,”Now let's hear from you!”


What would this form of blogging mean to newscast? As entertainment television blogs allows fans ands tars to communicate about episodes and events, world news would be another level of involving fans. Technological audiences will expand from sharing opinions to sharing facts and informative information.

This also makes me wonder, what other well known newscasters will begin to open such an access to audiences?

Other outlets for communication to Sanchez include his Facebook and Twitter account. Both are easily accessed through clicking on them from his blog.

Ellen on Idol

Ellen Degeneres goes to her Twitter to announce her debut on American Idol in attempts to advise her audiences to watch!

“MTV Networks wants your voice!”

On February 4, 2010 7:01:09 PM, I check my e-mail. A subject in my inbox reads, “MTV Networks wants your voice!” The e-mail reads…

“Hi MTV Fan,



Join the exclusive MTV Networks MyVoice Community today!


As part of this community, you'll be invited to participate in online surveys and discussions several times a month where you'll be asked your opinion on a variety of topics, so we can find out more about you and your needs.
HOW TO JOIN?



It's simple...click the link below and complete a short registration survey to
become a member of the MY VOICE community.

JOIN MY VOICE



https://www.myvoice.mtvn.com/S.aspx?s=2&r=4lhqsFRiTUuqkRRVx8foGg&a=156&fromdetect=1

WHY JOIN?


As a member of MyVoice you'll get...


• exclusive sneak peeks at shows before they air

• access to not-yet-released online game
• chances to enter contests run by MTV Networks

• opportunities to share your opinions and experiences to help us relate to you

• results from studies you've participated in



Have your voice heard with MY VOICE!

David and the My Voice Team”

This e-mail is a perfect example of technological audiences. E-mail is aware of who is making them the money! Their fans! So they want viewers to be involved in telling them what they want and what they love. MTV is opening up to audiences through e-mail to communicate. MTV even adds incentives for audiences to join through allowing them access to exclusive offers. Filling out the survey results in MTV customizing, “the activities we ask you to participate in.” This is all part of the bandwagon of entertainment reaching out to audiences in efforts to here their voices.

E-mail if your interested yourself! support@myvoice.mtvn.com

The Beginning of Blogs... and reality TV

As the always-buzzing media circus continues to grow, one might wonder how it all began… What celebrity was first to publically address their fans? What television program first began having “after show” specials where viewers could asks the stars personal questions? What producers first decided that incorporating audiences into the show would lead to increased popularity? Or essentially, who created the process of conveying technical information through writing, speech, and other media to a their audiences?
Debuting in 1948, Candid Camera was actually the first television show to include their audiences. Now, American television is at a point where audiences essentially become the stars. From that, the cycle continues.
The 1940’s also included talent searches such as Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and the Miss America Pageant, which boosted the contenders into celebrity status in the nation. The show that dominated them all and changed reality television forever debuted in 1992. MTV debuted their new series, The Real World, which continues to air years later. The Real World opened the door to other reality series such as Survivor and American Idol. Along with American Idol came another entertainment concept involving the audience. The show aimed to discover the best singer in America through a series of nation-wide auditions. The innovative idea was viewer voting to determine the winner. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, and Kris Allen have become the shows winners by gaining audience votes through telephone and SMS Text voting.

Discovering the foundation of where all technological audiences began is comparable to finding a needle in a haystack. However, I can attempt to find the beginning information. In 2006 Twitter formed another communication outlet for stars to immediately address the public and media. Jack Dorsey, Chairman, Evan Williams, CEO, and Biz Stone, Creative Director created the mobile social network service that has become the fiftieth most popular websites worldwide.

I also found this article extremely informative to explain and define blogging terms! http://www.articlesbase.com/seo-articles/the-beginning-of-blogs-and-blogging-518717.html


So, it is not really a question of who began the whole process, but more of where will it go next? … we shall see!

Endless Entertainment

The entertainment phenomenon is highly addictive and cannot be avoided.

Producers, celebrities and TV stars understand more and more about where their popularity comes from. If you don’t know where it is coming from, the answer is you, the viewers. Audiences are interacting with the shows more than ever through texting to vote for their favorite character or attending the reunion specials as an audience member. Blogs, fan sites, and website groups make it clear that audiences want a personal relationship with the shows they watch and the characters that are on it. With this in mind, producers and stars are giving audiences more opportunities to do so through a more personal look as to what really went down and maybe even a look into the star’s homes.

Think about it, American Idol bases their show around the audiences voting through text messages or phone calls; all forms of the audience interacting with the use of technology. Bravo TV has most of their stars keep a weekly blog where they can address what is said about them in the media as well as their reaction to the previous episode. They have a section at the top bar of the website for viewers to immediately see (http://www.bravotv.com/blogs.)

MTV encourages viewers to log onto their website at the end up episodes to “here from that cast and crew” about what they thought of the episode’s events. They offer endless behind the scene clips and deleted scenes for those to log onto the website. Inside e-mail alerts are also offered for for audiences to information about television shows and the stars that are on them the second the information is released.



Audiences are very much following along with what the shows advise them to do. Their comments and opinions are posted all over the blogs, Facebook groups, fan sites, etc. Viewers have not only formed connection to communicate with the show, but also with other fans. The communication between the television shows and its audiences is not just limited to that, but not audiences can interact with each other as well. Endless groups and websites can be found where viewers discuss their favorite cast member for example.

Not only television networks are utilizing their popularity by creating an interface with the audience. Other celebrities look to their website, the media, or Twitter to address audiences. Through the use of Twitter they can plug information on where their next event is or clarify a rumor that was written in a magazine. They use the media outlet to communicate with viewers because they are aware that they are listening, reading, and waiting for more information on their favorite stars.

For my blog I will take an in depth look at the interface between television and social networks. My blogs will be up to date information of the recent media news and how the audience takes part in the topic. In terms of each topic I’ll answer the questions:

What are audiences talking about?
How does the audience influence show?
How is the show responding to comments?
Do stars respond?
Any other informative or fun stories will be added as well.