Thank you to this week's Digital Brownbag guest, Ed O'Meara, for recommending TED (aka the latest way to spend time procrastinating online). But, TED isn't a time waster. This is cool stuff!
TED stands for technology, entertainment, design. Years ago, TED started out as a conference, linking experts in the three realms, but it has recently moved online for all to enjoy.
The Web site "brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes)." And they aren't lying about the "most fascinating" part. In fact, the talks are sorted by categories including: most jaw-dropping, most persuasive, most ingenious and most inspiring.
I encourage you to take a few minutes (or hours) and explore the site yourself, but in the meantime, here are a few talks to get you started:
Larry Lessing: How creativity is being strangled by the law
Ed mentioned this particular talk in class about digital intellectual property laws. Sounds boring, but trust me, it will get you thinking about our world -- where copyrights are so often disregarded.
Jennifer Lin: Magical improv from 14-year-old pianist
Watch and be amazed. I don't know how long it takes a typical composer to create a musical masterpiece, but I do know that they can't do it on command like this 14-year-old.
Rives: "If I controlled the Internet" (a poem)
Who knew poetry and the Internet could be so hilarious? This may be the only poem on the topic.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
AT&T stalkers
This particular "digital media" update is rather timely as this week's guest at our Digital Brownbag was AT&T. They failed to mention this:
AT&T is considering the idea of monitoring online traffic in an attempt to prevent theft of copyrighted material. Peer-to-peer online activity is of a special concern to the company since, according to CEO Randall Stephenson, it's one of the most common ways to illegally exchange files.
So, some random guy at AT&T could have the ability to read my e-mails or open my instant message convos? What?! Doesn't that seem a little insane, not to mention unethical?
I think this is a bad business move. Who wants to use the services of a company that isn't going to respect privacy? Also, I like my high-speed Internet connection. Isn't this scanning process going to slow down the online experience?
MSNBC's Helen Popkin provides a thorough explanation of why this is particularly bad.
Take a look at this Web site about Network Neutrality, obviously against online scanning.
Joel Johnson, editor of Boing Boing Gadgets, unexpectedly polls the audience on AT&T's plans:
AT&T is considering the idea of monitoring online traffic in an attempt to prevent theft of copyrighted material. Peer-to-peer online activity is of a special concern to the company since, according to CEO Randall Stephenson, it's one of the most common ways to illegally exchange files.
So, some random guy at AT&T could have the ability to read my e-mails or open my instant message convos? What?! Doesn't that seem a little insane, not to mention unethical?
I think this is a bad business move. Who wants to use the services of a company that isn't going to respect privacy? Also, I like my high-speed Internet connection. Isn't this scanning process going to slow down the online experience?
MSNBC's Helen Popkin provides a thorough explanation of why this is particularly bad.
Take a look at this Web site about Network Neutrality, obviously against online scanning.
Joel Johnson, editor of Boing Boing Gadgets, unexpectedly polls the audience on AT&T's plans:
Thursday, January 24, 2008
5 courses for PR students (advice from the PRos)
Something I often ask public relations professionals is what they think the most beneficial college course is for current PR students. As my college career is coming to a close, there are a number of classes I wish I had taken based on their advice, and a few that I have taken thanks to them.
In keeping with the "5 questions" theme, which will soon change (Look for a post on that in the near future.), below are 5 courses that I'm trying to squeeze in & that other students in communications may consider taking:
1. Thank you to Caitlin Goodrich at Jackson Spalding for her advice to take a creative writing course. As an undergrad, Caitlin had a concentration in creative writing, so she is an expert at "spicing up" any press releases and even e-mails. On a recent agency tour, Bryan Harris reiterated the importance of writing well. I have heard over and over again that writing is critical. Write, write, write.
(For UGA students, ENGL 3800 is an Introduction to Creative Writing.)
2. Thanks to Lauren Jarrell, director of communications at The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, for highlighting the importance of public speaking. At this week's PRSSA meeting, she explained no client will trust you to be their company's spokesperson if you aren't articulate day-to-day. Being well-spoken helps you "sell yourself." This is particularly important when interviewing for jobs and internships.
(UGA students, SPCM 1100 is Intro to Public Speaking.)
3. A number of professionals have spoken about the advantage that college students have with understanding social media. (You may know more than you give yourself credit for. Chris Brogan just did a great post about this.) Most notably, Melissa Libby recently told me that she would only hire a summer intern who has taken one of UGA's fabulous social media courses. I have been following a number of PR bloggers (Josh Hallett, Paull Young & Mitch Joel to name a few) who I think may agree that a basic knowledge of social media will give college grads a big advantage.
(UGA students, ADPR 5990 is a rotating special topics course that has been focused on social media for the past 2 semesters.)
4. Thank you to Brian Brodrick of Jackson Spalding for stressing the importance of staying up-to-date on current events. I'm constantly checking CNN, ABC & spend my mornings on the treadmill watching The Today Show.
(UGA students, the professors for JOUR 3410 give regular quizzes on current events, a number of INTL and POLS classes focus on current politics, health issues, etc. I know there are more, so feel free to comment & let me know.)
5. Jill Krugman of Lockheed Martin has made 2 recent visits to UGA (and will be returning in the spring). She explained, and has put into practice, that you have to find something you love that will set you apart from everyone else. Minor in a foreign language, anthropology, even dance. A minor is a great way to find your niche.
(At UGA, if you don't quite have the time to complete a full minor, consider a certificate program. I just finished Terry's Personal and Organizational Leadership, and it was great!)
In keeping with the "5 questions" theme, which will soon change (Look for a post on that in the near future.), below are 5 courses that I'm trying to squeeze in & that other students in communications may consider taking:
1. Thank you to Caitlin Goodrich at Jackson Spalding for her advice to take a creative writing course. As an undergrad, Caitlin had a concentration in creative writing, so she is an expert at "spicing up" any press releases and even e-mails. On a recent agency tour, Bryan Harris reiterated the importance of writing well. I have heard over and over again that writing is critical. Write, write, write.
(For UGA students, ENGL 3800 is an Introduction to Creative Writing.)
2. Thanks to Lauren Jarrell, director of communications at The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, for highlighting the importance of public speaking. At this week's PRSSA meeting, she explained no client will trust you to be their company's spokesperson if you aren't articulate day-to-day. Being well-spoken helps you "sell yourself." This is particularly important when interviewing for jobs and internships.
(UGA students, SPCM 1100 is Intro to Public Speaking.)
3. A number of professionals have spoken about the advantage that college students have with understanding social media. (You may know more than you give yourself credit for. Chris Brogan just did a great post about this.) Most notably, Melissa Libby recently told me that she would only hire a summer intern who has taken one of UGA's fabulous social media courses. I have been following a number of PR bloggers (Josh Hallett, Paull Young & Mitch Joel to name a few) who I think may agree that a basic knowledge of social media will give college grads a big advantage.
(UGA students, ADPR 5990 is a rotating special topics course that has been focused on social media for the past 2 semesters.)
4. Thank you to Brian Brodrick of Jackson Spalding for stressing the importance of staying up-to-date on current events. I'm constantly checking CNN, ABC & spend my mornings on the treadmill watching The Today Show.
(UGA students, the professors for JOUR 3410 give regular quizzes on current events, a number of INTL and POLS classes focus on current politics, health issues, etc. I know there are more, so feel free to comment & let me know.)
5. Jill Krugman of Lockheed Martin has made 2 recent visits to UGA (and will be returning in the spring). She explained, and has put into practice, that you have to find something you love that will set you apart from everyone else. Minor in a foreign language, anthropology, even dance. A minor is a great way to find your niche.
(At UGA, if you don't quite have the time to complete a full minor, consider a certificate program. I just finished Terry's Personal and Organizational Leadership, and it was great!)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Second time's a charm
Earlier this year, I got tagged for a "crazy 8 in 2008" meme. I figure that the second tag means I better do it, so here it goes...
1. My dad is my hero.
2. I prefer cold, rainy weather. The more thunder and lightening, the better. I think I have Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. (not really...)
3. When I was 6, I climbed a fire tower in Wisconsin and sat on the top railing with my feet dangling from the edge. I'm almost positive that this is when my intense fear of heights began.
4. I own every episode of "Friends" on DVD, and I can recite almost every word of every episode. I don't actually sit and watch them anymore, but they serve as great background noise. (Ross: "We were on a break!") Side note: I have the tenth season in Chinese.
5. When I was in fifth grade, a poem I wrote, "My Move to the South," won second place in a statewide elementary literary competition. ("It was a cold day in winter when we moved to the South. The snow sleet and ice were nowhere about...")
6. I've never had a Whopper or a Big Mac.
7. I don't drink plain water. I love Crystal Light.
8. I still haven't told my parents that I ran into the trailer hitch of the truck in front of me a month after they bought me a car (and it wasn't just a random golf ball/baseball that made the indentation on my bumper).
If you are reading, I tag you, too!
1. My dad is my hero.
2. I prefer cold, rainy weather. The more thunder and lightening, the better. I think I have Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. (not really...)
3. When I was 6, I climbed a fire tower in Wisconsin and sat on the top railing with my feet dangling from the edge. I'm almost positive that this is when my intense fear of heights began.
4. I own every episode of "Friends" on DVD, and I can recite almost every word of every episode. I don't actually sit and watch them anymore, but they serve as great background noise. (Ross: "We were on a break!") Side note: I have the tenth season in Chinese.
5. When I was in fifth grade, a poem I wrote, "My Move to the South," won second place in a statewide elementary literary competition. ("It was a cold day in winter when we moved to the South. The snow sleet and ice were nowhere about...")
6. I've never had a Whopper or a Big Mac.
7. I don't drink plain water. I love Crystal Light.
8. I still haven't told my parents that I ran into the trailer hitch of the truck in front of me a month after they bought me a car (and it wasn't just a random golf ball/baseball that made the indentation on my bumper).
If you are reading, I tag you, too!
Monday, January 21, 2008
And the winners are...
The 2007 Crunchies, a collaboration between GigaOm, Read/WriteWeb, VentureBeat and TechCrunch, was the first annual competition/award ceremony to recognize the most compelling startups and technology innovations of the year.
My inner-nerd couldn’t wait to see what the New York Times and Wall Street Journal’s of the tech world deemed the best of the year.
What struck me the most was that an overwhelming majority of the winners were products and Internet advances centered around social networking – connecting “everyday” people and ideas. Take a look:
Best Overall: Facebook
No commentary necessary. Facebook is revolutionary on so many levels.
Best Video Startup: Hulu
I don’t think it has anything on YouTube, but it’s great place to watch all those old episodes of SNL. It’s missing the user-generated content.
Best Mobile Startup: Twitter
A new favorite of mine. You don’t realize how entertaining it can be to read what other people, many that you don’t even know, are doing, but it is. Just try it. You’ll get addicted like I did.
Best New Gadget: iPhone
Of course. I don’t think there was much competition. I’m still discovering new cool things to do with mine, mostly by accident. Aside from that, the iPhone is invincible. I’ve dropped it ten’s of times, and it’s still going.
Best Bootstrapped Startup: Techmeme
Thank you to the Crunchies for pointing out this great “RSSish” site. A number of industry insiders and journalists scan blogs and news sites to get the latest tech story “no matter where it appears” and put it in one spot, Techmeme.com. What a time saver!
Most Likely to Succeed: Automattic
Over-zealous, spam-fighting bloggers, also the creators of Word Press, are strving to make the blogosphere a better place.
Check out a full list of the winners here.
Do you think anyone was left out?
The oversights I’d like to point out: the Wii (amazing, if you can find one) and Linkedin (very relevant, especially as a soon-to-be grad).
I can’t wait to see what 2008 brings!
My inner-nerd couldn’t wait to see what the New York Times and Wall Street Journal’s of the tech world deemed the best of the year.
What struck me the most was that an overwhelming majority of the winners were products and Internet advances centered around social networking – connecting “everyday” people and ideas. Take a look:
Best Overall: Facebook
No commentary necessary. Facebook is revolutionary on so many levels.
Best Video Startup: Hulu
I don’t think it has anything on YouTube, but it’s great place to watch all those old episodes of SNL. It’s missing the user-generated content.
Best Mobile Startup: Twitter
A new favorite of mine. You don’t realize how entertaining it can be to read what other people, many that you don’t even know, are doing, but it is. Just try it. You’ll get addicted like I did.
Best New Gadget: iPhone
Of course. I don’t think there was much competition. I’m still discovering new cool things to do with mine, mostly by accident. Aside from that, the iPhone is invincible. I’ve dropped it ten’s of times, and it’s still going.
Best Bootstrapped Startup: Techmeme
Thank you to the Crunchies for pointing out this great “RSSish” site. A number of industry insiders and journalists scan blogs and news sites to get the latest tech story “no matter where it appears” and put it in one spot, Techmeme.com. What a time saver!
Most Likely to Succeed: Automattic
Over-zealous, spam-fighting bloggers, also the creators of Word Press, are strving to make the blogosphere a better place.
Check out a full list of the winners here.
Do you think anyone was left out?
The oversights I’d like to point out: the Wii (amazing, if you can find one) and Linkedin (very relevant, especially as a soon-to-be grad).
I can’t wait to see what 2008 brings!
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