Spruz.com 4/12/12

Spruz.com was down for a majority of the week, but today in class we all joined the site to familiarize ourselves with it. We created our purposes site (receding shorelines in RI) and each created profiles. I added my picture as a picture with me by the ocean, as I believe the rest of my group mates did. We want to add a really cool background related to our topic. Possibly ocean tides, beaches, views of ocean, a storm on the water..etc. We each have the ability to add our own blog posts and event calendars.

We are excited to connect with other people and get the word out

Reshaping Slacktivist Rhetoric: Social Networking for Social Change

Slacktivism: is an apt term to describe feel-good online activism that has zero political or social impact. It gives those who participate in ‘slacktivist’ campaigns an illusion of having a meaningful impact on the world without demanding anything more than joining a Facebook group” (Foreign Policy)

-Meaning that a person can become a digital citizen. You may "like" a facebook group that supports a good cause in order to make only yourself feel good. It doesn't mean you are actually DOING anything for that cause, but you are doing it to fill some kind of personal forfillment. It is used to describe people who are "lazy" and/or "selfish"

The line between slacktivism and activism is thin because using social media to be apart of a bigger picture and participating in real life, real world, life affecting things, can be very beneficial and helpful in the part of raising awareness. social networks can only be as good as the person can make them. Get involved.

This article does a lot of talking about about how with the social networks we have available to us today we can do SO much good with them and make so much change, and become a civic engager, yet, very little of us are doing so. Just because we are not at a debate or in the audience of a political movement, we can connect with others and make others aware and get the opinions of others through social broadcasting online. Making groups, blogs, sites, etc. Most teens and young adults, and I believe most current day adults, get their news from the internet. All social network sites and based from the internet - facebook, twitter, linkdin..etc. Though most agree that it is our civil duty to spread the word of good causes and staying informed and spreading the word, as our most important duties, their online activity did not account on behalf of that previous stated belief. 

Everything is about "knowledge to take action." If we can help each other and encourage each other to spread the message of something they believe and make their word aware to others, then they will. By raining on someone parade and discouraging their actions, people are less likely to take initiative, esp younger generations looking for approval from older generations. Students need to become fully aware of the changes that they can make but utilizing the internet and social media for civic purposed and not just to roam pinterest and stumbleupon.

social network infrastructures

Our group topic: Tides changing in RI oceans and shorelines
Looking through facebook there are several ideas I like and am interested in setting our group page up like:
- Since facebook is 'timeline' now, the picture we could have as our cover picture could be the Narragansett beach or towers, or even outside Ocean Mist where the water is so close to it, and its factual that soon the water will wash it away
- We can like several of ocean related and rhode island related issues (save the bay, etc)
- Making an event calendar and marking separate dates where events around ocean and the bay occur
- Upload informational photos and information
- Posting articles

I like the different backgrounds that twitter has to offer too.
And the hashtags to allow followers to reference to you.

Social Network Sites

Highlight and reflect on the article main points via a Process Blog post.

Social Network Sites:

• ·      Are described as “well based services” that allow people to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.
• ·      Networking is not the primary practice of these sites, or finding people, but to connect with people who are already in their social circle. (labeled, “social network sites”)
• ·      Structural variations around visibility and access are one of the primary ways that SNSs differentiate themselves from each other
• ·      First social network – 1997 – sixdegrees.com – closed 2000 because it was not serviceable enough
• ·      Others were launches between 1997 and 2000
• ·      Ryze launched in 2001 – manage business networks
• ·      Friendster - "one of the biggest disappointments in Internet history"
• ·      three key SNSs that shaped the business: cultural, and research landscape
• ·      Facebook was designed to support distinct college networks only.
• ·      Beginning in September 2005, Facebook expanded to include high school students, professionals inside corporate networks, and, eventually, everyone.
• ·      Other corporations have started investing research, time, and money into social media sites because of the ever more growth of them.
• ·      Social networks are broad, and theyre starting to become more specific
• ·      U.S. Congress has proposed legislation to ban youth from accessing SNSs in schools and libraries
• ·      SNS is organized around people … not interests
• ·      “Fakesters” – fake profiles
• ·      Ties between people can be weak ties – example : facebook
• ·      SNSs are "networked publics" that support sociability, just as unmediated public spaces do.
• ·      In addition to the themes identified above, a growing body of scholarship addresses other aspects of SNSs, their users, and the practices they enable. For example, scholarship on the ways in which race and ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexuality connect to, are affected by, and are enacted in social network sites raise interesting questions about how identity is shaped within these sites.
• ·      Cyworld—the online context reinforces certain aspects of users' cultural expectations about relationship maintenance

The past 20 years, social networks have exploded throughout the Internet. Many have crashed and burned, and some remain what most people log on to on a daily basis (ie: facebook, linkdin). It is a phenomenon that’s expanded all over the world and a multi billion dollar industry. There is so much that goes into the making and maintaining of a social website and so many different aspects. Between relationship maintenance and issues of identity, performance, privacy, self-presentation, and civic engagement, the research seems never ending. The social network sites continue to grow and more and more features and information is provided for them. These show how online and offline experiences are directly correlated. 

{{itinerary}}

'''Itinerary''' is in [[Region_name]].

==Understand==
Founded in 1694, Harwich is made up of East Harwich, Harwich Center, Harwichport, Pleasant Lake, West Harwich, South Harwich, North Harwich. With a population of 12,677 full time residents and a summer population of approximately 40,000, Harwich has much to offer including four protected harbors, tranquil beaches, historic architecture, bike and hiking trails, arts, culture, cuisine, shopping and more.

==Prepare==
Beach clothes, beach blankets, towels/chairs, change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, money

==Get in==

==Go/Walk/Drive/...==

==Stay safe==

==Get out==

{{outlineitinerary}}
9am- Bonatts Bakery
930am-
10am-



ENTRIES
1. Day trip for young adults Harwichport to Chatham
2. Chatham day trip
3. Chatham/Harwichport with children

wikitravel goals, non goals, rules (2/13) -

Explore Wikitravel.com. Familiarize yourself with all goals, non-goals, rules, and regulations for the site. Post self-sponsored notes and ideas to your process blog throughout the week.

Wikitravels mission is:
Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide.

With my Wikitravel blog I plan on taking away many of the goals and non goals from there and incorporating them into what I am writing on. I plan on:
Not being biased in opinionated
Being truthful in my posts and information given
Provide useful information that I would seek and want to know; prices, locations, hours of business...etc
No promotion of local businesses
Provide my personality in the posts....no boring posts!

wikitravel articles-self sponserd notes (2/20) -

Continue to explore Wikitravel.com. On your own, browse through several different articles and itineraries, paying particular attention to areas you know well. Focus on writing guidelines, contribution criteria, and creating new entries. Post self-sponsored notes and ideas to your process blog throughout the week.


In my itinerary I want to include sections like 'to do with kids' and list what age range would be appropriate for what age groups. I would like  to include beach/water activities because of how directly on the water the lower cape is. I would like to include places to stay, because we are doing 4 towns over the course of 4 days. I would like to include shops becuase of the great availability of shopping around, and also bakeries...some of the best bakeries ive ever eaten at!

wikitravel explorations (2/27) -

Reflect on your explorations with Wikitravel and the other information ecologies in which you participate. Brainstorm the possible creation of a new information ecology. What would be it’s specific goals and non goals and how would it operate? Post self-sponsored notes and ideas to your process blog throughout the week.

Wikitravel helps people plot out a trip (by other people), whether it be a day trip or a week long trip, listing several different places for people to have to option to eat, beaches to go, museums...etc. There are listings for all over the world, and right in our hometown. It seems really interesting and cool because it gives itineraries and options and selections for what you can do with a spouse or with children...etc.
Other information ecologies I participate in are work, with sending out client emails, helping people over the phone, scheduling appointments, and so on.

A new information ecology could be something along the lines of;
1. fashion: being measured by people, asked colors/styles you like, matching colors to skin tone/eye color/hair color, and a computer gathering a list of different styles to look at, stores to shop at, online shopping sites to buy from, etc.
2. food: send in shopping lists and have groceries delivered
3. hair cuts: going into a salon, having a picture taken, and a computer generating colors and hair cuts that would look good on that particular person. Then a stylist cutting that persons hair based on their pick.

The idea I like most is a computer system helping a person pick a hair cut and color. The goals of this information ecology would be up to date software to prevent any outdated styles and offer seasons "it" looks, photo is easily transmitted to a persons smartphone to send to others, quick and easy process, many possible options. Non goals would be adding any additional information or tips that don't pertain to hair, not to be a magazine like application (instead have it be very straight forward and mature), or promote the salon in any way.

Wikitravel

The links provided were very informational and made me aware of some things I would have never thought of when creating a travel page. I have a very "fluff" way of writing you could say. I love descriptive words and connecting (or at least feeling like im connecting) with the reader. All the articles were pretty clear in that to create a good wikitravel page things need to be right to the point, concise, well written, and unbiased. I also liked the page on all of the wiki markups that can be used…very resourceful. 

Top 10 things wikitravel writers should be aware of:

1. Don't be opinionated and biased

2. Have personality

3. Be fair, but that doesn't mean be nice if a place is not up to pare 

4. Don't insert own personal agenda

5. Don't be boring

6. Don't write with all caps

7. Don't be obvious or act like the reader is stupid

8. Some words to avoid: affordable, best, ideal, perfect, tourist, our/we/us, luxurious..etc.

9. Don't list the same place many times

10. Use wiki markups from the manual when you can…makes a good wikitravel page

Three itinerary potential paths:

1. Harwichport and what to do on a beautiful & sunny day

2. Harwichport with the kids

3. Harwichport get-away with the adults

Credible? About me draft

As the author of a healthy recipe on a budget food blog, I need to be deemed credible and someone that has an audience built on trust. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of blogs directed towards a healthy diet and lifestyle, so what is it about mine that will draw people in and allow people to trust that I truly am aiming to create a blog dedicated to the belief that you are what you eat.
As a child, my parents would make vegetables and always have fruit in the house, but the lifestyle of organic, low fat, low calorie was never really something I was brought up with. We still had cabinets filled with double stuffed oreos, twinkies, ding-dongs, and twix bars, which in moderation are okay, esp if you're 8 years old and running around outside for 3 hours after school. But, I am 22 and even though I go to the gym 5 times a week, that "food" sits on my hips a little different than it did 15 years ago. I changed my diet, and researched myself what those kinds of foods can do to a persons body internally and externally, and found that it was really something I am passionate about.
I everyday am looking for alternatives to fatty yummy meals where calories can be cut in half. Why use oil, when you can use applesauce? Why use 3 eggs when you can use 1 egg and 2 egg whites? It still tastes great and looks great on your waist line and your body will thank you for it later. 
I think I am a credible source because this is something I enjoy and something I am passionate about. I incorporate this method and lifestyle in my daily activities. The food I will make will be food I would eat. We need to take care of our bodies now for later. I want to prove you can still eat healthy with it being great tasting AND budget friendly.


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Indulgent taste mini waist
Waist is skinny price is mini
Little waist nice price
Skinny waist nice price
Skinny waist enticing price


Welcome to         ! My name is Blake Bogue and I am a 22 year old college student with a passion for being healthy, delicious food, a skinny waist, and a brimming bank account. If those are all things you cherish, we'll get along great. 


My entire life I ate whatever I wanted, when I wanted. So when I hit my freshman year of college and my freedom increased, so did my weight. I wasnt in high school doing cross country or soccer after school anymore, I was going to class, hanging out with my friends, going out, and eating less than flattering foods. Being  sluggish, tired, and less than enthusiastic about the extra 10 pounds I put on, I decided to make a change and totally rework my diet and lifestyle. Today, I cant even eat the foods I used to eat without my body totally rejecting it, but that doesnt mean I dont still love delicious tasting food. That is where my love for cooking and changing things up a bit came into play.


I am a firm believer that you can eat healthy while it still tastes good. I hate when people say "well if it's healthy, it cant be good." That is so not true! That is why I am here to prove that theory wrong. I love my breads, I love my meats, I love my chocolate, but they dont have to cost you a days worth of calories in one sitting. I hardly deprive myself, but I try to do it in the most health conscience way possible. 


Also, there is that common misconception that healthy foods cost an arm and a leg. If I am a full time student, part time employee, and paying for books, rent, and common necessities, anyone can do it. Each recipe I have offers the nutrient values and the average cost per serving for the people out there just like me looking for a tasty, quick, healthy, and budget friendly fix! Enjoy!

My Goal for my Process Blog

Purpose: what is the purpose or aim of your blog?

My purpose for my blog is to show that college students and college graduates who are adjusting to the real world, that it is possible to eat healthy on a low budget. Just because you're working part time, minimum wage, doesn't mean that dinner time consists of slices of cheese and canned soup. I want to show that you can eat healthy and delicious meals that aim to for fill your daily nutrient budget, no matter how much money is in your wallet.

Audience: Describe the audience you'd like to attract? What things would they like to see and read and not like?

The audience I would like to attract are health conscience people, more aimed at college students, but really anyone with a shallow pocket, that enjoy food and enjoy saving money. I think that they would like to see a step by step guide on how to prepare these dishes, what they need to make these dishes possible, how much it will cost per serving, and a breakdown of the healthy ingredients and the 'good for you' your body will thank you for.

I dont think the audience will care to see things that have no relevance, ingredients with high fructose corn syrup or excess sugar, sodium, cholesterol...etc.

Personality: Describe style you're aiming for in both writing and design

The style I am aiming for in writing is fun, enthusiastic, and excited with a lot of my personality in it to be able to make my readers enjoy reading and laugh along with me while cooking a nutritious meal. In my design I want to have lots of pictures and colors and cool looking fonts that are eye catching and make you happy to scroll through.

List 5 key words that users might use to search for a blog to look exactly like yours

Healthy

Budget friendly

College student meals

Nutrient conscience 

Inexpensive, healthy meals

GoogleBlogger..Teach Me!

Making my blogs and looking through everything that google blogger can do and offers, I have learned a variety of different things so far. I went through and edited my blog to make it look fun and cute and give it more of a touch of personality. By my background on my blog and the colors and font I use, I feel that is a good way to also draw people in and interested more because it is more eye catching and really tell someone something about the person blogging. Coming across a few dark, dreary, and depressing blogs I immediately ex out. Give me something pink, give me something fun and flirty and colorful and you have my undivided attention. I love colors and designs that put me in a good mood.
Okay, I am going off topic.
Anyways, I have learned how to edit my font text in my profile, the colors, the background, link adding, etc. It's actually pretty fun to play around with.
Also, in the readings we have been doing for this class I have learned what an Information Architect is and the process of LATCH and how important both are. I really connected with the section in the Information architect talking about the importance of story telling. I strongly agree with this, and it is something I want to use a lot in my process blog for this class. Story telling can give you an idea about the person you're reading about/learning something from/connecting with.
So far, I have taken away quite a bit of information, and I am excited to start this experience in learning how to create a blog I am enthusiastic and passionate about.

My Clubhouse Blog Ideas

Blog Topic Ideas

Healthy Cooking Blog: I would be very passionate about a healthy cooking blog because of how seriously I take the idea of taking care of my body. I don’t like eating high fat, high sodium, high calorie food, because not only do I feel guilty about it, it makes me feel terrible. I have become so used to eating well, that I actually prefer it. I spend a lot of time of looking for alternatives for oils, butter, white flour, etc. that I can use in my baking or cooking to cut out fat and calories and add more fiber and protein. It has always been something I enjoy doing for myself, so doing it publicly would be a delight. I know that I am not the only one who cares about what they put into their body, judging by how many blogs there already are dedicated to healthy eating and cooking, so I think it would be a fun and a smart idea and something I would absolutely enjoy.

Fitness Blog: Along with eating healthy, and cooking the best I can for myself, I work out almost every day and am, again, passionate about it. As much as it can suck sometimes, once I’m in the grind of a workout routine, I love it, and nothing beats the feeling of cold air hitting you when walking out the gym when you’re done working out. I think that I could make a good blog giving tips and advise for different workouts. People who are fitness enthusiasts like me, but are not gym “rats” or body builders, could benefit from it because I would give tips for the every day person just looking to tone up, keep a healthy weight, and look good. I could categorize it into sections of muscle training, cardio, different weight workouts, videos I find, pictures showing how to do the moves properly, etc.

Beauty & fashion blog: I am interested in different ways to do hair, different ways to do makeup, cool outfits put together in ways I could never think of. I could do a collaboration of different pictures, methods, ideas, new beauty products, make-up for skin types…etc. I like to look up these things in my daily check-the-internet routine. I think it is a good blog idea because I know many girls and woman are online trying to find opinions of others on products, and ‘how-to’s’ of how to make the perfect smoky eye.

Photography blog: I have always had a fascination with photography. I wish I was better at it, but I idolize the photographers of National Geographic Magazine for the incredible pictures they take. I could make a blog dedicated to beautiful pictures of places all over the world. Separated by region, country, time of year, date of picture..etc. I think a lot of people enjoy looking at photographs of places all over the world that they may not have a chance to ever see in person. And who doesn’t love a beautiful picture to make as a desktop background?

Daily News Story blog: I watch the news every morning getting ready for school and most night before I go to bed. I like to keep updated on what is going on in the world and I am very opinionated. I could possibly do a blog talking about some of the stories I hear on the news in the morning or hear about through CNN.com or my breaking news follow through twitter, and comment on my thoughts on them, encouraging others to comment on their thoughts or opinions. It would be a really cool way for other people to connect on things that are going on in our world and to hear other peoples opinions, which most people I feel like are always eager to express.

The reason I picked these five topics to do my clubhouse blog on is because these are the types of blogs I read and look for. They are all topics that mean very much to me and are all things that I do in my daily life. Any one of these I would be excited to write about, esp something relating to health and fitness.

The change of time with the growth of technology

I remember being a little kid in the back of my moms old Volvo, listening to my bulky CD player singing too loud and obnoxious for me to know and my mom on her brick cell phone tapping my knee telling me to pipe down. Now I look at my cell phone and the amazing capabilities it has. Voice recognition, Internet access almost everywhere, apps to tell me how many calories are in my large chai. Ipods becoming smaller and smaller to where they fit in the palm of your hand, yet have the ability to hold thousands of songs. It is truly amazing how far technology has come, and I can not even fathom what it is going to be like within the next twenty or so coming years.

In the video they talked about these myths that are believed of in the population of my generation. We don't read as much, we don't write as much..etc etc. Like the video said, ignore the myths. I read articles every day about things that are going on in the world around me. I read stories of people in other countries, I see pictures of places I can only dream of seeing with my own eyes, I write emails and texts (none of which are ever abbreviated). My generation are huge blogger's, constantly researching and writing and responding. I think technology and how fast it has evolved is incredible, and as the video state is changing the world and ideas into new and beautiful things.