When I began this journey, I had a hard time believing I would ever be able to master the complicated language of computers. Web analytics? What?!?!?! But, after being saddled with the most technologically involved project, “web analytics” lost it’s illusive nature.
Marketing through the web was also a difficult concept for me to grasp. I just couldn’t (and still can’t) get out of the groove of traditional marketing. However, this class opened my eyes to the fact that different types of marketing ARE effective.
Overall this class was extremely beneficial to my education. I learned to think outside of the box more often and embrace the technological advances that are happening every day.
Popularity: 2% [?]
All over the world internet cafes have been popping up since the beginning of the internet boom. They cost less than a quarter per half hour in most of Latin America, and about a dollar an hour in Europe. One of the only countries that does not have internet cafes is the United States. This may be in part due to the fact that most families own a computer.
In the United States the internet is used for both research and social media. Facebook is one of the hugest social media sites on the internet and is used by people around the world.
I believe that freedom of speech on the internet will continue to boom. With more technology citizens of less free countries will have the ability to express their opinions on a global plane. As time goes on, I believe we will see an emergence of a less regulatory body governing the internet.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Everyone should go watch this video. My fish Simba is joining the olympics.
WATCH ME!
Popularity: 3% [?]
Gator Tutoring is an extremely innovative tutoring company centered in Gainesville, Florida. Run out of an apartment and done almost completely over the internet, Gator Tutoring has taken on a new frontier in the tutoring industry. Unafraid of the “black magic” associated with internet use, the Gator Tutoring staff has initiated video tutoring. These videos can be accessed anywhere that has an internet connection at any time. This is extremely convenient and unique to Gator Tutoring. Customers can purchase packages that include on-demand video explanations, concept notes, and a question and answer section at the end of each video in which customers can ask questions that tutors will answer. Gator Tutoring also offers resume reviews and live tutoring. The live tutoring is just as flexible and allows students to have tutors that will meet them anywhere.
While Gator tutoring is very near perfect, every business has room for improvement. Unfortunately, the Gator Tutoring website is not very compatible with internet explorer. At the turn of every page, it sends up a notification that states that internet explorer is not a sufficient browser, and that customers should download Firefox or other browsers. This causes a slight inconvenience for students. An area for feedback would also be very helpful. Customers can easily contact the Gator Tutoring staff, but they cannot interact with each other. It would benefit the business to have an area where students could blog to each other, and ask general questions. This would allow the business to identify material that the majority of students are finding unclear. Lastly, Gator Tutoring could add to its material. They do not tutor in as many subjects as their competitors at Tutoring Zone.
In today’s tutoring industry, Gator Tutoring takes the lead in innovation. However, innovation is not everything, as the difference in profits of the two competing firms demonstrates. Unfortunately, not every business can be as lucky as Google, and hit the jackpot right off the bat. Luckily, Gator Tutoring has plenty of time, and with a few improvements will be on the top in no time.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Dale Chihuly, Artist
The single most innovative industry, hands down, is the art industry. New and amazing feats are occurring every day by artists around the globe. One man single-handedly turned the art world upside down when he began blowing glass pieces that covered whole rooms. His glass sculptures are more than just art pieces, they are installations. From his famous glass baskets to his absolutely breathtaking ceilings, Dale Chihuly has rocked the fine arts industry.
While fine art has always been classified as the generic Monet or Picasso, today’s fine arts industry encompasses much more than just these painters. Beginning with the renaissance movement of the 14th – 16th centuries, the art world began to change. Oppressed by political and cultural forces, the changes in the art industry was particularly slow in the Middle East and Asia. However, as time has passed, art has truly become a form of expression cross-culturally.
The only way for art to become any more innovative than it is, is to allow it to be expressed in any way possible, without any restrictions. Many artists are forced to conform to society for fear of offending others, etc. However, the only way for the industry to grow is to allow artists to fully express themselves using all forms of media.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Googling "Laran Stover"
Googling "Laran Stover honors student"
Lets start with the basic googling of my name, Laran Stover. I thought about throwing in my middle name but decided against it. The results for my name are pretty accurate. Besides the author results, all of the links are about me. The first link to pop up is that of my high school softball career. Definitely not something I am ashamed of, but something most employers probably wouldn’t look at. Another result is that of a scholastic art award I received, by itself, maybe not that interesting. There is yet another link about a science fair award I received. Lastly, there is a link to a site documenting all of the traveling I have done. All of these results may not seem interesting alone, however, together they demonstrate what a well rounded person I am.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Christopher Howard
Texting in today’s society has become a staple for communication. It has nearly replaced calling, and is a quick and easy way to communicate. However, today, texting can be used for more than just an “lol” or “ttyl”, by texting HAITI to 90999, you can donate $10 towards Haitian Relief.
Our project focused on the concept of creating value using only sticky notes. At first this task seemed daunting and ridiculous but after much brain storming, our group came up with an idea to create awareness about a portal to donations. Everyone is aware of the earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th, and many want to help but don’t know how. Our project helped make available an easy way for everyone to donate a reasonable amount within seconds. We covered Christopher Howard with sticky notes, each with the words “Text ‘HAITI’ to 90999″ written on them. We then walked around campus and allowed students to take sticky notes off of Chris.
While this idea may not seem as extreme as other groups ideas, our point was well made and well received. Sticky notes are traditionally used as reminders, and in this case, they served their purpose in a big way. By having something tangible to hold on to, students were more likely to actually text and donate to Haitian relief.
To see a video of our project, click on the link above. This cause is extremely important and needs to be taken seriously. Haiti needs all the help it can get, and by texting “HAITI” to 90999, you too can help.
Popularity: 2% [?]
I, Laran Stover, am an addict. I love eye-popping colors, spinning introductions, and information that flies in from off screen. Unfortunately, this extravagant style of presentations is not only distracting to an audience, but also tends to make them slightly dizzy.
Every PowerPoint you see presented by a CEO is generally very plain. Apparently, they hold the secrets to perfect PowerPoint productions. First of all, you would never catch a CEO like Steve Jobs using a rainbow colored background. He understands that such bright colors cheapen a presentation and the product he is selling. He would also never use spinning titles, or words that come flying in from off screen. This gives the presentation an amateur-ish quality that someone trying to maintain respect in an industry does not want. The spinning and whirling effects that Microsoft PowerPoint entices you with must be denied. Temptation being another presentation sin must be fought off by the serious presenters. No fading into the next screen, or bouncing in slides, the secret to a good presentation is simplicity.
Successful CEOs seem to have the idea. They find the perfect balance between simplicity, class, and color. They use soft, clear, colors as backgrounds, as opposed to “cork board” or “checkers”. They deny all temptation of flying words and slides, and use simple, quick transitions. The point of the presentation is to sell your product or idea, and Steve Jobs, for one, has this down to an art.
Popularity: 2% [?]
