Digital Frontiers

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.

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Gator Tutoring seems like they’re already a few steps ahead of the bricks-and-mortar scrum, as their business model literally relies on the internet. They have developed an innovative approach to web-based tutoring, using videos, text, and exam reviews, all conveniently bundled by class. They’ve also taken the initiative in developing their web presence through social media, offering a 20% discount to people who become fans of their business on facebook. I think it will be very easy to work with a company that already grasps the importance of social media as a marketing tool, and hopefully we’ll both learn from the experience.

“Digital Strangelove” makes a very engaging point about how the internet is making generating content easier than ever, and how this impacts the way people get together, interact, and express themselves. The advertising of interruption is over… now it’s all about creating a discussion and fostering community. The illusion of control is fading.

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So I’m a 3rd year physics major, which means that, outside of this class, I’m involved in yet more classes. Despite this, I’ll be graduating a tad later than the 4 year plan dictates, as I switched majors once and spent a semester in France (during which I was far too preoccupied to waste time on electromagnetism). Apart from classes, I’m an active duty member of the Navy, in the Nuclear Propulsion Officer cndt program. Hopefully I’ll also be able to get a decent research position at UF this summer.
My familiarity with technology is nowhere near as proficient as I’d like. While I am quite comfortable with Windows systems, web browsers, and a range of other common applications, let’s face it, a blind child with 3 fingers could work those interfaces. I’d love to learn more about programming and web design. I taught myself a bit of HTML (although I think learning how to use Dreamweaver would be more practical), and I’ll be taking C++ this summer, so I guess that’s a start. I’m also well versed in the art of facebook, skype, and the like. I have a myspace, but I only have two friends (including that creepy Tom guy), and one of them’s an ex, so the hell with that. I use facebook regularly. And I would consider myself an expert at using toasters.
I took this class because I love that cash money, and the series of tubes is changing the game. Which I guess means that I am hoping to develop a sense of business and entrepreneurship in the increasingly connected cyber world, and how to apply that to my own ideas for products and services.

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