Sunday, November 4, 2007

Module 5

1. How did actively participating in online research and journalism through blogging affect you?
It actually really changed my idea and perspective on blogging. I’ve never blogged before, don’t usually read them, and am not familiar with them at all. This experience has sort of opened my eyes to what goes on and all of the advantages as well as disadvantages of another method of publishing.

2. Do you feel this project was worthwhile as learning tool in this class? Why or why not?
For me I felt like it was because as I said, I was not familiar with the blog world. I didn’t realize how popular it was. Due to all of the research as well as creating my own, I feel much more acquainted with it and have learned a lot.

3. Looking back on your ratings and your research, what is your final thesis statement? Did it change from your initial statement?
My thesis did not change.
I am for the following statement: Blogging has significantly impacted the print journalism industry.
This society is so consumed with whatever is more time efficient. For me personally, blogging, or the Internet as a whole meets that need much better than print journalism. On top of that, blogging can also keep better updates as to news and current events.

Module 4

1. Summarize each of the 2 research links you found above.
The vanity blog that I chose is that of a pastor out here in the San Fernando Valley. He’s actually one of my best friend’s dad. He talks a lot about things going on in his life, within the church, and especially within his family. He keeps people and his church community updated on what is going on.
My information blog is one in which the author write a great deal on Las Vegas, Nevada and a multitude of things that go within that category. The blogs are geared towards topics such as attractions, hotels and motels, games, real estate, etc.

2. Do you feel blogging particularly supports this type of journalism as compared to print media? Why or why not?
Yes I do. Mainly because you are able to search and pick the type of blog you are looking for. You are able to interact with the author as well as post your own comments.

What makes for a good info. blog?
Providing accurate information is key. For example in the particular blog that I found it’s important that the information provided is correct because some people may base decisions on it. Such as when it gives ideas of attractions, or hotels. I found it to be a very good informational blog and people can even find it resourceful.

What makes for a good vanity blog?
I think that vanity blogs aren’t as much about what makes it good and what doesn’t. It’s more about the person expressing themselves and discussing whatever they wish. If they’re doing it to gain readers than I think that what would make it a good vanity blog is to make it appealing, attractive, and colorful.

3. Did the research material you found support or not support your original thesis (posted in module 1) To help you quantify your research, rate the preceding question on a scale of 1 to 5.
5

4. After doing this module, do you wish to change your original thesis statement?
No. I realized by both of these blogs that help give off information that other people can benefit from or learn. Such as things going on in the church from the vanity blog, or things to do in Vegas from the informational blog.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Module 3

1. This week, continuing our research into how blogs are used and whether they have an impact on print media, let's look at a pre-cursor to the blog that you read about in your text, the e-zine. E-zines are magazines published on-line. One might call the blogging equivalent to the e-zine the news blog. For this weeks assignment, find a news or current events oriented e-zine as well as a news or current events oriented blog and compare and contrast the two.
E-zine: http://www.bestezines.com/?Where-Did-My-America-Go?&id=4186
Blog: http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/09/26/why-the-rumors-of-the-gops-imminent-demise-are-misguided/
Although they both may share the fact that they deal with news and current events, they have many differences. Oddly enough I expected the e-zine article to be more factual and professional, but can't decide. The blog presents actual evidence, facts, and quotes. The e-zine article is almost an advertisement to get people to support their movement against a lot of things that are going on in America.

2. Summarize each of the 2 research links you found above.
The e-zine article expresses one's frustrations with America. It points out varieties of failures ranging from Iraq, gas prices, the children of today, violence, and politics. The author emphasizes that we are no longer a proud America but a joke, and we need to do something about it.
The blog article discusses the falling of gas prices and it's effects. The consumer sentiment for September came in significantly higher because of this. It has definitely brightened the mood of Americans and made them feel better about the economy as well as every time they go to pump their gas.

3. Compare and contrast the blog to the e-zine. Which do you feel was more professional and effective?
I actually felt like the blog was more professional and effective because it gave figures and even had a quote. Because of this I definitely think that it made it more effective out of the two.

Which was easier to find on the Internet?
The e-zine article was easier to find for me.

Which was easier to read?
I think that they both were easy to read. They both are filled with common language which does not make them overbearing or confusing. I suppose if I had to choose, I think that the e-zine was slightly easier to read.

Did they both cover the same current events?
No. The e-zine dealt with America and many of the things going on in the country right now. The blog focused on gas prices.

Did you feel they were credible or trustworthy?
Actually yes. I felt like the way that they were both presented made me feel like the author really knew what he was talking about.

Would you be more likely to feel a print source such as a newspaper or magazine was more credible than a blog? Than an e-zine? Why?
No. Despite how much I think I could believe the source, an actual newspaper or magazine article is still probably the best route just to make sure that all of the facts are straight.

4. Did the research material you found support or not support your original thesis (posted in module 1)? To help you quantify your research, rate the preceding question on a scale of 1 to 5.
3 Neither supported nor unsupported my thesis.


5. After doing this module, have do you wish to change your original thesis statement?
No.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Module 2

The Entrepreneurial Blog: http://www.matthuggins.com/
Blogging for Business Promotion: http://webdesign.about.com/cs/weblogs/a/aa061603a.htm
http://green-beast.com/blog/?p=145



1.
Summarize each of the 3 research links you found above.
A key to promoting anything, whether it be a business or a product is to find the right method. There's many different methods: billboards, newspaper ads, commercials, etc. However, it is crucial to find the most popular method in order to receive the best outcome. As these articles stated, blogging is very popular right now. It can provide good information, be fun and colorful which makes it interesting, and still remain timely. Blogging is given much more freedom than many other forms of promotion and can therefore be more creative, colorful, and change things on a regular basis. Despite people's initial reaction, blogging is a great new method of promoting!!

2.
What other options would an entrepreneur have to market themselves to their audience? What things can a blog do for an entrepreneur that these other means of self-promotion can not? Do you feel blogs are an effective alternative to these methods? Why or why not?
Entrepreneurs can promote their business through magazine/newspaper ads, television commercials, billboards, park benches, flyers, etc. However the great thing about blogging is that as previously stated, it allows for more freedom and creativity. It allows you to use colors and graphics, and change things as often as wanted without the hassle of going through a company and paying fees...you can just do it yourself! I definitely feel like blogs are an effective alternative to all of these methods. They are much more convenient, time efficient, and allow you to have the freedom of doing things as you please.

3. Did the research material you found support or not support your original thesis (posted in module 1)? To help you quantify your research, rate the preceding question on a scale of 1 to 5.
It definitely supported my thesis in which I agree that blogging is having a major impact on the print journalism industry. This proves that blogging has even become an effect method of promoting a business. I rate a 5!!

5: Strongly supports my thesis.
4: Somewhat supports my thesis.
3: Neither supported nor unsupported my thesis.
2: Somewhat did not support my thesis.
1: Strongly did not support my thesis.

4. After doing this module, do you wish to change your original thesis statement? If so, go back to your first blog post, and change it for your readers!
No! I still stand by my thesis.



Module 1

1. Introduce yourself.
Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca and I'm new to the blogging community. I'm your average girl who enjoys spending time with family and friends and loves watching movies and listening to music. I'm a 3rd year college student and Psychology is my major. I love it!!!

2. Share and Summarize the research you did in Step Two (above).

I researched several articles to find out what other people's opinions are on the subject of blogging vs. print journalism. I wasn't too surprised with the results. The majority of people, whether in comments or articles find blogging a much better method and source of information. They seem to view print journalism as outdated and not as beneficial. One article even stated,
"Every day, the print media seems to be the step-child among its media counterparts and the constant butt of jokes" (http://justacrazyjournalist.blogspot.com).

3. State your position on the Project 1 Thesis topic (see STEP 1 above). Also add a bit about why you are initially taking this position. Feel free to add any other initial information or comments in this first blog entry. Examples can be first impressions, prior experience, or any topic related to the material in the text.
I am for the following statement: Blogging has significantly impacted the print journalism industry.
This society is so consumed with whatever is more time efficient. For me personally, blogging, or the Internet as a whole meets that need much better than print journalism. On top of that, blogging can also keep better updates as to news and current events.