5th Posting - Reflection

“When we write, our message is expressed not only linguistically, but also through a visual arrangement of marks on a page. Any form of text analysis which ignores this will not be able to account for all the meanings expressed in texts.” (Kress & Van Leeuwen 1998, Pp. 187)

Skills that I may acquiring as a blogger is that firstly, having high knowledge of an expert and exceptional writing ability. Any information that I publish must be present, current and accurate. When writing any information and to be publish, it is actually an attempt to create an impression and attraction to the readers. Check on the facts that is publish. That equals to your reputation is on stake. When offering an opinion, your post must have the quality, make it clear, and the content is intendant as an editorial. Lastly, is to have a positive attitude. Not to be a bias blogger. Which means showing prejudice or against someone or something unfairly.

Photo retrieved from: http://www.dumbeagle.com/killer-methods-successful-blog-traffic/

4th Posting - Children's Magazines Cater to True Early Adopters with Mobile Apps

Ipad, Playbook and other various technology devices now are giving all the kids now days the easiness by the variety of digital publication and any related apps whereas adults are struggle in joining the transition to digital magazines and apps. Created by publisher and startup was brought to the public, E-Mag, an electronic/digital device is introduced for a new way reaching the audience especially the children. Children now days are more exposed to technology. Therefore this creation was seen to be very useful. Also to those who are working, and expect to grow in sophisticated and experienced readers of the digital media. 

E-Mag one of the iPad application expect to grow in sophisticated 
and experienced readers of the digital media. Image from: http://www.wopular.com/news/print

Traditional print magazine no longer considered a favorite since this digital magazine slowly gaining the attention from the community. Timbuktu, for example the new application on iPad is a new magazine developed for kids. Elena Favilli, Timbuktu editor in chief and founder said the news is typically presented only for adults. But with these new applications, it helps create a new fun way for the children to also enjoy reading and listening to news. An interactive, intelligent application that consists of combination of stories, animation and sound like The LadyBug’s Bookslelf on Iphone can helps kids either read on their own or to have story read to them. It is a fun way for children to learn on a handy device like mobile phones. E-mag gives you the feeling of reading and learning experience differently. E-mag also comes in handy not only for kids, but also for college student and working people. E-mag indirectly, helps to reduce the use of papers, overall save the environment, save the money and also the time. 

 Timbuktu, First iPad magazine for children makes its debut

4th Posting - Angry Birds: 200m downloads are the tip of the mobile gaming iceberg

Image from: http://www.appstorehq.com/angrybirds-iphone-105085/app

Since The Angry Birds game download launched in March and manage to attain more than 200million downloads across all platform, with is latest Angry Birds Rio racking up 35million, there is no sign of them slowing down. Even with 100million downloads coming from Android device. The obsessions towards the game download are rising aggressively. In the next two to three years, Ravio is making now making preparations for an IPO and planning to launch location based services around the Angry Birds brand. 

However, Distimo and Newzoo say that Angry Birds is not focuses specially for smart phones unlike on Apple’s Apps Store Distimo. and Newzoo focus their attention on 7 countries and claimed that an average of 2.5 games downloaded more than 6.3million of game for each of their iPhones, Ipod touches and iPads. Research also reported more people are playing games on iPad compared to PSP handhelds. 

Distimo and Newzoo soon will be launching commercial service tracking game downloads and revenues on the App Store. Moreover, top 300 paid and free games on iOS for 40% in-app purchases account. This latest project will find a hard track as the fact that industry now days, less than 5% of mobile users were paying for game on their phones. 

That concludes the research on how many games developers and publishers are not making profit on the App Store. Game like Angry Birds can hit a highly rewarding and provide the steps to success on other smartphones and tablet platforms. However, developers and publishers are in the end making money in the apps world.  

 Image from: http://www.pcworld.com/article/193420/

ipad_versus_the_iphone_why_i_dont_need_bothyet.html

4th Posting - Egyptian newspaper under fire over altered photo

Source from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11313738

Based on the ‘survival of media platforms for journalism’ transcript, “i think you'll get everything, virtually everything, through the net. I mean i can't see beyond that, because we know that things are being invented every ten minutes.”  (greenslade, 2009).

 “The way to sharm el-sheikh”, headline news on page six of the al-ahram newspaper on tuesday portraying an image of hosni mubarak leading the us president barack obama and israel, palestinian and jordanian. The original photo showing hosni mubarak was on the back left. The image was altered positioning mubarak on the front suggesting the president hosni mubarak was leading the middle east talk.

As mentioned by reep (1969 pp. 135) “They create a document that reflects the image you wish readers to have. A conservative law firm may want to project a solid, traditional, no-nonsense image with its documents, whereas a video equipment company may prefer to project a trendy, dramatic image. Both images can be enhanced by specific design features.

 The opposition, ‘youth movement’ had accused the al-ahram publication was being completely unprofessional. Immediate discussion at the egyptian red sea resort hosted by president hosni mubarak with hillary clinton, the us secretary of state, and george mitchell, us peace envoy. Al-masry al-youm, an independent daily newspaper also declared a statement that the state-run daily had ‘carried out surgery’ on the altered photo to prove mubarak leading and the rest was following him. Officials at the paper could not be reached for comment.

 “Document design refers to the physical appearance of a document. Because the written text and its presentation work together to provide readers with the information they need, think about the design of your documents during the planning stage—even before you select appropriate information and organize it.  Reep (1969, pp. 134)

4th Posting - Berita Harian issues public apology over tsunami cartoon

Source from : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/14/nation/8262608&sec=nation

Devastating news on Tsunami swept Japan and killed thousands are all over the media. One of Malaysia local newspaper, Berita Harian had sparked controversy by issued a public apology in consequence of the publication of cartoon drawn by Mohd Zohri Sukimi or more popularly known as Zoy. Berita Harian mentioned that they had no attention of making joke of the Tsunami incident. The cartoon showed the popular Japanese icon Ultraman running away from an oncoming tsunami. On behalf of Berita Harian, their daily editor wrote that they are in greatly sympathize with their plight and shared the sorrow of the Japanese people. Public apology by Berita Harian published their regret on its website, Twitter and Facebook accounts after several quarters demanded the apologies for the publication.  

In my opinion, Berita Harian has made the global news for the wrong reason. It is widely seen worldwide as appallingly distasteful and insensitive. Because of one cartoonist, he had put a shamed on the rest of 30 million people in Malaysia. Even most of the citizen never agrees on the publication. When sympathize have been pouring globally and the whole universe are willing to offer support morally and physically, but why Malaysia has to make fun out of the calamity. Publishing of the insensitive cartoon issue reflects the mentality Malaysian.    

Principles help designer determine the relationship between the parts or design elements involved and serve as rules that a designer can follow when combining these elements in a design. (Evans, P 2006, p.29)

In principle of designing, we have to determine the Goal, Audience and Context. In this insensitive cartoon issue, Berita Harian fails to regulate their Goals. Their objective is to inform the public of the Tsunami attacks Japan incident. However, instead of to inform the readers, they mistakenly entertain the readers by publish an inappropriate cartoon drawing.

2nd posting (e) - What is good powerpoint presentation?

“What is good powerpoint presentation?”.  There are few tips to achieve a successful powerpoint presentation. Good powerpoint presentation base on two criteria. First is the writing and second is the layout. According to Solomon Rothman (2005) on his “What makes a good scientific and technical writing? ” article, he points out good writing involves specific information which is directly and literally. Do not involve any symbolic or associate clarification.

 

Information with specific purpose and direct

The information written must be specific purpose and direct which should be remain unchanged and to be delivered without any information loss. Points should be detailed and realistic in the presentation and it is a must to understand the chronological of the event in order, so the slides presentation will be well-organized.

Presentation with argument, theory as evidence

              A good writing in presentation always present its argument, analysis, theory, hypothesis as an evidence to reinforce the points listed out. To get the writing of the presentation to be really affective, writer should delivered out some of his/hers thinking process idea, and any reasoning that maybe leads to alteration of the result or results they interpreted.

Good layouts capture audience's attention

                Layout plays important roles to keep the audience interested in the presentation.  There are few strategies listed out by Anderson (1987). Firstly, it is a must to consider the audience expectation towards the presentation so they will pay special attention when you are presenting. As the background is the main feature on any slides, avoid using dark color background. If the theme of the presentation plays on dark colors, solve the problem by changing the font to lighter color. Do not use more than two typefaces. Avoid fancy fonts and choose font that is simple and easy to read. Preferably font such as ARIAL, TIMES NEW ROMAN or VERDANA with the size of 20pt or 30pt. Base on Wendy Russell tips, she pointed out on using key phrases on the topic. Analyze and choose only three important key points on the slides and minimize the number of words on each screen. Put the title at the top of the slides as it will be the guide to the audience on what topic are you discussing on.

Reference :

• Dvorak John C. (2002). The Blog Phenomenon. Retrieve from : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,12899,00.asp

• Marquez Zane L. How to make good powerpoint presentation? . Retrieve from : http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Make-a-Good-PowerPoint-Presentation&id=4313178 

• Putnis Peter & Petelin Roslyn. (1996) Professional Communication : Principle and Application. Page 236. Sydney. 

• Putnis Peter & Petelin Roslyn. (1996) Professional Communication : Principle and Application. Chapter 7 page 254. Sydney.

• Rothman Solomon. (2005) What makes good scientific technical writing. Retrieve from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9447/what_makes_good_scientific_and_technical.html?cat=4

• Russell Wendy. 1O Tips for Creating Successful Business Presentation. Retrieve from: http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/tp/bus_pres_tips.htm

2nd Posting (d) - New forms of Media Publishing

Device 1 : Moblog

Moblog is an online journal or methods of people blogging with their mobile phones. 

Device 2 : Vblog

 Image Source : rapidvideobloggingbonus.com

Vblog is a shortened from Video Blogging which in a medium of video and a form of internet television. 

Device 3 : Linklog
collection of URLs (hyperlinks) blogging, Example :  http://whereissarah.wordpress.com/

Device 4 : Splog 
Bloggers uses to promote affiliated websites. Example : http://www.video2mp3.net/

Device 5 : Sketchblog
Device in a form of photo sharing and publishing in a format of blog. Example :


References :

• Masaki Allison and Flores Chris. "What is Blog?" Retrieve from : http://www.webpages.ttu.edu/zconley/Technology/blogs.pdf
  

• Sbihi Boubker, Kadiri Kamal Eddine El and Aknin Noura, 2010. The Vblogs: Towards a New Generation of Blogs. IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 7, Issue 3, No 2, May 2010

2nd Posting (c) - Types of blogging community & methods to build blogging community

There  are few types of blogging community. First is Blogsphere blogging community. Blogsphere is a combination and perception of blogs between others blogs. It is an interconnected web of blogs through social plugins, blog rolls, post comments, backlines and link backs. Blogsphere used by the media to gauge the voice of the public. It is a general public weblog where communities can give their opinions of mind.

     Secondly is Directory Blogging Community,functioned as directories to bloggers to get connected to people with blogs, and also to promote their blog to others. There are several blog directory exist such as MyBlogLog and BlogCatalog

Search Engine Blogging Community bloggers used to search or browse other blogs in the blogosphere. This blogging community can add option on some to be able to favorite or bookmarks blogs of interest.

   When readers have personal attachment to your blog, they will be likely to return again and again. Thence, they will start to talk about your weblog and therefore, your weblog have the potential to be a blogging community. Here are a few methods on building blogging community: 

1.       Visit others blog

Commentating and reviewing on post or entries by other blogs. Make sure to leave your URL’s of hyperlink which can direct to your webpage. Therefore third parties readers might have a glance on your blog URL and visit.

2.       Promote your URL’s

Add up your blog URL to any websites that allows you to create profile such as Facebook/MySpace.

3.       Add forum to your blog

You can either host a new forum or use the existing forum online. If your forum grows popular, it definitely becomes a meeting place within all readers.

4.       Let comments be the content

You can create a weekly post where readers can are encourage to chat anything and everything in the comment section. It it’s definitely be an open conversation. Readers have the opportunities to ask you anything as well as the moment to get to know each other better.

2nd Posting (b) - Classification of blogs & opinion about the most appropriate classification approach

Bloggers have created divers on their weblog such as competing on their uniqueness of their blog to attract more readers and gain followers for their weblog. Many classifications of blogs have emerged and categorize as below:

Type 1: Collaborative Blog

  *** Yellow Box : Shows the example of collaboration by three writers.

    Image Source : http://edmheaven.blogspot.com

Collaborative blog includes multiple authors. This concept of blog is to gather informative and idea from several bloggers then pull together in one weblog. A good example of this type of blog are Bit Rebels , Ink Rebels and Raster Rebels. The schedule or highlights are agreed upon intervals. This type of blog requires a lot of planning from the editor towards all the writers. When a lot of writers involves, different sets of mind and opinions occurs.

Type 2 : Tutorial Blog

 Image Source : http://psd.tutsplus.com/

Concept of this blog is an instructional lesson that leads users through key features and functions such as software applications, hardware device, processes, system design or programmed language. The writer usually set up a series of steps and detailed accounts on how things work. Note, that this type of blog gets a lot of feedback and comments, when they are relevant, easy understanding and inspiring. Tutorial writers must have a tremendous experience to control this type of blog.

Type 3 : Travel and Cultural Blog 

Image Source : http://j-travel.blogspot.com/

Writers this type of blog must have the passion on traveling and chronicle their journey. Their views and perspective towards the world are endless. Many bloggers or travelers these days like to post their photos, maps, trips as well as meet other travelers which make the readers interested to visit the country.  Many travel bloggers like to publish articles and guidance focusing on the travel issues. This concept of blog also allows bloggers to post videos of their experiences. It’s a fastest method recommended places to visit.

Type 4 : Fashion Blog 

Image Source : http://honey-pumpkin.blogspot.com

Fashion blog is the current phenomenon worldwide these days. Fashion, trends is a multimillion dollar business all over the world. People especially women keeps on updating on the latest trends and fashion via fashion and lifestyle blog. Most of the fashion blog will premiere the latest fashion trends. Readers love to check out recommendation from the fashion and lifestyle bloggers. 

Margaret Simons (2008) listed the different type of online sites such as the political blog, digest blog, advocacy blog, gateway blog and five others classify as blog. All listed blog above have their appropriate classification approach towards the readers. In my opinion, write a blog that pertain ourselves. This kind of approach builds readers or followers of our blog can relate to you and what you’re doing.  If we monetize a blog, post on topics that are close and relate to you. Therefore, you can monetize your blog successfully. Bloggers may need to widen their scope. Talking about travel experience for instance. And to gain larger audience, you may provide experience more than just one country.

References :

 

• Ink Rebel,2011. "5type of blog, Which suits you the best? " Retrieve from : http://www.inkrebels.com/insp/the-5-types-of-blogs-which-one-suits-you-best/

• Rowse Dareen, 2005. 20 Types of Blog Posts – Battling Bloggers Block. Retrieve from : http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/11/29/20-types-of-blog-posts-battling-bloggers-block/

• Simmons Margaret , 2008. A taxomony of blogs. Retrieve from : http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript%29  

2nd Posting (a) - Blogs as Current Phenomenon and Benefits of Blogging to the Community

What is blog? The term “blog” is a shortened from the word weblog or web blog. Blogging is a trend which gained momentum to the community. Ask blog addict why they do it; you will get a range of answers that leading towards “because it’s easy” and “because it’s fun”. Blogging is a frequent activity for bloggers everyday life. For instance, they watch any movies and review them. Their commentary and criticism will be posted on the blog. Post is in chronological order from most recent event to the older entries. Blog also can be defined as a publication of personal thoughts or diary.  So if it is personal thoughts of diary, why exactly do bloggers want to have others to read their ramblings? Columns by John C. Dvorak (2002), his opinion on obvious possibilities why people blog?

1- Ego gratification: Some human love to be the center of attraction. They feel good about themselves when telling the world their recent activity and what profound thoughts they’ve been having.

2- Eliminating the frustration: Day to day life. Meeting the worst event daily. Weblog giving the ability for people to complain about the world. Hoping for readers to respond with sympathy. Oh well, this is the most obvious reason for women to weblog. 

So what benefit do we get from weblog? Izatun Shari wrote an article from Star Newspaper dated January 24th, 2011 “Malaysian bloggers earn up to RM1mil annually”. In text, she mentioned bloggers now are exploiting their blogs for business transaction or advertisement placement, leads to earning an average monthly income of RM 70,000.00. Bloggers uses the advantage of weblog “Weblogs are easy to setup and administrate in contrast to other technologies.” – (Sergio Lujan-Mora, 2004) for business such as online shopping and advertisement placement which carries to profit in return. 

          Weblog which features linking / replying / tracking makes easier on sharing knowledge and information. Any discussion or comments in weblog helps promote higher level of thinking because readers can think before answering back. Format of weblog similar to personal diary, therefore weblog encourage informal communication creativity and self- expression. –Sergio Lujan-Mora & Susana de Juana-Espinosa (2004)-


References : 

• Espinosa Susana Juana & Mora Sergio Lujan. (2004) "THE USE OF WEBLOGS IN HIGHER EDUCATION:BENEFITS AND BARRIERS". Retrieve from : http://gplsi.dlsi.ua.es/proyectos/webeso/pdf/inted07.pdf

• Shari Izatun. 2011, Januari 24th. "Malaysian Bloggers earn up to RM1mil annually". The StarNewspaper. Malaysia.

2nd Posting - Blogging Issues

a. Blogs as Current Phenomenon and Benefits of Blogging to the Community.

b. Classification of Blogs and Opinion about the most appropriate classification approach. 

c. Types of blogging communities and method to build blogging communities.

d. New form of media publishing.

e. What is a good powerpoint presentation? 

1st Posting - Purpose of My Blog

This blog is an essential tool that can be used to review current and latest publishing design issues. Therefore, the objective of this blog acts as guidance or to help designers preparing document for print and electronic publication by applying social, technical, rhetorical and stylistic issues and theory relating to the development of documents for print & new media.

“Good document design enables people to use the text in ways that meet their interests and needs.” – Karen Shriver (1997).

Targeted audiences of my blog are designers, students and people whom have the interest in developing good documents for print and new media.