Sunday, March 27, 2011

Class introduction

I have recorded an introduction onto my computer and am trying to upload it to Youtube.  I would have though this would have been a faster process, but even after waiting 15+ minutes, it says that it will take another 30+ minutes. :(  The next time that I do this, I will try the direct recording to Youtube.   So here is the video.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Social Sites


1. What was the target audience for this social networking site?
      This site targeted people of all ages.  It was intended to increase the rate at which people could expand their network of friends compared to f2f
2. How long was the site in existence?
      This site is still in existence, but is falling fast in the states.  It has gone from #40 to #800 in about a year’s time; although it does continue to grow in Asia
3. Why was it popular? What was its demise?
      It was popular because of it’s ability to see friends and friends of friends. I think that is has not kept up with current designs, or has left the current U.S. market for the Asian market
4. Is/was there another competitor in the same market that was more popular?
      There was and is Facebook, Myspace, and others that Friendster is competing aginst
5. Would you ever consider creating an account and using it?  Explain your reason using a personal experience as an example.
I would not create an account using this site for two reasons.  One, I don’t like social media sits and try very hard to avoid them. Two, all of my students use Facebook, so for this class, and to keep in touch with my students, I have created a Facebook account.

You don't really know which social networking sites you create will take off or succeed.

I chose the first point, about creating social networking sites.  The main idea about this point is, that you never know what kind of social networking site will work. The two supporting ideas are: there is no real investment into the start up, and you can make something that you like and not what you think the public likes.  While the main idea of this point is a good one, I think that the two supporting ideas are what need to be considered.  When we have the freedom to try anything we want with out having to invest anything more than some time and effort; then we are free to be as creative and open as we want.  This leads me to the second part, when you are able to make things that you feel passionate about, it can lead to designers creating greater pieces of work, what ever it is.