Social Media Project

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kt/5692858415/

I must admit that I am not a fan of "group" projects, however, this group project went well as compared to ones I have been part of in the past.  I am not really sure how many of my fellow group members were familiar with designing and editing wikis, but I had never done either until this project.  Along with not having designed or edited a wiki, I do not really consider myself social media savvy, so this project looked as though it would be challenging (at least to me!).  Our group divvied up the workload by assigning a different outlet of the social media company report to each member.  That member was then responsible for researching that social medial outlet for Coca-Cola Company and citing their sources.  Some members then summarized the Coca-Cola's social media policy and made recommendations to help improve the social media policy.  In all the project went very smoothly and was done in a timely manner (before the due date :).

We found that the Coca-Cola Company utilizes a plethora of social media outlets.  The Coca-Cola Company uses Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, Instagram, Linkedin and even has their own blog!  All of the social media outlets allow Coca-Cola to promote their many products from sodas to juice to water and even sports and energy drinks.  They are also able to sell new and vintage merchandise on many of the sites as well.  Social media also permits Coca-Cola to connect with their customers.  Customers of Coca-Cola can post messages and photos while enjoying Coke products on their Facebook fan page.  They can also tweet about Coke products on Twitter and with the Coca-Cola blog customers can interact with Coca-Cola team members!

I learned how companies, such as Coca-Cola use social media to promote products, advertise and connect with customers on a daily basis.  Coca-Cola's company webpage shows the companies history, policies, financials, products and what the company is doing to giveback to communities.  Coca-Cola also has a social media policy in place that embodies the companies core values of leadership, collaboration, integrity, accountability, passion, diversity and quality.  They also encourage good judgement and common sense while using social media.  In all, I would say that the project was a success!

Week 13 - Clear - Social Media

In this day and age if you are not somehow connected via social media you may feel lost!  But what exactly is social media?  How is social media used? What is the difference between types of social media?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanrnicholson/6448938355/

Social media can be defined as a group of Internet based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, that allow creation and exchange of user generated content.

Social media can be used for individual purposes or business purposes.  When social media is used for individual purposes it is used as a tool to interact with friends and family, for gaming, to share photos, videos, etc., to share ideas and thoughts.  When social media is used for business purposes it used to advertise, promote a brand, customer relations and experience, a platform for exposure or a cause.

So what are the most popular types of social media and how are they different?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smemon/5684115572/

facebook - Facebook is the most used social media site.  Facebook allows users to add friends, chat, "Like" pages, add photos and videos, network, receive news feeds, video call, add status updates, post on a friends wall and the list goes on!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woofer_kyyiv/3581392721/

Twitter - On Twitter, users tweet.  Which means that users can update what they are doing, where they are and what they like with a few keystrokes and followers (whether they are registered with Twitter or not) can see what you are up too!   

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bizbuzzmedia/5261419117/

Linkedin - Linkedin is similar to Facebook, but geared more toward the professional user.  On Linkedin you have connections, contact networks, can post photos and resumes, allows employers to search for you, allows the user to search for jobs from specific companies and more!

Week 12 - Clear - Telecommunications and the Internet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean-marc_astesana/2640346196/

IPv4 vs. IPv6

Over 70% of Americans spend time online surfing the web! So it's not too hard to conceive the fact that IP addresses are running out.  This is largely due to the fact that more and more people are able to connect to the Internet everyday.  Even in small remote countries that many of us may not even know exist they are able to connect to the Internet thanks to satellites and advancements in remote location connections.  Another reason we are running out of IP addresses is due to the fact that no more than ever we are able to connect numerous devices and appliances to the Internet.  All of these devices and appliances, when connected need and IP address to connect to the Internet, just like your PC or laptop.  However, don't get worried that you won't be able to connect your latest device or appliance to the web.  IPv4 is being replaced by IPv6.  The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses which means 4,294,967,296 addresses! If you think that's alot then check this out! The IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses which means 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000! So now that IPv4 officially exhausted on February 3, 2011, most things that we buy that are able to connect to the Internet support IPv6.  Many experts have said switching from the IPv4 to the IPv6 will be not only be costly, but will also be a slow process due to the fact that IPv6 isn't backward compatible with IPv4 :(  However, once the switch is made permanently from IPv4 to IPv6 you will see improved speed, reliability and security while you are surfing the world wide web!

So whether or not you connect via PC, laptop or mobile device, have no fear you will be able to connect in the future! 

*Permission granted for use by Standard YouTube license.