Updating websites: Why it can be problematic.

Many websites are constantly updating their websites, sometimes on a month-to-month basis if you are Facebook. These updates can be beneficial if making it more user-friendly or adding new details, but this can become problematic for many other people, especially companies and universities that rely upon these websites. I, unfortunately, ran into this problem in my Blogging and Social Networking class. The University of Toledo carried a printed textbook on the class and how to use different websites such as Blogger, Delicious, and Flickr. Hundreds of students bought the book so that the classwork would go smoother and, especially for me, it is a guide since my class is online. The book is pretty much my "in-class" activities, lectures, and class times; the time I would spend in class is now transformed to the time I spend learning, studying, and applying the book. The book is very helpful on the basics, but the trouble I ran into is that the pictures and step-by-step processes shown in the book for the mandatory activities were different from the websites that have been updated and changed. This creates problems for several classes, not just my own, who are trying to learn and complete the homework on time. This is very unfortunate since myself and many others had to purchase the book, and since the website updates, the book is already updated. However, this is inevitable. Online programs and websites are constantly updating, and for the better, to keep information current. A solution to this problem would be for universities to sell and e-book that they are able to update, and in return, students would be able to install the updated book as changes are made. Of course, this textbook may cost a little more, but the benefits definately outweigh the cost and the hours spent in pointless frustration.

My Flickr Badge

www.flickr.com

Photos

I decided to post a new picture onto my blog of me and my grandparents in Sint Maarten, but I decided to try it two seperate ways: the file by uploading the picture directly from my computer and the second to upload it from Flickr.

The first way was just like I was uploading it onto Facebook or any other regular site; directly from my hard drive. The second way it was like I was uploading a video, but then I put the the HTML for the picture on Flickr. The biggest advantage of the first approach is that I could sift through whatever picture I wanted to post from my computer. I had a lot to choose from. The biggest advantage for the second approach is that I could put this picture on my blog at any time and from any computer since it was already downloaded onto the Flickr website. All I had to do was retrieve the HTML code and paste it.

Companies using RSS Feeds

When searching for a company that uses a RSS feed to give information to their customers, the Board of Govenors Federal Reserve System was the first one to pop up, so I clicked on it. They use an RSS feed to give you information on so many different things; Speeches, Statistics, Press Releases, and so many other events that are happening. This keeps the entire public up-to-date on such a huge thing. They have so many people that want to know, so using an RSS feed is a great way to get the information out as quickly and accurately as possible. Another example of a company that came to mind is pretty much any bank. They use RSS feeds for their customers to check their account balances, pay bills, and even scan checks conveniently.

Subscriptions to feeds

I have subscribed to many feeds through Google Reader including:

- Horse Health
- A running and jogging site
- Healthy Eating
- Public Relations site

All of these sites have all of my interests because I own a horse, I used to love running, I need to start eating better, and I am going into Public Relations. While reading these feeds, I discovered a couple of benefits and drawbacks to using a feed reader.

Benefits:
1. I love that I do not have to sift through any adds of other information, and that the feeds get right down to the point.
2. It is also nice because they give me so much information about feeding my horse. I had known this already, but for users that did not, you must feed your horse several tiny meals throughout the day, unlike a dog. This is because the horse is a grazing animal and they must have something constantly in their stomach because their body is designed to have acid working through the stomach 24/7, and without those constant meals, the acid will start burning holes in the horse's stomach. For a new horse owner, this site could be incredibly helpful.
3. It is very convenient to use Google Reader because it shows you what sites you have subscribed to, instead of having to look around a million times just to re-visit the same site you were on.
4. It is also very easy to subscribe and unsubscribe from sites.

Drawbacks:
1. When getting the updates from my feeds, I did not receive any photos with it. I am a very visual person, and it is hard for me to get interested without an eye-catching picture.
2. Even though the feeds were for my interest, I realized that a lot of the information I already know, BECAUSE I am interested in it. For example, I own a horse, so I already know a lot about their health, how to take care of them, and the signs and symptoms of different problems, so to re-read these things is somewhat boring.

Come get some great food!

Hey everyone!

Come get some great food at Sidelines and visit the most awesome hostess ever!!!! Come on the weekends to Sidelines III at Alexis and Telegraph :)

Here is a video I find inspiring.