Author Archives: My blog

Process Post #13

One of the most important classes I ever took was “Introduction to Publication,” as it has been quite helpful to me thus far in my early academic career. I’m happy to say that this course was a success for me and that I learned a lot from it.

I can without a doubt say that the course has helped me grasp the numerous facets of academic publication better. I’ve learned a lot that will help you publish your research in the future, from understanding peer review to knowing about the various forms of publishing. Doing peer reviews for other people’s publication websites is, in my opinion, a fantastic method to encourage cooperation, education, and development within a community of authors and editors. Peer evaluations provide people the chance to get helpful criticism on their work, which can help them get better at writing and hone their concepts. Peer reviews can also encourage an environment where writers and editors can share thoughts and viewpoints in order to produce the greatest publication possible. Peer reviews can ultimately result in content that is of a higher caliber and foster a greater feeling of community among those participating in the publication process.

The training has given me practical skills that are necessary for effective academic publishing, which is one of its biggest advantages. For instance, I’ve learnt how to craft convincing posts for my submission, which might be crucial when I’m attempting to motivate those around me. Additionally, I’ve learnt how to properly convey my research findings, which is essential for producing influential articles that other people read and quote. I believe that publishing has taught me a tremendously valuable skill that I can apply to a variety of my passions: how to write effectively and perform great research. By developing these abilities, I may produce articles that interest readers, instruct them, and persuade them to act or change their viewpoints. Persuasive writing and thorough research are crucial skills that help me effectively convey my views and accomplish my goals, whether I’m fighting for social justice causes or creating captivating stories. Finally, because of how adaptable and transferable they are, these abilities are a great advantage for anyone aiming to make a difference in their personal or professional endeavors.

The fact that the course has given me access to a professional network in your industry is another crucial component of it. By interacting with my peers and teachers, I have gathered useful information about the publishing process and discovered fresh possibilities for disseminating your findings. For students who are just beginning their research careers, this can be quite helpful because it can lead to new opportunities and collaborations. I think that the “Introduction to Publication” course is crucial for me as a university student overall. Other students may find it helpful to use the knowledge and abilities I acquired in the course to assist them negotiate the complicated world of academic publishing and improve their chances of publishing significant research that is read and cited by others.

Process Post #12

I believe that community guidelines are essential for any website, but they’re even more crucial for one that sells trading cards. These guidelines are meant to encourage civil and beneficial discourse while also creating a welcoming and safe space for users. In this implementation plan, I’ll mention a few community guidelines that I believe are appropriate for a website devoted to trading cards and explain why I’ve chosen them.

First, I would create a rule mandating that users treat one another with respect and kindness. This would entail refraining from any kind of bullying, harassment, or hate speech. We wish to foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and at home on our trading card website. We can encourage users to participate in meaningful conversations and share their views and experiences without worrying about being mocked or judged by others by encouraging respectful dialogue. Any publication website must include rules requiring users to treat others with respect and kindness. Online interactions can occasionally result in negativity and even harassment, which can turn away readers and harm the website’s reputation. You can make sure that visitors to your website feel secure and welcome by establishing clear rules that encourage a pleasant and inclusive environment. In addition to fostering a sense of community and inspiring reader interaction, this can increase reader engagement and grow a devoted following. It can also help to create the tone for the publication as a whole by defining rules that demand users to treat others with respect and kindness, ensuring that the content is presented in a courteous and professional manner.

Second, while being open to learning from others, I would advise people to share their knowledge and experience about trading cards. To do this, a policy that encourages people to share their own knowledge and experiences as well as to ask questions and seek help from others would need to be developed. Our mission as a trading card website is to build a community of knowledgeable, enthusiastic collectors who can share their love of trading cards and learn from one another. We can build a friendly and cooperative society by encouraging a culture of learning and sharing. A publication website can benefit much from encouraging users to share their knowledge and experience regarding trading cards while also being open to learning from others. The topic of trading cards can be intricate and deep, and readers frequently have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. You may create a feeling of community and promote participation on the website by inviting readers to offer their knowledge and experience. Furthermore, by being open to learning from others, you can make sure that the information on the website is correct and instructive, which can support the development of credibility and reader confidence. Additionally, providing a forum for readers to contribute their knowledge and gain from that of others can draw in new users who are searching for a place to discuss topics with subject matter experts and pick their brains.

Thirdly, I would create a rule that prohibits users from contributing spam or unrelated material. This might include advertisements or links that have nothing to do with playing cards. We can make sure that the website remains pertinent to and helpful to visitors by maintaining the focus on trading cards. Additionally, it aids in streamlining and organising the user experience, making it simpler for users to locate the information they require. I would make a community page on the website outlining the standards and rules for users in order to put these rules into practice. Users would have easy access to this website, which would be clearly posted and frequently updated to reflect any modifications or additions to the rules. In addition, I would employ moderators to keep an eye on user conduct and guarantee that the rules are being adhered to. This would entail keeping an eye on user posts and comments on a regular basis and interacting with those who might be breaking the rules.

In conclusion, community rules are an important component of any trading card website since they aid in fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for users. We can build a community that is informed, encouraging, and enthusiastic about trading cards by setting rules that encourage respect, learning, and relevancy. We can make sure that the website continues to be a helpful resource for collectors and hobbyists by putting these rules into practice and keeping an eye on user behavior’s.

Process Post #11

More transmedia integration, in my opinion, may significantly improve the user experience and increase engagement in an online magazine for trading cards. To do this, I would concentrate on a multi-channel strategy that makes the most of the advantages of each platform to give users a smooth and engaging experience.

An online publication for trading cards can dramatically improve the user experience and increase engagement by integrating additional transmedia elements. A single story or narrative is told through a variety of media channels, such as video, social media, and interactive experiences, in a process known as transmedia storytelling. You may give readers a more immersive and interesting experience that keeps them coming back for more by employing a variety of mediums to tell a story. When it comes to trading cards, adding transmedia components like films, interactive games, or social media posts might assist readers get a better grasp of the trading card industry. Transmedia aspects can also aid in creating a sense of community for the magazine by allowing readers to communicate with one another across various media. In general, I think that adding more transmedia integration to an online trading card magazine can significantly improve the user experience and boost engagement, helping to establish a devoted audience and expand the publication.

To start, I’d concentrate on using social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to advertise the book and display the trading cards. Social networking is a great way to spread the word about new releases, engage with potential readers and collectors, and share graphic content. Instagram and other social media sites, in my opinion, can be quite efficient in promoting a website that publishes trading cards. Social media is the perfect instrument for advertising the publications on your website since it offers a strong platform for sharing content and interacting with a wide audience. You may stimulate the curiosity of potential readers and increase traffic to your website by posting excerpts and teasers of your material on Instagram. Additionally, social media gives you the chance to interact with your audience and get feedback, both of which may be helpful for enhancing your publication’s quality and content. In general, I think that Instagram and social media can be really helpful in spreading awareness of and promoting a website for trading card publications, allowing you to expand your following.

Second, I might think about producing interactive content in the future, like games or puzzles that readers can access via a mobile app or the publication’s website. This would provide a new level of user interaction and provide a reason for users to visit the website and engage with the business. A trading card publication website can be effectively promoted and used to interest readers by adding interactive elements like games and riddles. You may give readers something special and worthwhile by providing an interactive experience, which increases the likelihood that they will visit your website again. By combining trading card themes and aspects into the interactive experience, games and puzzles may also be a powerful tool for promoting your content and business. Additionally, as readers are likely to tell others about the experience, interactive experiences can promote social sharing and word-of-mouth advertising. Overall, I think that adding interactive elements to a website for a trading card magazine can be a good approach to boost traffic and advertise the site while also giving readers a good time.

Overall, a multi-channel strategy that makes use of social media, interactive content, virtual and augmented reality, and collaborations can assist to develop a distinctive and engaging transmedia experience for consumers and ultimately spur growth and engagement for the online trading card publication.

Process Post #10

In my opinion, website owners and marketers trying to expand their audiences can benefit greatly from the information gathered by Google Analytics. Google Analytics offers helpful insights into how visitors are interacting with a website and where changes can be made by monitoring website traffic, user activity, and other important information.

Finding out which pages and content are performing well and which are not is one method to leverage Google Analytics data to increase your audience. I believe that by letting website owners and marketers know which pages and pieces of content are doing well and which need improvement, Google Analytics data is a potent tool for increasing audience size. Website owners may identify which pages are appealing and engaging readers and which may need improvement by analysing important metrics like page views, bounce rates, and time on page. With this knowledge, website owners can improve their content strategies, update current content, or produce new content that is more suited to the tastes of their audience. Website owners may enhance user experience and eventually bring in and keep more visitors by continuously modifying and optimising content based on user behaviour. Overall, the data from Google Analytics can be a useful tool in the continual quest to expand and engage a web audience.

Data-driven marketing tactics have the potential to be quite successful. I believe that using data-driven marketing methods can significantly increase a company’s audience and conversion rates. Marketers may determine which channels and approaches are producing the best results and change their strategy by examining user behaviour and conversion rates. By focusing marketing efforts on the audiences and distribution channels most likely to result in sales, this data-driven strategy eventually increases ROI and promotes company expansion. Furthermore, data findings can aid marketers in honing their messaging and creative to better connect with their audience and spur interaction. Businesses can stay ahead of the competition and have sustained growth over time by iteratively testing and fine-tuning marketing plans based on data results. In general, a data-driven marketing strategy can assist companies in connecting with their audience more successfully and achieving greater outcomes than a “spray and pray” strategy that relies on assumptions and guesswork.

Although it’s crucial to be mindful of its limitations, social data can also be helpful in expanding audiences. Social media platforms have the potential to reveal important information about user demographics and activity, but they might not necessarily be a reliable indicator of a website’s overall readership. Building awareness and expanding audiences require the use of search engine optimisation (SEO). Regularly updating material with pertinent keywords, constructing high-quality backlinks, and optimising website speed and mobile friendliness are some strategies to make sure your rating keeps rising. Finally, taking a look at statistics and trends on a worldwide basis might help us understand how audiences behave and what they want. For instance, website owners can improve their mobile user experience by using Data-ai’s State of Mobile report, which offers insightful information on mobile usage patterns.

Overall, the data collected by Google Analytics and other tools can provide valuable insights into audience behavior and preferences, helping website owners and marketers optimize their strategies to grow their audiences.

Process Post #9

I am aware of the value of employing analytics programmed like Google Analytics and Facebook Insights to increase website traffic. I’ll go into great length in this essay about why these analytics tools are crucial for knowing your audience, enhancing the functionality of your website, and increasing website traffic. The behavior, interests, and demands of your audience can be better understood with the help of analytics technologies. You may get a deeper understanding of your audience and produce content that appeals to them by monitoring indicators like website traffic, bounce rates, and user demographics. For instance, you can adjust your material to your audience’s interests and preferences if you see that a sizable fraction of them are from a specific region, which will enhance engagement and loyalty.

Additionally, analytics tools might aid in performance optimization’s for your website. You can pinpoint problem areas and make the required adjustments to your website’s design and content by tracking metrics like page load times and conversion rates. For instance, you may utilize analytics to identify which pages are driving people away from your website and make modifications to enhance their user experience if you see that your website’s bounce rate is high. You can monitor the success of your marketing campaigns using analytics tools. You may assess the efficacy of your social media and search engine marketing campaigns by setting up conversion tracking. With the use of this information, you can tweak your efforts to maximize engagement and conversion, ensuring that the right people receive the correct message.

Additionally, analytics technologies can assist you in finding possible growth prospects. You may make educated decisions regarding your website’s future marketing efforts by keeping track of how your website performs over time. For instance, if you see an increase in traffic to a certain blog post or landing page, you can take advantage of this trend by producing additional content on that subject or improving the user experience of your website. Finally, real-time website performance tracking is possible using analytics tools. With this capability, you can quickly make data-driven decisions to keep your website optimizer for optimal engagement and conversion. You can keep one step ahead of the competition and accelerate audience growth by using analytics to track the effectiveness of your website.

In conclusion, analytics tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Insights are essential for growing an audience for a website. By providing valuable insights into your audience’s behavior, interests, and needs, you can create content that resonates with them, optimize your website’s performance, and track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. With the help of analytics, you can make data-driven decisions that drive traffic, engagement, and conversions, ensuring that your website continues to grow and thrive.

Process Post #8

Copyright vs Creative Commons - what's the difference and why does it matter?

In this weeks process post, I have the opportunity to explore more about the importance of copyright, Creative Commons, and free music or content for creators and consumers alike. In this essay, I will explain in detail why these concepts are vital for the protection and promotion of creativity and innovation.

Copyright is an essential legal concept that protects the original works of authors, artists, and creators. It ensures that they have exclusive rights to their creations and that others cannot use or reproduce them without permission. This protection encourages innovation and creativity by providing a financial incentive for creators to invest time, effort, and resources into their work. Copyright also ensures that creators receive recognition and compensation for their work, which is crucial for sustaining their livelihoods and careers.

However, copyright can also be restrictive, limiting the availability and accessibility of creative works to the public. This is where Creative Commons comes in. Creative Commons is a licensing system that allows creators to share their work with others while retaining some rights. By using Creative Commons licenses, creators can specify how their work can be used, such as allowing others to use, modify, and share their work, or only allowing non-commercial use. This system encourages collaboration and sharing, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation that benefits everyone.

Moreover, free music or content provides a valuable resource for creators, educators, and consumers. Free music or content is often released under Creative Commons licenses or made available in the public domain. This means that anyone can use, modify, and share the work without restriction, promoting collaboration and creativity. Free music or content also provides an accessible and affordable resource for education and research, allowing people to learn and discover without financial barriers.

In addition, free music or content is an important tool for social justice and equity. It allows creators from marginalized communities to share their work and stories with a wider audience, giving them a voice and a platform. Free music or content also enables communities to preserve and share their cultural heritage, preventing it from being lost or appropriated by others.

In conclusion, copyright, Creative Commons, and free music or content are essential for promoting creativity, innovation, and equity. Copyright protects the rights of creators and encourages them to invest time and resources into their work. Creative Commons allows creators to share their work while retaining some rights, fostering collaboration and innovation. Free music or content provides an accessible and affordable resource for education and research, promotes social justice and equity, and allows communities to preserve and share their cultural heritage. Together, these concepts create a thriving ecosystem of creativity and innovation that benefits everyone.

References:

Younging, Gregory. (2015). “Traditional Knowledge Exists; Intellectual Property is Invented or Created”

Younging, Gregory. 2018. “The Elements of Indigenous Style” pp 1-7

Process Post #7

As a way to enhance my website, I’ve considered adding Google AdSense, but I’m still unsure if I want to do so. But after some research and consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that it might not be the best choice for my website. These are some justifications:

First and foremost, I’m worried about AdSense’s meagre revenue. Although it can bring in some money, it might not be the best way to monetize my website. My website has a modest amount of traffic, thus my visitors might not be motivated to click on adverts. Other forms of income, including affiliate marketing or the sale of digital goods, would be more appropriate for my website.

The crowded appearance that AdSense may give my website is another worry I have. My website may appear unprofessional due to the numerous adverts that are there, and they may also divert attention away from my content. This could result in a bad customer experience and damage the reputation of my website. It’s crucial to me as a website owner to design a simple and straightforward website for my visitors.

Last but not least, I’m concerned about the subpar ad relevancy that AdSense occasionally exhibits. While the AdSense algorithm is intended to display advertising based on the content of my website, there are occasions when the displayed ads may not be pertinent to my content or, worse still, may even be insulting to my visitors. This could result in a bad customer experience and harm the reputation of my website.

Despite the fact that Google AdSense is a well-liked option for website owners, I’ve concluded that it might not be the greatest option for my website. I’m investigating other monetization techniques that may boost my income and improve the user experience for my visitors.

References:

Bridle, James.  November, 2017. “Something is Wrong on the Internet”

Peiyue, Wu. 2022. “She Spent a Decade Writing Fake Russian History. Wikipedia Just Noticed.

Nails! Nails! Nails!

Last summer I had the idea to start saving money by doing my own nails at home instead of getting them done, so I hopped on Amazon, got a bunch of supplies, and got to work! I am no professional and went in to this with no experience, so they didn’t start off too great, but with lots of practice my technique has improved quite a bit. I even started doing nails for some of my friends. Here are some of my favourite sets that I have done in the past year:

A hand with a sparkly nail design with drawn-on snowflakes on the index and middle finger
A woman's hands with different shades of pink nail polish on the tips of her nails.
A woman's hands with black and clear swirled nail polish.
A woman's hand with pink and clear swirled nail polish.
A woman's hand with pink, yellow and orange nail designs.

Once again, I am NOT a professional. However, I have really enjoyed learning to do my own nails as it can be a great outlet for creativity, saves me a bunch of money, and is honestly a very therapeutic activity!

Charizard UPC

Collectors and supporters of the Pokémon trading card game love the Charizard UPC, also referred to as the Universal Pokémon Collection. A rare Charizard card and other special items make this product, which was released in a limited edition, a hot commodity in the collecting world. In this essay, I’ll make the case that the Charizard UPC is a fantastic buy and a wise long-term investment.

The Charizard card is a prized collectible due to its widespread use. Since Charizard is one of the most recognisable and adored Pokémon characters, collectors have long sought after his card. With exclusive artwork and a holographic foil design, the Charizard card shown in the Charizard UPC is a rare and special variation of the card. Due to its rarity and distinctiveness, the Charizard UPC is an even more sought-after treasure for collectors and will only appreciate in value with time. The Charizard UPC’s value as a collectible is increased by its limited edition status. The Universal Pokémon Collection is a rare and special item because it was only produced in small amounts and for a brief period of time. The limited availability will increase the value of the Charizard UPC as collectors and enthusiasts continue to seek it out. The Charizard UPC is a special investment potential due to its uniqueness as there are only a limited quantity of these products in existence.

The Charizard UPC is a valuable investment for long-term collectors due to its sentimental worth. Many fans have grown up with the Pokémon series because it has been a cherished franchise for more than 20 years. For many collectors, the Charizard card represents nostalgia for their younger years, and owning a rare or unusual example of the card is a method to preserve those memories. The Charizard UPC will only increase in value as a memento of the fun and thrill of childhood as collectors mature and become more sentimental. The Charizard UPC is worth more now that the Pokémon franchise is becoming more well-known and collecting is becoming more widely accepted. With regular releases of new sets and merchandise, the popularity of the Pokémon trading card game has recently increased. Additionally, collecting as a pastime has gained popularity and social acceptance, which has increased demand for expensive and rare artefacts like the Charizard UPC. The worth of the Charizard UPC as a collectible will rise as the Pokémon series broadens and develops more.

Finally, purchasing the Charizard UPC is a means to engage with the Pokémon fandom and community in addition to being a financial decision. Pokémon card collecting has always been a means for fans to interact with the series and spread their enthusiasm to others. Collectors might have a sense of pride and accomplishment as well as a connection to the larger Pokémon community when they possess a rare and special item like the Charizard UPC. In conclusion, the Charizard UPC is a fantastic deal and a wise long-term investment. Its high perceived worth among collectors and investors is a result of a variety of factors, including its popularity, limited edition status, nostalgic appeal, expanding mainstream acceptance, and link to the Pokémon fan base. Purchasing the Charizard UPC presents a special chance to connect with the larger fandom while also acquiring a treasured and uncommon piece of Pokémon history. The Charizard UPC is a wise investment for people who are prepared to hang onto it for the long term because its value will only rise over time.

References:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/pokemon-trading-card-game-sword-shield-ultra-premium-collection-charizard/6521103?variant=A

https://www.pokemoncenter.com/en-ca/product/290-85111/pokemon-tcg-sword-and-shield-ultra-premium-collection-charizard

https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-cards-worthless-future/

SGA on the rise to fame?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), also known as SGA, is a young and talented basketball player who has quickly become a force in the NBA. His rookie card has thus grown in value among investors and collectors alike. I’ll make the case in this essay that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card has incredible value and is a wise long-term investment.

Gilgeous-Alexander is a great investment because of his on-court performance and potential. He is a dynamic guard with a good basketball IQ who can score from any point on the field. He has already demonstrated a great deal of promise in his brief career, averaging 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in the 2020–2021 campaign. He is also only 23 years old, which means he has lots of time to refine his technique and advance as a player. His rookie card will increase in value as he continues to establish himself as a star in the league, making it a fantastic long-term investment. Gilgeous-Alexander is a desirable investment due to his marketability. He is a rising star in the NBA and could eventually become one of the best players in the competition. He is a fan favourite due to his talent and charm, and as his popularity has grown, so has his marketability. His background as a Canadian basketball star who attended the University of Kentucky for college basketball makes him even more appealing to collectors and investors. His rookie card is a great investment because of all of these elements that increase its perceived value.

The opportunity to invest in a young player with the potential to become an NBA superstar is special thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card. Collectors and investors can join in on his career early by purchasing his rookie card, potentially earning big returns on their investment in the future. Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card will increase in value as he develops and solidifies his position as one of the league’s best players, making it a wise investment for those who are prepared to keep it for the long haul. Purchasing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card is not only a wise financial move, but also a method to develop a closer relationship with basketball.

The opportunity to invest in a young player with the potential to become an NBA superstar is special thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card. Collectors and investors can join in on his career early by purchasing his rookie card, potentially earning big returns on their investment in the future. Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card will increase in value as he develops and solidifies his position as one of the league’s best players, making it a wise investment for those who are prepared to keep it for the long haul. Purchasing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card is not only a wise financial move, but also a method to develop a closer relationship with basketball. Since it gives fans a special and meaningful way to interact with their favourite players and teams, collecting sports trading cards has long been a cherished hobby. Owning an artefact from basketball history, such as Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card, enables fans to remain devoted to the game and spread their enthusiasm to others.

In summary, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rookie card has incredible value and is a wise long-term investment. His talent and promise, together with his marketability and club circumstances, all help to explain why investors and collectors place such a high value on his rookie card. Purchasing his rookie card presents a special chance to seek future gains that are greater!

References:

https://clutchpoints.com/shai-gilgeous-alexanders-seismic-leap-is-giving-nba-card-investors-the-win-they-need-from-thunder-star

https://clutchpoints.com/3-reasons-shai-gilgeous-alexander-is-the-best-rookie-card-bet-in-the-nba

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/shai-gilgeous-alexander-rookie-card-roundup-most-watched-ebay-auctions/

Anthony Edwards Rookie Card

The first overall choice in the 2020 NBA draft, Anthony Edwards, has gained media attention since joining the league. He is quickly becoming as one of the most intriguing young players in the NBA thanks to his combination of size, quickness, and scoring ability. His rookie card is now highly sought for by investors and collectors as a result. In this essay, I’ll make the case that Anthony Edwards’ rookie card has incredible value and is a wise long-term investment.

First off, Edwards is a very marketable player due to his talent and potential. He has already displayed flashes of greatness throughout his rookie campaign, including the highest-scoring rookie game in Timberwolves history (42 points) in April 2021. He is a dynamic and exciting player to watch due to his size, athleticism, and ability to score from all areas of the court. His rookie card thus has a high perceived worth among investors and collectors who think he has a chance to become an NBA superstar in the future. The fact that Edwards represents a team in a small market raises the value and rarity of his rookie card. Due to the lack of elite players on small market clubs like the Minnesota Timberwolves, when a player like Edwards develops into a potential superstar, his rookie card gains even more value. Edwards may not receive as much national attention as players on teams with larger markets, such as the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks, because he plays for a small-market team. This could increase the value of his rookie card among investors and collectors.

The age and growth potential of Edwards make him a desirable long-term investment. He has already demonstrated a great deal of promise at the age of just 19, and he still has plenty of time to refine his skills and advance as a player. As Edwards continues to develop and become a star in the NFL, collectors and investors who purchase his rookie card today could see large gains in the future.Purchasing Anthony Edwards’ rookie card is a wise financial move that also shows support for and involvement in basketball. Sports trading card collecting has long been a popular activity that enables fans to develop closer relationships with their favourite athletes and teams. Owning a piece of basketball history like Edwards’ rookie card allows one to keep a stake in the game and spread the love of basketball to others.

In summary, Anthony Edwards’ rookie card has incredible value and is a wise long-term investment. His talent and promise, as well as his young age and tiny market team, all help to explain his high perceived worth among investors and collectors. Along with the potential for financial benefit, purchasing his rookie card enables basketball fans to participate in the game in a memorable and enjoyable way. For those who are prepared to hang onto their rookie card for the long haul, Edwards’ rookie card will probably increase in value as he solidifies his status as a star in the NBA.

References:

https://clutchpoints.com/wolves-news-anthony-edwards-rookie-card-value-goes-bonkers-after-nba-playoffs-debut

https://www.sportscardspro.com/game/basketball-cards-2020-donruss/anthony-edwards-201

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Edwards_(basketball)

Latte Art Attempt #8

a latte with a stacked leaf design on it.
I haven’t tried anything new or exciting recently, but I did unintentionally create this cool leaf shape that I thought I would share!

Pros and Cons to Anonymity

Process Post #12

Anonymity can be a very useful, but harmful tool on the internet. It is a complicated topic that has proven to enhance things like participation, but also encourage more hateful comments. Today I would like to discus both the advantages and the disadvantages to anonymity and how it may or may not be useful for a website.

The first great thing about anonymity is that it encourages participation. Maria Konnikova states that “forty per cent of people in the eighteen-to-twenty-nine-year-old demographic have posted anonymously” (Konnikova, 2013), as this disconnection between a person’s identity and text allows users to feel less fear about what they say since it can’t be tied back to them. Anonymity can also support freedom of speech on the internet which can be very helpful in getting people’s voices heard. However, the lack of repercussions and judgement that comes with anonymity encourages more hate speech on the internet and increase the cases of online abuse. It can also lead to the spread of misinformation due to how easy it is to lie, which means we are generally less trusting of information we find on the internet.

Regarding a blog or any public social media account for that matter, anonymous comments are very likely to occur, but there are some things to do about it. According to The Gaurdian “Some say it is simple – “Don’t read the comments” or, better still, switch them off altogether. And many have done just that, disabling their comment threads for good because they became too taxing to bother with” (Gardiner et al., 2016). Unfortunately, it is not always this simple as not all comments are hate comments, and enabling comments increases the response from users. The creators of online content (include myself for my website) must decide which is more important to them – user participation or not receiving hate. An alternative – which I might apply to my website If I start noticing comments – is to filter out any hateful words or statements so that they can’t be posted. This way, you can still receive user response, but your comments are less likely to be hateful or triggering.

References:

Gardiner, B., Mansfield, M., Anderson, I., Holder, J., Louter, D., & Ulmanu, M. (2016, April 12). The Dark Side of Guardian comments. The Guardian. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/the-dark-side-of-guardian-comments

Konnikova, M. (2013, October 23). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments 

Transmedia Storytelling

Process Post 11

In the past few weeks I have previously been focusing on user accessibility and using design and marketing to encourage people to visit my blog. However what I haven’t thought about is what they see when they do visit my blog and how I can make it more intriguing. To do so, this week I changed the titles of all of my process posts to a summarizing statement that gives information about what content is in the post, rather than “process post x”, which is what I made my titles before. Even though my process posts are just for PUB101, I still wanted to make it a little more interesting for whoever may read it, as an actual title might bring more people to the post as a sort of ‘hook’ that intrigues the reader.

In this weeks reading: Pokemon as Transmedia Storytelling, the author discusses how Pokemon is still so popular after so many years, and how transmedia storytelling is part of the reason for that due to its marketing possibilities among multiple age groups. This evidence of such successful transmedia storytelling represents how useful interrelation can be, and how it can be implemented across many different areas. To apply this technique to my website, I think I would start including more visual aspects to my blog as most of it is currently just text. I could include photos, videos or even graphics to present information and hopefully enhance the transmedia storytelling of my website.

References:

Pokemon as transmedia storytelling. kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com. (2013, November 21). Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

Process Post 10

This week, I wanted to once again, focus on my website from a user’s perspective. I mentioned in my 4th process post that I haven’t really been imagining an audience thus far, as I assumed no one else would be reading my content. I still think this way, however I have recently thought a little bit more about how I could gain an audience. Whether I decide to monetize my website in the future or not, I think it is very important to consider user experience when putting out content. Sam Hollingsworth states that “user experience has become every marketer’s number one priority” (Hollingsworth, 2021), and although I may not be marketing anything at the moment, I think it would be a good idea to start looking into increasing my website’s visibility.

One way of doing this is implementing social media withing my website. This is also something I recommended to my assigned peer in this weeks peer review, so I figured there’s no better way to work on my own website than taking my own advice. To do so, I added a link to follow my Instagram account at the end of my “about” page. I chose to link Instagram not only because it is one of the few social media apps that I have, but also because according to the State of Mobile 2022, Instagram is the top app likely used by Gen Z. If there is any audience I hope to increase engagement from, it would likely be Gen Z as my content aligns more with their preferences (as I, the writer of said content, am in fact also a part of Gen Z).

References:

Hollingsworth, S. (2021, August 9). 15 reasons why your business absolutely needs seo. Search Engine Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-seo-is-important-for-business/248101/#close

State of Mobile 2022. data.ai. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.data.ai/en/go/state-of-mobile-2022/

Peer Review #3

This week, I was assigned to peer review the website sixtyfortythree by Darien Smallboy. The website showcases all of the photography work that the author has done in a very aesthetic way. As a user, I am quite pleased with the design of the website as it is minimalistic and easy to use but still shows the work in very nice way. Any buttons about where to contact Darien, where to find more of their work, and where to learn about the brand are all very easy to find and even encouraged to click on. I think this is useful especially if someone who does not know how to use technology very well finds this website as they will be able to navigate through it quite smoothly. I also like that there is a portion of the website that talks about the sixtyfortythree brand, why it was created, and the credentials that Darien has as a photographer to gain the trust of the users. In Sam Hollingsworth’s writing about SEO and why they are important, he states that “establishing a brand as an authority takes patience, effort, and commitment and relies on offering a valuable, quality product or service that allows customers to trust a brand” (Hollingsworth, 2021). Which is why I appreciate the use of examples of the photography that Darien has included to show experience in order to gain the trust of the website’s users.

Regarding the marketability of this website, I am not sure if Darien is planning on monetizing the website and making a profit off the content, but I think it would be a great opportunity to! I think one great way to engage with the audience a little but more would be to introduce social media platforms, if possible. Danah Boyd writes about using social media as a tool for creating publics as it builds a network of people and connections. Social media allows users to access their friends and introduces them to a broader world, making them feel like they are a part of something bigger and important to it. “Through engagement with publics, people develop a sense of others that ideally manifests as tolerance and respect” (Boyd, 2014). That being said, I think if Darien linked some social media platforms that also showed more photography it would encourage a specific public. Additionally, these social media accounts could be used to further promote the website.

Overall, I think Darien has done a great job with the website so far with its marketability as I can determine his intended audience based on the design, and I can see a lot of potential for how this audience can be marketed to, and how the website could possibly be monetized and used to support Darien’s future in photography!

References:

Visit Darien’s Website here!

Hollingsworth, S. (2021, August 9). 15 reasons why your business absolutely needs seo. Search Engine Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-seo-is-important-for-business/248101/#close

Boyd, D. (2014). 8. searching for a public of their own. Wattpad. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.wattpad.com/203798155-it%27s-complicated-8-searching-for-a-public-of-their

My Bucket List Travel Destinations

Paris, France

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/783767141422816514/

Okay, maybe it’s cliche, but I feel like it’s just something I need to experience at least once. “The city of love” has always intrigued me for its stunning scenery and just the city life in general. I would love to see all the famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, of course!

Turks and Caicos

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/574912708694941949/

There’s something about the beaches here and the turquoise waters that really intrigue me. It just seems like the ultimate destination for a tropical vacation.

Tokyo, Japan

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/274930752250052442/

I would love to visit Tokyo to appreciate all the art and culture that the city has to offer! The cherry blossoms in the spring is something I have always wanted to see.

Rome, Italy

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/62206038596428541/

Other than all the amazing scenery, I think I would be most excited for all the delicious food in Italy!

Santorini, Greece

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/164662930115995665/visual-search/?x=16&y=16&w=530&h=670&imageSignature=6e8fa7721f9e09377d07f16c52c71f9b

I mean, who would want to visit the Greek islands to see the colourful landscapes and breathtaking sunsets?

Latte Art Attempt #7

My swan has been improving! It still isn’t great, but to be fair I haven’t looked up any sort of tutorial so I’m going off of what I think I am supposed to do when I really have no idea. However, I like being creative in this way and just making whatever works!

Process Post 9

After reading ‘Digital Breadcrumbs‘ by George Philip, Jennifer Anne Lazo, Rooham Jamali and Rudy Al Jaroodi, I started to think a lot about how technology is tracking me everyday. I was fully aware that this happens to users of technology as most apps require location tracking, however I am curious as to what they do with this information. Is this type of surveillance really as scary as everyone makes it out to be? As the authors of Digital Breadcrumbs say: “will this trail of data we leave benefit or harm us in the long run?” (Philip et al., 2016). This article made me think of an assignment I did a few months ago where we were to visit My Ad Center on our google accounts and and click “manage privacy”. This feature allows users to see all the assumptions that google has made about them to in order to provide appropriate ads that users will engage with. In my case, google correctly guessed my age, gender, household income, education status and even my relationship status all based on the info I have shared online by just using technology.

Although this information can be somewhat alarming as for anyone it is odd to find out that you have been watched and tracked this whole time. However, this data is used as information to educate, and also to create personalized ads for its user. Therefore, I am not to worried about minimizing my own digital footprint as I don’t find it to be as much of a threat as people can make it out to be. Besides, new technologies like this are inevitable and will only improve as time goes on. Think about it as a tool for out future rather than something to be afraid of.

References

Philip, G., Lazo, J., Jamali, R., & Jaroodi, R. (n.d.). Digital Breadcrumbs: The data trail we leave behind us. Pod Academy. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from http://podacademy.org/podcasts/digital-breadcrumbs-our-data-trail/