Joanne and the New Media: November 2011

With this blogging project I realize that it is not easy to write a good blog, and to write good comments. But through the process I have learnt a lot. I am given chances to get to know my classmates and get insights of new topics, such as Jenifer’s sharing on the tool issuu, and Kandice’s idea of banning re-share on Facebook, which I have never thought of. Also, to my surprise, I had no idea that Kitty likes digital games! (And I called myself your friend…)

I have also learnt how to make a better blog with the use of new media tools. A good book is mainly about an excellent plot and a good use of language. But a good blog is more than 2 elements. New media is not about regular status updates. To keep your readers’ attention, not only do you need an original and meaningful message, you also need to balance font style, font size, font colour, images, videos, emoticons :) …and more.

A good blog is also about consistency. Blog layout, profile, profile pic, background, font style, font colour, topics of the posts (and also tags)… Every single element contributes to building the image of your blog. To keep the group of readers following posts after posts, a consistent tone or theme is one of the important elements. Take Jezebel as an example, it is rated as one of the most powerful blogs by the Guardian because of its firm focus on women-related topics.

Blogging Tips From an Expert Blogger - Social Media/Web 2.0

But in the same time, I learn to be aware of the dangerous side of new media tools. We have to be careful of what new media tools bring us. Yes new media like Facebook is very convenient, but it is dangerous to be TOO convenient. Take this as an example:

I recently mocked a friend because Spotify revealed on his Facebook page that he was listening to the 2010 Ibiza Party Workout. (I accused him of being a metrosexual several years too late.) Turns out that he, like many others, had no idea Spotify shared every single tune to which he was listening, and we discussed whether this much sharing made sense. The answer is no today but yes tomorrow, because the future of social media depends on smarter tools that permit us to share more but consume less.

from http://www.experiencetheblog.com/2011/10/future-of-social-media-data-vs.html by Augie Ray

If we don’t choose the tools carefully, we might fall into the trap and lose some of our private information, money, or even more. Recently in Hong Kong there was a rumour about LINE app by Naver and the privacy issue it has. A lot more examples can be found on the article Your Apps Are Watching You.

We have to be wise when choosing and using new media tools. And I think the best advice I can give is to gather knowledge of the tool before using it, and be aware of what private information you put on the web.