Wislounge

Thoughts and opinions on web development

Blogging-Lessons in Freedom of Expression

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Have you thought of why everyone  just seem to be blogging even without any apparent reason and purpose?  Everyone just have to say something even if their participation results to more questions rather than answers.  Blogging is probably the best thing that ever happened to freedom of expression but is it actually the best for everyone?

Bloggers have been providing the online world with so much to talk about for the past years or so.  Those who were part of the original batch must have done something right for blogging to be so popular and desired at the present time.  Although its potentials in relation to earning income has been clearly established, not all blogs have been put up to earn.  Many still use their blogs as an avenue for free expression with the earning factor just a pleasant bonus of pursuing something they will pursue just the same even without being paid.

The idea of publishing one’s work without the fear of rejection from established publishers is really quite attractive to any budding writer or at least someone who thinks he or she has something to offer to online readers.  While the freedom provided by blogging has given us access to exceptional works and thoughts , it has also provided us with enough reasons to reconsider the almost absolute absence of rules in blogging due to the proliferation of written rubbish.

I believe that online searches will be so much more fun when sites or blogs which offer absolutely nothing is removed from the system.  There will be more time to explore sites and blogs that offer real information, real insights, and real offers that will add over-all value to the online world.  Many bloggers have gained power through the authority they command as provided by the extent of their audience reach.  It would be such a waste not to use this avenue of freedom of expression for the good of many.

Mainstream Media and the Blogosphere

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There have always been requirements put in place for one to be categorized as a journalist or a media person.   Recently, bloggers who may not have the prerequisites in formal schooling, knowledge, and experience have been invading the arena of the so-called mainstream media.  This “invasion” has resulted to the blurring of lines between what is practiced in their respective dominions. 

A number of cross-over’s have been observed.  Many mainstream journalists maintain their own blogs while bloggers try their hand at providing news and information.  Venturing into other forms of media is fairly common for both.   Many journalists have told their stories through books and bloggers are not far behind in doing the same thing. 

The issue of superiority by traditionally-trained media over the generally more play-by-ear blogging community often surfaces when writing qualifications are being examined.  However, bloggers are known to connect more readily to the reading audience because of their usual informal style.  This has resulted to a sometimes not-so-friendly competition between some members of each group.

There is no need to have any quarrel between these two camps as they have the same basic objective which is to bring information to the people.  If there are questions as to territories being invaded or job opportunities taken away by the other, then mutual respect is the key.  Basic respect as well for the writing profession itself is required. 

Writing should always be guided by sound ethical practice.  These include providing correct information with minimized sensationalism.  The feeling of antagonism between the two camps often arises from bringing individual brands of information at the expense of the other.  Although the blogosphere threatens in a way the standing of mainstream media, it cannot be helped because of the human need for information that continues to evolve. 

Image: flickr via Dave Bleasdale

Automatic Submission

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Web masters would like to have access to all advantages in technology that will allow them to further their SEO efforts for their sites.  Those who already have working online sites would know that high search page ranking requires not only currency of content but also currency in ways to bring the site to the attention of potential users.  In this regard, an important breakthrough called automatic submission has made it possible for many site owners to address time limitation in relation to having their sites listed in relevant search engines, directories, and specialty sites.

It is a fact that web owners have to concern themselves with a lot of issues aside from making sure that their websites are being found by searchers.  Even online businesses face the challenges that typically confront brick-and-mortar businesses such as capitalization, product development, and human resource.  There may also be a need to conduct physical marketing campaigns concurrently with online promotion.

For these reasons, any assistance that can come in the form of a product or service that will lighten a web developer’s workload is welcome.  Automatic submission of websites and articles to search engines, directories, and specialty sites is getting the attention of many website owners due to the relative ease that it can be accomplished.  Individual manual submissions can be very time-consuming and tedious if there are many submissions to be done.  Multiple submissions are being done because of its promised exposure to more potential customers.

Whether as a service or as software, automatic submission eliminates repetitious acts such as keying in basic information.  Service providers and software developers have taken note of the fact that reputable search engines and directories have great distaste for submissions that appear computer-generated.  That is why there is painstaking effort to make automatic submissions more human-like as possible.  Proper spacing of submission schedules are observed and human participation is provided when it is required such as keying in verification codes needed to have the submissions approved.

SEO: The eCommerce Gateway

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SEO has successfully created opportunities for businesses all over the world in various platforms that browsers use the most.  Popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter, started off mainly as Social Networking sites.  As the webs of friends and other contacts grew on these platforms, businessmen started seeing the opportunity to penetrate these markets through advertisements. “Likes” from Facebook, and “Followers” from Twitter have spread brands like wildfire by exposing products and companies to countless people in unimaginable ways.

Displaying the Starbucks’ logo on Facebook pages would get users of this site to click on it to find out more.

“Sharing” videos for example, reaches out to the many interconnections and spreads what the video offers. SEO companies swiftly saw an opportunity to help websites and brands get noticed and took advantage of it.

Creating a profile on Facebook is one of the methods that have been used which resulted in amazing results. News and Current Affairs websites, like the BBC for example, have Facebook profiles that continuously get updates which provide their readers with information.  The smart phone revolution has also helped make the use of these Social Networking platforms, even more effective.

The Internet is after all, the place where everything is “happening”.  Internet marketing strategies target a considerably broad audience. They are able to pull in crowds easily without having to manage them or think of logistics. People have an ability to gather, converse and share information/photos with just a few clicks.

Take advantage of this opportunity and learn more about what can be done with the help of SEO service providers, because they know exactly what to do in order to keep the website within the first pages of reputable search engines.

Image From  BrentDPayne

Mobile Apps for Babies and Toddlers

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Some may think that babies and tots are too young for these gadgets, but we shouldn’t underestimate their abilities and how Apps can help them learn or keep them busy when needed. We all know that Android gadgets, iPhones and iPads are not just limited to games and social networking tools. They also have entertaining and innovative applications for children. Choose from a long list of these entertaining applications and it may please you too. Here is a list of Apps which you can consider.

Sparkabilities Babies (iPhone, iPod Touch: $2.99, iPad: $4.99)

This interesting application has versions for one and two-year-olds. It requires minimal interaction. All you have to do is touch the icons in order to learn how to draw shapes, animal or babies. It has eight different segments which last for three to four minutes each. The main idea is for kids to recognize what is being shown on the screen after displaying it repetitively in different variations. It helps enhance a child’s memory and imagination.

Peekaboo Barn (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android: $1.99)

In Peekaboo Barn your child can find roosters, pigs, cows, goats and other animals found in a barn as its name suggests. They are featured in an animal recognition game. Tap on the red barn doors to see what animal is behind it. You can also play the sounds these animals make and it speaks and flashes its name on the screen. Advanced levels allow kids to identify the animals by looking at its photo or listening to the sounds they make.

PUZZINGO (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad: $1.99, Android: FREE)

It is easy to assume that it is a puzzle application, but its creators claim that it is not just that. It is the “greatest puzzle on earth”. This matching game lets kids put together parts of an airplane and also find shadows of animals inside a jungle.

Thomas & Friends Day of the Diesels (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad: $4.99)

This fun application is available is an exclusive iOS app. It contains puzzles, matching games and it has a virtual coloring book too.

Baby Soother 3-in-1 (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad: $1.99)

Baby soother is a 3-in-1 app which contains tranquil images and soundtracks of animated sunsets, aquariums and winter wonderlands. It is so effective that it can even help adults go to sleep.