DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 6:

Personal comment about the advantages and risks involved in social graph technologies

The foaf-a-matic web site you visited in exercise 6.3a suggests that you can post the foaf.rdf code generated onto your website somewhere where it is publically accessible. It says that if you do, then programs that utilise the foaf RDF may readily access it. Agreements you sign with Facebook and other sites mean that they can use this kind of data anyway.

What are the implications for you and your privacy, with respect your own personal data and the integration of it by Social Graph technology in Facebook and other sites?

As a post to your blog, labeled ‘Week 6 Social Graph’, discuss these issues. Using readings from this week and other items you may have researched for yourself about ‘Social Graphs’, Discuss the pros and cons of this kind of personal data interlinking.

Minimum 125 words – Maximum 500 words

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Source: Learning Solutions Magazine

When Mark Zuckerberg (Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Facebook) first coined the phrase “Social graphing” in 2007, he effectively described the model of success for his now global company.

“Services such as Facebook facilitate the exchange of information, news, photographs, literary works, music, art, software, opinions or even money among users. In this environment, the social graph or for a particular user consists of the set of nodes and ties connected, directly or indirectly, to that actor” (Holmes 2015).

While the idea of the social graph may be successful in the interests of Facebook and other social media sites from a business sense it has come under scrutiny by everyday users and industry experts. Brad Fitzpatrick, creator of LiveJournal, criticises the idea as there is no definitive model to which others can adhere, rather, there are many of varying standards (Holmes 2015).

As unfortunate as that may be for industry leaders and entrepreneurs, the real danger in the social graph is at a grass roots level. By agreeing to certain terms and conditions the basic user often unintentionally agrees to not only providing sites and applications with their personal information but the contact details of their online family, friends and acquaintances. For this reason I tend to not agree with such activity taking place and as a rule of thumb do not accept requests for personal information in this way.

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References

Holmes, A 2015, Week 06 – Semantic web, course notes, DGTL12002 Working with social media, CQUniversity e-courses, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/.

Social graph, n.d, digital image, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/783/appfusion-deploying-the-social-graph.

DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 5:

Create a simple embedded Google Maps interface for a web page.

It is now possible to make use of simple functionality of Google Maps without programming or knowledge of the use of Google Maps APIs. It is simple to embed and to customise some features of the map such as the markers and the information displayed in association with the markers.

To undertake this exercise you may need to have some very basic HTML understanding and have access to a domain from where you can edit and serve a web page. Some blog services will enable you to implement a Google Maps service. If this is so where you have established your blog then try to complete the exercise there.

Following is a link to a regular html page that uses the iframe HTML tag that Google Maps provided to call on and display a map of the location of CQU Mackay.

http://staff.cqu.edu.au/holmesa/MapWeb/map.html Google Maps also links to an image located within the MapWeb directory of the holmesa staff website (when you click on the map’s pin icon).
This used to be harder than it now is. You used to have to join Google and apply for a key. Now its so simple anyone should be able to do it. Now you only need the key when using the JavaScript Maps API v2 and the Maps API for Flash. Now you can connect Google maps to web sites, mobile apps and devices with ease using the Google maps API.

Instructions for how to achieve this are at https://support.google.com/maps/answer/72644?topic=10788 (accessed 28/6/13)

There are also numerous video tutorials such as: http://youtu.be/ossaVX4C8dI

For this exercise you must:

1. Research and find out some information on what the Google Maps API is and then explain this in your blog post (referencing your sources by linking to them).
2. Create and publish a blog post or web page showing a site of significance to you via Google Maps. If you are adventurous you could even document a trail of some sort. You are encouraged to incorporate a variety of media (e.g. at least a photo). Embed the map itself in your blog or a link to a web page with an embedded map for your week 5 blog post.

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According to Google (2015), “Google Maps APIs are a collection of APIs that enable you to overlay your own data on a customized Google Map”. Basically, this innovation allows businesses and governments to show places of interest more in a higher level of detail and customisation to that of a regular map. Site users are able to plot journeys, read reviews, get traffic information and many more specific features.

In covering the above content, what follows below is a simple embedded Google Maps interface applied here to my blog webpage. Having little to no programming or Google Maps API knowledge, the modern and simple functionality of the site now allows for ease of access for inexperienced users such as myself.

Source: Google Maps

Simply by copying the embedded code of my desired destination, I was then able to paste the code into a HTML version of my draft blog. From this point I was able to alter the specifications of the code to get the optimal size requirements for my page and even incorporate a basic border. Overall this is a very useful tool for business, personal use and the government sector.

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References

Google 2015, Google Maps APIs, viewed 7 September 2015, https://www.google.com/work/mapsearth/products/mapsapi.html.

DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 4:

Referring either to one of Aaron Koblin’s projects from exercise 4.1,  the “one frame of fame” website linked below, or another you know of that employs crowdsourcing, briefly discuss whether or not you think it is innovative in terms of social media, produsage and crowdsourcing. Refer to concepts introduced this week in the course resources. Be sure to provide a link to the site you are writing about in your blog. Also make use of an image if possible. With screen captures, make sure you note the URL where you sourced the image and, the date viewed, as part of your caption.

Social media music video project
http://oneframeoffame.com/

Minimum 125 words – Maximum 500 words

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As outlined above, this blog post will discuss innovations that have taken place within the social media realm, particularly focusing on the collaborative works of Aaron Koblin. Together with Chris Milk, Koblin has devised a website known as “This Exquisite Forest”. The site operates as an online collaborative animation project, where from 2012-2014 users could use an online drawing tools to create short animation works. Following some initial ground-work, subsequent visitors could then add to the original animation, resulting in a collaborative work similar to that of a wiki (This Exquisite Forest 2015).

Source: This Exquisite Forest

By using their combined industry experience working for Google, the pair have arranged a simple to follow and aesthetically pleasing website. This concept of an “exquisite forest” was devised working under the premise that each new project was likened to being a tree, while each piece of additional user content worked as a branch. As the site itself has grown in popularity the end result is that of many trees, with many branches.

After an artist or user has submitted their initial entry, they leave brief notes relating to their vision for the final produced work to which the collaborative users must (although loosely) adhere to. Working under this methodology, the proposed creative artifact is expanded upon through fresh eyes and perspective allowing for maximum creativity. Discussing creativity, Holmes (2015) suggests that, “Awareness of creativity is an innate human quality. And what varies amongst us all is how we make use of and apply this ability”.

While personally I believe that an artist ought to see their vision out until completion, I can see the merit in the innovation behind this particular website. A mere look at Koblin’s resume and body of collective works showcases his profound ability when it comes to pioneering techniques and innovative ideas.

For further information on Aaron Koblin and his body of work please click here.

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References

Exquisite forest, n.d, digital image, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/19/the-exquisite-forest-crowdsourced-art-made-possible-by-chrome/.

Holmes, A 2015, Week 04 – Innovation and collective creativity, course notes, DGTL12002 Working with social media, CQUniversity e-courses, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/.

This Exquisite Forest 2015, the concept, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.exquisiteforest.com/concept.

DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 3:

In 2009 CumminsNitro, a Brisbane-based advertising agency, won multiple awards across the international media landscape for their groundbreaking campaign for Tourism Queensland: Best Job in the World. The campaign was unique in the way it harnessed traditional media advertising (positions vacant advertising) and linked this with various kinds of social media interactivity. Through inviting video applications the campaign utilised what Bruns calls “produsage” and others have called “crowdsourcing”. It also made sophisticated use of the viral connectivity that can result from online social networking. Then, once the social media success became newsworthy, the campaign also benefited from the traditional current affairs media attention, amplifying the overall impact and effect. This campaign formula was so successful that it has been expanded recently to include other states, each with their own tourism ‘caretaker’.

Visit the links provided and write a review analysing the types of interactivity that the campaign engaged.

• Best Job in the World Case Study:
  http://vimeo.com/5456947
  (last accessed 12/6/14)

• More detailed information on the campaign elements:
  http://strongerhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DSMM-IMC-project-Best-job-in-the-world-ref-2.pdf
  (last accessed 12/6/14)

• “The Best Job in the World” & Beyond in a Brave New Marketing World
  Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Queensland, 2011:
  http://www.brandrepublic.com/promotional_feature/1089697/The-Best-Job-World—Beyond-Brave-New-Marketing-World/
  (last accessed 12/6/14)

• An expanded campaign now has a range of ‘best jobs’ –
  one in each State.
  http://www.bestjobs.australia.com
  (last accessed 12/6/14)

Once again use screen captures and your own words to document and interpret what you see. Note that if you do copy statements from a web site these must be in quotation marks and the source URL referenced. With screen captures, make sure you note the URL where you sourced the image and, the date viewed, as part of your caption.

Minimum 125 words – Maximum 500 words

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In this blog post a critical analysis of the multi-award winning crowd-sourcing campaign that was the “Best job in the world” viral slogan for Queensland tourism will be undertaken. The public relations and marketing campaign has proven so successful that it has since been adopted in other Australian states and parts of the world.

The simple yet ground-breaking idea effectively used a dated form of position vacant advertising to advertise less a job and more a product, that product being Great Barrier Reef tourism. The campaign used many forms of social media; as well as print, broadcast and online media publications to reach the public and garner support for their cause. “With more than 200,000 website hits in 24 hours”, (Hayes 2011) the campaign had immediately picked up a groundswell of support overnight internationally.

By offering a high salary for what was a job with little tasks and having no qualifications required, to the common person this really was a dream job. In the wake of the popular mainstream film “Australia” having been released and just prior to the media backlash of current U.S.A President Obama being inaugurated, the campaign was launched at an optimal time for press coverage and media attention (Holmes 2015).

The move overall was something of a gamble; however, it was one that paid massive dividends as the campaign grew and later went viral.

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References

Hayes, A 2011, ‘”The Best Job in the World” & Beyond in a Brave New Marketing World’, Brand Republic, 7 September, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.brandrepublic.com/article/1089697/the-best-job-world—beyond-brave-new-marketing-world#W1iHgk4vYVLt3ykD.99.

Holmes, A 2015, Week 03 – Interactivity, course notes, DGTL12002 Working with social media, CQUniversity e-courses, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/.

DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 2:

Choose at least two out of the six of the following terms of reference to make further comments about the site you have been reviewing and the services it offers:

• Trustworthiness of the site
• Reputations of members
• Ownership of content
• Moderation of risks
• Management of content
• User interface and customisation.

Once again use screen captures and your own words to document and interpret what you see. Note that if you do copy statements or policies from a web site these must be in quotation marks and the source URL referenced. Greater marks will be awarded for appropriately using and referencing the textbook.

With screen captures, make sure you note the URL where you sourced the image and, the date viewed, as part of your caption.

Minimum 125 words – Maximum 500 words

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Carrying on from the previous week’s exercise, this blog will provide further analysis touching on such issues as moderation of risks and management of content. Eunson (2012 p.723) suggests, in an age where “hacking” and “phishing” is becoming more common, the security of new media cannot be guaranteed regardless of the strength of security settings. With social media users displaying tendencies to publicly disclose personal information, that at times is more than they would in face to face encounters often unknowingly, the resulting unforeseen issues can be numerous and severe, such as publicising holiday and location details.

Now when prospective employees apply for jobs, employers have taken the perhaps unethical stance of investigating the prospects online footprint for negative representation. According to Eunson, (2012 p.724) as of 2009, 45 percent of employers were engaging in this activity  And while the user may take precautionary steps to manage their online presence, unflattering comments and images are often shared amongst friends and Friends Of A Friend (FOAF). Examining practices such as these, it becomes apparent how quickly out of hand files and information can be shared, culminating in a potentially worst case scenario of a situation turning “viral”.

Source: NBC News

In November of 2009, the Control Your Info direct action group took over 286 Facebook groups (changing their names to “Control Your Info”) to highlight the fact the Facebook security protocols simply were not strong enough to protect the content of its users (Gross 2009). While this instance is only a sample and the defiant act was used merely as a demonstration, the potential threat is real and practically unmanageable by operators. One need only to monitor the profiles of high ranking Facebook staff to see they are without profile pictures, visible friends and constant intrusive status updates.

Ultimately the level of protection is set by the user, allowing them to explore the site and interact with others at their own discretion.

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References

Control your info, n.d, digital image, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33838186/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/facebook-hit-control-your-info-intruder/.

Eunson, B 2012, Communicating in the 21^st Century, 3^rd edn, John Wiley & Son, Milton, Australia

Gross, C 2009, ‘Protesters hijack more than 200 Facebook groups’, CNN, 10 November, viewed 7 September 2015, http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/10/facebook.groups.hacked/index.html?eref=onion.

DGTL12002: WORKING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Week 1:

Choose a social media site that you are a member of and say why you engage with it and what you get out of it. If you are not a member of any site, choose one to observe and answer the same question regarding the activities that you observe – or, you may choose to say why you do not normally engage with social media. You are encouraged to use your answers to exercise 1.3 to frame your response.
(Minimum 125 words – Maximum 500 words)

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In the blog post that follows, a social media site is to be considered and observed for reflection. Given I don’t ordinarily engage in such services, I have decided to give an overview of the one site I am familiar with; the ever popular service known as Facebook. Facebook is a global Social Networking Site (SNS) and the largest of its kind with over one billion users. “Services such as Facebook facilitate the exchange of information, news, photographs, literary works, music, art, software, opinions or even money among users” (Holmes 2015)

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Source: Facebook

The site is open to users of all socio-economic backgrounds, races, religions and ages upwards of thirteen with a valid email address. While Facebook (2015) states, “Our mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected”, this is merely a company sugar-coating its product. Facebook is a money making device at its core; this is overwhelming evident in Forbes latest ranking of the site’s Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, placing his wealth at a staggering net worth of $38.7 Billion (Forbes 2015).

For the more common folk such as myself and anyone else not a billionaire however, Facebook lives up to its claim of connecting and giving people the power to share information amongst themselves in a moderately safe environment, provided they are cautious who they interact with and use security protocols. The site has easily accessible and stringent guidelines (to which some people ignore) relating to:

• Keeping account and personal information secure.
• Encouraging respectful behaviour.
• Protecting intellectual property.
• Reporting abuse.

Speaking for myself only, I personally use the site for keeping up to date with events of interest happening in my local area and keeping in touch with people I neither have the time nor patience to by traditional means such as letter writing or a simple telephone call. While the majority of people I observe seem to prefer to use the service as a means of tallying up “likes” on “selfies” and stroking their own egos, I can’t help but feel they are missing the point.

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References

Facebook 2015, Community standards, viewed 7 September 2015, https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards.

Forbes 2015, The richest people in tech, viewed 7 September 2015, http://www.forbes.com/profile/mark-zuckerberg/.

Holmes, A 2015, Week 06 – Semantic web, course notes, DGTL12002 Working with social media, CQUniversity e-courses, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/.