Category: Tech
Digital Media Makes Birthdays More Awesome
Monday, October 15 was my birthday! *throws glitter and twirls*
Besides celebrating being one year earlier, I also coin Monday as my first true digital media birthday. Since I actively started using Facebook in the fall of 2006 before my freshman year of college, I’ve been enthused to receive “Happy Birthday” posts on my wall (or what’s now known as a Timeline). Even though I’ve been using Twitter for about two years, ( I don’t count that whole year when I had a Twitter account and never used it. Back then, my Twitter handle was something revolting like @PrettiIttyBitty. I think I had to change the “y” in “pretty” to an “i” because someone had already taken the handle @PrettyIttyBitty. Tacky, right? But I digress.) I rarely ever tweeted about my birthday, besides doing thank you replies to “Happy Birthday” mentions.
This year, I celebrated my birthday on 2 social networks and a digital platform: Facebook, Twitter, and Google + (Google hates it when people refer to Google + as a “social network. *sips tea*). Turns out I was in for some pretty great surprises!
I was super excited to get the usual “Happy Birthday” posts, but a few friends went the extra mile to make some pretty creative birthday wishes. Two friends of mine from college (who are now roommates, so shout out to solidarity) uploaded a video to my timeline, wishing me a great day while at the same time congratulating me on coming out of a birth canal and telling me I’m one year closer to needing a hip replacement (gotta love that vibrant youth).
All too familiar with my obsession with love of BBQ, another friend posted “Happy Birthday fellow Libra” along with this picture:
That picture is totally better than ANY cake I will EVER eat…. EVER.
More people sent me birthday wishes on Twitter this year. Giddy from all the new Twitter attention on my birthday, I even got bold and tweeted my own birthday “hint” to get more mentions (judge me).
Maybe in the future, Twitter users can include their birthdays in their profiles and those who follow them can choose to get an “alert” on the user’s birthday (No? Too much like Facebook? Oh, okay).
Google Plus
I got my biggest surprise on Google. I received my invite to join Google Plus in November of last year, so this was my first birthday with the platform. When I pulled up the Google homepage on Monday, I saw this:
That’s right!! A Google Doodle of a cake with the image title “Happy Birthday Shauna!” when I scrolled over it! I literally screamed “Awww! Oh My God!! (again, feel free to judge me)
Turns out, when you fill in your birthday on your Google Plus profile, Google gives you a Google Doodle on your birthday! Now THAT is some UX! Other Google Plus users can also send you birthday wishes, so I got a few of those too!
It’s not even the end of October, but I can’t help wondering what digital media birthday surprises I’ll be in for next year! What can I say? #NerdThoughts
-The Vibrant VJ
Black Girls Code presents “Build a Webpage Day” in Atlanta
When Black Girls Code brought “Build a Webpage Day” to Atlanta in August as part of the Summer of Code, more than 70 girls from ages 6 to 18 gathered at Emory University’s Woodruff Library to learn the basics of web design. I’ve been a fan of Black Girls Code since I heard about the program earlier in the year, so I immediately signed up to be one of the volunteers.
“Build a Webpage Day” opening
The day-long course divided the girls into elementary, middle, and high school groups taught by volunteer instructors, including software developers from ThoughtWorks, a global IT consulting firm.
Web developer Jonathan Sampson led the design instruction for the high school girls, assisted by ThoughtWork’s John Daigle .
Between our volunteer duties, graphic designer Ashlee Lindo and I sat in on the high school session. Since we’re also learning programming and web design, we figured we’d try to glean some knowledge from the experts. People tend to mistake me for a high school student (probably because of my youthful banter and young face I’m only 5 feet) so we blended right in with our new “classmates”, asking questions and taking notes.
Here’s a list of coding concepts and useful links we learned during the session. Even though the instructors used those links to teach high school girls, they’re useful tools for people learning all stages of web design:
Responsive Design
A website crafted to provide the best experience for the viewer, no matter what device is being used. Sites created with responsive design are easily viewed across multiple platforms such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The Boston Globe redesigned its site using HTML 5. In addition to device adaptability, the mobile site is also designed for touch response; viewers can control photo galleries and storyboards with their fingers, similar to the way they would control an app. The new USA Today website was also heavily influenced by iPad design and compatibility.
Mozilla Thimble
With Mozilla Thimble, you can write and edit HTML in your web browser and instantly preview the results. Thimble is divided into two sections: coders can type HTML on the right and preview the webpage on the left. The site also has an additional list of hackable projects where users can edit the code of an already finished page.
Hackasaurus (okay, this one is for the little ones)
Hackasaurus uses ” X-ray Goggles to show kids web elements. Once they use the goggles, they can toggle with HTML to change the site design. The site also comes with a list of tools for teachers.
JS Fiddle.net
More seasoned website builders can use JS Fiddle to test web elements and share code in a browser. The code sharing tool allows coders to maintain a list of projects or “fiddles” on the dashboard. Site builders can test HTML, CSS, and Javascript in three separate windows, then run the code in a fourth window.
JS Bin.com
Similar to JS Fiddle, website builders can use JS Bin to test and share HTML, CSS, and Javascript in a browser.
SUBLIME
Sublime Text is a cross platform code editor. Advanced site builders can install the editor on Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux and run multiple programming languages.
Mozilla Developer Network
Mozilla Developer Network is a an open community of developers who compile resources for coding and multiple programming languages. Each type of code or programming language is categorized with a definition and a list of tutorials and additional resources.
For more pictures of “Build a Webpage Day” see the slideshow below, or view the entire album on Google+
Got suggestions for web building tools? Comment below or tweet me @ShaunaReporter !
iPhone 5 is hot on the streets! Get live coverage of the iPhone5 opening day
The iPhone 5 is finally ready for pick up at retailers around the world. If you’re not braving the streets and waiting in line with the masses to get your hands on Apple’s newest mobile device, you can still get up- to- date details on all of the activity surrounding this year’s most talked about smartphone on its opening day. Here are three sites doing live coverage as the iPhone 5 hits the streets.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WSJ is streaming coverage on its tech page. Besides tweets from writers at store openings, the live blog also features financial info about Apple, including boosts in store sales and market updates.
CNET
CNET reporters are stationed around the world with detailed posts and vibrant pictures of crowds waiting to get their new phones. One standout photo is of Lawrence, a man who paid $1,500 for someone else to stand in line for him until the last minute.
TECH CRUNCH
Tech Crunch took a slightly different spin. Besides sending out a writer to do a life stream of the opening day at Apple’s flagship store in New York, the tech site also sent out writer Romain Dillet to stand in line 24 hours before the store opened. Armed with a camera, laptop, and wifi, Romain posted gureilla style video updates from his spot in the (at least recently) unwashed masses.
Want to get caught up on all the action last week? If you missed the whirlwind of iPhone 5 coverage from the unveiling on September 12 (or simply want to relive the moments) don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are links to my four favorite live blogs from the iPhone 5 event last week:
THE VERGE: If you’re looking for coverage of the iPhone 5 unveiling without tweets or extra commentary from reporters, try the verge live blog. Scroll through the blog to see pictures of the Apple event in San Francisco, starting from the media lines outside at 9am.
REUTERS: Compiled by Reuters social media editors Anthony de Rosa and Matthew Keys, the Reuters live blog had the best mashup of pictures, video, and tweets about the event. Combining tweets from tech experts, material from Reuters, and even pictures from other live blogs (such as the Verge), Reuters created a true multisource experience.
MASHABLE: True to Mashable form, this live blog combines the smart and (sometimes) witty commentary of Mashable writers with vibrant photos.
WALL STREET JOURNAL: WSJ has streamed coverage of activity surrounding the iPhone 5 since August 31. Reverse the order of the live updating tech site to read coverage from the beginning. You’ll have to scroll through the stream posts to find updates on the Apple event, since today (September 21) the coverage is focused on the opening iPhone retail day (note: the second paragraph of this post), but you can find a separate recap on the live blog.
Watching coverage of the masses? Tell me @ShaunaReporter
Tracking Hurricane Isaac? Here’s a list of helpful tools!
Looking to get up-to-date coverage of Hurricane Isaac? In addition to Twitter accounts, here’s a brief list of live blogs, interactive maps, and mobile apps for tracking Isaac.
Reuters live blog.
If you’re looking for one place online to get storm updates from a lot of different sources, try the Reuters blog. The frequently updating live blog includes tweets as well as links to live coverage from the three news stations in New Orleans. In addition to Isaac coverage, the blog also has links to resources such as the American Red Cross Find a Shelter and Family Locator. Need to update your knowledge about hurricanes? Reuters has links to both the definition of hurricane watches and types of hurricane categories.
Hurricane Isaac Interactive Crisis Map by Google Maps
The Google Crisis Response Team created an interactive map that gives severe weather alerts and resources for states expected to be affected by Isaac. Designed with radar and cloud imagery, the map tracks the storm’s progress. The Official Google Blog lists the map’s features, including:
- Isaac’s current location and projected path
- Weather updates
- Emergency evacuation information
- Storm related Youtube videos
Nola.com, The Times- Picayune website, features the map without the storm clouds and radar.
Here’s a few individual Twitter accounts giving updates on the hurricane.
State officials:
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu: @MayorLandrieu
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal: @BobbyJindal
News outlets and reporters:
Reporter Brendan McCarthy: @Bmccarthywwl
WWL TV: @WWLTV
WGNO TV: @WGNOTV
WVUE: @WVUEfox8
The Times- Picayune and NOLA.com: @NOLAnews
You can also find a live feed to the Twitter accounts of all of The Times-Picayune reporters covering Isaac on NOLA.com .
The Weather Channel:
The Weather Channel: @weatherchannel and @twcBreaking
The Weather Channel Hurricane Central: @TWC_hurricane
Last but not least, if you’re looking to do some hurricane tracking with a mobile app, CNN came out with a list of 6 mobile apps for tracking tropical storms and hurricanes. One of the newest apps on the list is the American Red Cross Hurricane App, which has location-based weather alerts and locations of open Red Cross shelters. The app also has a mobile “toolkit” including a flashlight, strobe light, and an audible alarm.
This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, just a few of my favorites. If you have any others I should add to this post, tweet me at @ShaunaReporter.
The Vibrant VJ 