Touring the Virtual World in Our Pajamas and Slippers

As virtual world interfaces are gaining popularity, many believe this breakthrough technology would become the future means by which we access information.

Second Life, a popular virtual world, allows users ("residents") to interact and collaborate through customized avatars. Its objective is to offer cost-effective, innovative solutions by integrating virtual world into our traditional real world setting. Second Life has particularly wide application in the education environment. Popular use includes serving as classroom replacements, classroom enhancements, recruiting tools, and self-directed learning tools. Specific benefits include:

• Allows teachers or professors to reuse class materials easily
• Enables the university to offer classes to students around the globe
• Imposes low hardware requirements on students
• Provides an experience that is uniform and compatible to various platforms
• Uses generic tools that are recyclable between classrooms and universities
• Integrates with in-world tools, such as furniture and text-entry equipment, to tailor a classroom setting according to one's needs
• Allows educators to create, monitor, and investigate 'interactive experiments' in science
• Allows users to observe different aspects of the weather and meteorology monitoring lab
• Allows higher education's graduate programs to advertise its capabilities and recruit new students
• Offers interactive teaching tools for self-directed learning, progresses at an individual's own pace and availability

Yale University has created two Second Life islands with two projecrs. The first was a simulation project of the recreation of the Seeley J. Mudd Library on Second Life. The second project was the design of a virtual paper mill on Second Life in which students can explore the mill's operations including the machinery and processes. Both projects offer effective, inexpensive, and seemingly real experiences that would otherwise be unattainable.

Other interesting applications of virtual worlds can be found in purchasing, trading, and social gaming. People purchase virtual gifts at relatively inexpensive price for others and for themselves. For example, people can purchase Facebook gift items, Farm Coins and Cash for Farmville, or Xbox accessories for avatars. These micropurchases can amount to big venue for the creators of such products. Virtual goods are high in intangible value because gift-giving allow people to spread love and "exchange sentiments" with one another. People bought accessories, either to upgrade their avatars or enhance their gaming experience, allow them to express their uniqueness and assert their identities. In the virtual gaming environment, researches are being conducted to study gamers' behavior, which will offer insights to enhancing future gaming experience.

With virtual world interface gaining ground like lightning one obvious question is, when virtual world sales are becoming so quickly, how is that going to impact the real world economy? In other words, if we are satisfied with doing everything in a virtual world, then would we be needing clothing other than pajamas and slippers?

Sources:

Hand, Randall. "Learning in Second Life: Virtual Education VizWorld.com." VizWorld.com - Visualization, Computer Graphics, and Animation. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.

O'Donnell, Jayne. "Unlike reality, virtual retail sales are hot, especially for avatars." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.

Patuwo, Grace. "Yale Daily News - Virtual world, real money in 'Second Life'" Yale Daily News - The Nation's Oldest College Daily. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.

Schonfeld, Erick. "Augmented Reality Vs. Virtual Reality: Which One Is More Real?" TechCrunch. Web. 21 Feb. 2010.

"Understanding interaction in virtual worlds." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Web. 21 Feb. 2010

Are You Ready to Venture into a BRAND New World?

Thanks to the development of social media, contemporary job hunters are afforded new and creative ways of finding that dream job online, without having to blast out blind resumes and constantly look up job-boards. There are online social networks, so-called "Professional Web", that help people manage their career. For example, LinkedIn, Ziggs, and ZoomInfo are great tools that enable people create a profile page, convey their skills and experience, and boost the image they want to present to the world.

Even better, many of these online networking tools are free-of-charge. Yes, I mean FREEBIES, again!

LinkedIn, a relevant social network available since 2003, has aggregated over 20 million members. It offers useful resources for professional and businesses as well as advertises free in-person networking events. Due to its abundant source of people's information, professionals can find creative ways to use the site. While a marketing professional may use it to promote his or her company's brand, conduct market research, look for prospective clients, and check up on competitors, an HR professional may use it to recruit, do background checks, and host email campaigns. All other folks may use it for open networking, Q&A, introductions, recommendations, and many more. Further, some businesses offer cash incentives to anyone who recommends candidates that result in successful hire. To further grow its user base, LinkedIn has also introduced new updates and additions such as group media, profile page, and iPhone application. Like most social networks, LinkedIn has its values as well as its flaws. Thus, users need to be aware of its potentials and use it wisely.

Now that we have venues to make us visible out there, how are we going to do it?

One way to effectively promote ourselves is through Personal Branding. We need to develop a strategy to campaign ourselves. We must be able to address questions such as what makes us stand out from the crowd, what are our greatest strengths and remarkable personal traits, what are our work ethics, and what value-add do we offer to our project teams, etc. We also need to know our mission and our passions (i.e. what do we want to do and what we want to be famous for?) and be able to deliver, with style, a unique and representative message about us.

In campaigning ourselves, one key step is to find ways to gain visibility. Some ways to promote word-of-mouth marketing include engaging in activities that can enrich our profile and show our skills, maintaining good social networks with our colleagues and friends, and growing influence and reputational power over those we work or associate with. The goal is to create a perception in others that we exhibit creditability, leadership, and power. Sometimes, it may mean teaching a class, contributing to a local newspaper, joining panel discussion, or presenting at workshops. Other times, it may mean volunteering for tasks at work that can broaden our involvement and thus allow us to voice our opinion on important issues. Bear in mind that, in order to get optimal results from using social media such as LinkedIn, we must invest time and effort in regularly assessing the changing market. This allows us to keep our skills in line with the market demand, and reinvent ourselves as necessary to maintain our brand's value.

Will all being said and done, is it safe to assume that our career would be a smooth sailing, with little left to do except inquiring the Magic 8-Ball regarding our luck or waiting for a wishing star to zoom by? Or, do we still feel that our career remain a challenge, like a checkerboard, a maze, or even a Rubix Cube?

Sources:

Branding Image

Lidsky, David. "It's Not Just Who You Know." FastCompany.com - Where ideas and people meet | Fast Company. 19 Dec. 2007. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.

Peters, Tom. "The Brand Called You." FastCompany.com - Where ideas and people meet | Fast Company. 18 Dec. 2007. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.

Ryan, Liz. "The Savvy Networker." Yahoo! HotJobs - Thousands of jobs. Find the right one. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.

Wallace, Brian. "How to Get the Most Out of LinkedIn." Social Media News and Web Tips – Mashable – The Social Media Guide. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.

Beware of Mobile Stalkers...They're on the Loose

Many telecommunication businesses believe that the GPS-enabled phone is a game changer in the wireless phone industry. As early as 2007, mobile social networking already existed, integrated with GPS location awareness programs (such as Buddy Beacon and Rave Guardian) and cut-down versions of social networks (such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter). Businesses expect this nifty new gadget to spice up the life of many, especially those under 25. While many embrace this new revolutionary technology with open arms, others fear potential cyberstalking.

Here are some positive and negative aspects of Mososo:

Pros:

• The GPS-enabled phone can pinpoint your location and direct you to places such as famous landmarks, motorway services, restaurants, or other entertainments.

• The whereabouts of your friends can be quickly located, making it easier for you to hang out with them.

• Software like Ubisafe can help parents to track the exact location of their children.
  

• The GPS alert services can help locate an elderly relative in distress quickly.

• A cyberscort service, such as Rave Guardian provided by Rave Wireless, Inc., links to campus police to ensure the safe arrival college students to their destination.

• Location-based services can generate business opportunities through the use of ad marketing.
  

Cons:

• To some, there are privacy concerns since the GPS phone keep tabs of you even while you are asleep and you have no control over who knows where you are (or who is stalking you)

• Being tracked by your friends, boss, or loved ones every minute of the day can be quite annoying.

• Being bombarded by location-based services with targeted ads and updates, and having your phone screen clogged up regularly can be irritating.

• Location awareness posts safety concerns. Pedophiles or identity thieves can hack into the mobile network and locate the whereabouts of you and your family members.

• The software application can be extremely addictive. Youngsters can stay logged into a virtual network, thus losing awareness of the real world.

Two years ago, some people were skeptical of the location awareness program on wireless phones. Today, it is evident that this integration solution is gaining popularity. As an example, back in 2007 mobile social network programs (like Buddy Beacon) were available only on compatible phones. Today, such programs run on multiple wireless carriers and phones. Speaking of which, Campus Police at American University is currently using Rave Guardian as a part of its student safety program.

Well then, if we had food, water (although some may prefer beer), and a GPS-enabled phone that we could text, send photos, watch movies, hound our friends, and locate hot spots (of course transportation and some money would be nice), then what else would we want?

Sources:

Cieslak, Marc. "Rise and Rise of the GPS Mobile." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 7 Mar. 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

Goodale, Gloria. "Students' New Best Friend: 'MoSoSo'" The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com. 19 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

Hamilton, Anita. "A Wireless Street Fight - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 15 Feb. 2007. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

McCarthy, Caroline. "The Mobile Social: Not Ready for Prime Time?" Technology News - CNET News. 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

Samsung Mobile Phone. Digital image. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

Is the World Getting Creepier?

David Simond's Word of Mouse discusses Conversational Marketing, a new breakthrough of online marketing. Through this form of advertising, marketers draw on the the power of the Internet social networks, such as Facebook and Myspace, to connect to consumers and promote their products and services.

As expected, there are pros and cons to this new trend.

Pros:

• It's cool to become friends (or fans) of my favorite bands and organizations on Facebook because I get updates on what's new (e.g. new music, latest fashion, upcoming events, discounts, and freebies). I happened to be a fan of AMF 300 Shady Grove, a local bowling alley. It is just notified me about college night on Thursdays from 9:00 PM to midnight. College students who show their college ids can play unlimited bowling for just $10, eat for $5, and drink for $3.

• It is also good to show what you're a fan of. Not only does it serve as a conversation starter, it also come in handy when friends and family need hints on finding me gifts.
  

Cons:

• I find the Fandango scenario kind of creepy. Imagine you purchase movie tickets (via Fandango) while signed into Facebook, it automatically notifies your Facebook friends via news feed as to which movie, what theater, and what showtime. If the "not-so-desirable" someone decides to come along or show up unexpectedly, it's not easy to say "no". In fact, this is also true with online Blockbuster Movie Rentals. When you add a movie into your queue, it notifies your Facebook friends via news feed which movies you are interested in seeing.
  

• I also find the status update on Facebook creepy. Sometimes it feels like someone is watching what I put out there. For example, if I update my status or information page about liking Starbucks, there would be abs on the right offering free $25.00 gift card (which is usually a scam attempting to solicit personal information.

Regarding the statement that "Facebook allows its users to opt out of sharing their information", I find it frustrating at time. Facebook updates its site as often as people change clothes, and when that happens, all the privacy settings get messed up. It sucks because everything gets shared again until we reconfigure the settings.

For the article Why Conversational Marketing Requires Fundamental Business Change, Vicky Tamaru identified three requirements of conversational marketing to be effective. These include on-going, two-way, and authentic conversation with the customers. However, I feel that these are general marketing strategies for most businesses. In order to retain customers, a business must maintain good relationships with them and earn their trust and loyalty.


Sources:
Image

Tamaru, Vicky. "Why Conversational Marketing Requires Fundamental Business Change | Branded Entertainment." Business Resources, Advice and Forms for Large and Small Businesses. Web. 02 Feb. 2010.

"Word of Mouse." Economist.com. Web. 02 Feb. 2010.

The World of Freebies

Let's face it, everyone loves freebies. The Internet offers many of them, from free movie passes, to free meals, to free music, etc, at a single click.

Is the Internet Making Us Dumber? The answer to this question can be a "yes"or "no" depending how you look at it.

There are certainly many benefits associated with Internet usage. It enables people to:

• pool in their resources and share their knowledge with others,
• develop creative ideas from the suggestions of others,
• find information quickly so that tasks are accomplished more efficiently and effectively,
• expand knowledge base (sometimes out of curiosity) through search engine like Google,
• get connected to one another globally. When people update their statuses on Facebook or Twitter, all of their friends know what they are up to.

However, there are some drawbacks involved if people do not use the Internet properly.

• Lifestyle change may cause loss of culture or tradition. Back in the day when computers were not available, people would spend more time reading newspaper or magazine, allowing them to gain knowledge about the world. Nowadays, many people depend on the Internet for their information needs, and they read only those issues that are eye-catching and quickly get distracted by other information.

• People spend too much time on social networking sites. They are too busy in catching up with everyone's excitement and drama.

• People may not be able to distinguish reliable information from the unreliable ones on the Internet. Many people fall for unknown schemes or scams, and end up giving out personal identification information to strangers or marketing firms.

My view of the Internet includes the following:

• People need to know how credible a source is - whether it is a "user-generated" opinion or a proven or well-supported fact. Thus, they should verify their sources carefully before using them. Even familiar websites like ratemyprofessors.com or fandango.com may offer limited and biased information on students' opinion about a professor (or a class), or viewers' feedback about a movie.

• There is a bright and dark side to the Internet. The bright side is that "anyone can publish, collaborate, and edit others' work" with little restrictions. The dark side is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to control what people publish and edit, which may be offensive or inappropriate at times.

• Technology is constantly evolving. Undoubtedly, people need to embrace this intellectual change so that they do not fall behind. It is important that people be educated on the power and danger of the Internet. This enables them to optimize social media usage while protecting themselves from unwarranted web intruders and identify theft.

• As consumer culture (e.g. ad campaigns) is built in as part of the Internet, it further encourages the additive behavior in people. Thus self-discipline in terms of time and resource management is extremely important to avoid lollygagging (being lazy and avoid work), just like what TV turns people into couch potatoes.
  

Sources:

Keen, Andrew. "The Digital Emperor Has No Clothes - Associations Now Magazine - Publications and Resources -." ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership. Web. 30 Jan. 2010.

Riley, Duncan. "Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh." TechCrunch. Web. 30 Jan. 2010.

Freebies Digital Image.

The Truth about Crowdsourcing

For this week's blog, I have chosen to comment on the following articles:

1. Is Crowdsourcing Evil? The Design Community Weighs In
2. The Myth of Crowdsourcing

Before reading these articles, I bet many people would have thought that crowdsourcing dealt with a crowd of people collaborating on a project and everyone who contributed would have received a fair share of money compensation. Well, that is hardly the case!

Crowdsourcing is a fancy term for a competition or contest. Think about a food eating competition, a kid's coloring contest, and/or designing a banner to promote a music band. Each individual who entered into the competition or contest may have put forth a great deal of time and effort knowing that he or she has only a slight chance of winning. For the most part, there is only one grand prize winner who gets his or her name recognized and receives the grand prize, usually money or luxury good like a trip for two to a hot spot.

I think crowdsourcing is good for today's businesses but not so good for future businesses. With all of the submissions, not only do businesses gather great ideas for future logos or multi-purpose designs, they also reap tremendous cost savings on the design effort. However, there are two drawbacks for future businesses regarding the disruption to the design industry and the reduction in creative ideas. First, professional designers will lose their jobs to amateurs or recent grads with similar capability (in terms of talent and skill). Some of these designers may even have to change career. Second, when the winner's design is reviewed, many will interpret what businesses is looking for and want to imitate the winner's design style for future projects. In doing so, design ideas will converge and become less creative.

To avoid conformity and induce creativity, one possible consideration is for businesses to make their "competitions" private - soliciting ideas, announcing the winner's name but not displaying the winner's design.

Articles:

Howe, Jeff P. "Is Crowdsourcing Evil? The Design Community Weighs In | Epicenter | Wired.com." Wired News. 10 Mar. 2009. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.

Woods, Dan. "The Myth of Crowdsourcing - Forbes.com." Forbes.com - Business News, Financial News, Stock Market Analysis, Technology & Global Headline News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.


Images:
Crowdsourcing. Digital image. Web. 23 Jan. 2010.

The Truth about Informal Networks

For this week's blog post, I have chosen to comment on the following two articles:
"Six Myths About Informal Networks - and How To Overcome Them" [MIT Sloan Management Review]
&
"The People Who Make Organizations Go-or-Stop" [Harvard Business Review]

The first article discusses how corporate executives fail to nurture informal networks due to strongly-held myths about how to make these networks more effective. A number of interesting points were presented. To build a stronger informal network, people should connect and communicate, not with everyone but, with those who provide relevant information. Instead of changing technical infrastructure to promote collaboration, organizations can assist informal networks by modifying their formal structure, work management practices, employee management practices, and their cultural values. To avoid information bottleneck at a central person, organizations can distribute information and decision-making responsibilities to others. It is also important for organizations to understand how informal networks function to get work accomplished so that corporate executives can strategically support these networks to benefit the organizations.

The second article discusses the importance of social networks and the four key role-players - central connector, boundary spanner, information broker, and peripheral specialist. The central connector, also known as the go-to-person, serves as the main source of information for the whole network. The boundary spanner links the central connector in multiple external networks so that they can share information as well as various types of expertise. The information broker connects various sub-networks within an organization in large information network to promote information sharing. The peripheral specialist serves as an expert for the network in special information or technical knowledge. He or she is not integrated in the network so that he or she can focus on advancing his or her area of expertise.

The thing that sparked my interest the most was the social network analysis - a powerful tool that corporate executives use to identify employees' social relationships within an organization. This allows the organization to help its employees to build more social relationships as needed.

I recommend both of these articles to everyone since it is informative and easy-to-read.

Images:
Social Networking. Digital image. Web. 16 Jan. 2010. http://muktiweb.org/images/social-networking.jpg.