Walter Mosley_A Writer's Perspective

      http://www.nytimes.com/library/books/070300mosley-writing.html

 Mr. Mosley offers his exclusive insight on how to write effectively. He states that in order to get better at something you have to do it everyday. He was referencing writing in this case. There is a saying that goes that it take 10,000 hours in order for you to master anything. There is another saying that says that the journey of a thousand miles started with the first step. There are a number of different and effective cliches out there that relates to starting a writing project such as a book or screenplay. Craig Jarrow also stated himself that the hardest part about writing is writing.

 It is having the discipline to sit down in a not distracted area to have absolute focus in these situations. Mr.Mosley states that nothing we create is art at first so it is important that we do not get discouraged by it not being a masterpiece after the first go around. Writing, just like everything else is a learning experience. Keeping the heart and mind open to writing and actually doing it is a lot better than being focused on the number of words or pages or pages you have. I agree with Walter Mosley in his opinions about the writing process. I believe that if you are a part of the active process of learning different writing styles while reading a lot more you would naturally get better at doing it as you go along.

I think that the writer's perspective has changed in the social media environment. This is because there are a lot more opportunities for an individual to brand themselves in a variety of ways because they have a lot of options on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter. They can keep their readers up to date with their writings but having them subscribe to their social media page or simply add images that coincide with your content. For example RSS Feeds or HootSuite is an application program that allows all the social media sites to be on online central platform. You may use Hootsuite with Twitter, Facebook, and other popular social media sites. Not only that but if you have readers subscribed to your blog then the second you post something on your site, it notifies Facebook, which with then be updated on Hootsuite.

9-1 Multimedia Tools

Multimedia brings to life various tools that we can use to help us deliver messages more effectively. It joins together visual, audible, and hands-on communications techniques to make it easier and more satisfactory for the receiver. There are various tools out there that appeal to different brackets of life and purposes. There are professional multimedia devices and there are personal consumer software or multimedia tools that can enhance your abilities to perform different objectives. For example, iMovie is a professional program used in multiple television stations to use various features while deliver the news. While on the other hand, Garageband, is more personal for music production enthusiasts. Other multimedia platforms can also be used in both professional and personal areas. As I go into depth, imagine that these devices are growing more popular and used to even teach you new information or deliver information to you while you may or may not know it.

Keynote/PowerPoint
Let's take Keynote for example. This is a PowerPoint presentation type of program that can be used to make a professional presentation. It has various tools that will allow you to Bold, enhance, change backgrounds, highlight, add images, and bullet key points all from your tablet PC. This is a popular device because it enables you to perform these tasks without having to have your entire desktop computer to use it as a guide. Motivational Speakers, Corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and more all benefit from this program that enhances their communication practices. "Keynote" itself is properly named for the people that come to deliver "Keynote speeches". Keynote however can't be said to be "better" than PowerPoint because in some ways, both of these programs are exactly alike. One is primarily operated on a different system from the other. Keynote (iOS), PowerPoint (DOS,WIN)

Windows Movie Maker/iMovie/Final Cut Pro

Windows Movie Maker at a glance allows people to edit, cut, and produce movies or video clips with basic level multimedia tools. This program is like an introduction into editing. It is free to those that have a Windows computer already built in. It has some of the features that even more professional programs utilize such as fade in/out, swipe up/down, transitional effects, character generation, zoom in/out and more. However, this program is ultimately limited in terms of producing professional video functions that can only be accomplished by using iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

iMovie is a program exclusive to Apple hardware devices. It allows the user to have more specific ways to edit their project. These include stabilization, audio effects, more in depth ways to edit video, and transition. You can also professionally render your project and make it ready to mix down into a polished movie. Another program used for professional editing is Final Cut Pro. This program is also Apple based and is used for rendering videos and bits a professional news stations. Tape Based import is one of its many features. It allows the user to import footage taken from Professional video cameras and edit the material. This is a feature that Windows Movie Maker doesn't have. Three point editing allows you to edit multiple clips without slowing you down in the process. It can also be used for smaller projects as well. Clip Appearance dictates how you can view the clip you are editing. Once learning this program, you will find that it is very complex and a great way to learn how the technical aspects of video production as it is carried out today.

More effective approaches to deliver messages through Final Cut Pro/iMovie

Journalists use a lot of B-Roll in their footage while delivering or producing a package. They display scenes from their stores while they are talking. That way, it isn't just them being shown talking in from of the camera throught the entirety of the story. Viewers like to see what is being talked about/discussed and Windows Movie Maker can't multitask in this manner.


Final Cut Pro and iMovie or more effective movie making devices than the basic leveled tools that Windows Movie Maker has to offer.

Adobe Audition 3/Pro Tools

As far as sound clips, bits, sweeps, radio promos, or music is concerned there are several programs that enable you to edit and produce great quality. Adobe Audition is the Software standard for radio stations to produce various commercials and spots. Like iMovie compared to Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Audition is a step up from smaller and limited programs such as Audacity. It offers multiple equalizers, echos, and reverbs to produce the exact sound that you want. Also, Pro Tools is the standard for music professionals that create the hits that you hear on the radio. From multiple genres across the board, Pro Tools enhances the ability to deliver a message.

Sources: http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/all-features/#video-editing
http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/Pro-Tools-M-Powered-Screenshot-98596.html
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/12_cool_tips_and_tricks_imovie_%E2%80%9911

8-2 Best Blog Practices

http://www.everywhereist.com/

The Everywhereist is a blog created by a married woman, Geraldine that travels the world with her husband, Rand. His job requires him to travel so after she was laid off she has been traveling with him around the world and blogging about their experiences. The blog has been ongoing for four years to fate. One of the things that makes it so effective is that posts are split up in categories from hotels, advice, food, events, and more. This is what you should expect from a blog, easy navigation and organization. It is a very substantial way of engaging readers about places that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to go themselves. You can also connect with the blog by following it via social media such as Twitter, Facebook, or subscribing to RNS Feeds. Geraldine uses pictures to illustrate the countries that she has explored and the food she has tasted.

Best Blogging Practices

In order to effectively engage readers while they visit your blog is to always offer consistent content relating to your niche. This gives the reader that is interested in your topic something to look forward to each time you post. According to EchoDitto, giving readers a reason to return to your blog daily, is an effective way of keeping up to date content (EchoDitto, 2013). Another thing that Everywhereist does is keep the blog casual yet personal. Her experience may or may not differ from other people’s experiences but she goes into depth about sightseeing from her perspective. Personalizing your experience gives readers a closer sense of being connected to you as a publisher.

Traffic Jam

Checking the reading statistics of your blog is often shied upon by many professional bloggers.  Some feel that closely monitoring blog traffic distracts them from publishing quality content because they are potentially worried about what posts are most frequently read. It could also make some bloggers forget about their target audience and their blogging niche. Everywhereist has a archive box on the right side of their website, linking readers to the most popular blog posts by the author. This is an extra way of how people can explore what other readers took an interest in.

Connect, Engage, Network

When you are blogging, you are instantly entered into a whole new community of people that share their thoughts, opinions, and explorations. Everywhereist isn't any different because there are multiple bloggers in the world that share their experiences traveling the world from their prospective. However, while doing so, with any blogging content, it is an excellent opportunity for you as an author to network with those that may mirror the experiences you undergo. You may very well help out another author simply by hyperlinking their link to your site if your post is similar to their content. This is networking at best and a great blogging practice.

Joe Paterno: Living The Dream, Passing With Visions of Greatness

Press Release

Joe Paterno, 85, was pronounced dead earlier than his time. Mistakenly enough the false report was retracted by CBS. However, this did not quickly heal the damaged cause by his loved ones, scorned by the news release. I sincere apology was appropriate from the network, right before Paterno passed on legitimately that Sunday morning due to Lung Cancer. He left behind a loving family and the entire Penn State community to share stories of his legacy. However, what he accomplished while here on earth far extends beyond the rumors of his leaving the world too soon.

A vision for greatness is a symbolic representation appropriate to describe Joe Paterno. He was named Coach of the Year over five times. For sixty years he has inspired players and people of the Penn State community. Focused on driving others towards greatness, SportsIllustrated named him to be Sportsman of the year. Not only in coaching did Paterno let his light shine. It is important to remember that Paterno was a humanitarian for the country as well by serving in the U.S Army before going to Brown University.

Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good. - Joe Paterno

Paterno paved the way for a lot of athletes to become successful. This is why he is known as the vision of greatness. Remembering his legacy will call for inspiring stories for any following generation to be inspired by. Let's reflect about the things that we can accomplish in our lives and how we can make a difference while doing it. Surround yourself with people that love you as you fulfill your purpose doing what you were called to do.

Facebook Post:
It is with much regret that I have to inform you that the late and great Joe Paterno has just passed away due to lung cancer. He carried a great legacy to the students and athletes that was inspired by his actions, leadership capability and coaching techniques. We will always remember him as the multiple 'Coach of the Award' recipient and humanitarian. Let's take a moment to mourn his loss and appreciate the things that we have to offer the world through our passions such as Paterno did.

6-2 Blog: Social Media Tools

Communication in the 21st century ties us together in numerous ways. It helps us to identify people that we share common interests with and keeps you in contact with family and friends no matter the distance. The niche of the various social media forms makes different things possible for all kinds of people. The practices not only affects the sender but also to the receiver (the person reading, watching and/or interpreting the message). My three social media attempts consists of

• Blogging
• Text Messaging 
• Social Networking

Blogging

Blogging in short, allows you to be creative with content that you post. You can add graphics/images to help with the story you are telling. I have a personal blog (outside of this one/ www.byronfields.com) based on daily affirmations and motivational quotes. I, personally strive to reach a conscience audience of individuals that search for inspiration on the go. I also have had experience blogging for a college radio station Real 92.7WASU. I enjoy the idea of potentially reaching a mass audience based on the market I am intending to reach.

Search Engine Optimization helps visitors be able to identify you site and content. the more tags you add to posts on your site, the more likely you are able to be located. There are also paid services that allow you to be on the front page of popular search engine sites such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Darren Rowse offers insight on how to effectively start a blog for beginners here:

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/blogging-for-beginners-2/

This is important because, SEO's help on to reach a larger audience and an increase of page visits by clicking hyperlinks from third party social media networks such as Facebook. (Rowse, 2006).

Text Messaging

Text messaging keeps you in touch with individuals with the convenience of not having to pick up the phone to call them. It offers a way of quick communication anywhere you are, including discreet locations or circumstances in which you may not be able to readily answer your phone. Texting has become such a popular form of interaction that it is used for socially responsible causes. Politicians, and major companies, businesses, and even entertainment advertisements have used texting to attract more customers, raise more awareness, or for personal enjoyment. 

For example the HIV/Aids campaign has brought people closer to awareness by allowing people to text "Sexinfo" 61827 to get more information about sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) their causes, and ways of prevention. This can be found on this article published by SexInfo, http://www.sextextsf.org/

Social Networking

Sites such as Facebook and Twitter are the leaders in social networking. This is because they have become so effective in bringing many people together. Individuals that live in states or even countries away from each other have the convenience of communication through these massive yet user friendly sites. They each allow instant/direct messaging and on some sites video chat. It is because of these benefits of reaching the world from your computer that social networking has become lucrative and is a new way of promoting businesses, companies, and services. Social networking provides free Public relations which is another reason how it brings people together. 

These three social media tools will reach the largest audiences most effectively. In each one of these you can embed or post hyperlink that links to each other. For example, you can use Facebook to post a status that hyperlinks to a blog article. Blogs have feature that allow individuals to subscribe to new posts via text messaging. Text messaging allows individuals to share content from articles, blogs, and content viewed on social networking sites. Some bloggers also reach a larger audience by appealing to readers on the go by creative native apps for their blogs so these readers could access their content more quickly. Here is a link to my native app to my blog: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wDailyWhizdom

Sources: 

1.) Fields, Byron, 2013. A Living Testament of Life's Experiences. www.byronfields.com

2.) Rowse, Darren, 2006. Blogging For Beginners.  http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/blogging-for-beginners-2/

3.) SexInfo, 2013. A New Text Message Service For Youth. http://www.sextextsf.org/

Entry - Module 3

After reading an article from TIME magazine about how NASA unlocked the mystery behind Intergalactic Radio Bursts I discovered that the source came directly from the website. TIME is where the article received it's photos and paid attribution to the descriptions as to how they discovered the mystery. TIME magazine is one of the most trusted online sites for news stories. The reporters come from an array of different and professional areas such as the Associated Press. This article specifically is a representation of NASA itself, the leader of space exploration and discovery. Therefore, the accuracy of each news story publish and source attributed must be legitimate in order to sustain the professional reputation that a business such as NASA strives to withhold. Sources such as NASA and TIME when dealing with information regarding knowledge things outside our world could be a safety concern as the public needs to stay a brisk of any potential threats from space.

Source: http://science.time.com/2013/07/05/the-mystery-of-the-intergalactic-radio-bursts/?iid=sci-main-lead

Another article was about the 214 passenger plane crash that left 183 passengers hospitalized. This article was published by the Huffington Post and from there sources such as HLN, CNN, gets their own insight of the story and investigate the scene of the disaster to further elaborate the details to the citizens in the surrounding areas and the world so we would be informed about any relatives a=or friends that might have been aboard that flight. The sources used were reporters from the Associated Press, reporters from Beijing, and New York that also contributed as well.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/07/asiana-airlines-flight-214-abort-landing_n_3558625.html

Social Media & Truth

Normally, when I check my phone for newsworthy information, I make sure that it is from a reliable source such as CNN, ABC or a reputable magazine for example. If not that, I see if it comes from a reliable person to spread information such as a Journalist or well known public figure.  If the story interests me enough then I pull up Google to research or fact-check the story.
Prime example, one thing in particular that I learned while logging into my accounts was that the opening arguments of the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case was starting today. I found this information out my logging on to my Instagram account and looking at a picture that one of my followers took of their television screen. I, then turned to channel to HLN  to see the case as it was premiering live. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter keep up in tune with the world. This is especially beneficial for News Journalists because when news breaks they can instantly post brief content on their page without waiting to write the whole story in detail before word gets out. Social media can not be avoided for this reason. Getting reliable sources of information all depends on who you are following on social media sites. Put another way, the addiction to social media does not have to have a negative impact on your life if you continue to learn more about the world each day by influential figures.

Influence of the media

I use several forms of media each day. To start my day off before even getting out of bed I use my smartphone to log in to Instagram. With a simple graze of my finger I can look into to other people's lifestyles as if I am reading the morning paper. I see some of my peers posting philosophical quotes from famous authors and others would simply take basic pictures of themselves to start the day wherever they are at the time. None of it however, gives me a sense of enlightenment before getting up, it's simply entertainment. Knowing this doesn't stop me from then logging into Facebook as well afterwards and doing the same thing. The Social media dopamine addiction would leave someone like me disappointed to know that I didn't receive any messages or notifications.

So finally, I get out of bed. I turn on the television to see if any familiar movies are on. Instead of searching for something new I tune into to a show/movie that I've seen millions of times. Therefore, my mind is still dormant. While i'm simultaneously watching television I am constantly checking my email, Facebook, and Instagram accounts awaiting for something to breathe life into my day. Have you ever heard the term "Don't wait for someone else to make your life happen?" well, that's me on a very casual day. I use media to spark interest into my life. So if I come across a friend posting an invitation to a party later that day, I tune in to 98.5 on the radio is I put my car into gear and head there. It is almost as if you are in competition with your friend's list. I sometimes feel that I am trying to keep up with the latest entertainment so I do spend countless hours watching other people "appear" to have the time of their lives on social media.

The perspective my events such as my friend's gathering appears to be the greatest thing into the world at that moment. This is because some people, including myself have become so wrapped into new media that we have traded in our hobbies and personal interests to have the appearance of a celebrity lifestyle by showing others how extravagant we are and how much fun we can be. However, who are we trying to please? Our Friends? Family? Strangers? We have we become some wrapped into the lives of people that we don't even know that well? This I feel is a negative influence that some of us are picking up because we are constantly seeking validation or conformation of our daily routine.  Years before Facebook or these other forms of new media were established, we didn't need to validate our existence to complete strangers as much, or at least not through the internet.

After my day finishes and I arrive back in bed, I use the pictures I posted of sometimes irrelevant moments to recap my day. At other times at log back in to my account(s) to see if it were anything that I missed from "Sarah's" day. Who is Sarah?...my point exactly.

Welcome to my blog site!!

Here I will post content for my course Com-510 Knowledge and New Media. I am excited and ready to learn.