The Network for Your Neighborhood

If you're planning on creating a Facebook group for your neighborhood, here's something better for you. Nextdoor is a private network for neighborhoods in the U.S, and recently it announced the release of its 2.0 version. With 21 million dollars funded by their inverstor, Greylock Partners, the network has reportedly raised more than 40 million dollars overall. According to the report, the statistics are showing some impressive numbers, which possibly means promising growth for the networking service. Nextdoor focuses on crime and safety. It serves as an online place for the neighbors to connect. Having something like "Facebook" allows them to discuss a lot of different concerns such as lost pets or persons, and robberies. Nirav Tolia, one of Nextdoor's founders, says, “Unfortunately, in America we have lost touch with our neighborhoods. Everyone lives in a neighborhood and wants it to be stronger. Safety is a universal concern.” With less people in network, security is much easier to implement privacy and security. Only the people living in the neighborhood are allowed to access the network.

Safety is one of the main concerns in neighborhoods not only in the U.S but also in other countries. I have nothing against the goal of the project because it does prove itself useful especially in the States. Dealing with less people helps a lot, knowing that the ones left are surely people in you reach. Neighborhood concerns can be handled in a more organized manner but I believe there is a downside to this. For me, they just merely created a smaller Facebook, meaning it has the same pros and cons. The main disadvantage for me is that it will make the neighbors communicate more online, rather than talking head on with each other, somewhat creating a virtual neighborhood. But in terms of safety, I believe this really helps out. I can imagine all my "notifs" in Facebook(there's a lot of them) but this time they are actually meaningful. For example, it's good having notifications for laundry services, wanted pets, SK basketball leagues and others which are not just about someone changing their status. In my own perspective, I think this proves helpful in big neighborhoods, but it's not as needed in smaller ones. Since I live in a small one, I won't need something like this. I believe I'm better off with having a few drinks with my neighbors.




Here's the link to the article:
http://venturebeat.com/2013/02/12/nextdoor-fights-war-on-crime-backed-by-40m-and-8075-neighborhoods/

MythBusters: "Science is Awesome"

If you get cars, cannon balls, explosions, more explosions, nonsensical beliefs, some curious-for-nothing scientists, then mix them all together, what do you get? You get Science - hardcore, rock-smashing, kickass Science. That's the equation for this awesomely hardcore show MythBusters.

MythBusters is a TV Program for Discovery Channel hosted originally by Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. As the series went on, three people from their staff began appearing regularly namely Grant Imahara, Kari Byron and Tori Belleci. The shows main purpose is to test variety of myths, ranging from common ones to crazy and nonsensical ones, through experimentation. The team usually replicates the given situation and force the myth to occur. If it fails, the team extends the situation to its extremes in order to cause the expected result. After experimenting, the myth will be rated with one of three possible outcomes: Busted, which means the myth is false or highly unlikely to occur; Plausible, meaning the myth does happen but it was caused by a different reason or it is impossible to naturally occur(it had to be forced physically to occur); or Confirmed, which means the myth is actually true. Through the course of the episode, the team sometimes experiments with "mini myths" just to satisfy their own curiosity. The show have tested a lot of different myths, rumors and popular beliefs however they have refused to take on things outside the boundaries of Science such as paranormal activities. They also refuse to do tests that may be harmful to animals. The team, so far, have only had two major accidents, however, they are trying their best to avoid them and are always very cautious in their actions. Through it's approach in providing the audience interesting facts and showing fascinating outcomes, MythBusters have become one of the most popular and longest-running shows in Discovery Channel.

I think that MythBusters is a great TV show, especially for Science lovers and for those who like trivial facts. It uses the viewers' curiosity as the pivot for exploring unknown or untested things. Viewers are likely to be drawn towards the show because it feeds our natural curiosity. I don't think I need to explain more. The show is simply amazing! Not only does it let you learn more about Science, though not technically but more on concepts, it also makes you think rationally in real life situations. Just like in the "grenade myth", I found out that hugging the grenade won't save everyone else. Actually everyone will be hit, but definitely, you're going to turn into chunks of meat, and it's not a very good decision. A lot of myths were taken from movies - this teaches us to think first before imitating everything on screen. Still, just watching their experiments and knowing if a myth is true or not is enough to keep viewers absorbed in the show. Overall, it is a good show; it is entertaining and at the same time informative. One simply can't resist the awesomeness of MythBusters.

Link to the official site: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters

ADVERTISING: FROM INKS TO LINKS

Technology and media is very prominent in today's society. Marketeers are constantly finding ways to keep up, causing the dramatic change in the advertising world. It has gone through mass ad printing, posters,  brochures, radio broadcasts, and of course TV commercials. Unfortunately, this "shotgun method" is now being overshadowed by new trends that take advantage of our dependence in technology. Expensive and time-consuming ways are being crossed out. Right now, in just a few clicks, your advertisement will be out and rolling and here's how.

YouTube is a very popular video streaming site that lets users watch and upload their own videos. It has more than 800 million users visiting the site per month - it's perfect for business. Due to the site's huge success, more and more companies decided to use YouTube as a marketing tool. Since the site was originally meant for home video viewing, it required the creators to polish out its advertising efficiency. Right now, YouTube offers a wide variety of advertising options to suit the advertisers needs. Here is the list.

YouTube Homepage Redzone

This YouTube advertisement is the most expensive option; the cost can amount up to 300,000 dollars per day. Advertisers that use this are usually well-known brands of cars, mobile phones and other gadgets. It is also used to promote movies. Below is an example with Smart Communications Inc. The advertisement takes up a lot of space; fair enough for its price.

TrueView In-Stream

Thankfully, there is an option that will not leave our wallets empty. This option uses cost-per-view payment(about 0.4 dollars per view). The In-Stream advertisement is the video that appears before the one the user intends to watch. It is usually 10 to 60 seconds long. This advertisement  usually annoys users(including me) but it is still an effective strategy. Contrary to the shotgun method, this trend can be used to target people with common interests. Advertisers can choose the videos that matches the content of their ads which increases their advertisement's chance of success.

TrueView In-Search

In-search advertisements are smaller versions of the Redzone advertisements. These ads appear usually at the sides whenever users search for a video. This includes promoted videos and display advertisements. See the example below.

Having such options makes YouTube a powerful tool in the advertising world. With more than 800 million people lingering around the site, advertisements' view rate will surely increase. Advertising blended well with media and technology. Still, I think a lot of people are annoyed by the stubbornness of the advertisers, and personally I am annoyed by In-stream ads. However, advertising is necessary to ensure the success of products. It is simply impossible in the modern age to run a successful business without aid from advertisements.



For a more detailed explanation of these options follow this link:
http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2169740/YouTube-Advertising-Options-for-Budgets-of-All-Sizes

SAMSUNG'S BENDY PHONE

This is one technology advancement that has caught my eye. Slimmer gadgets apparently appeal more to people. So now, Samsung gives us what's yet to be the thinnest in history. Last January, Samsung presented a its prototype flexible phone at CES. It's a tablet that has a paper thin screen that you can fold like a map. Soon, the tablets we know will be replaced by something that will fit into our pockets. The demonstration is a little plain and static. What attracted me is the fact that the phone is foldable, it really doesn't break. This is just awesome, imagine having iPads in our pockets(but different brand). I know this won't compare yet to the touch screen holograms of Tony Stark but, seeing as to were our tablet technology is at present, this is going to be a big jump towards more brilliant and creative ideas.

Here's a video of the actual demonstration: