Over the course of the last three months I have learned a great deal about web2.0 and the online world. Of course I knew about blogs, but I never really thought of having one myself. I always thought of bloggers as people sitting at their computers and whining about their days online. The whole thing seemed pointless and annoying. However, after learning about metrics and the importance of having a web presence my point of view has changed drastically.

From many of my instructors I had heard about the importance of personal branding and the importance of a web presence. I always took this to mean having a professional profile online through something like LinkedIn, or at least having a clean Facebook profile. While some had mentioned a having a blog I thought it was more important for aspiring writers than for someone like me who longs to sit all day long combing through unfinished manuscripts in quiet. The importance of a web presence really didn’t hit me until I became involved with On the Danforth Magazine and was asked to create a web strategy for the magazine with a group of my peers for an assignment.

During our first group meeting my team and I had to come up with a reason why we should have a web component to the print version of the magazine. For those who don’t know, On the Danforth is a free magazine published by the students of Centennial College. One of the major challenges that the magazine faces is that each issue is produced by a different group of students, and because it is a free magazine we do not get any feedback from our readers through circulation reports. It was with this realization that the web component became so important; we need feedback to make the magazine better with each issue.

The web is teeming with information and every day millions of people go online and post their opinions through message boards, blogs, and, of course, through social networking sites like Facebook. If you want an opinion on something all you have to do is type the subject matter into a search engine and you will be overloaded with information. For web professionals, this is very important information.

Learning about metrics taught me that web masters are often looking at their web page’s statistics to see who is visting their site and how often. However, statistics can only give you so much information. Through my course instructor and a couple of very knowledgable guest lecturers I learned how important bloggers really are to web development.

My instructor one day told us about a web conference that she had just come back from. She told us that at this conference a large group of web professionals were having troubles deciding what to do with their websites. From this she asked us a few different questions. As always, our class was pretty quiet and nobody was raising their hands with the answers. We all sat there waiting for the solution to her questions. This is when she told us that there was no solution; we were the ones who had to create the solution. She explained to us that web professionals rely on our opinions in order to do their job more effectively. They know what works technically, but they rely on our feedback to know if what they are doing is actually valuable.

While I am still not sure if I will continue to blog after this course is done I have definitely learned the value of the blogging world. It is the bloggers (at least the ones who blog about real issues, and not about how their coffee tasted burnt that morning) who keep the web going. It is tools like web2.0 and CMS that allow us web users to help mold the internet in our image.

It might seem hypocritical for me to praise bloggers and to preach the importance of a blog when I say that I may not continue to blog, I feel that I have done my duty. I have already convinced three of my friends to start blogs, and I’m happy to say that they have already started posting.

So do the same. Pay it forward…blogger’s style

Over the past three months specifically I have started using many new web technologies that I find fun and exciting. These include websites such as pbwiki, Twitter and, of course, wordpress.com. With pbwiki my design options are limited, but seeing as the primary aspect of pbwiki is to communicate with peers and manage projects, it is not something that will deter me from using this site. With Twitter I can change the colours and background images for my account pretty much limitlessly. The one website that I am having some frustration with is – you guessed it – wordpress.

I have always had my doubts about blogging and am still not sure if it is something I really want to do, but I have to wonder if my design frustration is affecting this attitude. In my opinion, a personal blog should reflect your personal attitudes and opinions. However, I feel that I cannot express myself visually with wordpress.

Don’t get me wrong, wordpress has many great features. For someone who has never blogged before I have had practically no trouble learning how to use the widgets, create pages and publish posts. My only frustration with the site is the fact that I am limited to pre-set wordpress themes.

WordPress itself has a limited amount of themes that you can choose for free. To be specific, there are actually 87 themes to choose from, but am I the only one who can’t find the perfect look? It seems to me that whenever I find a layout that I like I don’t like the colours, or the fonts, or it doesn’t support a widget that I want to use. It seems to me that I just can’t get what I want out of wordpress!

Now I know that there are websites out there where I can find other wordpress themes (like at socialcmsbuzz.com), but all the ones I like seem to cost money, and (I know I am being a little pessimistic here) I am sure that if I went ahead and purchased a theme that I would find something I wanted to change but couldn’t.

Out of the 87 free themes that wordpress offers there are quite a few that have customizable colours or header images, so why don’t all of them? Why do only some of them support certain widgets (like subscribe RSS) or have customizable column widths? I remember being in high school at age 15 and starting a personal web page. I can’t remember what supported it, or even if it’s still out there, but I do remember being able to choose fonts, sizes and colours. In this fascinating world of web2.0, is it so much to ask to be able to change my fonts to something that I like?

This is my call for a new era. The era of “Content Management and Customization Systems” for those of us who do not know how to code or create our own themes.

Vote in the poll below or post a comment to let us know what you think.

Would you like to see more customizable wordpress themes?
( online surveys)

No matter where in the world you live there is one factor that unites us all: safety. From an early age we are taught the basics of safety at home and in school. However, even with this basic safety information, approximately 9,000 Canadians die each year from accidental death. We need to take a step back to the basics. By following these simple rules you can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

Beware of Strangers

Criminals can be found anywhere

“While most people are good and decent, you have to be aware that some have bad intentions, or are – excuse my bluntness – just stupid,” say retired Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer, Sonny Somers.
As children we are taught to never talk to strangers, and this is something that we forget as we age. You always have to be careful with strangers as people themselves can pose a threat. “Crime rates are dropping by around 9 per cent a year, but there are still people that hurt other people,” warns Somers. While it can be difficult to avoid strangers in public places, it is in the home that we need to be the most careful. The OPP’s personal safety guide warns to not “unlock your door to strangers. Learn to speak through the closed door. It’s not impolite; it is safer.”

Communicate

A cell phone can allow you to call for help

Cell phones have become a major part of safety in the last few years. Many of us carry cell phones and many have used one in an emergency and many of us feel safer having one with us. They can be used to call a friend for help, or in more serious situations to call 911.
While cell phones are useful in many situations, they may not always help. If you are by yourself and something happens you may not be able to access or use your phone. “There are still many people that don’t have cell phones, but I have seen many people use someone else’s phone in an emergency,” says Somers.
Many people also believe that cell phones can help prevent crime. Somers advises that using a cell phone while walking home alone can deter a criminal from targeting you. “Just being on the phone with someone lets others know that someone will immediately know if something happens to you.”

Avoid Dangerous Areas

Dangerous places are around us all the time

“There are dangers everywhere and most of the time we are ignorant about them,” says Somers. The OPP’s safety guide also states that you should “plan your route and avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots or unlit areas.” We have to be aware that there are dangerous things surrounding us and we have to be aware of what they are so that we do not put ourselves in danger.
The National Crime Prevention Centre also recognizes this and says that “architects and planners [are applying] specific design principles to enhance public safety.” This includes keeping busy paths away from dangers like water and close to well-lit roads.
Some of the many dangers that we face everyday include unsafe ledges and bodies of water. In 2007, approximately 2,000 people died of accidental falls and 251 people died from drowning. It is important to think about what you are doing to reduce the risk of harm. For example, do not go close to bodies of water if you cannot swim. Not putting yourself in a dangerous situation significantly reduces the risk of harm or accidental death.

Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Road

Streets are some of the most dangerous places around

In Canada, the most accidental deaths are vehicle related. Over 3,000 Canadians die each year from vehicular accidents. “In my opinion people just don’t pay enough attention while out on the road. This includes motorists and pedestrians,” says Somers.
As pedestrians we need to follow the age-old wisdom of looking both ways before we cross the road. Many of us jay walk across busy streets and many of us are oblivious to the sound of oncoming cars with the mp3 player being so popular. Many vehicular accidents involving pedestrians are not necessarily the pedestrians’ fault. In icy winter weather many cars accidentally slide through intersections and hit innocent pedestrians. By just pausing to look at traffic you can save yourself from getting hit.
As drivers we need to be aware of what we are doing on the road and what other people are doing as well. We very often see drivers on their cell phones or eating when they should just be driving. We also see people pulling dangerous moves on the road such as weaving in and out through traffic. Most provincial driving manuals state that it is a privilege for us to drive, so we all need to start acting like it. By being a responsible driver and by paying attention to other vehicles on the road you can significantly decrease the chance of an accident.

Give Us Your Feedback!

Do you have any more safety tips for us? Do you have any concerns? Do you want more information? Post a comment to let us know what you think about Safety 101!

Additional Links

Public Safety Canada, National Crime Prevention Centre

Ontario Provincial Police. “Crime Prevention Tip Sheets: Personal Safety”

Understanding Situational Crime Prevention

National Crime Prevention Centre – Evidence-Based Crime Prevention   (PDF)

Situational Crime Prevention as a Key Component in Embedded Crime Prevention  (PDF)

The Canadian Living website has a great array of web2.0 features. On this website you can find many RSS feeds for things such as their feature articles or a recipe of the day. All of their articles have the “Share This” feature that lets you bookmark the page using Delicious or so you can link the page to Facebook. This website also features many blogs such as “The Foodie File” and the “Mom Blog.” They also have a video section where you can watch short clips in categories such as entertaining, baking and health and wellness. On top of all this  they also have free e-newsletters and internet freebies such as downloadable coupons and desktop backgrounds. All of these features are beneficial to the reader as it offers them so much more than they can ask for from the print edition. The instructional videos and the downloadable features are something that is just not available in a print version. Being able to follow the RSS feeds is a bonus as well because the website content is being updated fairly regularly while the print edition is monthly. Since the magazine can control their content easier they can bring their readers to their page on a daily basis instead of making them wait every thirty days.

Having the web2.0 website is beneficial to the publisher and the editor as they can continuously load as much content as they want. On the website they can have any articles that they just could not fit into the magazine. They can also have more timely articles as the website can be updated at any time while the print version only comes out once a month. For marketing representatives, having the videos, freebies and blogs advertised in the magazine drives more readers to the website and helps to keep them there, making Canadian Living Magazine a more permanent installment in their lives. For advertisers the website helps because they can advertise twice as much as in the magazine. There is no space limit, and if the readers are being driven to the website on a daily basis then the advertising will be more largely seen.

Macleans
http://blog.macleans.ca/

Macleans Magazine has a web2.0 website, but while it is effective they have not employed all of the features that they could to make it the best they can. Most importantly, the Macleans website does not feature RSS feeds. This is a detrimental move because readers will not be notified when something new comes to the site, they have to seek it out themselves. Some of the web2.0 features that this website does employ is the “Share This” function, as well as an “Interact with Macleans” function that allows you to send articles and videos to your mobile phones and other social networking websites. The website also features many blogs put into categories such as arts and business. Blogs are important to have on this website as the readers are expecting more controversial and opinionated pieces, so blogs allow many writers to give their opinions more freely. The website also offers extras that are not available in print such as quizzes and video feeds. You are also able to comment on the articles and videos available on the site. This is all valuable to the reader as it allows them to participate and give their input on some of the more hard-hitting articles that they would not be able to do with the weekly print version.
This website is beneficial to the publisher and the editors as they can get feedback on their articles and judge what their readers really want to see in the print edition. Macleans is a weekly publication so having a website is not so much about being able to load extra content than it is about reader interaction. Marketing professionals can lead readers to the website with things such as the University Guide which is available online throughout the year. Also having items like the blogs that would appeal greatly to the readers of Macleans helps the marketing people direct readers to the website. For advertisers the website is a bonus as they can advertise more often and to a larger audience than they can in a print version.

The Walrus
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/

The Walrus online magazine has an amazing amount of web2.0 features. You can subscribe to many different RSS feeds, such as feeds for article, blogs and discussion threads. These keep the reader up-to-date on what’s happening on the website. In addition, there is the “Share This” feature that allows you to link the page you want to websites such as Delicious and Facebook. This website also offers links to some of their many podcasts. Through the website you can listen to the podcasts or you can link them and subscribe to them through iTunes. They also offer web extras such as contests, photos and extra articles. A website like this one is very valuable to a reader as it allows for a lot of participation. The print version of this magazine only comes out 10 times a year, so having so much web content allows the reader to stay in touch between print editions. The RSS feeds also keep the reader up-to-date by notifying them as changes happen so that they are never out of the loop. This website is clearly designed to let the reader interact with the content as much as possible.
For the publisher and editors this website allows them to post as much content as possible as they do not have as large a budget as Canadian Living and Macleans does. Their smaller budget keeps their page limit down for the print version, so the publishers and editors can still include all of the content they want by putting it online. For the marketing reps, the website is a great tool as there are so many exclusive articles online that it can really draw a loyal reader in. As well it can bring in new readers by having very clear and concise article titles that will show up well in a search engine. They also have an online store where you can buy merchandise such as their tote bags which have sold out and limited edition prints of their covers that have been designed by people such as Douglas Coupland. Since these items are exclusively online the marketing reps can drive traffic to the website based on the store. For advertisers having the website is an incentive for them to advertise with the magazine. The sales reps can draw them in with ads in both the print and online forms to help gain more advertisers for the magazine to push revenue.