On the Internet, Nobody Knows you're a Dog: #3

I laughed when I first looked over the cartoon, "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're A Dog." I analyzed the cartoon in a way that brought a specific meaning to me. It is so important to understand that we have no idea who anyone really is on the web. With the line, Nobody Knows, points out that no one really does know who they are dealing with online. We must protect ourselves, and importantly, truly represent who we are in a positive light. What we allow others to see about us online can be either very detrimental or positive. We need to keep this in mind when we let any personal information about us online.

Facebook: #3

After reading the article, "A mother and daughter face up to Facebook," by Debra Bruno I almost started to chuckle. Just recently my mom got a Facebook account. She is 43 years old and is now on the same social networking system I use constantly. At first Initially, I was weary about accepting her friend request. Her having access to my Facebook page meant she now had access into my life. She could read my current status, look at my "party" pics, and even read what others were writing on my wall. As weird as it may sound, it does not bother me that my mom can look at my Facebook page whenever she wants because she is truly one of my best friends, and isn't Facebook centered on "FRIENDS"?

The Coming Tug of War Over the Internet: Online #2

I personally use the search engine Google. Honestly, I have no idea why, but I believe it must be do to "branding." However, those who use search engines use the engine which provides them with the best information possible. As consumers, we have also chosen which online shopping sites we used frequently. Washington Post writer, Christopher Stern helps online users become aware of what some major telephone companies have in mind. "The nation's largest telephone companies have a new business plan, and if it comes to pass you may one day discover that Yahoo suddenly responds much faster to your inquiries, overriding your affinity for Google. Or that Amazon's Web site seems sluggish compared with eBay's." These companies would for a set price give one company priority on their networks over another. It is interesting that these carries have figured out just another way to make more money. I personally believe that internet providers should allow the consumer to decide what search engines and shopping sites they wish to use.

When google is not your friend! Online #2

After reading the article, "When Google is not your friend" I gained a greater understanding of how public ones actions are on search engines. CNET newswriter,Declan McCullagh said, "It's only a matter of time before other attorneys realize that a person's entire search history is available for the asking, and the subpoenas begin to fly. This could happen in civil lawsuits or criminal prosecutions." I find it interesting that people are concerned about attorneys subpoenaing search engine information. The question that comes to me is, "If you have nothing to hide, then why would it matter?" I believe having access to search engine information will only aide in helping prosecute criminals. An example a search engine history being used against an individual was when a North Carolina man was found guilty of murder because he used the words "neck", "snap", "break" and "hold" on a Google search prior to the murder of his wife.

Online Jcom Reading 1

After reading about e-mail etiquette, I now understand how I should handle e-mails in a professional manner. I use e-mail to contact professors, friends, co-workers, and colleagues on a regular basis. It is now my goal to take some of the tips offered, and use them in my e-mail conversations. First off, I am going to make sure my e-mails are concise and to the point. Secondly, I am going to make sure I respond to all e-mails within 24 hours, even if it is just a follow up e-mail which reads, I have received the e-mail and will respond shortly. Thirdly, it is my goal to always read over e-mails I intend on sending to make sure they are free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

I was aware that etiquette existed, but I did not know that there is "Netiquette." It makes sense that there should be rules on how to behave online considering how much of our lives spent using online services. Personally, I do not believe it is necessary to buy books on "How to Behave Online" but I do feel that inappropriate online behavior can have serious consequences. As long as people use traditional daily etiquette in their online use, one should not be concerned that they are acting in an unprofessional manner. I did find that reading the core rules of "Netiquette" is the perfect way for people to refresh their minds on how to behave online.

Final Proposal Paper B3A's

Proposal

Part One: Summary

We are a public relations team formed at Utah State University. As a team we are asking for the Advancement Department to help us find the resources which can provide the money necessary to add an additional section to the Mass Media Law course. It is not our intention to remove the current professor, but to add another section and remodel the current teaching methods, specifically in creativity and grading distribution. Adding another section would require the budget request of between $3,000 and 4,000 dollars. Currently, the Mass Media law course lacks creativity and diversity in classroom methods and is inconsistent in grading and bias. With such a respected PR program at USU, Mass Media Law must be the highest quality of education offered. We hope to add to the reputation of the highly esteemed PR program at USU at the same time giving students the education they yearn for.

Part Two:

We are approaching the Advancement Department because currently the Journalism and Communication department does not have the funds necessary to add an additional section. With the current budget cuts, we recognize funds are tight. Adding a second section would cost the department between $3,000 and $4,000 dollars. It is understood that the funding for the section will pay the additional instructor. We are asking for the instructor to be a lawyer with a Jurist Doctorate. With this being said, adding an additional section will make students pleased. In turn, once these students graduate they will be more likely to donate money, resources, and time back to USU because of their positive experience.

Part Three:

Currently, students are far from happy with the level of education they are receiving from the Mass Media Law class. Students are frustrated because they are paying for a class which is not being taught at a professional level. We are not asking for the additional class to be easier by any means because it is understood USU offers challenging and beneficial courses. Reading directly out of a book from class lacks creativity and limits the learning capability of students. With a world full of constant revolutionized technological innovations, the question can than be posed; Why is the professor reading from a book? Utah State’s Journalism department’s reputation is at stake due to the inconsistent grading and bias toward particular students.



Part Four:

Our objective is to have a lawyer come in and teach the second section of Mass Media Law. We will not be using public tax payer’s money (we can pick whoever we want to be the executive in residence), it will be donated money for that specific purpose.
The money will be put into an endowment account, which draws the interest, which is the money that will go toward paying the lawyer.


Part Five:

As students in the esteemed Journalism and Communication emphasizing in Public Relations department, we have taken what we have learned from classes such as Beginning Newswriting, Introduction to Mass Communications, Media Smarts, Introduction to Public Relations, and Writing for Public Relations we as students have developed the skills these courses educate, and in turn have applied it to real life. We have set up interviews, decided upon appropriate media outlets, followed the ethics of journalism, and most importantly compiled the information necessary for purposing a campaign that will benefit the Journalism department and its students.

Part Six:

We need to find out how much it would cost to actually add another section as well as add the funds necessary for hiring another professor to teach this section. Considering we are concerned with the current teaching methods, we as a group must decide if additional funds need to be added for speakers, technological expenditures, etc.

Part Seven:

We are asking for your help in advancing the funds necessary in creating a Mass Media Law class which is highly academically esteemed. We are asking for an additional section to be added due to the vast amount of students in the class and the numerous frustrations towards the course itself. This section can be taught by the same professor, but an entire revamp of teaching methods must be required. It is our proposal that the Journalism Department decide upon appropriate teaching methods for the course and fair grade distribution.

Please call any team member at your convenience for more information or any additional question.




Amanda Clyde Amanda Kramer Brittany Clark Amy Morris
801-864-4382 435-764-5847 801-502-9351 801-558-3648

pr 2300

I recently had the opportunity to talk with a reporter for channel 5 news. She called to discuss the recent events at USU and gave me advice on how to handle the media which would soon be breathing down my throat for information. Her advice goes as follows:

1. Treat the Media with respect when contacted
2. Direct them to the people responsible for commenting on the issue
3. It is perfectly acceptable to say "No comment"

I asked her if I should have information ready for the media such as press releases, interview questions etc and she said, "No, direct them to USU public relations and the organization at hand."