Friday, May 20, 2005

End of the Semester

The semester is over. Looking back to snowy weather I was wondering how the past few months would have panned out. With the ArtMobs project I pitched in the most with collaboration for ideas and Print publicity. So far none of the zines I emailed have gotten back to me but I'm not too worried as the New York Times has picked up the story (or is going to?). Speaking of the New York Times, they recently reviewed an off-off Broadway show at the theatre I intern at, The Looking Glass. Also, I have an acting spot in its Spring Forum, my show goes up from June 16-19. Swing by if you are in the area.

Thanks to Gilbert for a knowledge filled semester. I learned sooo very much.

Cheers!

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Long TailllllllllL

Organizations can use information/statistics they receive on recommendation lists/posts. Just as that one novel about climbing (or the like) blew up once another one similar to it blew up first, and the one that didn’t sell right away ended up selling more then the one being marketed. It’s all about word of mouth. I’d believe a recommendation from another shopper with similar interest than I would the ad or commercial of a product. Organizations, lets say, Amazon can take which products are being bought most by way of consumer recommendations THEN implement them into their marketing strategies. Better yet, they end their marketing strategies and focus mainly on what other customers say and how that influences sales. Instead of promoting a new paperback from Random House on the right column of a web page, there could be customer thoughts and what else they bought when buying that one particular book. Organizations don’t have to sit around and try and figure out the thoughts or mental state their consumers go through, because they are openly sharing what they think. Organizations can take a step back and let the consumers do the marketing for them. What organizations can then focus on is which products the consumer will then buy from the reviews/other items bought. There is probably a way to determine the numbers for when and how many and for how long customers listen to each other and/or are shopping only from what other customers have said or bought already. Thus, it is all word of mouth.

Folksonomy #7

A folksonomy is good for an organization because the non-traditional persons who are tagging information create a key-in for the traditional, taxonomy persons to get the inside scoop (for lack of a better phrase). Within a taxonomy, the CEO, for example wouldn't know how or what their lower scaled employees think. However, if there was a impromptu blog started on the negatives and positives of this CEO's company, he would then be able to find out insider info. The folksonomy within an intra net is a smart way to look for impairment and ways to solve them.

What I would like to see is an online folksonomy/evaluation for Marymount. Students and teachers could blog complaints and delights while using tags. Filling out paper evaluations at the end of each semester does help and makes the student feel worth while, like they have a hand in choosing teachers. However, when a student is finishing a final or is in the last day of class their mind isn't keyed into the overall status of their professor. My idea for an online evaluation would be a web site that runs for only a specific amount of time once a semester is over. That way students/staff/faculty have leisure to think about what they want to say and are not forced to do it under a small amount of time. Tags would be labeled students, majors, staff, events, etc. Although the site would start unofficially, the thoughts would initiate solutions or praise to the directed areas.

A folksonomy would be very organizational for a group of photographers or a sorority. The photographers would be able to label, list and easily find photographs from a certain kind of shoot, model, or photographer. The sorority's could do the same except they could expand to not only service the chapter in their school, but the state and eventually, country. Really, the possibilities are endless. Laura understands that it's about bringing people together. Everybody get together, try to love one another right now. Right Now. Whoooaaa...aaho.... Photographers could find inspiration, ideas, contacts, and sororities can do the same.

If you still don't exaclty know what a folksonomy is, and how it is useful, Chris gives a good explination, equipped with examples.

Cheers!