Screen vs. print document design

For screen (webblog) design, there are two issues indicated by Jonah (2007), as it is hard for people to read online information rather than print document and most of the people viewed through the page partially. Hence, the design of screen must contain several important elements in order to overcome such matters to attract the interest of reading of the readers. 

First, typography. As Bear (2011) indicated, fonts that looks nice on print might be difficult to read on screen, unless the font itself have been designed earlier and stored in the system.

(Source from http://www.atrissi.com/index.php?pageID=9)

Secondly, graphics. For print document, you can draw any shape or whatever design you like (even it is not a wonderful design); however, for screen, you'll have to learn some programs to create and design and this would cost plenty of time. Unless, the graphic itself can be re-use again and again, drawings of print would be hard to imitate as the actual same for the next. 

(Source from http://weburbanist.com/2009/09/21/communication-dedication-15-amazing-graphic-designers/?ref=search)

Thirdly, colour. On the screen, colour is usually a browser-safe colour schemes, which might be cause readability differences on print compared with screen. 

(Source from http://esharkdesign.com/index.php/archive/2008/02/)

Next, navigation. Hyperlinks which able to link from one page to another fasten the time of searching information compared with print. 

(Source from http://documentation.ektron.com/current/webhelp/Navigating/Menus/Menu_Server_Control.htm)

Last, page composition. In print design, page printed are standardized as people viewed the design in the same size, colours, etc. Meanwhile for screen design, it can be dynamic and flexibly change the fonts from time-to-time based on the designer himself/herself. (Source from Bear 2011)

(Source from http://desktoppub.about.com/od/layout/tp/composition.htm)

References:

1. Bear, J.H. 2011, 'Print Design vs. Web Design', about.com, Retrieved from <http://desktoppub.about.com/od/transitionprintweb/tp/Print_Design_vs_Web_Design.htm> [Accessed on 26th August 2011]

2. Jonah, 2007, 'Document Design: Blogs vs. Print', red dot semiotik: sociopolitical and electronic publishing commentary in Singapore, <http://semiotik.wordpress.com/document-design-blogs-vs-print/>[Accessed on 26th August 2011]

New forms of media publishing

When we talking about new media, it is no longer the desktop or laptop we've having now, but some innovative items such as iphone, ipad or smartphone which allowed the users to use internet and thus connect and publish or share their information directly whenever or wherever they are, etc. 

According to Hibbert B (1999), there are two things which driven the rise of new publishing technologies, which is cost-saving and the creation of new opportunities. As mentioned, it is cost saving due to the budgets which have been removed such as  printing costs, advertising costs, etc. Moreover, sellers which have not much budgets but they wish to open a store could be done through new media as they would have less risk to enter/exit the online market, thus cost-efficient. 

Other than that, as internet is fast and vast, the new forms of media publishing allowed the users get to see or update themselves the news or information in every moments. For instance, we do not have to wait for the next day to see for the hot news but only browse through the website to get the up-dated information we wish to see. 

There are several examples of new media, which includes:

(a) Online newspaper, magazines, books

(Source from http://www.adpunch.org/entry/newspapers-online-ad-spend-shot-up-22-percent-in-first-quarter/)

(b) Youtube (Videoblog)

(Source from http://dvd-photo-slideshow.com/photo_slideshow_movie_YouTube.html)

(c) Google, Facebook, Twitter 

(Source from http://vator.tv/news/2011-02-10-again-facebook-google-fighting-for-twitter)

In another word, as long as there is an internet connection, new media publishing is an alternative options for people to work out their update their knowledge and able to communicate throughout worldwide. 

Reference:

1. Hibber, B 1999, 'Publishing and the media industries in the digital age', The Journal of Policy, Regulation and Strategy for telecommunications information and media, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 393 - 403, Retrieved from <http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/journals.htm?issn=1463-6697&volume=1&issue=5&articleid=873838&show=pdf> [Accessd on 26th August 2011]. 

Explain briefly types of blogging communities & methods to build blogging communities. Then, discuss the structure of one blogging community in brief.

Types of Blogging Communities

According to White (2006), there are three types of methods that build up these blogging communities, which are One Blog Centric Community, Topic Centric Community and Boundaried Community. 

(Source from http://ali-parvin.blogspot.com/2010/09/types-of-blogging-communities_29.html)

As White (2006, p.9) indicated, one blogging community is usually a basic form of blog for readers to comment and get to know the authors but also the community of commentors. Somehow, there is an issue in such community. Even the commenters could response with the bloggers, they did not possess the capability to control the topic. 

Methods to build Blogging Communities

According to Shupe (2011) , there are five tips to build up the blog communities. First, get involved. Participate to promote your blog. Build up more interest topics or comments which able to lead the attention of the communities as "you're always there!" to update the blog. Secondly, offer new value. For those Collaborative blog, they can post up some additional benefits for their readers especially up-to-dated information so the readers would be willing to browse the blog daily. Thirdly, hold a contest. Incentives are always one of the most effective way to attract public. Publishing through Tweet it and Facebook, could be another advance method to build your community. Next, choose the right network. There are several great sites which allowed the bloggers to enter, such as lowyat.com, jbtalks.net, etc. These forums have some similar features as blog however gathered higher rate of people. Hence, instead of your own blog, these forums are other options for communities building. Lastly, make your blog earn money for you. This can be done through placing some affiliate advertsings at the sidebar of your blog. 

More and more and more... 

(Source from  http://redheadva.com/)

References:

1. Shupe, R. 2011, '5 Ways to Build Your Blog Audience', Business 2 Community, Retrieved from <http://www.business2community.com/social-media/5-ways-to-build-your-blog-audience-046823> [Accessed on 21st August 2011]. 

2. White, N. 2006, 'Trying to Explain. Blogs and Community:Launching a New Paradigm for Online Community?', Australian Flexible Learning Framework, 11th edn, pp. 1 - 41, Retrieved from <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/The%20Knowledge%20Tree%20Ed%2011.pdf> [Accessed on 25th August 2011].

Classification of blogs & opinion about the most appropriate classification approach

Classification of Blogs

According to Belardo (2011), there are five types of blog which are common seen to use by most of the bloggers.

Type 1: Collaborative Blog

(Source from http://www.wpthemes.com/studiopress-magazine-theme/)

Blog which has multiple authors. Articles posted are usually need at an agreed upon decision making. More likely used between the editor and its writer. Contain rules or guides in such blog. 

Type 2: How To / Tutorial Blog

Step 1.. Step 2..

(Source from http://irenfa.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/tutorial-membuat-blog-untuk-pemula/)

Blog which the authors used to give instruction in how to do/process something, or to teach people in detailed regarding some particular topic the authors interested. Step by step instructions are usually given as a tutorial section to lead an understanding for the readers. 

Type 3: Travel and Cultural Blog

(Source from http://www.writtenbysumer.com/blog/2010/05/top-5-best-blog-designs/)

Blog which for authors who loved to travel share their journeys and experiences. No technical expertise is required as the original form of author which performed are usually the best presentation to capture the attention of people who are interested in travel and cultural.

Type 4: Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

(Source from http://www.wikio.com/blogs/top/fashion?start=60)

This kind of blog is generally like to look good. Authors can make some recommendation based on their wearing experience, or some more introduce new fashion/current trends which what is going on to the fashionita recently, etc. 

Type 5: Personal Blog

(Source from http://www.allblogtools.com/blogger-templates/2-columns/personal-blog/)

Most common type which used by most blogger. Authors are usually the type which likely to voice out their experiences. A range of personal information such as about me, hobbies, interests, etc. Any of the details which the author is willing to share. 

My perspective 

Besides the basic types of blog which I’ve provided above, there are still various types of blogs which existed throughout the global networks. For instance, political blog, gossip blog, etc. (Can be refers to Rowse 2005).  

Depends on the preferences of the blogger himself/herself, these blogs could be performed in multiple forms as people have different perspectives in expressing their opinions.  

References:

1. Belardo, M 2011, The 5 types of Blogs | Which One Suit You Best?, Ink Rebels, Retrieved from <http://www.inkrebels.com/insp/the-5-types-of-blogs-which-one-suits-you-best/> [Accessed on 26th August 2011].

2. Rowse, D 2005, 20 Types of Blog Post - Battling Bloggers Block, Problogger, Retrieved from <http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/11/29/20-types-of-blog-posts-battling-bloggers-block/> [Accessed on 21st August 2011] 

Blogs as current phenomenon & benefits of blogging to the community

Current Blog Phenomenon

With the media revolution and the rise of global networks, the emergence of the contemporary world today brought out many new things, and blog was one of them.

As a matter of fact, blog phenomenon can be said as a common phenomenon today which indicated a new way of life, work, learning and communication as it is getting accepted and used by most of the internet users, which they are also known as Bloggers (Tan, Na & Theng 2011, p.425). Other than that, blog provides a platform for individuals as a new means of expression, which these included wisdom and ideas to voice out, as it highlighted the right of every citizen's freedom to speech. 

I need to speak out loud!!!!
(Source from http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily/2011/02/promoting_voice_over_demos.html)

Benefits of Blogging to the Community 

On the other hand, getting blog for community through global networks removed the barriers of sociality amongst the countries as the relationships between bloggers and readers can be connected through their postings worldwide. In another word, we can make friends globally via literature. Through the postings by the bloggers, people can share, discuss and learn from others' experiences who possessed different background and cultures, thus get to know convergence friends and managed to get in-depth communication, or as we can say, exchange ideas to have the same aspirations and persuasion.   

We're staying in the same planet...
(Source from http://mygenerationsdigitalreporter.blogspot.com/2010/06/internet-today-by-sara-takaki-and-sonia.html)

As mentioned by Karger & Quan (2004, p.214), Web logging ("blogging") has turned out to drag out multiple functions instead of just the origin purpose of Web, such as semantic blogging. The semantic blogging which usually used by bloggers has become one of the key interpretations for current phenomenon which bloggers can directly blog the articles that they're interesting to share with users who blogged their blogspot. (Karger & Quan 2004, p.215)

For instance, newspaper online...

(Source from http://www.adpunch.org/entry/newspapers-online-ad-spend-shot-up-22-percent-in-first-quarter/)

In another word, user-friendly metaphor which bloggers apply into their blogs today seem could probably gain more attention and likeable from the readers. 

Reference:
1. Karger D.R. & Quan, D. 2004, 'What Would It Mean to Blog on the Semantic Web?', S.A.Mcllraith et al. Edn, pp. 214 - 228, The Semantic Web, Retrieved from <http://www.simonegrassi.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/lcqgewykavhvle8y.pdf> [Accessed on 7th November 2011]
2. Tan, Luke Kien-Weng Na, Jin-Cheon & Theng, Yin-Leng 2011, Influence detection between blog posts through blog features, content analysis, and community identity, 'Online Information Review', vol.35, no.3, pp.425 - 442, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Retrieved from <www.emeraldinsight.com/1468-4527.htm> [Accessed on 23rd August 2011]

Purpose of My Blog

This webblog is aim to provide a room for blogger community of like-minded folks (especially my IPD fellows who are currently taking IPD course) to share or discuss their perspectives regarding the social networking media which have become the current trend that arise in recent years. 

(Source from http://churchwhisperer.com/2009/09/01/making-our-words-count/)