Don’t Get Face-booked

A freshman engineering student at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario is facing expulsion after creating an online study group via a little social networking site called Facebook. Chris Avenir landed in trouble after his professor stumbled across the Facebook group (called Dungeons/Mastering Chemistry Solutions). Avenir is now facing 147 academic charges, one for every member of the group! For more details on the story, read this article from the Toronto Star.

Let’s put aside the fact that a virtual study group on Facebook is no more conducive to cheating than one that takes place in real-time in some library or residence. Let’s also put aside the fact that this student should probably be applauded instead of punished for his resourcefulness, ingenuity, and enthusiasm in deciding to administer to the group. What stories like this one ultimately teach (and there are so many of them), is that social networking sites like Facebook AREN’T PRIVATE. What makes these sites so valuable is also what makes them potentially dangerous: they are PUBILC spaces.

By now almost everyone has an anecdote or two in their pocket about the perils of facebooking. I know I do. When I was doing my undergrad at McMaster University, several students lost their coveted RA (resident advisor) positions after posting pictures on Facebook of themselves drinking alcohol in their rooms. Big mistake. RA’s are not allowed to drink while they’re on duty (which is basically around the clock). One of the powers-that-be came across the photos and shortly after the RA’s were fired.

The moral of the story (and it’s something of a downer) is that you have to be extremely careful about what information your putting on sites like Facebook. This is especially true in the context of institutional settings like schools, where this kind of technology proliferates so quickly that surrounding rules and regulations seem to be established on a whim. Of course, self-censorship can be tricky, as it’s not always clear what might come back to haunt you (I’m fairly sure Chris Avenir did not think he was doing anything that needed to be kept hidden).

For some more information about social networking and your privacy, watch the following video from Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

FEEDBACK:

• How private do you think Facebook is? Do you censor what you post?
• Do you think Avenir’s punishment is fair? Do you think he (and the 146 other members of the study group) were cheating?
• POST YOUR COMMENTS!

Can we trust the reviews?

I’ve come across another interesting Slate magazine article. This time it’s by Garth Risk Hallberg and titled “Who is Grady Harp?: Amazon’s top reviewers and the fate of the literary amateur.”

The basic premise of the article is as follows:

“Amazon had been hailed as a harbinger of “Web 2.0″—an ideal realm where user-generated consensus trumps the bankrupt pieties of experts. As I explored the murky understory of Amazon’s reviewer rankings, however, I came to see the real Web 2.0 as a tangle of hidden agendas—one in which the disinterested amateur may be an endangered species.”

What Hallberg uncovers is that Amazon’s Top 10 Reviewers (one of whom is Grady Harp) are being granted some major perks: free books, DVDs, even electronics. Hallberg also insinuates that some of these reviewers may be in the back pocket of the publishers, leading to some very biased reviews (like the one of his own book).

For those of us who read and trust customer reviews on sites like Amazon, this information is somewhat disturbing, though perhaps not very surprising. In an era when more and more people are getting their information from the web, it shouldn’t be a shock that companies try very hard to control their online-image, especially if it will mean financial gain. The question is whether this is simple savvy marketing, or a more insidious practice of deceiving the consumer.

One of those 20/20-type news shows (in fact, I think it was 20/20) recently rain a piece about reviews on travel websites such as TripAdvisor and Travelocity. According to this report, hotel reviews were often being written by various members of hotel staff. For example, a hotel manager would give her resort a glowing review. Conversely, she might give a negative review to a rival resort.

Not cool.

So how can we trust web-reviews? User-generated content is great; I’d always rather hear what the average person has to say about something than some hoity-toity expert. Still, I want to know that person has my best interest in mind and not simply their own.

What this all boils down to is that the world of Web2.0 is simply nowhere near as democratic as it supposes itself to be. So keep that in mind next time you buy a novel on Amazon based on a stellar review, or book that trip to Mexico because of all that positive response online.

FEEDBACK:
• Do you trust web-reviews? Do you write them yourself sometimes?
• How do you think web-reviews can be made less biased?

Wiki for the few?

I recently came across an interesting article by Chris Wilson on Slate.com titled “The Wisdom of the Chaperones: Digg, Wikipedia, and the Myth of Web 2.0 Democracy”—an intriguing headline to be sure.

The article basically details how supposedly democratic social-media sites like Wikipedia and Digg are actually run by a select number of uber-participators or “chaperones”. In other words, there are a handful of super-geeks (along with some secret algorithms) controlling the content of these notoriously egalitarian sites.

If I remember my grade 10 civics class well enough (which I most certainly do not) I think that makes these sites more of an oligarchy than a democracy, power being in the hands of the few instead of the many. For example, Wilson references the stat that “1 percent of Wikipedia users are responsible for about half of the site’s edits.”

This might be unsettling for some. Personally I’m just left wondering who exactly are these chaperones spending so much time and energy editing Wikipedia? Do they have jobs? Families? Friends? What compels them to dump so much effort into compiling and editing entries about pizza bagels, Tickle-Me-Elmo, and roller derby? Why dedicate yourself so wholly to the Wiki? Go outside and get some bloody fresh air!

But who am I to judge? Wikipedia is actually a very helpful site, which “holds its own against Encyclopedia Britannica in accuracy…and has many time more entries,” according to Wilson. Perhaps kudos is in order for those geeky few that keep Wikipedia in tip-top shape?

I’m personally not very interested in contributing to Wikipedia (call me apathetic when it comes to participatory media), though I do frequent the site; it is my go-to source when I want a quick answer to the question of “who or what is that?” I’m always thankful that someone (whoever they happen to be) has bothered to write something useful about, say, the adorable James Marsden (just to through an example out there).

Wilson concludes his article with the argument that “Digg and Wikipedia would do well to stop pretending they’re operated by the many and start thinking of ways to rein in the power of the few.” I take his point. These sites should fess up to their oligarchy status. As for reining in the power of the few, I’m not so sure. If the super-geeks are keeping these sites running smoothly and accurately, must they really be dethroned?

FEEDBACK:

• What do you think? Do you agree with Wilson that the democratic aspect of social-media needs to be better exploited?
• Or do you agree that it’s O.K. to let the few rein, so long as they are doing a good job? POST YOUR COMMENTS!

All A Twitter

Heard of Twitter? No? Don’t worry; I hadn’t either until a few weeks ago. For those of you who like to be up on the latest and greatest social networking tools the web has to offer, allow me to give you a brief introduction to Twitter.

Starting with the Wikipedia definition:
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send “updates” (or “tweets”; text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) to the Twitter website, via short message service, instant messaging, or a third-party application such as Twitterrific.
Updates are displayed on the user’s profile page and instantly delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone is the default).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

Still confused? Let’s break things down:

1) What is social networking?
We can think of social networks as “virtual communities.” Web-based networks of people who are communicating with each other in some way. Notable examples include Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, and of course Twitter.
This video from YouTube gives a quick overview of what is social network is and why it’s important:

2) What is micro-blogging?
Micro-blogging is basically blogging abbreviated. Posts are generally limited to 200 characters or less (in the case of Twitter to 140 characters or less). A micro-blog can serve as a kind of “update” or newsflash.

Now that you’ve got the basics, let’s have a closer look at Twitter itself. Twitter’s url http://twitter.com. The homepage gives a “what, why, and how” explanation of Twitter. This is also where you can sign up for your very own Twitter account. Yay!

3) Why does Twitter matter?
Jeff Jarvis (of the BuzzMachine blog) does a better job explaining this that I could. Have a read.

Finally, take a look at the following video, which gives you a view of what Twitter actually looks like and gives a brief explanation of how to use it. You can tell this stuff is cutting edge because the guy in the video sounds like he’s about 14!

Hope this information is useful to anyone thinking of getting a Twitter account, or who are simply wondering about its relevance.

FEEDBACK:

• Got more Twitter related questions? Post them!
• Love Twitter? Hate Twitter? What’s your opinion?

Destination Delicious (On The Danforth)

STUCK IN A RUT? What better way to escape the everyday than with some GASTRONOMIC GLOBETROTTING? Best part is there’s no need for any trains, planes, or automobiles. No lost luggage either. Simply walk down DANFORTH AVENUE, and in a single evening, even a single meal, you can take your taste buds for a trip.

The Auld Spot Pub, 347 Danforth Avenue

With tartan on the booths and twinkle lights on the ceiling, The Auld Spot Pub is a fusion of Scottish tradition and urban cool. Twelve beers on tap, a well-endowed wine list, and a surprising selection of scotches also make the pub an inviting venue for pre-dinner drinks. Enjoy an ample glass of sav blanc, or an Australian shiraz for red drinkers. If beer is your tipple of choice, try a pint of Murphy’s Irish Stout. As you drink, take in the décor: a map of “Scotland of Old”, a set of bagpipes on the wall, pictures of rugged looking Scotsman in quilts. And of course there’s the pig. The Auld Spot gets its name from a peculiar looking spotted swine (Auld Spot) whose picture is proudly mounted near the bar. For the Toronto Life review and a handy map, click here.

Here’s a picture of the interior of The Auld Spot

Mambo Lounge, 120 Danforth Avenue

Named the Best Latin American Restaurant by the Dine.TO awards, Mambo Lounge is the perfect locale from which to feel (and taste) some Cuban heat. Chef M.V. Theepan has crafted a tapas menu that provides spicy, spunky, sometimes saucy appetizer options. The coconut shrimp have a crunchy coating packed with fragrant coconut pieces. The Bon Bon de Pollo consists of chicken drumsticks in a mildly spiced sauce that has the distinct flavour of cumin. Or sample the Frituras de Cangrejo—a delicate crabcake with a crunchy, golden brown crust and a moist, meaty filling. For more information, click here.

Pan on the Danforth, 516 Danforth Avenue

It’s fitting to arrive in Greece just in time for the main event; this is Greektown after all. Pan on the Danforth serves up a selection of Greek entrees that will inspire visions of the Mediterranean’s azure skies and sparkling waters. The restaurant’s interior also evokes the comfort and relaxation of a good vacation, with cozy oranges and yellows further mellowed by the glow of candlelight. When it comes to making a dinner selection, the obvious (if somewhat cliché) choice is the chicken souvlaki. Sizable chunks of chicken are grilled and spiced to delicious consequence and paired with tzatziki, rice, potatoes, grilled veg, and mixed greens, though you won’t have much room left for salad. Portions are generous. For something a little special, try the stuffed Atlantic salmon. A delicate layer of phyllo pasty hides a rich filling of salmon, baby spinach, and mushrooms. For a review, click here.

Martinis to wash down all that good Greek food

Café Frappe, 519 Danforth Avenue

While Café Frappe isn’t exclusively French cuisine—the generic “European” is a more accurate descriptor—the right menu choices will have you saying “bonjour” to France. Modern, clean, and chic, the café does a splendid job at sumptuous desserts. Indeed, you don’t need to speak French to know that “crepe” and “parfait” spell delicious. Try a crepe filled with Nutella and bananas and drizzled with chocolate sauce. It’s comfort food with a sexy French accent. For those craving something really naughty, a parfait of walnuts, hot fudge, chocolate ice cream, and a pillow of whipped cream (with a cherry on top) is a simply seductive selection. No reviews, but here’s a map.

Embrujo Flamenco, 97 Danforth Avenue

Featuring the regional cuisines of Spain, Embrujo Flamenco will cap off your tasty travels with an enthusiastic “ole”! Wednesday through Sunday live flamenco music and dancing turn this tapas restaurant into a feast for the eyes and ears, in addition to the stomach. Chef and owner Jose Salgado hails from Andalucia, which also happens to be Spain’s flamenco epicenter. As a result, the entertainment and food are in perfect rhythm. The Paella Andaluza is a hearty dish of saffron infused rice with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels. Or tuck into the Queso de Cabra Con Miel, which is a savory and sweet combination of baked goat cheese and honey. For a review, click here.

FEEDBACK:

• Is there a Danforth destination that you think I’ve overlooked? Tell me about YOUR tasty travels on the Danforth.
• Been to one of these restaurants before? Let me know how you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) your experience.
• Stuck in a rut? Tell me how you escape the everyday. POST YOUR COMMENTS!

My favourite books

Not that my opinion counts for much, but I thought I would talk about some of my favourite books. In no particular order:

•  The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy: Roy’s writing is simply gorgeous. The language she uses (like poetry) is enough to make this a great book, but the story is also very compelling. Funny and often quite sad. I read The God of Small Things a few summers ago, but it really stuck with me. 

• Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen: I know, I know. It’s terribly cliche for a female English major like myself to include this on her list, but frankly I don’t care. I can’t even count the number of times of read P&P–and it gets better with every pass. Full of humour, romance, and that famous Austen wit. And who doesn’t love Mr. Darcy? I’ve read all of Austen’s books, and P&P always brings me the most pleasure. 
• Vernon God Little, DBC Pierre: Dark, twisted, and very funny. Not to mention loaded with profanities. Vernon Little is an unlikely hero, but you can’t help liking him. Pierre’s book isn’t for everyone (my mom hated it), but those with an off-beat sense of humour will appreciate this novel. 
• The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls: I read this memoir very recently, and couldn’t put it down. You cannot believe the things that happened to Walls growing up. Walls is a good writer with a good story, and you really root for her and her siblings. Good subway reading too.
• The Romantic + Helpless, Barbara Gowdy: Gowdy is my favourite author. She’s from Toronto, so her fiction has a real local flare. Her characters are always so well-drawn, and you tend to like even the bizarre ones. The Romantic is a love story, but not the feel-good kind. Helpless is probably the most reader-friendly of Gowdy’s books–reads a bit like a subdued thriller. Gowdy’s great. Go get her books.

      

web mag analysis

Vanity Fair

Vanityfair.com makes fairly strong use of web2.0 features. A link to RSS feeds is located at the bottom of the homepage, or at the top and bottom of all article pages. Available feeds include “The latest from VanityFair.com” which is features and columns about society, celebrities, and politics; “Wolcott’s Blog”, where James Wolcott “blogs about the intersection of politics and culture”; and “V.F. Dish”, which is a forum where V.F. readers can chat about news, celebrities, movies, politics, etc. These feeds can be added via My Yahoo, Google, and Bloglines. There’s also a link called “What is RSS” which explains Really Simple Syndication and how it can benefit the Vanity Fair reader. Besides RSS, VanityFair.com also offers opportunities to use social bookmarking services. Specifically, there is an option at the bottom of all article pages to “digg this”, “add to del.icio.us”, or “add to reddit”. Some articles also have embedded video, though not all.

While RSS feeds get prominent position on Vanity Fair.com, and are very accessible and user friendly, social bookmarking tools are a little harder to find—if you didn’t know what you were looking for, you might not locate them. Specifically, the links to the bookmarking services are in small, unexceptional print, and have no identifying logo. It would perhaps be helpful to include the logos and to place the bookmarking links at the top of articles where they would be easier to spot and utilize. In general, all of the web2.0 features would help current Vanity Fair readers keep up-to-date with the magazine between issues. Stakeholders interested in determining who Vanity Fair’s readers are and what they are reading (such as editorial staff and the publisher) would be able to trace this information through the bookmarking services and feeds. This would allow these stakeholders to better understand and cater to their readership.  

Chatelaine

While Chatelaine.ca does have web2.0 features, it could probably benefit from some refinement in terms and accessibility and workability. There is a link to RSS feeds at the bottom of the homepage, and also at the right side of any content pages. When you click any of the RSS feeds links, it directs you to a short blurb explaining RSS, and a button to subscribe to the Chatelaine feed. There is just one general feed for the site. When I clicked the link, I got a “page cannot display” message. I am not sure if this is a permanent issue with Chatelaine.ca, or only a temporary one—either way, I would not have been able to subscribe to the Chatelaine feed had I wanted to.

At the end of every article page you have an option to “Digg this”, “Post to del.icio.us” or “Share on Facebook”. All of these links include the recognizable logos of the bookmarking tools and have prominent, obvious placement, which could only be improved by placement at the top (instead of bottom) of article pages. Chatelaine.ca also has one blog called “Fresh Living with Jennifer Danter”. There are also forums where readers can post their photos, such as “The View From Your Window” and “Photos of Your Pets”. Despite these opportunities for reader interaction, Chatelaine.ca fails because it is difficult to locate said options. On top of this, the number of pop-up ads on the site made it very frustrating to navigate. In other words, the value of the web2.0 features is almost drained entirely by poor execution.

 Entertainment Weekly   

EntertainmentWeekly.com makes excellent use of web2.0 features. Right under “The Latest News” link, which has top position on the EW homepage, is an RSS link called “Get the Latest”. There is also an RSS link at the bottom of the homepage. In total, EW has 18 RSS feeds to choose from, including “DVD Reviews”, “TV Watch”, and “American Idol News”. The feeds can be subscribed to through My AOL, Google, My Yahoo, My MSN, and netvibes. There is also a small description of RSS feeds and how they work when you click an RSS link. In addition to RSS, EntertainmentWeekly.com uses social bookmarking tools. At the top of all article pages is an “add it” link. Scrolling over this link gives you the option of adding the article to any number of bookmarking services, including del.icio.us, Technorati, and Digg. All of the bookmarking services are represented by their respective logos. The EW website also includes two blogs: PopWatch and Hollywood Insider, which are updated frequently. Many of the web articles have embedded video. There was one missing feature that I found surprising: no reader forums. There is no place on EW’s site (that I could find) where readers can interact and voice their opinion.

Despite this one flaw, of the three sites I analyzed, EntertainmentWeekly.com was by far the strongest in terms of its web2.0 capabilities. The website is easily navigated and extremely cohesive. Certainly such extensive web content is a good way to lure new EW readers, while keeping existing ones. In addition, editors will be able to know what articles, writers, and topics are most popular by tracking which feeds are most popular and what content is being bookmarked. The site is also an excellent way to track reader demographics (via such services as google analytics) which can then be used to gain advertisers.