Lab 15: Video Services

Skype

Lab 14

Tasty Treats, is an edible fruit gourmet company that has recently just opened their doors to the public. A nice young couple started the company with an idea in mind to have their product of gourmet fruit assembled in a decorative style that is pleasing to the eye, to be sold over the Internet. By using this e-commerce system, the consumer then can have the product delivered fresh within the local area, without leaving the comfort of their home.

There is a problem; the couple that is running the business hasn’t a clue on how to properly decide which software package would best suit their online store of Tasty Treats. They have however, been able to narrow down three options of software packages that are legal to use for operating an online store: Zen Cart, PrestaShop, and osCommerce. To help them better decide, they have chosen five features that are included in each of the three software packages that are essential in a online business. The features are; the over all look and feel of the website that is easy to set up and operate by the owner as well as easy to use for the consumer, payment methods, inventory, customer care and shipping.

 When a customer first looks at a webpage it is important for the consumer to understand how the webpage operates as well as how easy the site is to manage for the owners. First, I will discuss the benefits of using the software ecommerce application of Zen Cart.  The Zen Cart software is designed to make online shopping easy for the customer as well as easy for the storeowners to manage and keep track of their webpage. Switching the setting of ones choice in the Admin area can easily control the store webpage layout. From there one can choose where you would like a side column to be placed and the width and length of the box, which side boxes you want to appear on the page, and enable/disable links in various places. Product attributes can also be added, for example, check boxes, and drop down list are just some of the attributes that come with the Zen Cart software. On the software product Prestashop, this web application is great because it has a managing system within the application, that the owners can keep track of inventory, orders, shipping, and customers. Prestashop software can be easily used where one can create a personalized online store, to which a variety of functions can be added.  Which is very useful for a business like Tasty Treats to allow more functions to be able to better market their product. Finally, osCommerce web application can be easily set up and customized to meet the many specific needs of the business. Using osCommerce application will support dynamic images so that the owners of the Tasty Treats can display pictures of their decorative food product. However, one can only display one image per product. There are not very many web features that will allow the web operator to personalize their webpage the way one would see fit using osCommerce.

In order for Tasty Treats to operate successful the business needs money. An online business will operate more successfully with a variety of payment modules so that all who want the product will be able to purchase it. Each Linux ecommerce web applications have payment modules that differ from each other. Zen Cart offers the fewest variety of payment methods. Zen Cart uses Paypal, and other merchant services as means for payment to the Tasty Treats for their business. Prestashop uses an unlimited use of payment methods. One can pay by using payment by banking wire, google checkout module; there is even the option for the customer to decide to use cash. This system is called Cash-On-Delivery (COD) for those who do not feel comfortable paying for a product online with their credit card, or would rather see the quality upon paying for it. Prestashop also offers preconfigured Paypal system. In osCommerce the application offers automatic setup of e-commerce payment systems: Authorize.com, 2checkout.com, ChronoPay.com, and a list of several other payment systems. There is an option for one to pay off line (manual) credit card payments, and online payment processing. The automatic setup feature of payment system, maybe a great function to have on the Tasty Treats webpage, or for those who are unsure about how to properly set-up a payment system. However, Prestashop offers an unlimited use of payment methods, compared to the other applications that only offer a number of payment systems.

Keeping track of the Tasty Treats inventory is key to running a successful business. The Tasty Treats business need to know what they have and don’t have to keep the customers informed about what products are available. Zen Cart offers a low stock notification to the administrator when the inventory is getting low. As I stated earlier, Prestashop offers a “back office” tool to manage the online business such as inventory. OsCommerce software, however, does not offer any tracking systems for inventory. Having the extra help from ones online web page of tracking inventory, may help the Tasty Treats business run more efficiently.

Once you are aware of your inventory, the owners can now better take care of the customers, because customer care is the number one must important aspect to keep a business operating. Zen Cart offers the customers to write product reviews, receive newsletters and product notification systems for the customer. Prestashop offers special deals (price reductions, gift vouchers), and has a loyal customer program, and customer product reviews. Prestashop offers a wide range of features to keep the customer happy and coming back for more of the product, compared to the other web applications. OsCommerce web application again, does not offer features to provide customer care.  

Shipping can be a hassle but with the options provided by each of the web applications, Tasty Treats can choose which shipping function best works for you. Zen Cart’s shipping options include, multiple carriers supported, including for pickup, free delivery in an area, and most major couriers and postal services. Zen Cart provides a shipping estimator that allows for the customer to be informed of their shipping cost prior to checkout. Prestashop controls the shipping of the Tasty Treats product by the “back-office” and has free shipping offers. OsCommerce has many shipping options compared to the other web applications, including by weight, price, or destination. Real time shipping quote integration with UPS, USPS, and FedEx. OsCommerce also includes zone-based shipping options as well as free shipping options as part of the customers order totals module.

Tasty Treats can now make a better decision on which web application they would like to use for their online business. I would suggest Prestashop to be chosen because of the many functions the web application could provide and take the Tasty Treats business to operate at the level of the owner’s desire. All of the five features that are essential in running an online business are provided through the Prestashop web application. 

Lab 11

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valderrama/ / CC BY 2.0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beigephotos/ / CC BY 2.0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailyinvention/ / CC BY 2.0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phrenzee/ / CC BY 2.0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/videocrab/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

In the video posted above,"Photography (1946)", briefly describes the different fields that 

are in photography. Along with the different types of equipment that is used in photography.

The film also provides ideas for those who are interested in working in photography, 

for example, taking pictures as hobby.

Lab 10

Free & Legal Music Downloads

http://www.iLounge.com/

• Days 2 Disaster by Gary Lester (New) 

http://www.ez-tracks.com

• Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas (Old)

http://itunes.apple.com/

• My Heart, Your Hands by Dommin (Old)

The websites I used provided free and legal music to be downloaded to the ipod touch. iLounge.com and Ez-track.com provided a broader list of free music choices of known artist and unknown artist, compared to itunes. Itunes offers a free download of a song of their choice. All of these websites provide songs that can be easily transported to the ipod touch.

Lab 9

Pandora 

 Artist from the U.S: 

• Lady Antebellum (Country)- Similar Recommended Artists: Zach Brown Band, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, & Keith Urban. 
• Beyonce (Modern R&B Styling)- Similar Recommended Artist: Ciara, Destiny's Child, Rihanna, Cherish, & Alicia Keys
• Britney Spears (Pop)- Similar Recommended Artist: Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, & Ashlee Simpson.          
  

International Artist: 

• Thomas Mars, vocalist in the band Phoenix, (Alternative Rock) From France - Similar Recommended Artists:  Phantom Planet, Keane, Jupiter One, The Virgins, & Goldspot.
• Bob Marley (Reggae) from Jamaica- Similar Recommended Artists: Wailing Souls, Dennis Brown, Steel Pulse, Ziggy Marley, & Stephen Marley. 
• Gilberto Gil (Bossa Nova / Jazz), from  Brazil- Similar Recommended Artists: Joao Gilberto, Jorge Ben Jor, Djavan, Antonio Carlos Jobim, & Chico Buraque. 

LastFM

Artist From the U.S.: 

• Lady Antebellum (Country)- Similar Recommended Artists: Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Gloriana, Jason Aldean, & Miranda Lambert. 
• Beyonce (R&B)- Similar Recommended Artists: Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Rihanna, & The Pussycat Dolls.
• Britney Spears (Pop)- Similar Recommended Artists: The Pussycat Dolls, Ashley Tisdale, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, & Kesha. 

International Artist: 

• Thomas Mars, vocalist in the Phoenix, (Alternative Rock) from France- Similar Recommended Artists: Passion Pit, Whitest Boys Alive, Vampire Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, & Kings of Convenience. 
• Bob Marley (Reggae) from Jamaica- Similar Recommended Artist: Ziggy Marley, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Peter Tosh, & Damian Marley.
• Gilberto Gil (mpb, Bossa Nova, Tropicalia) from Brazil- Similar Recommended Artist: Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Jards Macale', Luiz Melodia, & Tom Ze'. 

lala.com

Artists From the U.S.

• Lady Antebellum (Country)-  Similar Recommended Artist: Trace Adkins, Gloriana, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, & Miranda Lambert. 
• Beyonce (R&B) -  Similar Recommended Artists: Destiny's Child, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ciara, & Alicia Keys.
• Britney Spears (Pop)- Similar Recommended Artists: Black Eyed Peas, Jordin Sparks, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, & Pink. 

International Artists 

• Thomas Mars, vocalist from the band Phoenix, (alternative rock), from France- Similar Recommended Artists: The xx, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, Fever Ray, & Animal Collective. 
• Bob Marley (Reggae) from Jamaica- Similar Recommended Artist: Sly Robbie, The Untouchables, Lee Scratch Perry, Rita Marley, & U Roy.
• Gilberto Gil (Jazz) from Brazil- Similar Recommended Artists: Caetano Veloso, Jorge Ben, Gal Costa, Os Mutantes, & Nara Leao'.

GrooveShark.com

Artist from the U.S.

• Lady Antebellum (Country)- Similar Recommended Artists: Rascal Flats, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, & Miranda Lambert
• Beyonce (R&B)- Similar Recommended Artists:  Ciara, Destiny's Child, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, & The Pussycat Dolls.
• Britney Spears (Pop)- Similar Recommended Artists: Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Lady Gaga, Ashley Tisdale, & Kesha.

International Artist

• Thomas Mars, vocalist from the band Phoenix, (Alternative Rock) from France- Similar Recommended Artists: Kings of Convenience, Miike Snow, Ra Ra Riot, Friendly Fries, & Vampire Weekend.
• Bob Marley (Reggae) from Jamaica- Similar Recommended Artists: Ziggy Marley, Bob Marley &  The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Damian Marley, & Ky-Mani Marley. 
• Gilberto Gil (Jazz /Latin) from Brazil- Similar Recommended Artist: Space Boy, Tropicalia Ou Panis et Circencis, Bwana Trio, Ed Maciel e Orquestra, & Gal Costa. 

Each of the four services I used offered comparable recommendations for each artist. Although Grooveshark offered different recomendations compared to the other three services I used. Pandora was easy to use; I was able to find each national and international artist similar to the one I chose with ease. LastFM was just as easy as Pandora to find recommendations of artists of a similar genre. The source Lala was different for me to use, but it was still easy to find artist's whom were similar to the genre of artist I had chosen. Finally the source, Grooveshark, I found difficult to use. I had trouble searching for the tab of similar artist, and the website continuously shut down my browser. In all the sources, Pandora, LastFM, Lala, offered the most comparable recommendations. While Grooveshark offered some comparable recommendations to the other sources, while other recommendations were not.

Lab 8

1.) Genre: TV & Film

"B-Movie Cast" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publisher of Podcast: Chris McIntyre & Podcastalley.com

B.) Format of the Podcast: Opinion on films

C.) How frequently  the Podcast is Updated: Various times a week. There is no specific time or date that new blogs are posted.

D.) Intended Audience: Adults whom are interested in B-movies and cult move related.

E.) Number of Subscribers: 1160

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

2.) Genre: TV & Film

"Double Feature" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publisher: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence (Hosts' Eric Ingrum & Michael Koester.)

B.) Format: Talk Show

C.) How Frequently the Podcast is Updated: Weekly

D.) Intended Audience: Adult Movie Lovers

E.) Number of Subscribers: 3457

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google & eHow Book

3.) Genre: Technology

"Going Linux" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publishers: Larry Bushey, Tom Chaudoir, and Serge Rey.

B.) Format: Talk Show

C.) How Frequently the Podcast is Updated: Three episodes a month

D.) Intended Audience: Adults who are computer users who want to use Linux

E.) Number of Subscribers: 550

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

4.) Genre: Technology

"Just My Show" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publishers: JustMyShow

B.) Format: Interviews

C.) How Frequently the Podcast is Updated: Monthly

D.) Intended Audience: Those who are interested in Reto Pop Culture

E.) Number of Subscribers: 1415

D.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

5.) Genre: Travel

"Hawaii Vacation Connection" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publisher: Bruce & Yaling Fisher

B.) Format: Broadcasted Live

C.) How Frequently the Podcast is Updated: Every Wednesday & Friday at 3:00 PM Hawaii   time.

D.) Intended Audience: Adults interested in vacationing in Hawaii

E.) Number of Subscribers: 750

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

6.) Genre: Travel

"Travel with Rick Steves"

A.) Publisher: Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door Inc.

B.) Format: Call in- talk

C.) Frequency of updates: Weekly

D.) Intended Audience: Travel Enthusiasts

E.) Number of Subscribers: It does not list a number but shows a total 12 Comments and         60 Votes.

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

7.) Genre: Sports and Recreation

"NFL Rants and Raves"

A.) Publisher: Rants and Raves Network (Hosts: Steven Miranda & Jeff Ellis.)

B.) Format: Sports News

C.) Frequency of updates: Bi-Weekly

D.) Intended Audience: NFL Fans

E.) Number of Subscribers: It does not list a number but shows a total of 26 Comments and 53 votes.

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

8.) Genre: Sports and Recreation

"The Best of ESPN Radio"

A.) Publisher: ESPN.com

B.) Format: Opinion

C.) Frequency of updates: 5 days a week

D.) Intended Audience: Sports Fans

E.) Number of Subscribers: It does not list a number but shows a total of 0 Comments and 12     Votes.

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google

9.) Genre: Music 

"The Daily Mayo" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publisher: BBC

B.) Format: Music Radio

C.) Frequency of Updates: 5 days a week

D.) Intended Audience: All ages, for those interested in news, sport, film, music, science, and       more.

E.) Number of Subscribers: 1775

F.) Commercial Sponsors: Google & The BBC

10.) Genre: Music

"SA Roots & Blues" on Podcastalley.com

A.) Publisher: South Australian Roots and Blues. 

B.) Format: Music 

C.) Frequency of updates: Monthly

D.) Intended Audience: All ages, who enjoy roots and blues music

E.) Number of Subscribers: 700

F.) Commercial Sponsors: non-commercial organization 

Lab Exercise 7

 

YouTube: "Net Neutrality"

1. Yes, the video did start playing on time, and was able to play all the way through without the video stopping to buffer or load. Thus making my experience while watching the video clip enjoyable.

2. The available features on the YouTube website include; amateur video clips , movie trailers, movie clips, and short episodes or episode clips. 

3. This website is very unique on how it offers people to make amateur videos and then have it  posted to be viewed by anyone around the world. There are thousands of videos to ones related subject of choice.

4. I did not see any ads when watching this particular video. However, I do know that ads will frequently pop up while other videos are playing, as well as there will be ads displayed on the side of the website page.

5. Embedding this link was very simple compared to embedding a video from other sites.  All I had to do was copy and paste the link on YouTube where it clearly states embed on the side of the wall page. I then copied the link and pasted it onto my blog post.

Hulu: "Net Neutrality"

1. Yes, the video clip did start playing on time without having to stop to buffer or load. Thus, making my viewing experience enjoyable.

2. The features included on the Hulu website include, some movies, full TV episodes or episode clips, as well as video trailers. 

3. Hulu is unique in the fact that it offers the most recent TV episode of your program of choice to be viewed in its full length. As well as other featured movies  free of any charge.

4. Yes, I did see an ad at the begging on the clip but was only displayed for a brief moment.

5. Embedding this link was very simple. At the bottom of the webpage is a link to embed the clip. Once I clicked on that link, I copied and pasted the link and posted it onto my blog.

Watch it on Academic Earth

Veoh: "Jersey Shore"

1. Yes, this episode clip of the "Jersey Shore", did begin to play on time without stopping to buffer or load. Thus, making my viewing experience of finding a character from a TV show who is different than me enjoyable. I was able to go through clips of the episodes quickly to find the one I would use for this assignment.

2. The available features on this website include, videos, TV shows,  movies, and music.

3. What is unique about the website Veoh is that the viewer can choose what to watch TV shows, movies,  anime and more free of charge.

4. There are several ads that was displayed on the side wall of the webpage.

5. This video was difficult to find how to embed. After searching on the web page for a embed link, I was unable to find that link. However, I have posted the link for the page instead.

http://www.veoh.com/collection/Jersey-Shore/watch/v19633200m9nKkEdG