A couple things that are stressing me out right now about my research are that I am not sure exactly where my topic is going. By this I mean that because my topic is such a hot topic, it has not really taken a solid form yet one way or another. The issue of Facebook and its new Terms of Service are still being mulled over by its administration. I am a little nervous about not really having a solid topic at all. I am also nervous about my sources in relation to this. It seems that every day new sources or articles come out about my topic. I am not sure exactly which ones to choose...
---Facebook Blog
-This source is considered a primary source because it is a blog that is run and operated through Facebook and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. It is officially linked to Facebook.
-I chose this source because it directly addresses my topic within the blog.
-This source is a blog that talks about Facebook and the issues that are at hand involving the website. For my topic, there are two blog entries by Mark Zuckerberg that address the issue of the changing of Terms of Service.
- The blog uses ethos well because Zuckerberg is a credible source as he is the CEO of Facebook. The blog's target audience is also those concerned about the changing TOS so therefore it hits its target perfectly.
--- Interview with Chris Kelly
- This source is a primary source because it is an interview with the Chief Privacy Officer of Facebook.
- I chose this source because it also directly addresses my topic because he is being questioned about the changing of TOS by a CNN reporter.
-The source is an interview about the changing of the TOS and why it happened. Kelly tries to say that it was not their intention to cause such a commotion about the changing TOS as it was not supposed to trick or go behind the back of the FB community.
- Kelly tries to comfort the audience by saying that the change of TOS was misunderstood. His intention was to try to influence the audience and convince them that they were not going to be taken advantage of.
--- Reuters Article
-This is considered a primary source because it includes quotations from CEOs of Facebook, as well as statistics involving the site and its user base.
- I chose this source because it involves an outsider on the topic, rather than someone who works for the benefit of Facebook like the other two.
- The source is about how FB tried to adjust its TOS to adapt to its business model. The source shows Facebook as a giant network that has many users that are capable of making a lot of money for the site.
- The author works for Reuters and therefore is credible through Ethos. He also does not have an invested interest in the issue like the other two sources as they both work for Facebook.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
2/25- Research Experiences
While researching on the issue of Facebook's new Terms of Service, I found many news articles from many different sources. Some of the articles were from credible sources such as newspapers, while others were blogs by angry Facebook users. I discovered that this is an extremely hot topic as it has affected so many people worldwide due to the giant user base on Facebook. I found it interesting while reading a post from the Chief CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, that if Facebook were a country it would be the 6th largest in the world. When I read this I realized how big of a deal FB and a minor change in its TOS could be to so many different people.
After researching I decided that the most important pieces of research that I came across were an interview with Chris Kelly who is the Chief Privacy Officer for Facebook, the Blog of Facebook that was issued by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the Bill of Rights of Facebook which is attached within the blog. These are two primary sources that are directly related to Facebook as they are done by people that are the most credible in relation to the policies of Facebook. I find it interesting also that due to the overwhelming responses of the users of FB, the site has reverted back to its previous TOS while it comes up with new terms. I am interested in seeing how things develop.
After researching I decided that the most important pieces of research that I came across were an interview with Chris Kelly who is the Chief Privacy Officer for Facebook, the Blog of Facebook that was issued by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the Bill of Rights of Facebook which is attached within the blog. These are two primary sources that are directly related to Facebook as they are done by people that are the most credible in relation to the policies of Facebook. I find it interesting also that due to the overwhelming responses of the users of FB, the site has reverted back to its previous TOS while it comes up with new terms. I am interested in seeing how things develop.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Unit 2 assignment
I have decided that for my next portfolio I want to look at and write about the new Terms of Services of Facebook. As a college student with Facebook, I think the new terms of service impact us all. According to Facebook and the new TOS, the site can own your information and do whatever it wants with it, even if you delete your account. This opens up the possibility that Facebook can use anything you have on the website for commercial gain.
After the Michael Phelps incident as of late, this is scary to think about. There may be a couple pictures on Facebook that if I become famous someday, I would not exactly like Facebook to be able to sell them out to the highest bidder. I have always been weary about Facebook and the photos that I have on there, but this now becomes a legitimate fear for anyone on the site. According to the site, even detagged photos and deleted messages are still part of Facebook forever and the company has ownership of everything. This seems crazy, and I will be very interested in learning more about this through the next five weeks!
After the Michael Phelps incident as of late, this is scary to think about. There may be a couple pictures on Facebook that if I become famous someday, I would not exactly like Facebook to be able to sell them out to the highest bidder. I have always been weary about Facebook and the photos that I have on there, but this now becomes a legitimate fear for anyone on the site. According to the site, even detagged photos and deleted messages are still part of Facebook forever and the company has ownership of everything. This seems crazy, and I will be very interested in learning more about this through the next five weeks!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Author's Note
After finishing my paper I feel that I have turned in a well written paper about the Rec Center. I think that I analyzed the space well and I added much insight into the building as a whole and its purpose within the TCU community. At first, I felt that much of my paper was just a research paper on the Rec Center as I just talked about it broadly, but after my revisions, I think that I found the argument that the Rec was trying to make. In my opinion, the Rec Center makes a statement that it is open to everyone, but it is centered around the TCU student community.
I believe that I analyzed the Rec Center well and I hope that it came out the way I had planned as I wanted to write a balanced essay that gave a description of the space, as well as an analyzation of it. Overall I feel a great burden lifted as I finally finished my first portfolio for this class. I now have to sweat out waiting for the grade, but at least I am done with the paper!
I believe that I analyzed the Rec Center well and I hope that it came out the way I had planned as I wanted to write a balanced essay that gave a description of the space, as well as an analyzation of it. Overall I feel a great burden lifted as I finally finished my first portfolio for this class. I now have to sweat out waiting for the grade, but at least I am done with the paper!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
First Draft Revisions- 2/11/09
After reading the feedback that I received from the workshop, I realized that I had a lot of good information but I needed to structure it better. I felt that after my first draft I needed to find a little more direction with my paper, and after editing it according to the feedback that I got I think it is a little better. I think that my paper's organization is a little better, and that I am focusing on the purpose of the Rec Center a little bit more. I still think I need to find a way to bring in more analysis, but I feel that I have made significant improvements from the first draft.
After editing it, I think that my main concern now is going to be how I bring everything to a conclusion. My paper still needs a little bit more analysis, but because the Rec Center is such a complicated place I am deciding to just focus on the aspects that I have mentioned so far. I think that the weight room, basketball courts, games, and intramurals are key elements to understanding the audience of the Rec Center and they should be the focus. Hopefully I will be able to bring the paper together and make it work without much trouble..
After editing it, I think that my main concern now is going to be how I bring everything to a conclusion. My paper still needs a little bit more analysis, but because the Rec Center is such a complicated place I am deciding to just focus on the aspects that I have mentioned so far. I think that the weight room, basketball courts, games, and intramurals are key elements to understanding the audience of the Rec Center and they should be the focus. Hopefully I will be able to bring the paper together and make it work without much trouble..
Monday, February 9, 2009
Author's Note 2/9/09
I feel that I have a lot to cover in my paper, and after the first four pages I feel a little nervous. I am not sure that I am really arguing what I want to about the Rec Center, and I think my paper needs a little more direction. I hope to get some feedback today about what I can do to make my paper have a little bit more focus or direction. I have lots to say, I just want to make it all go together cohesively and with purpose.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2/4/09
The Rec Center's audience would be the TCU students, Faculty, Alumni as well as people that live near TCU that can acquire a TCU Community Membership. The Rec Center's main audience however is the TCU student population because that is who the building was built for, and they make up the majority of the patrons. The meaning of the Rec Center for its patrons is that it gives them a place to escape school and have fun doing whatever they choose to do whether it is working out in the weight room, playing basketball, swimming laps in the pool, playing racketball, or even chilling out and playing games in the downstairs lounge area. The Rec Center has a lot of options for the TCU community when it comes to what it offers. Its motto is LIVE LEARN PLAY and I think that the Rec does a good job offering all three parts to the motto. It helps you "live" by offering exercise and a healthy way of living. It helps you "learn" by providing another area to study for tests or relax if you need a break from school. The Rec also clearly offers a lot for "play" as the is an abundance of activities that you can participate in that would be considered "play." The Rec Center has a great meaning to its TCU Community because it something that some people may frequent every day, and it is a staple to many lives here at TCU.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Notes of Observation
1/29 6AM
The Rec Center opens at 6 am. There are 2 main entrances (front desk + westdesk). There is an initial rush of people headed in to workout before work (Community Members). At this time, most people at Rec are ther for Cardio and the cycling class at 6:15. There are few people in the weight room this early. At this time, there are even fewer people on the basketball courts or playing Racketball. The Rec Center has 3 main basketball courts that are separated by a divider. The farthest court, known as court 3, often has a volleyball net set up on it. However, people still play basketball on this court but do so playing half court games. Above the basketball courts is the cardio deck as well as the track which goes over the weight-room and the basketball courts. The track seems to be used frequently in the early morning, as well as the cardio machinery. Throughout the Rec Center you can notice that music is playing (workout music) to get the Rec Center patrons in the mood to work out I figure.
Swim practice also goes on early morning. The pool is open to regular members at 8:30 after practice is over with.
Rec Center also has two ping pong tables, two table soccer tables and two pool tables downstairs. In the downstairs area, there is a also a TV and lounge area by the game tables. The downstairs is also the area where the locker rooms are located. Also by the the staircase by the men's locker room is the Alcohol and Drug Education Center.
1/30 3 PM
At this time of the day, the Rec Center is packed. The main attractions at this time of the day are the weight room, basketball courts, and racketball courts. The weight room is swarmed with people, compared to the morning when basically every piece of equipment was available. The Racketball courts have a wait and the most of the racketball rackets are rented out. The climbing wall is a also in use as it was not open during the time that I observed the Rec Center yesterday. The basketball courts are the most busy however as every single basket is in use. The front two courts (1 & 2) are being used for full court 5 on 5 games while the back two baskets on court 3 are each being used by a few different people. I also noticed the Energy snack stand was open at this time of the day, and it is frequented by Rec Center patrons who want a smoothie or a gatorade after their workout. Another key observation made at the Rec was that everyone in the weight room is required to have a towel in order to prevent germs and sweat from spreading all over the equipment. As everyone is required to use a towel, many people do not. The main lobby I also noticed has some couches that are fairly comfortable, and have a TV that many people sit around and lounge at while passing time at the Rec Center. The building has a very comfortable and pleasant atmosphere to it. The staff, like me, is also very helpful.
The Rec Center opens at 6 am. There are 2 main entrances (front desk + westdesk). There is an initial rush of people headed in to workout before work (Community Members). At this time, most people at Rec are ther for Cardio and the cycling class at 6:15. There are few people in the weight room this early. At this time, there are even fewer people on the basketball courts or playing Racketball. The Rec Center has 3 main basketball courts that are separated by a divider. The farthest court, known as court 3, often has a volleyball net set up on it. However, people still play basketball on this court but do so playing half court games. Above the basketball courts is the cardio deck as well as the track which goes over the weight-room and the basketball courts. The track seems to be used frequently in the early morning, as well as the cardio machinery. Throughout the Rec Center you can notice that music is playing (workout music) to get the Rec Center patrons in the mood to work out I figure.
Swim practice also goes on early morning. The pool is open to regular members at 8:30 after practice is over with.
Rec Center also has two ping pong tables, two table soccer tables and two pool tables downstairs. In the downstairs area, there is a also a TV and lounge area by the game tables. The downstairs is also the area where the locker rooms are located. Also by the the staircase by the men's locker room is the Alcohol and Drug Education Center.
1/30 3 PM
At this time of the day, the Rec Center is packed. The main attractions at this time of the day are the weight room, basketball courts, and racketball courts. The weight room is swarmed with people, compared to the morning when basically every piece of equipment was available. The Racketball courts have a wait and the most of the racketball rackets are rented out. The climbing wall is a also in use as it was not open during the time that I observed the Rec Center yesterday. The basketball courts are the most busy however as every single basket is in use. The front two courts (1 & 2) are being used for full court 5 on 5 games while the back two baskets on court 3 are each being used by a few different people. I also noticed the Energy snack stand was open at this time of the day, and it is frequented by Rec Center patrons who want a smoothie or a gatorade after their workout. Another key observation made at the Rec was that everyone in the weight room is required to have a towel in order to prevent germs and sweat from spreading all over the equipment. As everyone is required to use a towel, many people do not. The main lobby I also noticed has some couches that are fairly comfortable, and have a TV that many people sit around and lounge at while passing time at the Rec Center. The building has a very comfortable and pleasant atmosphere to it. The staff, like me, is also very helpful.
Argument of Fact or Definition
An argument of fact that I noticed at the Rec Center was how the Rec Center tries to advocate living a healthy life. The Rec Center promotes exercise and health as opposed to other less healthy activities that go on at a college campus. It has posters and handouts that promote how to live a healthy and active life, as well as classes that you can participate in to do this.
Observation Reaction
After observing the Rec Center as 6 am Thursday, and 3 pm on Friday I noticed that Rec Center has two different lives. In the early morning the Rec Center is a quiet place for people to get their workout in quickly and then go to work or class. In the afternoon on a Friday the Rec Center is a busy social environment. In the afternoon people tend to go there to work out or play basketball and talk amongst themselves. In the morning most people seem to keep to themselves and get the most out of their workout. I found it interesting that the afternoon Rec Center goers were less focused on their workouts, rather they seemed to mostly there to hang out with friends.
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