Sarahs Blog

Nearly forgot the last one!!!

2009-12-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

I nearly forgot to carry out my las blog for the assignment! Well all I can say is "Thank God we're done!!". Well our webpage is finally done, mainly down to the patience of Karen and her brains too!! So it didn't go to plan and there was a few major hiccups but its all finito!
We managed to link all out photos after creating a smaller version off them and added them to the page successfully. The animation (logo) managed to slip out a few times but we got it all back up and going again.
The end webpage is actually class, and I'm really proud of it so I hope everyone who views it enjoys it. We didn't get the zoomify to work but really, who needs a zoomify??? hint hint peter!!
Anyway, cant say I'm sad this is all done, the stress last week was not healthy but for now folks... Adios!!!

2009-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

Since last week Karen and I DID attend class so we got a good bit more work done! We have managed to create our buttons on our main page so you can almost say we've finalised our final "Fashion in the Recession" topics. Not that I'm biased or anything but I have to admit it is looking rather well!

On friday we saved our animated gif as an internet page so we're now one step closer to saying adios to all this Photoshop! From now on we are going to be working in Dreamweaver for the editing.

oh yes, I almost for got that our logo has indeed been decided and created! It's a si,ple but elligant looking text logo. I think it looks really well with the oage and with the effects we added to it, it works a treat!

I think thats all the updates for today... I'll update you on our progress in Dreamweaver soon!
Gotta go submit the link to my blog page, forgot all about that bit... oopps, sorry Peter!

Dust off your wardrobe

2009-11-25T11:08:00.001-08:00

Karen and I are doing a webpage that revolves around fashion. We wanted to create text using a lipstick like one we saw on an ad for Off the Rails on the RTE website but it was too difficult so we scrapped the idea. Instead we are "dusting" a mirror to reveal our text on the main page. We havnt decided if the animation will continue onto the other pages yet. We created the mirror using the custom shape tool. We are using a sponge effect in the background to create a suede like feel to the page to tie in with our fashion theme. We tried to use a pattern like this one

but then we would have to tile it and it didnt look right.

We want our buttons to appear down the left side of the page. The buttons will be shaped like price tags using the pen tool. They will have a pink string attached to compliment the pink text on the mirror. The buttons will represent items such as accessories, shoes, skirts, dresses and tops. It will also have a contact us section. The accessories section of the page will include a zoom option to allow the user to look at the details more clearly.

Our logo will appear in the top left corner of all the pages and will link back to the home page when clicked. Our banner across the top of the page may also have some animation to it.

How to Make your Company Number 1

2008-12-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

As everyone knows, the majority of people use the Internet in order to do any research or find out information. Based on this, what business would not want theirs to be number one on the google list, or as close to it as possible?? Cue Search Engine Marketing (SEM), or more importantly, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

With Search Engine Optimisation, there are a few basic facts needed to ensure you get number 1. You need to:
1. Identify Target Key phrases
2. Include key phrases in the page
3. Get links to the site

By identifying the key phrases that you think potential customers will type in the search engine, you can use these to your advantage. Include them once the title page, once in a heading on the page, once in regular text on the page and once again on the page. Then try to get links to your site, however to as many pages as possible not just your homepage, preferably from reputable sites with similar themes to yours.

The above I feel, is the key to making your business, (big or small) known to the world. Based on the above information, it really isn't as hard as many would think. Do you have to be Einstein? No! And based on the outcomes, higher sales or sign ups, more clicks from potential customers and saving money on other advertisement that now may not be needed!

By using this organic listing option, the company can be expected to have their site at least scanned if not studies by approximately 80% of all viewers, which would do any business wonders!

So, in my opinion, SEO is the way go!

Virtual Communities- Basically a big family online!!

2008-12-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

As per the definition given to us by the reputable Mr. Colin Cooney, a virtual community is a gathering place for people and businesses that do not have a physical existence. They exist on the Internet in various forms... Basically, it is a group of people interacting in the internet using loads of different forms like e-mail, chat rooms, social networking sites etc.

My view on them?? I LOVE THEM! They enable you to get in contact with people all over the world, you're not tied down to one area. You can express your views on certain things, find out information and just basically have a good time.

Many people would deny ever being part of a virtual community yet if they use the internet often it is unlikely that this is true. Whether they have avioded being contaminated with the hight contagous bug that is the Social Networking Sites Syndrome, they may have blogged about their favoutite product, read other blogs or even wrote about an experinece in a forum, for others to read. So my answer to those in denial about this, Welcome to the World of Virtual Communities!

By writing this blog I am part of a virtual community and you too for reading it. Although it is largely used for socialising, Virtual Communities on the Interent can be used for educational purposes (Web 2.0. Wiki's and Podcasts) and also in business by having a forum to announce any important information or using brand communities to promote their brand.

If it is not clear from this blog, Virtual Communities are the way up and should be backed all the way. As I have given probably quite a confusing and scattered version of Virtual Communities, feel free to visit notes given by some who knows more about this, Mr. Colin Cooney. Click here

The Online Sex Industry Sarah Quinn Style

2008-12-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

The online sex industry is seen as the dark, adult and sometimes dangerous side of the Internet. It has many different aspects and is a large area of the world wide web. with each aspect comes arguments both for and against. It could be said it is one of the most debatable and controversial areas of the Internet, which taking into account the size of the web, that is striking.

Both arguments have understandable and valid reasons which have to be accounted for. My opinion however, is less technical and based mainly on a prime example I will reveal later on in this blog.

The main dispute I have with the online sex industry is the lack of security there is around it. Although computer companies are constantly inventing and upgrading software to protect minors from being exposed to such content, many sites and children have found ways to by pass any restrictions put in place. They fail to realise why these restrictions are actually there. In a world where children seem to be growing up faster and the time, this is simply going to far.

In newsagents, supermarkets and video stores across the country, there is a strict age limit when purchasing this "top shelf" material. Why should the Internet be any different. There are serious penalties for serving any minors with such material, though who gets punished when they are viewing the same, if not things of a far worse nature at home on the PCs?

I do not understand the real need for such material to be produced and published, the phrase "get a hobby" comes to mind when i think of those who use and make it. Yet how do we know that those being shown on the Internet are all consenting adults. In a society where celebrities (and role models) are climbing the fame ladder due to "leaks" of sex videos and naked pictures, we are almost immune to the fact that there may not always be permission for such images and videos to be published. With stories on crack-downs on paedophile rings all over the world, who can be 100% sure that what they are viewing is legal. For all they know, they could be supporting some of the most sickening and indecent acts of all, the rape of children. This cannot be accepted as just a hobby and interest of anyone.

Well, all of the serious stuff above really has dampened the mood so I'll finish off on a more funnier note.

It was 2006 and myself and my best bud Caoimhe (a.k.a. Chunk) were sitting in computer class in good old St. Louis Secondary School. As were were coming up to the Leaving Cert all the talk was on filling put our CAO forms and deciding on that "perfect" course for us. (i obviously didn't find mine then!) Anyways, Chunk and I were getting bored so we decided to look at the photos from the local hot spot in Monaghan, The Forum Nightclub.
Being as naive as we were, we typed in www.theforum.com (don't try this now) expecting to see some drunken photos of us from the previous weekend. Instead of our ugly mugs appearing on the screen, up popped some disturbing and unforgettable images of what you could describe as being the online sex industry at its best. At to top it all off, we timed it perfectly with the computer freezing due to all the pop-ups and loading images and of course out computer teacher walking round checking on us.
Well to say she wasn't impressed is an understatement! So we found ourselves with a serious telling off and detention. Of course she believed that we weren't actually looking any of that stuff up, it was more along the lines of us getting side tracked from what we were supposed to be doing. She didn't see looking up photos of a nightclub as being too educational!

Online PR meets PR Writing

2008-12-03T08:02:00.000-08:00

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarah Quinn,
Quinn PR,
Balsbridge,
Dublin 4.
Contact: 086 1234567
Email: squin@quinnpr.ie

19th Novenber 2008

RAY DARTLEY HELPS LAUNCH
POSITIVE AGE WEEK

Popular Irish DJ Ray Darley helped launch Positive Age Week for Age Action Ireland at a small tea-party in the Merrion Hotel yesterday (18.11.2008)

Positive Age Week, which runs from Monday 8th - Sunday 15th December 2008, was launched by Age Action Ireland to dispel many negative perceptions that surround ageing and to transform attitudes. It will also provide an opportunity to raise much needed funds for the charity.

During this week people are encouraged to organise parties that celebrate the elderly. They can be anything from a small family gathering to a street party.

Its deputy chief executive Lorraine Dorgan said, "We need to celebrate the fact that we are living longer; that ageing is not a burden but an opportunity. I would like to encourage as many people as possible around the country to take part in Positive Age Week."

Age Action Ireland is the main national independent organisation on ageing and older people. Its main aim is to improve the quality of life for older people.

To register as a fundraiser for Positive Age Week, contact Lorraine Dorgan on 01 2345678 or visit www.ageaction.ie. A nominated fund raiser at each party will accept donations from those attending.

Sarah Quinn
Contact: 086 1234567
Email: squin08@quinnpr.ie

###

Caption of launch included at Merrion Hotel included. Pictured is Ray Dartley with Maeve Reilly, John Murphy and Mary O'Keeffe

The Price of Fame

2008-12-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

I'm really not sure if I am the only person who was extremely disappointed with the X-Factor on Saturday night and the "return" of Britney Spears. For at least one full week every media corner were building on the hype of the show and what a massive night it was going to be. Not only was it the quarter final of the popular TV show but the famous American Pop Star was going to give her first British performance on four years.
I'll admit how sad I actually am. Myself and my two best buds were on a trip to Manchester for the weekend and we actually sat in to watch this "unforgettable" nights entertainment. Given were were extremely tired after a full days shopping around the MASSSIVE Trafford Centre, we sacrificed a night on the tiles for what turned out to be such a failure.
Although the contestants were not overly impressive, I could not get over the lame performance given my the Queen of Pop, Britney. This was meant to be her massive comeback after what can only be described as a complete meltdown. She mimed her way through her new song, Womaniser, in a cheap skimpy outfit. Even with no effort being put in to her vocals, the dance routine lacked effort and care. She basically ran over an back on the stage leaving her dancers to pull the performance off for her.
It actually left a cringing feeling in the pit of my stomach. Yet I feel that the most sad thing was, this massive comeback for Britney was not even a scratch on the "old Britney" the world fell in love with. Looking at her life over the past few years, it really does make you think, is fame really worth it? Can the money, houses, cars and clothes really make it worth while?
For me, the answer is no. Give me DKiT, College Manor and the Crazy Golf (my car) any day and I will be happy.

Good-bye Work!

2008-11-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

I've just finished my LAST mid-week shift at work!! Good-bye ignorant people, good-bye uniform, good-bye working late at night (good-bye the extra money unfortunately) until the weekend sadly though! I really couldn't leave good old Sams Bridge for ever!!

The reason for such drastic action I hear you ask??? Dundalk has a new lodger!! Yes, myself, Grace, Cathal and Laura are moving in together and becoming one big happy family!! As you all know, the road rage was having a serious effect on my health so this way, the roads are now safer (I'll admit it) and I get a lie in every morning.

Once we sign our lives away tomorrow to the estate agent, we'll be receiving the keys to our new abode! So that will leave just one thing to do

CELEBRATE!!!!!!!

the Xfactaaahhh!!!!

2008-11-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

It's actually quite a bad sign on a Saturday, you cant wait to finish work, not because you're heading on the tiles, but because The X Factor is on!!!

I hold my hands up.. I'm guilty of the above offense! All day today i really couldn't wait to get home. I even had plans with my best mate Louise to meet up, grab a take-away and lie up watching each act perform for what could be their last time, as Dermot says EVERY week!!

Even though we hadn't seen each other for a few weeks and had so much to catch up on, once each act started the only talk aloud was comments on what we were watching.

I thought it was one the best weeks and now that Daniels gone (sniff sniff) the competition is going to get tough! I think Diana and Eoghain are in danger. They have really weak voices and are far too young!Both have a limited options when it comes to song choice! Look at me, all Ms. Technical with my criticisms! Danny..watch your space!!

HONEY..IM HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-06T01:38:00.001-08:00

I'm back to college with a bang!!Had the most fantastic week in Italy.. the views and sights were just amazing! We did quite a bit of travelling but it was worth it. We flew in to Venice airport and stayed there for 2 nights. To be honest I was slightly disappointed. It's really not all it's cracked up to be! People were queuing for hours to see all these different churches. Like really,if you see one church,you have really seen them all.

We then got the train, followed by THEE most overcrowded bus to Lake Garda. I think the image just about sums up how we travelled! But it was all worth while. I really enjoyed it there. Verona was our final stop. Another bus journey was needed to get there, but gladly it wasn't as bad as before. Verona, again, was really good. Romeo & Juliet's balcony & courtyard had the possibility of being extremely romantic..i don't think any man there saw that though,just the women!! Overall it was the best holiday yet. Would definitely go again. However mosquito repellent would be the first thing in my suitcase!Eaten alive is a phrase that comes to mind!!

Italy here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

This time, on bank holiday monday, I will be adding the finishing touches to my suitcase for my holliers!!! Destination: ITALY!!! What a way to spend my mid-term after 6 long tiring weeks of travelling over & back to college and slaving away at the books!!(believable???) We're flying to Venice & staying there for two nights, heading down to Lake Garda for three nights and finishing off in Verona for the last night where we're flying home from!! ill update this on my return... so all thats left to say is, ill send a postcard & ARRIVEDERCI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROAD RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-16T01:50:00.000-07:00

This driving to college thing every day is seriously damaging my health!!! Im not saying Im the best driver out there..because Im not, the whole parellel parking really aint my strong point yet!!! But take for example this morning, heading up the road, making good progress, singing away, looking forward to ONLINE PR(!!) first thing... got as far as Castleblayney thinking thinking ill even have time to fit in a wee snooze. WRONG!!!!!! On the Dundalk Rd, get behind THEEEE slowest driver. a lorry wit a big digger n jcb on d back AND a van manages to pull put infront of her!!!! at this stage the dude in front of me was really losing it and began to bash his steering wheel..maybe a slight over reaction but who am i to judge! so hoped on to the M1 outside Dundalk thinking ill make up for lost time.. got into the fast lane overtaking whatcould have been a snail n got stuck behind a massive merc!! they decided to over take yet no go any faster than the car on the inside lane.. sense???..i think not!!first of all overtake n move back in quickly.. secondly, why have such a big powerful car & not use it!!so by the time i pulled into the car park here in DKIT i had nearly popped a vein.. i really tink there shud b another road made that goes all the way around the country for all the people who decide to go out n take a wee 'sunday spin' at all times of the week!!!

Monday Blues!!!!!

2008-10-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

Monday mornings are already bad enough.. Got up early to beat the road works that were meant to be going on..(signs were up all over the place on friday)... THERE WERE NO ROAD WORKS!!!!!!!!! bad times.. for once there was no problem getting parked. Then i met Karen. Karen on a Monday morning is actually worse than Karen not getting parked, Karen after getting clamped, or Karen just on a bad day!!! Some fool told me we'd won the lotto on Saturday..we actually only won 20euro!! depression.. Then over breakfast we all saw a side to Grace that no one ever wants to see or hear about again.. she just proves, you can dress them up but take them no where. Like out for dinner with your family for your birthday..