When the Bees Attack: Yahoo Local Users

I believe that reviews are like the blogs we create for class. Though we post our opinions about a particular subject, the information we present has to be backed up. On Yahoo Local the reviews are short and to the point, yet they need to have vivid details, so the readers can feel as if they are experiencing what the user faced, when entering the Establishment. What makes a excellent review is to not only state the negative, put positive points as well,and explaining what needs to be improved. This not only leaves it up for the reader to decide whether or not to check the business out, but gives insight to the owner who wants to polish his/her business.

The names and Avatars of the members seem to be windows into their personalities. The flashiest flower gets the most bees. Here are a few users that stood out to me on Yahoo Local.



TateziF review is crowned credible; she describes her emotions of sadness she experienced when she brought her dying pigeon, than the burst of relief and gratitude when the the owner of Belmont & Seeds, helped restore the bird to health. TateziF's review is full of depth; by sharing her story, she tells the readers why she recommends the shop.



Checker Pleaser states that he didn't like the Old Fashioned Donuts Shop. But instead of giving the readers reasons why the donuts suck, he talks about the neighborhood instead, insinuating that only blacks could fit in with the violent atmosphere. As I read his others reviews, all he had was negative things to say about every restaurant he has ever been to. This makes me the reader think that nothing can satisfy this Check Pleaser, since not all restaurants are crummy, so maybe he is the problem. His name is a give away, showing how difficult he is because he always asks for his check right away.





By just looking at at her avatar, I can tell that Mojopo has a funny side, and is real laid back. The avatar is dressed in a robe, holding a coffee mug, and her PJ's with tissue falling from the pockets. I love Mojopo's review, she paints a picture of the restaurant, by describing the scenery, each special dishes she was served, and stating the prices of the meals.

After viewing the Yahoo Local it seems that some people are attacking the businesses, without giving full critiques and expanding or backing up their opinions. I think that Yahoo Local should have give advice or methods for writing a review. I have noticed that the users are not getting many visitors or comments. I believe this due to the fact that the reviews lack enough information and creativity.

Though I don't recommend Yahoo Local, I believe it has potential. There is room for improvment as long as it stays on the straight path, and monitor the quality of writing that is posted on its site.

Check out this website:
www.ehow.com- How to Write a Restuarant Review

The Hive: Yahoo Local

Its seems like the American Society is a large bee hive; everyone is flying at warp speed, consumed in the rituals of their lives: Collecting nectar from flowers (jobs,careers)and taking care of the larvae (kids,school drama). When you actually have time to rest your wings, you want to do something relaxing, or go somewhere exciting. This is when Yahoo Local comes in, luring us busy bees with the fragrant scents of knowledge and Communication.

My first impression of Yahoo Local was that it was a clean cut review site, where members are free to voice their own opinions about a business. They have different categories for reviews, the most popular seem to be Beauty Salon, Health Care and Restaurants. Every reviewer uses the star method to critique a business, ranking from 1-5 stars, 5 being awesome and 1 being just plain terrible.

The Perks

Members have their own profiles, and are able to collect reviews from other users. Yahoo Local also lets member get updates of new events on twitter. But what makes Yahoo Local interesting is that Visitors to the site like myself who are searching for guidance in deciding where to go for entertainment, can rank the members articles; deciding if it was helpful or not. Visitors can give a thumbs up or thumbs down. So not only do businesses get judged but the users as well, on their credibility. Plus Yahoo Local offers a "Weekend Guide" to help visitors plan their weekends, by listing interesting events for Fri-Sun.


Spoiled Honey

As I was flying deeper into the site, my antennas stood up, something did not seem right. Yahoo Local offers people to sign up an have their business listed to be reviewed.

See your business in big bright lights on the Web.
Everything offered with an Enhanced Listing, plus:
• Guaranteed placement on the 1st or 2nd search results page2
• Premium placement at the top or bottom of the page
• Broader exposure because your listing is shown across larger geography

But since so many people would be competing to have their business shown first, not everyone will be featured. This goes against Yahoo's promise, which means that extra money must be used on the side to put the business in "the Spot light" Also I came across a review that really wasn't a review at all but an advertisement.




The user called," DJ C Hustler' works for Tattoo Warehouse aka Reaper Tattoo, which he has raved about the excellent prices and practically admits he's promoting the store. If Yahoo Local is allowing this to go on, can it really be labeled a trustworthy site? By completely pushing reviews aside, your telling the public you don't care about their views only the money, and not improving your business.

Since Yahoo Local has flaws, its hard to determine who is really a amateur reviewer or just an employee or owner trying to boost business. Negativity seems to sale, one bad comment can destroy a business. In a swarm of negative reviews the positive ones become lost.

The soul purpose of the site should be about the users taking a break from the hive, and try to help others not waste their time or money on places that aren't up to a high standard.

The Elftown Citizens

I have decided that after taking a tour through elftown, to register in being an "Elfwooder," which is what the citizens call themselves. I would like to have my own house with all the perks. But being a member is not that easy, every application is considered thoroughly, which is why I'm still waiting for a reply. Though it seems like a lovely town, I feel it to be strict, when trying to find your own identity; they seem to give you particular options that you can't stray away from.

When I registered under the name crowwoman, they had a list of jobs and personas:

Jobs:

*Building Worker
*Inspector
*Fast Food Worker

Personas:

*Interpreter
*Travelling Bard
*Town Drunk
*Beggar
*street child
*Adventurer

Not only do they have jobs and personas, the races of creatures to choose from is limited:Duck, Orc, Elf, Halfling, Human, Dwarf

I really didn't want to be any of these, but settled for the interpreter since I wanted to be a human who could understand the language of the crows. I don't feel as if I have the freedom to be what I truly want to be on this site. I would have liked to be a wood nymph or a pixie. But the other Elfwooders seem to be content with these options.

Every Elwooder's house represents their how they see themselves and the world around them. They rely heavily on pictures posted on their profiles to draw people into the house, to possibly make a connection. The Colorful the House, the popular for Elfwooders soars. Houses are the first impression, to other members who scan from a long list of fellow Elfwooders. Having an interesting user name causes viewers to be intigued and want to find out more about you. The members who stood out to me were Sirwanka and Blackbirdkate.

SirWanka: Orc from the Netherlands. An orc is a large warrior like creature, who rides on animals such as wolves or boars. Sirwanka's house is filled with photos of nature, his drawings show creatures holding pieces of soil and plants. By just looking at the images of his house, I could sense that he was in tuned with the earth, and respects her. An interesting fact that causes me the viewer to linger, is that he owns 4 boa constrictors and a Dutch Shepherd dog. Sirwanka's house would lure other Bohemian, Green peace members who values nature as mush as he does.

What makes him stand out are the badges he owes, which showcase him as an interpreter, and donor of the arts. Elfwooders respect those who serve the community. A high status shows that you are deepily dedicated to the site.




Blackbirdkate is an amazing artist. Her work is breathtaking, and makes her house come alive. The drawings reflects Blackbirdkate's quirky, yet sensitive side. The art pieces are usually about birds, but also realistic images of people, and mythical beings who are eerily beautiful.



Blackbirdkate is a Halfling, which means is that she is part human and part elf, fairy, or troll. I have noticed that there are many halflings in Elftown. Being a halfling gives you an edge, you can bond with humans and other creatures. Blackbird kate has badges that express her achievements while on the site: Patroller, Donor of Funds, Featured Painter, and Donor of the Arts.


I still think the site needs a little more tweaking. Itwould be more affective if memebrs have a sense of choice, and able to be whatever creature they wish to embody.This means expanding profile options, and information about different species in both writing genres. Also I would like to see more forums about science fiction, to create balance among the Fantasy. Despite its small flaws, I believe that Elftown is an awesome place were memebers can share and collabrate on ideas about Science fiction and Fantasy.


*The image above is by Kate Staines aka Blackbirdkate.

Through the Woods: Road to Elftown

I was lost in the woods for days; my feet blistering, stomach growling from hunger, throat burning from thirst. I thought my fate was sealed, until I came upon a cobble stone road. I was soon welcomed by a silver haired elf woman, with dark blue eyes; a white guy was hiding in the bushes behind her. "Welcome to Elftown" she sang in a sweet voice. "Well Joy," I said to myself, "You're defiantly not in Chicago anymore."

The Elftown social website is a paradise for lovers of Fantasy and Science fiction. Every member who is welcomed into this fair town is given a house (web page)where they can post their own drawings, poems, and short stories about these two writing genres. This surreal world offers you wiki pages to show off your artwork, but also where other members can edit or add information.

As I was lead throughout the town by the elf woman I discovered forums where members can chat and comment about each others work, this is not place to be scorn or judgemented harshly. Everyone is praised for their drawings, stories, and new discoveries in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi fields. Members even have their own diary, to share there thoughts with only their friends or present it publicly. Elftown also has awesome drawing and writing contest. Like a real town there are rules that must be followed and people to uphold them.

Rules

1. All images in your house must have something to do with you.
2. Images in your house must be made by you or for you.

3. Pornographic images and images depicting extreme violence are not allowed in your house. Almost nude and nude images of minors and pictures of self mutilation are not allowed anywhere on Elftown. So no showing of breasts before you're 18 in the photo!
Note 2: The "nudity of minor"-rule is demanded by (a pretty badly defined Swedish) law, and it doesn't matter if Elftown thinks the image is "harmless" or "artistic".

4. Images that contain other images that break the rules are not allowed in your house.

5. No random copied writings in (descriptions of) houses.

Law and Order

The Elftown site emphasises that they are not a fantasy dating site (though flirting is allowed) This site is a haven where people can connect through there interest, which is producing creative art.

Since the site has so many members, there has to be people who will be willing to look after the sanctity of this town. There are guards members who are appointed to search all the houses, to see if anyone is going against the rules. Patrollers are members that have respected the rules and Elftown Guide of Conduct; they assist the guards by squealing on whoever is disrespecting the site. Every memebr has an equal chance of gaining high positions.


Council Badge


Mayor Badge


The Elftown Council plays an important role in Elftown, appointed by the people, they make sure the site's programs are up to date, information is given out, and wiki pages are organized. The also council helps create the contest and events. The mayor like leader has to makes sure that every department is running smoothly. The site keeps its fantasy flavor going by picking members who have been deemed worthy to become magicians and spiritual guides.

But what surprised me the most was the fact that Elftown has a school; where members create classes, choosing the tutors and translators to run the school.

Elftown seems to be a site that truly wants to keep a sense of community and friendship among its members. But wants to have a strong sense of discipline and stability.

Links:Elfwood

Children of the Utopia: Members of Live Journal

The members of Live Journal range from many unique backgrounds and personalities. Their journals are windows into their souls. Some use actual photos of themselves while others create a web of mystery, using avatars and pictures to express their identities. Like the regular blogs we post on the "Blogger" for class, the journals follow the same goal: To Creatively lure people into our world. I will use my top 5 blog tips to describe the posts on Live Journal.


Tip 1: Don't be Afraid to add Images or Videos.

Tip 2: The information you present in a post should be related to the images you use and the theme of your overall blog.

Tip 3: Your Template design should express your personality

Tip 4: You need to have creative header and blog description. What's the theme of your blog? This is the question you need to answer.

Tip 5: A blog post needs an interesting title.



The blog above belongs to hailandquill and is called "Ink and Thunder." The blog's theme centers on different forms of art, but also show cases the blogger's own work, a comic strip: Comics Attack. A series involving the artist's characters and their weird adventures. hailandquill's blog uses bright images to emphasis her text,that also go with the theme of her blog. She uses creative titles for her comic strip posts to entice her readers:UPS Saga, Handsome Fighters Never Lose Battles, and Lawful Evil.

Hailandqull's template speaks volumes, the bitten green and red apples symbolize the forbidden fruit of knowledge which Eve ate in the garden of Eden. I believe without realizing it, the blogger advertises her work as secretive, dangerous which makes readers want to read it even more.



This blogger called durabeer, fits perfectly with my tips above. He uses a interesting header title: From the Deep End of the Pool, that intrigued as well as caused me to continue viewing his journal. His template flows beautifully with his header, the squids are an awesome touch; catching the eye of the reader; but gives the impression that he is deep and tranquil like the ocean.

Unlike a blog the journal entries online do not always need an interesting title. The authors rely on vivid tags words, that create almost a tiny haiku, which tells the reader what the entry is going to be about. Plus snippets of the entry are given so the readers have a taste of entree (the story), and are willing to finish the main course.

Though the Journals of the members are personal thoughts, the same rules apply with any other blog. In order to have friends on Live Journal, image and presentation is key to popularity; a chance to have your voice heard. Consistency with the journal post, so your readers can that you are dedicated not just to the site, but your own journal, which is a representation of you.

Internet Utopia: Live Journal

"We strive to create an environment where you can connect with others, share your thoughts, and be yourself," this is the hook that baits viewers to the website Live Journal, a free social network for people to converse with others who have similar interests, goals, and ideas. Viewing this website has allowed me to see that a blog can evolve into a Utopia of ideas for self-expression. The site offers these aspects to viewers that stand out in bold: Diversity, Creativity, Community, and Privacy

Live Journal has a laid back atmosphere. There are tiny cliques within this large community, where members can join and post blogs about a particular subject, for example, I came across a group titled unsentletters, where members rant out their frustrations in letters to people in there lives, but never send them. Another group such as Soildersheart is a group for veterans and their loved ones who talk how wars had affected them through in photos, pictures,poetry, and narratives. There are groups geared towards culture, Music, Politics, Technology; so no one can feel left out. For the online journals, members can show their entries to the public, or can keep their content to themselves.

The site also gives members free blog template layouts and software to upload photos, and a link to a site that they have to pay for themselves, in order to receive a full range of colorful layouts that fit their personalities. Live Journals gives you options such as being able to access the website from your cell phone and actually turn your blog or journal into a book. The site even lets you make some cash, by posting ad's from goggle.



But like every Utopia, Garden of Eden, and social society there are rules that must be followed. In a previous blog of mine I mentioned about the terms of use page going on from more than two pages, causing the viewer to agree to anything, due to lack of patience. Well LiveJournals term's of use page is long but I have listed points that stood out to me.

Terms of Service:

*All Content posted to Live Journal in any way, is the responsibility and property of the author. Live Journal is committed to maintaining the Service in a manner reasonably acceptable to all audiences but is not responsible for the monitoring or filtering of any journal Content. Within the confines of international and local law, Live Journal will generally not place a limit on the type or appropriateness of user content within journals. Those users posting material not suitable for all audiences must agree that they are fully responsible for all the Content they have posted anywhere on the Service. Should Content be deemed illegal by such law having jurisdiction over the user, you agree that Live Journal may submit all necessary information to, and cooperate with, the proper authorities.

•The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") requires that we inform parents and legal guardians about how we collect, use, and disclose personal information from children under 13 years of age. Live Journal is not directed at children under 13 years of age but, we recognize that with proper adult supervision some parents might permit their children to visit Live Journal and use our Service. COPPA requires that we obtain the consent of parents and guardians in order for children under 13 years of age to use certain features of Live Journal.

*Don't Upload, post or otherwise transmit any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation;

I believe these terms are fair, considering the awesome options Live Journal gives members for creating their journals. The blogger's work is copyrighted and protected by Live Journal. They don't have to worry about censoring there words and ideas; because the site honors freedom of expression.

Live Journal gives the impression that you can bond with strangers in a secure environment. That these strangers will become your friends, who you can send virtual gifts to their profiles, and become like a large family. This site wants to be a artistic haven where stories can be told; members forming relationships without physical or visual contact, but the linking of the minds.

I consider Live Journal a worthy site to consider if you are interested in sharing, callborating, and connecting with other artist.

*Link to Live Journal: www.livejournal.com/