Conversational AI might be familiar to you if you have ever used a chat box or asked Siri a question on your phone or through a website. This technology is expanding to where in the foreseeable future it is likely that companies such as Amazon or Google might bring out versions where artificial intelligence can hold conversations with humans. This can be done through any device with its adaptability and ease of access. All you really need is a reliable device and a good connection to be able to utilize the resource, so it is available to the public.

For many, this is a welcomed feature and resource to have. It would take conversational commerce to another level by being able to engage and convert customers in a quick and more effective manner quicker than most humans on their own. 

The chat box market is continuing to expand and grow in popularity. It was estimated to be worth around $6.8 billion in 2021 and is showing signs that it will not be slowing down anytime soon. New ideas and features are being discussed and implemented regularly. 

Conversational AI solves a few different issues including ones related to customer support. It has the ability to automate customer service, work with conversion rates, improve overall customer satisfaction and experiences, as well as support ease of collecting revenue. Small businesses, e-commerce business owners, etc appreciate this resource. 

The downside to this resource is the lack of true personal connection and service that only humans can provide. While artificial intelligence has many great features and can often be a great help, there are often times it can be frustrating for the user to not have the option to speak with the real people behind the scenes. 

https://research.aimultiple.com/future-of-conversational-ai/

https://cogitocorp.com/blog/the-future-of-conversational-ai/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/whats-the-future-of-conversational-ai/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/02/04/13-cutting-edge-technologies-that-may-soon-be-making-a-big-impact/?sh=7ac70b948ae8

There are a lot of popular mobile apps out there these days. It feels as though every day I hear of a new popular app that is marketing itself as the best for different niches and purposes. While there are a great many I could choose from to review, I chose to narrow down my choices by looking at my own phone and what I regularly use for inspiration and content creation as I am in the design field. With that in mind, I will focus on Instagram and Pinterest, which are both hugely popular mobile apps and are opened almost daily on my own and utilized.

Instagram is used for a few different reasons but is mainly known as a photo and video-sharing platform that helps connect users to friends, family, and fans or supporters. Some use this platform simply as a way to see what is happening in their friends or families’ lives and enjoy sharing fun videos they find on stories or chatting through DM’s. Other people use it as a way to promote their service, product, or hobby to the world as well as be inspired by similar people in the community. Increasingly this is becoming a popular place for that, specifically with video-related content (reels) and advertising. The target audience for Instagram tends to be the Millennial and GenZ community, typically within the range of 16-30 years old.

Instagram makes (a lot) of money through its app and the millions of users that are on it every single day. Revenue streams include a picture and video ads, the newer “shop marketplace” feature, as well as branded content ads. In simple terms, they make their money through advertising because people pay them to promote and there is never a lack of customers for them. 

Pinterest is another visual-focused mobile app but is set up differently than Instagram. People can follow each other, share their content (which is always very aesthetically pleasing to view,) and save inspiration to boards on their profiles. I personally love using Pinterest because you can have as many boards as you would like and save all the inspiration pics and video clips that I want to be able to go back and refer to. There is always new content being added to your own customized home page and you can also make your pins for others to save. This is a great way to promote your product or service to others and direct them to a website, storefront, etc. Pinterest’s target audience tends to be mainly women ages 30-49 years old, however, it can vary greatly because of the wealth of content for different niches. 

Similarly to Instagram, Pinterest makes a lot of its money from advertising streams as well. Promoted pins are the big one here, where users can pay to have their pins and accounts advertised to a wider audience and hopefully attract followers and buyers. They also have a “buy it” button that makes purchasing through the app and storefronts easier than before.

Overall, I personally enjoy these two mobile apps a lot and have benefited from the wealth of information, inspiration, and content that is daily available. It is clear that millions of other users also benefit greatly from these apps and it doesn’t look like there is any chance of them becoming less popular any time soon. 

https://fakeclients.com/blog/the-best-graphic-design-apps

https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/instagram-age-demographics

https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-demographics/

https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/pinterest-statistics

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4472656-how-does-instagram-make-money-for-facebook

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4469657-5-different-ways-pinterest-makes-money

Cloud computing, in simple terms, is programs that can store information and data through the internet instead of through hard drives. There are several different cloud-based applications that most people are familiar with. Off the top of your head, you might think of iCloud or Google drive. Two others, which I personally use in my daily life and that I think others might recognize as well, are Microsoft 365/One Drive and Slack.

Microsoft One Drive/365 is an excellent subscription-based service cloud-based program. They have grown into quite the suite with programs that can be used easily at work and home for personal use. It is a very efficient resource that makes productivity and consistent workflow simple. Within the subscription, you can access all their amazing features, chat in Teams (similar to Slack in this case,) and share and collaborate with others in one all-encompassing suite. Microsoft can be accessed from all devices and has great protection and backup services as well. You can create documents, slides, spreads, and more within this platform. Messaging in Teams is an added plus, and there are several other features and options too.

Slack is a great communication tool that is also considered a cloud-based program because it is a platform that connects people from different devices and allows members to collaborate, share, and work easily and efficiently through messaging. Slack is also considered to be a great, laid-back, and informal way to “email” without needing to elaborate and share things in a tricky way through email. Not only that, but they also make it easy to stay productive by integrating other programs and resources such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Twitter, and Foursquare. A lot can be done with just the free platform, but advanced features and integration options also open up with the paid options. There is even a plug-in that connects email and calendars to make life even easier for the user. You can share lists, collaborate, allow desktop notifications, and more.

Overall, Slack makes protection a priority, but it is not the same saving/sharing/protected and backed-up platform that Microsoft is. They both serve amazing purposes, but they are different. These two services share the similarity of being cloud-based programs and continue to be excellent resources that students, families, offices, and businesses use on a daily basis.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-cloud-computing#fbid=CDQGL8QmD3y

Slack Cheat Sheet: A Complete Slack Guide for 2024

https://mashable.com/archive/cloud-computing-guide

https://slack.com/help/articles/115004071768-What-is-Slack-

https://www.howtogeek.com/669400/what-is-microsoft-365/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage

1. What were the top three social media sites, in terms of traffic, in 21-22? List them in order of popularity.

In terms of traffic and popularity, here is what I found to be true for social media.

• Facebook is at the top of the list with almost 3 billion monthly users
• After FB, comes Youtube which sees on average 2.2 billion monthly users
• Instagram and WhatsApp are in a close tie with 2 billion monthly users. I am going to choose Instagram for the focus of today. I feel like it continues to be extremely well-known and popular.

2. Provide a brief summary of how each social media site works and why people use it.

• Facebook is a social networking platform that allows users to create a free profile account and connect with friends and family. On this platform, you can share your photos or text-only posts. You can also interact with and like others’ posts. Both video and photo can be shared, as well as the capability to go live, join groups, and follow business pages.
• Youtube is a video-sharing platform where long videos can be shared and people can subscribe to stay up to date with people they enjoy watching. It is owned by google you can watch, like, share, and create your own channel and upload videos.
• Instagram used to be primarily a photo-sharing platform but has evolved into more and more video content as well. Similar to FB, you can create a free profile account and share your own content as well as interact with and share other users’ content. It has a large visual focus and you cannot post text-only posts.

3. What are “demographics” and why is it important in social media?

Demographics are statistical ways we describe populations – specifically people in this case. Their characteristics and the population are studied and with that comes data about things such as employment, education, sex, ethnicity, etc.

4. Explain any demographics that stand out among the three social media sites you listed above. (More popular with a specific age group, are the majority of users male or female, married or single, employees or self-employed, etc.)

Young people – mid-teens to young adults as well as moms I feel like gravitate towards Instagram over Facebook moms, teens, influencers, and freelancers, seem to enjoy Instagram. Facebook seems to attract older people mid 30’s and up and has been around longer. They reach parents, business owners, and oftentimes grandparents. Youtube truly reaches a very wide audience because there is so much content for all types of people. Definitely mid-teens and the younger generation seem to be getting the most use from it, but there is a fair bit of use from the older generation as well. People who want to learn or be entertained often visit Youtube.

5. On average, how much time do users spend on each social media site during a day, week, or month? Provide a resource that supports your answer.

On average, people spend about 147 minutes a day on social media which is about 2.5 hours daily. It is also reported that people spend about half their time on their phones using social media. Around 78% of Americans have and use social media regularly.

6. Which of the three social media networks is growing the fastest? Why do you think that is?

TikTok seems to be growing the fastest right now because of the trends going around and the fact so many people are enjoying video content and being entertained this way. It has also become a hobby for some to create and share videos on this platform. Facebook continues to hold strong for being the most used.

7. How are the majority of visitors accessing these three sites (computer, mobile device, tablet)?

Phones are at the top of the list because of their ease and quick access. Computers are often used for Youtube and Facebook if larger screens for communicating or watching videos are helpful. 

Research:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/demographics.asp

The Most Popular Social Media Platforms in 2024 (+How to Harness Their Popularity)

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close

https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/how-much-time-does-the-average-person-spend-on-social-mediahttps://techjury.net/blog/time-spent-on-social-media/

In 2009, massive cybersecurity and fraudulent behavior took place. It affected thousands of people as well as large companies including Fortune 500’s. A man by the name of Albert Gonzalez, along with two unidentified Russian conspirators, were the ones behind the attack. Gonzalez had originally worked for the US security service earlier in his life. After the investigation regarding all the fraudulent behavior that took place, it was found that he had passed information to criminals which aided in the hacking. Albert, along with the two conspirators, were able to hack into retail databases, company systems, and stole more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers. Not only were personal identities and card numbers stolen, but many big-name companies like TJX, OfficeMax, BJ’s, and Barnes and Noble, were affected by this huge attack on personal and public security.

These three hackers used tactics such as hacking into retail databases, stealing credit card numbers, using malicious software (malware,) installing dangerous software, and more. They stole data, leaked financial information, and then uploaded or downloaded what they needed to then sell or use for their personal gain. They especially looked for any weaknesses in many sites’ security and took advantage of that. Finally, not only did they break into payment systems, but they also engaged in ATM fraud and would withdraw tens of thousands of dollars at a time from them.

Albert specifically, along with his conspirators, were charged with at least nineteen counts of device, computer, wiring, and conspiracy fraud. Time in jail along with a large fine was put in place after the charges. Not only that but restitution was ordered and included any victims, companies, etc. Albert’s real estate, property, expensive vehicle, and more were confiscated, along with the one million dollars that he buried in his backyard. Fraud, cyber-attacks, and hacking are not taken lightly, and this was something the attorneys and district as well as the criminal division for computer crime, made clear.

There are a few things we can do to help better protect ourselves from attacks like this. One thing we can do is acquire and regularly update security and anti-malware software on our devices. Another smart thing would be to make sure we are keeping personal information to ourselves and if we need to share any, that we are careful whom it is shared with (online or with another person.) Having alerts of unusual behavior or activity can also be beneficial, especially for financial situations. It is important to always shop from secure sites and work from secure networks as well. While we can never perfectly protect ourselves from this kind of unfortunate behavior, there are still a few things we can do to protect ourselves in the best way possible, especially regarding financial fraud and attacks online.

No matter where you work, what you do, and what type of field you are in, you probably deal with digital software and technology daily. For many companies, digital tech such as computers, hard drives, and financial payment tools, as well as other specific programs are a large part of what supports a company. This is often how companies serve their customers and provide them with what they need when they need it. Additionally, resources like this help keep the business flow in order. These important and helpful tools come with challenges and threats, however.  Nothing is perfect and this remains true in the digital world because, without proper attention and care, a lot of damage and security breaching can happen in a small amount of time. A successful and booming company that is respected can quickly lose its good reputation and protection if the digital aspects aren’t taken care of and monitored.

Five of the most common sources of digital threats that you might encounter include drive-by download attacks, insider threats, password attacks, phishing, and malware. In simple terms, drive-by downloads can happen without even clicking a button, but by simply accessing or landing on an unsecured website whose intent is to get people to unknowingly download harmful systems. Insider threats occur when someone close to (or within) a company accesses networks and can change, alter, and affect things in a negative way online. For example, an employee with access may download malicious malware to damage the company’s reputation if they are hoping to hurt the company. Malware is unauthorized and damaging software meant to access digital tools and computers. There is a lot of different malware that can be a potential threat, so it is important to be safe and smart. Phishing is another common threat where emails, texts, etc. are made to appear professional and trustworthy but whose purpose is to trick people into clicking links, entering information, and ultimately revealing private info that should not be accessed by the hacker. Lastly, there are password attacks that can be done in a few different ways but basically, it is the way hackers will sometimes choose to try to access computers and accounts by getting through the password. Some simply guess passwords while others plan sneaky ways to authenticate themselves and get past the passwords.

It is important to know and identify different processes, systems, functions, and more to best protect yourself against threats like the ones mentioned above. One thing companies would want to do to help protect would be to have firewalls on their tech to protect the systems from attacks and info access. It would also be important to download trusted anti-malware software and continually be reviewing the digital footprint employees and the company is leaving behind. Including CAPTCHA for verification would also be smart for security and identifying humans from bots. Lastly, it would be important to be smart with account usernames and passwords by keeping track of them, making them all unique and tough to figure out, as well as not re-using them repeatedly for different accounts.

The last important thing to do while seeking to protect your company in the best way possible from digital threats and damage would be to implement some new strategies that are reliable and safe. Always be sure to secure accounts and keep tabs on usernames, passwords, and accounts (think about that digital footprint.) It is also helpful to require two-step authentication for users and customers who may be using the site or purchasing from it. Continually check that software is always kept up to date and remember to think before clicking anything that feels off or unsafe.

There are a lot of things companies can do to help protect themselves from digital threats. Software, record keeping, verifications, systems, etc. can all be smart ways to keep things secure and safe for employees, customers, and companies. Consider the consequences of not paying attention to these matters and consider implementing at least some of these action steps to keep the success rolling and avoid painful mistakes and problems down the road.

– Nyah Stiltner

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Top-10-types-of-information-security-threats-for-IT-teams

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Top-10-types-of-information-security-threats-for-IT-teams

https://onlinedegrees.und.edu/blog/types-of-cyber-security-threats/

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/privacy-project/how-to-protect-your-digital-privacy

This is still very much a relevant topic especially right now, although it has been like that for a while now. I feel that people are really drawn to the idea of simplicity and making life easier these days. Not only do I enjoy reading and learning about this topic, but I chose it also because I know others are interested as well. 

All of these sources I have either looked into their reputation and trust have personal experience following for a while, or both. With that in mind here are some posts and articles that I have found helpful. 

https://bemorewithless.com/simplify-wardrobe/

1st – Courtney Carver posted this article in 2021 and she is knowledgeable, has lots of followers and fans, posts quality content, and has been doing this for a while (ie she has plenty of experience.

2nd – Jennifer L. Scott spoke at TedX in 2015 and they shared her story on Youtube. While this one is a little bit older, it is still extremely popular and has over 1.4 million views. She is well known for her popular book titled “Lessons from Madame Chic” and has also published a few other books, is a bestselling author, and has been featured in many news sections. 

3rd – Just earlier this Madison Gray, who has 38.3k subscribers on Youtube and posts a lot of quality content people resonate with, made a video where she discussed the 10-item wardrobe from her perspective. People love and value the authority and knowledge as well as the experience that she brings. Madison has lots of thoughtful comments and feedback in all her videos, including this one, and is known for her helpful videos and wardrobe tips.

All of these have positive feedback and are continuing to grow in popularity because it is a relevant subject and people are interested. Everything was written or created in video form and inspires people to want to create a simpler wardrobe for themselves.

Content management systems allow for multiple users to create, edit, and publish information, text, imagery, and more. Two great examples of this are WordPress and Squarespace, both popular website-building platforms that allow individuals to create beautiful sites, blogs, and shops. Within these platforms, there are templates, graphics, images, and more that make the user’s experience straightforward; they don’t need to interact with the web server directly because the content is stored in a database and displayed to everyone on the web. These systems aren’t just for websites, however. Besides web content, content management systems are found for things like document creation and digital assets.

Something to consider is the fact that these content management systems are making it easier and easier for people to take the “DIY” approach to create a website on their own for their brand or business. That is because these platforms are making it possible to do this without needing to know how to code everything with HTML, CSS, etc. With that, comes some pros and cons. The benefits are that creating a website is now easy to access and get your hands on, it makes creating eye-catching sites doable for almost anyone, and it can save people money. Especially for say a new business owner, this would be enticing.

However, it also comes with some drawbacks. Web and graphic designers who possess excellent creative skills such as in design, UX, web, and more, will have fewer people looking to them to provide creative solutions. It also opens the doors for others to question why they would spend the money on hiring someone else to do something they “think” they can do the same way. The truth is that there is a lot more customization, and care, as well as behind-the-scenes benefits of still using someone who knows how to do their job well.

Depending on what you are looking for, content management platforms can be beneficial and quite useful and helpful. However, there is also a lot of benefit to knowing what you need and working with someone who can help you achieve exactly what you are looking for. If you truly want a unique, customized, branded, and excellent product, website, etc, hiring or doing the full work yourself (if you are knowledgeable) is best.

Sources:

https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/content-management-system-cms/https://themeisle.com/blog/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms/https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/content-management-system/

Today, do more people access the web using computers or mobile devices?  – Almost 60% of all web traffic is coming through mobile phones which is a huge increase from a decade before when it was only at about 10%. Almost everyone has a phone in their pocket and is accustomed to being able to quickly pull it up to answer a question, be entertained, purchase something, or learn. So overall, this is no surprise. https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/mobile-internet-traffic

Who controls the World Wide Web? What is it made up of? – It is tough to answer this question because, to be honest, it is kind of owned by everyone and yet not owned by anyone in a sense as well. Basically, it is almost a network of networks that people and organizations manage and own. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/who-owns-the-internet-and-who-should-control-it/

Who is Tim Berners Lee? What is he best known for? – Tim Berners Lee is a British engineer and a computer scientist who is known for inventing the world wide web. He is also the Director of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductees/tim-berners-lee

What is a blog? What is it used for? – a blog is a website where people can share information and have discussions. It may also be a type of online journal that is continually added to or a place people go to be educated and informed about a topic. Posts and pages are created to organize the content and there are often links, widgets, and a good design and layout that make a user’s experience enjoyable while visiting the page. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/blog-weblog

What is a “responsive” website design? – It is a well-thought-out and designed website that responds well to changes in the screen size (think is it mobile and desktop friendly?) and adapts well to the user’s needs and behavior. No matter the orientation, size, or platform, the website design should be created with this all in mind to create a quality site experience. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/01/guidelines-for-responsive-web-design/

Why are “responsive” website designs necessary? – As stated above, responsive design is very important in creating a quality user experience. When sites don’t work well, people leave quickly and people lose possible readers, customers, etc. Resolution, flexibility, and quick navigation all play a part in the whole thing. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/01/guidelines-for-responsive-web-design/

What is SEO, and why should website owners/managers be concerned with SEO? – SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and in simple terms, it helps rank and feature websites and articles, ranks them higher in search engines when done correctly, and uses keywords especially to promote relevant things to people on the internet. It is important because, without it, the web will not be able to get your site or article or whatever else it is you want people to find, up there on the web. SEO helps the web find you and share you with others searching and helps boost sales, followers, etc. https://mailchimp.com/marketing-glossary/seo/ 

What is dynamic content?  – Based on different data, digital and online content changes over time. This could be video, audio, text, etc. Depending on a user’s preferences and interests, these things will change. https://www.greengeeks.com/blog/dynamic-content/

What is a content management system? – Here is a great example of this one…Canvas! A content management platform is an application used to modify, make, and manage content for websites. You can also store content, publish, and discuss within the platform. https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/content-management-system/ 

What is a youtube channel? Who might want to start one? – A youtube channel is a page within youtube that people create as almost a digital video version of a blog. People can document and share content through video and upload them to their YT page. Then, with some marketing and SEO work, you can rank higher in search engines and be found and followed by people who love what you share. https://www.lifewire.com/channel-youtube-1616635 

Hi there, I’m Nyah. I’m a student who loves visual communication and creativity. I am in my second year at COTC for the Digital Media Design program. I love creating and designing things, helping people, and staying organized (as best as possible!)

When I am not staying busy with work and school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching shows, doodling on something, or drinking tea. I also love to do little design projects for friends/family and am trying to learn more about social media management. Oh, and I am almost always listening to music.

Currently, I work at a chiropractic office and enjoy interacting with people and getting to be a part of a team that wants to help people feel better and live a quality life.

A little background…

When I graduated high school, I felt torn about what I was supposed to do. I most enjoyed the thought of being a teacher, a therapist of some kind, or a graphic designer. Ever since I was young, I always loved the idea of being a teacher, enjoyed being creative, and wanted to help people.

After graduation, I decided to wait on college. I knew I loved kids so I worked as an aide at a school, at a daycare as an assistant teacher, and finally as a nanny. In addition to that, I dabbled in design and did some of my practice and projects for mock-up clients.

Fast forward to the fall of last year (2021), I decided to take the plunge and go to school for graphic design. Since then, I have grown so much in my design skills. With the help of some wonderful professors so far, the experience has been wonderful. It has also given me more confidence in my decision to get into this field.

Thanks for reading 🙂