Too much of a good thing is still too much

Life After Web is moving. As I’ve struggled to balance work, family, personal web projects, and life in general, I’ve decided to simplify.

I have been maintaining two blogs, Life After Web and On a lighter note…, and I love them both. The problem is, it’s too much. When I don’t have a new post, my guilt is compounded doubly. The time has come to consolidate.

After weighing the pros and cons of each blog, the software behind it, and my plans for the future, I’ve decided to stick with the URL I used for On a lighter note… . (Please take a moment to bookmark it at: http://sherrileigh.wordpress.com.) However, the title will still be Life After Web. After all, both sites are about life and the web. The two terms are rather intertwined for me, a web project manager.

I will be importing all of the content from this site over to the new URL, so you won’t miss out on any of the old posts. There is also an RSS feed there to keep you current.

Thank you for supporting this little blog. It’s quite a fun experience and I can’t wait to continue it at the new Life After Web. See you there!

Create an Effective Web Site, Part 3 of 3: You have a site, now what?

This is part 3 of 3 in a series about creating effective Web sites. In part 1, we discussed planning that should take place before you even begin building your site. In part 2, we talked about drafting your content. Today in part 3, we tackle what to do when you have a site.

Just because you have a Web site doesn’t mean you’re done. This is no time to sit back and relax. Users will not find you just because you bought a URL and slapped up a few pages. You have to promote it and you have to think about the search engines.

Think local: There are many ways to promote your Web site. Start by including your URL on all of your marketing pieces, such as business cards, brochures, and mailers. Ask your customers if you can have their email address to notify them when your site goes live.

Think larger: Join online discussions about your area of expertise. Blogs and forums abound. Undoubtedly, someone has posted a question that you can answer.

Don’t forget those search engines: First, search engines will only find you if they know about you, so submit your site addresses to all major search engines. Most likely, the majority of your traffic will come from search engines, so you will want to make sure that you have the right keywords to help people find you. The search engines will regularly "crawl" your site to find out what is on it. They will look for the keywords and phrases you used to determine what your site is about. To make sure you come up in the listings, be sure to include terms that your customers and prospective clients will be looking for.

For more information about search engines, I highly recommend Search Engine Guide. That Jennifer Laycock is one smart woman.

If you did your planning, you should have a great site which will travel by word of mouth. Visit your own Web site frequently to make sure that your content is still relevant and to add new content where it makes sense.

Above all, enjoy it! The Web is a fascinating world.

Create an effective Web site, Part 2 of 3: Drafting your content

This is part 2 of 3 in a series about creating effective Web sites. In part 1, we discussed planning that should take place before you even begin building your site. Today in part 2, we will talk about content.

Your customers will learn a lot about your business from the content of your site. Not only will the content you select be important, but the presentation and organization of that content will leave an impression as well. An organized, well laid-out site with just the right information will make your prospective customer more likely to feel comfortable doing business with you. In contrast, a disorganized site with too little or too much information may send your prospective customer running to a competitor. Content can make or break your credibility.

When it’s time to write your content, it is critical to keep your message clear. You never want to confuse your customers. Keep it simple and make sure to include the information your customer needs to know. Here are some ideas to help make sure your content is clear:

1. Use simple words. Avoid fancy words and jargon that may confuse your customers.
   
2. Avoid acronyms. Your customer may be unfamiliar with the acronym and, therefore, may not understand what you are saying. If you do use acronyms, make sure to spell it out at least once on each page. (Why each page? If you only define it on one page, and your user doesn’t read that page, they will miss it.)
   
3. Use short sentences and short paragraphs. Breaking your information up in to small chunks greatly increases the clarity of your message.
   
4. Use bullets and lists. Information in list form is easier to comprehend.
   
5. Write in a conversational, yet professional style. A conversational style helps you keep your language simple and clean.
   

Tomorrow in part 3, you have a site, now what?

Create an effective Web site, Part 1 of 3: Planning your site

Planning is an important, yet often underserved step in building a Web site. Too often sites are started for the sake of having a site and then the owners do not see a return on their investment. This can be avoided by planning up front. By identifying your objective, goals, and what differentiates you from the competition, your site can be a great asset to your business.

Identify your Web goals

Determining specific goals is arguably the single most important step in creating your Web site. Without a clear objective you may find that your Web site is not adding value to your business or your mission. Your goal might be something like:

• Increasing revenue
  
• Attracting new customers
  
• Reducing the number of phone calls you get for basic information like hours and location

Identify your Web audience

It is important to know who the audience is for your Web site. Your Web audience may differ from your local customer base. Knowing this will help you create content that is valuable to your audience. Before preparing your content, think about these questions:

• Who is your Web audience?
  
• Why do they need your Web site?
  
• How will your Web site make their life easier?

Know your competition

Let’s face it. You have competition. You may like to forget about them, but knowing what makes your site different from your competitor’s site is important. Consider the competitors you already have identified in your daily business, but also consider what other competitors you may have on the Web. Because the internet makes this world a much smaller place, you may have a competitor for Web customers that is not a competitor in your physical location. Know what other businesses are doing on the Web.

If you're starting out with a new Web site, or if you just need to learn how to improve your site, June Cohen’s book, The Unusually Useful Web Book is a great resource. It will tell you everything you need to know to start your Web site, in plain English and short bursts of information. It is chock full of easy to understand tips and worksheets. (And I mean full- even the inside covers.) I love this book.

Tomorrow in part 2 of this series: drafting your content.

Green Web Sites Flourish

In an ever-growing trend (no pun intended), I have noticed an emphasis on “green” lately that has taken root (oops) on the web. One example is sprig.com, launched by The Washington Post earlier this year. It’s sort of an online woman’s magazine with a special focus on environmentally friendly fashion, food, home, and beauty.

We live in a special time where people can explore all sorts of things on the Internet, including the environment. I’m by no means an activist or even erudite on the subject, but I do like nature and I like to think that little shifts here and there can add up to good results. The Green Guide, by National Geographic, is filled with great tips and references. I have added their Green Guidance box to this site to give you a glimpse of what their site has to offer, as well as to simply remind myself to visit their site from time to time.

Life After Web Gets A Fresh Look

Aaahhh… that’s better. Sometimes you need a change. I initially started Life After Web in February of this year to learn about blogs in the best way I know how: by doing. During this short time I realized, people really are finding my blog and, in fact, reading it. What an exciting (or frightening?) experience. It seemed like it was time to take this blog and "kick it up a notch" as Emeril would say.

What do you think of the new look? While I enjoyed the earth tones of my previous template, I was not fond of the colored background behind the body text. I prefer something a little easier on the eyes. I think this new template is crisper, cleaner, and easier to read. Hopefully, you’ll agree.

With summer drawing to a close (though work maintaining a fast pace), I plan on getting back in the swing of things with my post. My goal is three posts per week on topics such as:
• How does the Internet affect society?
• On the flip side, how does society affect the Internet?
• What can you do to make your website more effective?
• What are other people/companies doing on their websites?
• and, a sprinkling of other random musings surrounding other forms of technology.

Thank you for joining me for the first part of this journey. Enjoy the ride as Life After Web continues to grow.

8 Random Things About Me

Deb Owen over at 8 hours & a lunch has tagged me to list 8 random things about me. This is the first time I’ve been tagged for anything, but I’m excited and ready for the challenge, so here we go.

First, the rules:

1. Post these rules before you give your facts.
   
2. List 8 random facts about yourself.
   
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names (linking to them)
   
4. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they've been tagged!
   

Eight random things about me:

1. I love random! I am good at random. My train of thought may jump the tracks sometimes, but there is almost always a method to my madness.
   
   
2. I love language. I like beautifully written prose, descriptions that transport readers, puns, and plays on words. A professor once marked my paper down for using “maybe,” when “perhaps is so much better.” You know what? Sometimes it is better. And sometimes, it really is maybe.
   
   
3. I am not a chef, however I sometimes make great meals by accident. Last week’s accident was chicken stirfry in a spicy peanut sauce.
   
   
4. I was an engineering major for a year-and-a-half in college. I did the calculus, programming, computer science, more calculus, chemistry, all of it. Then, I graduated with a degree in English. No, not because it was next alphabetically. I enjoyed written communications better. All of this brought me to web project management which I’ve been doing for almost 7 years now.
   
   
5. I understand why my dad once said, “I’m 50 years old and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” I would like to be a web editor. Admitting it is the first step.
   
   
6. I have a Webkinz, and I try to visit her for at least 5 minutes every day. Sure it may sound silly, but my inner child is delighted.
   
   
7. I like the super heroines and villainesses of DC Comics: Batgirl, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Supergirl. And why not? They’re strong, sassy, and, well… comical.
   
   
8. On her list, deb owen said, “i have, without a doubt, the most awesome friends and family on the entire planet.” So I reply… you know my friends and family? Neat! ;)

Now, I tag:

1. Dr. Lisa Tomaszewski of Physician’s Money Digest, a site which is teaching me a lot about my personal finances (even though I’m not a doctor
   
2. Papa Ceph, whose loved ones might enjoy 8 random facts about Lil’ Karl
   
3. J. de Vrede at J., a faithful reader
   
4. Farrell Kramer at .kramer- we want to know more about the man behind the communications company
   
5. Steve J, a former colleague also really good at random
   
6. Pepita at ThinkingSparks, who has interesting thoughts on business
   
7. Lynne Demmer at Everything’s Green who has been a little scarce lately, but hopefully she’s not gone for good
   
8. Nicolae Rusan of Foresighter, another quiet one lately

Life Without iPod

I spent most of last week without my iPod in my car after previously taking it in the house and forgetting to replace it. This may not sound horrible, or maybe it does to some of you, but it made me acutely aware of how much I miss when I'm behind the iPod.

My commute is close to one hour each way, so having my music or podcasts with the ability to play what I want, when I want, without commercials is important to me. Without my iPod last week, I was forced (gasp) to listen to the radio. I heard new songs and played along as contestants tried to win exciting prizes like... t-shirts. Congratulations to them. I was also brought up to speed on current events like Britney’s photo shoot fiasco and the breaking news of Lindsay Lohan’s arrest. Just think, I may have gone the entire day, or worse, my whole life without learning of these important news stories if I had been listening to my iPod.

Needless to say, my iPod is back in my car.

Human Interaction: A thing of the past or future?

Internet café: a place where you will be in the presence of others, with whom you will not communicate, while you use your computer to communicate with people who are not there

This was the definition given by the Blue Man Group at a show last week. Roughly. I wasn't taking notes.

By the way, I highly recommend their show. It was, as the critics say, entertaining, thought-provoking (who knew?), and surprising. But I digress.

In a seemingly odd phenomenon, it's not uncommon to see users engrossed in their computer at a coffee house or book store. One could argue that they are missing out on human interaction. If we think about it though, absent of computers, those patrons likely would not have spoken to their fellow strangers anyhow. In fact, some of them may even be interacting with humans on the other end of those computer lines in book stores across the country.

The Internet has changed human interaction, whether for better or worse is in the hands of each user.

Digital Magazine Appeals to Senses

Smart magazine publishers realize that they can no longer be solely focused on print issues, they must explore multiple media formats to reach their audience. Obviously People magazine understands this. They have put together a digital magazine filled with fantastic displays of technology (or for you non-technical folks… lots of fun stuff to see, hear, and click). See that dolphin in the background of the cover shot? Go to People Digital Magazine and that dolphin is actually jumping out of the water and diving back in.

In this issue, you can see video of the latest roller coaster to be built at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. You can watch the Harry Potter cast age through photos and test your knowledge of the stories: choose your answer and a clip from one of the movies will play to show you the right answer. A sizzling barbecue spread gives recipes and playlists for your summer feast. Concert previews, a live penguin camera, dunking American Idol contestants… what more can you ask for?

Movement, sound, and interactivity make this magazine exciting. While People magazine is not among my normal reads, I was hooked on playing with this digital issue. There are some great ideas to take from this.

Fashion, Phones Send Virtual Hugs

So there's this shirt. You put it on and hug yourself. Sensors in the shirt record the data about your embrace, then send it to your cell phone. From your phone, you open a "Hug Me" application and send a message to someone you want to hug. They accept your message and put on their Hug Shirt. Their hug shirt recreates the sensation of your hug.

I bet it's just as good as the real thing. Has anyone out there actually added this high fashion item to their wardrobe?

At least we're putting our scientific research to good use.

Brad Paisley Shows Us Our Own Ridiculousness, Again

Brad Paisley's latest music video humorously depicts internet behavior. In "Online" he discussed the persona shifts that sometimes come along with online interaction when a user portrays themselves in a stronger, more confident way.

I discussed social networking the other day and, while I think online interaction serves some purposes, it can not replace face-to-face interaction. Our lives are different online than they are in the real world. As I write this, I am wearing a faded 15 year old t-shirt and baggy cotton pants, yet I could present myself as a cutthroat business person if I so chose. I could not, however, walk out my front door in these clothes and elicit the same response. Don't misunderstand me; I don't mean to imply that one of these is the right way, the other wrong. I think both real world and online interactions can be enlightening, educational, even empowering.

Brad Paisley has yet again analyzed our society at a wonderfully basic level. See some of his other observations in "Celebrity" or "Alcohol." Reality is always entertaining.

Join a Social Network, Or Else

"If you don't belong to some kind of social network, you soon may not belong anywhere." So claims Daniel Tynan of US Airways magazine's "Our Digital Life."

Social networks come in all shapes and sizes. You can find one for almost any interest you have. Socializing online carries a number of conveneniences. Many networks involve leaving messages for others, which means you can squeeze it in whenever you have time. Chances are low that you'll experience that so-what-do-we-talk-about-now awkward silence that often occurs when meeting new people in the real world. It's a great way to have your questions answered, or learn how others have succeeded in a project you are currently facing.

Online social networks aren't exactly new, they've just evolved. I agree with Tynan that they can be valuable resources, but don't go just for the popularity factor, go for the experience.

Social Networking for Kids

The adults that haven't picked up on Second Life may now be invading the kids online virtual world, Webkinz.

I just learned of this new hit from a friend of mine who saw patrons of all sizes carrying small stuffed animals in the mall. The way it works is you purchase a Webkinz stuffed animal, then go online to adopt your new pet. Upon adoption, you are given a room, food, and KinzCash to be spent on more food, adornments for your room, or even more rooms. Your goal is to keep you pet happy, healthy, and fed.

In Webkinz you can play games at the arcade (and earn more KinzCash), speak to your pet through a menu of phrases, or interact with other Webkinz. It's social networking for a littler crowd, except, like Beanie Babies and Harry Potter, the adults are taking this fad over. With parental monitoring, however, this could be a fun way for kids to interact with a computer.

I've Missed My Blog

I've written in earlier posts about the amount of time many of us spend on our computer and how this affects our personal relationships. I am generally in favor of stepping away from the computer.

Odd phenomenon, though. I've actually felt guilty for neglecting my blogs lately. I've been traveling, working long hours, cheering on little league games, and otherwise ignoring my computer for weeks. I became anxious to write again.

With those that have left comments here, I feel a certain camaraderie. For all of the readers that have taken the time to find this little blog, I feel an obligation. This is part of my social life.

The internet is a remarkably significant part of my life. I've missed my blogs. It's good to know they've been here patiently waiting for me.

Users Choose TV Shows

What do you want to watch on television? Networks have spent decades trying to push shows on to the viewers through pilots and short series in hopes of creating a winner. Now, some networks are finding value in trying new shows out on the Internet in specially formatted "webisodes." Consider it the new pilot. The network can monitor feedback on the web. We all know news, good or bad, travels fast through blogs. If the buzz looks positive, the network may choose to air a few episodes. If not, they may scrap it altogether.

Jordan Levin, former CEO of the WB network explained, "we're shifting to a user-empowered era in which audiences take ownership of content." (See article: TV Pilots Crash, Fans Race to the Web for the Next Viral Hit .)

Consumers have always been savvy. The Internet places more control in the consumers' hands, giving the users a venue to voice opinions on everything from television shows to politics. If the television networks can utilize the Internet to better viewer experiences, then why not try an online sneak peak?

Living a Web Life

You’ve probably noticed my lack of posts in recent weeks. I’ve been noticing the same phenomenon on other blogs as well. Must be Spring fever. I would say that life got in the way, but that sounds like life is a bad thing, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In the past month my non-work time has been consumed by hosting guests, moving, going to baseball games, and spending time with my family.

I am now caught up on my news feeds and it looks like the Internet is still the way of the world. People are still blogging and twittering and networking online. One guy (though I presume there are others) has managed to maintain an online presence while still living his life. Justin.tv is a perpetual video account of Justin Kan’s life as viewed from a camera strapped to his head. Interesting idea. It’s not for everyone. I’m pretty sure no one needs or wants to see my life in that much detail. It just goes to show that voyeurism will always provide some people entertainment.

1.8 Million Species, 1 Site

I have a lot of web projects going on at work right now that range in scope and scale. All of it, however, pales in comparison to an upcoming undertaking called the Encyclopedia of Life.

Over the course of the next decade, the Encyclopedia of Life will be loaded with all known information about every species on the planet- all 1.8 million of them. Rather than appealing to a niche audience, it is aiming to be accessible by the masses. Information will be accessible at a level for scientists and six-year-old children, educators and those that are simply curious. According to their website, EOL’s goal “is to create a constantly evolving encyclopedia that lives on the Internet, with contributions from scientists and amateurs alike.”

We’ve changed a lot since the days of the door-to-door encyclopedia salesman. Here’s a video to whet your appetite.

Travel to Galapagos Without Jet Lag

Traveling to Galapagos is on my “someday” wishlist. I’ve heard the wildlife and environment there are spellbinding. The travel, however, is long, expensive, and requires special permits.

Annie Ok offers an alternative, however, through her environmental design where she has created a virtual Galapagos in Second Life. Annie’s creations may not be enough to appease those of us that want to visit Galapagos, but they are quite breathtaking in their own digital right. You can see a full set of images on Flickr or visit Galapagos in Haenim, Second Life. Otherwise, maybe I’ll see you in the real Galapagos someday.

Staying Connected At All Times

Many people, particularly the younger crowd, have immersed themselves in online social networking. New sites are continually popping up for sharing details about your life and many of the newer sites are allowing you to do so from your mobile phone.

In Social Networking Leaves Confines of the Computer, one creator of the technology explains, ”exhibitionism will exist as long as there is voyeurism, but we are in the business of helping people stay in touch with the people who are close to them.”

Fans of the technology use it to update their friends, family, or complete strangers on their daily lives. Some use it to share their travel experiences, like Walter Zai, who captured his African safari via his mobile phone for instant online sharing.

Services like Twitter provide continual messages from users answering the question, what are you doing right now? At the time I wrote this, problemboard was “feeling raindrops despite no clouds. I hope those are raindrops...,” while anjibee was “wearing my pink eskimo joe's tee that ronnoc sent me and pink jammie bottoms. might just wear them all day... .” Interesting.

Whatever the venue, social networking is will definitely be around for a while. New technology will continue to tweak the playing field. So, what am I doing right now? Walking away from the computer.