I have been writing in various forms since I was a child. I write about what is going on in my life, what I enjoy, and the struggles of dealing with chronic illness and mental health issues. I love live music, football (Scotland and Dunfermline Athletic), reading, Formula 1, Stock Cars, and eating lots of vegan crap.
One of the topics I moaned about on my reccent video, was the change of the YouTube homepage. Something that I am not a fan of. I understand why a site may need to update its stylings every so often, but sometimes those changes are for the worse. Maybe not in the eyes of who manages the site in question, but for the users.
It has been proven that if a user accesses a site, and finds their favourite features removed and the site has changed beyond all recognition, they will leave the site. Why? Well, like anything, people use a service they feel familiar with and then the user will create some personal connection with the site. This is good for whoever runs the site, because any users who make a connection with a site, they will become repeated users. Which is a good thing for any site, as you can probably guess.
The issue with having users so personally attatched to a website, is that these people are resistant to change. Whilst they may accept subtle changes, here and there, if the site undergoes a complete overhaul, there is a chance the frequent users will stop using the service. It is a risk, a risk that the site creator needs to evaluate fully before they make any changes. Some sites even go to the lengths of asking their users, what they would like to see on the site.
But what are the main things could put people off a site, if it where to be changed?
1)Colour. Although this seems unimportant in the grand scheme of the site and what it is used for, the colour is what people first notice about the site, and if it is changed to something on the other side of the colour spectrum, it could bewilder users. The best example of this is probably Facebook. The site is designed in blue and white, and without looking too much into the content of the site, most of its users will recognise it based on colour, without reading anything on the actual web page. The colours have become part of the brand identity of Facebook, so it is important for that to stay on the site, no matter what changes is made. It is actually proven, that you can get away with changing a site subtly (moving columns around,etc) as long as the colour is the same, because it is still familiar.
2)Logo. Every website online has some kind of logo. A logo which allows a user to instantly recognise what it is that they are using. Whenever you go onto a website, most users will automatically look at the top of the page, to see the logo. Something which adds familiarity onto a site, and is something that will stick in the mind of a user. It is why Logos are used for all businesses, it is an easy way to advertise. If you have a really good logo, it will become embedded in a client’s mind, and the client will use the service again. On a website, a logo can sometimes be a little bit of personality, to allow a person to become attached to the site or business.
3)Features. If you have people visiting a website, it is usually because they are there for a specific purpose. If the site owner re-sites some of the features, this could confuse some users and could put them off from visiting again. Usually, if it is something simple such as changing the font, or the arrangement of a particular column, then people will accept the changes, and move on. But, if you do something such as remove something from the main screen, then you have the chance that they could become lost, and the effort of figuring out a new way of doing things, can make someone go elsewhere. The best, most recommended, way to do any major changes, is to put a guide on the main page, telling people how to find features if they have been re-sited. If you get rid of a feature, again, be honest with the user and let them know what’s happened. If you are upfront and honest, the client will make that personal connection with you, and there is more chance of them sticking around the service.
To me those are the three main things that are normally changed on a site, and why I think they could put off people. Normally if you provide a really good service, you will get away of making changes to the site, but be aware its not always the case. If you do want to change things, make the changes subtle, or even query your users. Whatever you do, keeping clients in the ‘loop’ will keep them on your side, and should see you lose minimal business.
How many times have you cursed the Anime and Manga fans who clog up book shops, or rolled your eyes at people pretending to be Japanese?
As annoying it is, to see people looking at different cultures and favour them over there own, looking at different cuture to your own is intriguing. And as the Western world becomes more Americanised, you have to look further afield to look at a completely different culture. After America, the other country whose culture is a huge influence, especially to the younger generations, is Japan.
Japan seems like a different world, when compared to the UK. Of course, not even Japan is immune from Americanisation, what with KFC becoming THE Christmas meal in Japan and McDonald’s appearing in every major town. There are still enough differences, to make studying the culture interesting. The big interest in everything Japanese is thought to have started in the late 80s/early 90s, when Japanese companies Nintendo and Sega took the forefront of computer game technology, and each sold millions of consoles around the world. After people got a taste of the cute characters, people started to purchase into Anime and manga, so much so, that almost every book shop in the UK now stores a Manga section bigger than that of the more traditional superhero comics. Then thanks to the popularity of Pokemon, Hello Kitty and singers like Qwen Steffani mimicking Japanese style, more and more people have confessed to being ‘Japanophiles’.
Whilst, you may get the idea that I don’t like Japan, this is not the case. I still play Pokemon on a regular basis, and I have read my fair share of manga. And although they have a harder working schedule than us in the UK, they also seem to enjoy their life a lot more. So, it has been suggested, that people see this positive outlook and try to mimic what they see to try and improve their quality of life. There is truth in that, if you pick up a new hobby that you enjoy, it will improve your quality of life, because of the simple fact that it makes you happier. And, it doesn’t matter who you are, if something makes someone happy, and it’s not harming anyone else, they should be able to do whatever it is.
As a person who will admit that she likes looking at the differences between here and Japan, I am going to recommend Tofugu for people to have a look at. It is a blog which looks at various parts of Japanese Culture, and may answer some of the questions you may have in your head.
Some days, you have to just take stock and realise what is around you.
I’ll be honest, most of the time I don’t look around and actually pay attention to what is around me. Mostly because I have other things on my mind. When you do take the time to look around yourself, you realise that your surroundings are not as bad as you maybe thought.
+FOLLOW THE BRANCH+
+LOOK UP+
+THE RIVER+
+WATERFALL+
+DUNFERMLINE PALACE RUINS+
+++++++++
All photographs are taken by myself, and are also on my Flickr.
Due to request, I am searching for a method of printing these photos well, so that people can purchase prints. Flickr will be updated when this happens.
After a night of spending time with family, which ended up in watching brain-dead TV.
I’m going to try and talk about this as less as condescending as possible. It probably won’t happen, and I’ll offend half the people who decide to read this entry. But, I need to say it. After watching the ‘highlight’ of weekend viewing, which was Dancing on Ice, and being bored half way through the show, I felt like I had to say how stupid TV has become.
Maybe it’s because I am not an avid watcher of TV. I haven’t fallen into a habit of watching the television, just because I can think of nothing better to do. I couldn’t believe that a show about ‘celebrities’ learning to ice skate is the staple of ITV’s primetime, Sunday night itinerary. Why must the public be choked by people who are famous for having no real talent? It’s almost like by teaching them how to ice skate, they are giving them a skill, and publicising them all at once. Which is all it is ultimately, publicising people who can’t get a job elsewhere.
To me entertainment should be something enthralling, something that can take you off into another world. Watching a ‘WAG’ fall over on ice, is not enthralling, it is just sadistic, so that people can laugh at her. And to be told that this is primetime, weekend viewing, as if this is the best television that the UK can produce. If I were to watch anything on TV, I’d prefer it to be a documentary. But that’s just because I like watching a program where I can ‘take away’ something from it. But other than the seeing that Jane Torville has had ‘work done’, I don’t think many people would have taken anything from the Dancing On Ice ‘experience’.
Maybe, it is because I don’t watch a lot of television, as I find most of it stupid. It’s not just the ‘celebrity’ filled reality shows that annoy me. The soaps do as well. Things such as having a mother swap her dead baby for a live one, in Eastenders, made me change channel. Why is that considered entertainment? Do people really want to watch something so unbelievably depressing?
It is a proven fact, that if you get someone into the routine of watching television at a certain time everyday, they will still watch television at the set time, even if the TV show of choice has moved times. People say that they like the idea of ‘logging off’ from reality. Why? So that you don’t have to cope? They can submerge themselves in another world.
That sounds like an excuse drug addicts spout on Jeremy Kyle, or any other chat show. People are so unwilling, and lazy to actually deal with things, that they are always looking for something else to take them away from everything. Some have alcohol, some have drugs and some have television. Television is an obnoxious drug, a drug that effects every person in the developed world. People watch out of habit, more than actual interest of what is on.
People have become so dumbed down by television, that they can no longer parent. They plonk a young child in front of the TV, and blame it when the child breaks the law. If you are stupid enough to allow a child to watch programs which feature rape and drug addiction, then you lose your right to blame anyone but yourself. And rape and drug addiction, as well as child abduction and domestic abuse, are all features of UK based soap operas. Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, does not have a balanced human being amongst them, and yet they are the most watched programmes in the UK.
I’m glad I don’t watch a lot of TV. Maybe I’ll hide in my bedroom, with my record collection and my library book.
I spend way too much online, watching Vlogs of people who actually update regularly. Now whilst this is good, in that it gets me motivated, and gets me wanting to do something, it also makes me feel bad, because I am such a lazy vlogger. I go through little sprints of making videos, where I get all excited. But, most of the time I am way too lazy to try shoot, edit and upload a video, especially when it can take anything up to an hour to upload videos.
I know, I have slow internet, especially during the day. -.-
I am a very creative individual, when my mood lets me, and I openly embrace anything that allows a person to let their creative juices flow. It helps stop a person becoming repressed, they can become more in touch with their feelings, and are less likely to do things such as commit mass murder. So, being creative not just betters your existence it could be saving the lives of others.
Well, it could.
Anyway, I do spend a lot of time watching vlogs and am subscribing to new channels on a daily basis. Whilst this gives me way too much ‘home work’ whenever I am offline for a few days, it is worth it, and I do get to the point when I could spend a few hours happily watching Vlogs. There is something embedded into my brain somewhere, where I like to show my opinion (which you will know if you have read this blog before). And it therefore involves me listening to other peoples’ opinions and thoughts, because that is the only way you can express opinion, is knowing how other people may think.
Sometimes I wish I had went to University to major in human behaviour, because it is something that interests me so much. I mean, you can tell a lot from a person, just by how well the edit videos and talk to the camera. I am aware that sounds slightly misguided, but I assure you, how you edit a video says a lot about you. I am the kind of person who is terrible at editing, and that is usually because I like to cut it where I feel it seems natural. It just never comes across as natural on screen.
Anyways, here is are a few You Tube channels which have lead to me living my life on a video site.
Positivity is not something I have lots of, so when I do feel in the higher levels of the mood spectrum, I feel I should share it. Mostly to show that I am capable on things other than just moaning a lot. So I feel that my odd positive days, should be embraced to the full, because it’s only fair. I mean, I seem to go on and on about my bad days, so good days should be the same. Right?
I have spent the last few days catching up on Vlogs, Blogs and various other titbits I keep myself amused online. I have not been online as consistently as I usually am, and that leads to me falling behind on things. *facepalm* But being a dedicated ‘Internet-er’, I dedicate hours of my time getting caught up on things. And besides, hanging around on YouTube all day, is a lot more appealing than housework. Not that tidying up is unappealing, I just would rather do anything else. *shrugs* Hey, at least I’m not kidding myself.
An update on my C.V. ? Ummm….I have all the gritty details done. I have all my qualifications and work experience typed up, just need to make it seem a little more appealing. It does look a little blah. I want to make it seem a little more creative and things. It would be nice to be able to have something that could represent my personality as well as all the boring facts. But, that just means I have to do more work on it than I actually thought. Which is a pain, but I plan to sit in on Saturday and blitz through it all. And have it ready to email off on Sunday.
So operation make things work this year is happening.
And that doesn’t just about me finally getting my hotel for Glasgow booked. *bounces*. Good Charlotte on Valentine’s Day. *jumpy jump*
++Benji Madden, Good Charlotte May 2007, photo credit—Moi++
Anyways, also been looking at flats (appartments) with Paul, because we both have decided that we need to get out of our parents houses. Although I don’t have money right now, the plan is to get more hours or a second job, so that I can afford to move out. The good thing is that i could then afford to go to the pub without having to pay money on a taxi getting home.
I know this has nothing of major interest to anybody, but it does geniunely feel like this year is going to be a good year. And, that makes me so excited. *Squee*
That sounds painful, and it is.
My CV is a bit of a mess right now. Like how do I explain going from Vet Nursing to Graphic Design at college??
I just have to try and think of a way to put things positively. Like saying that at 26 I have never been on the dole, I have worked the whole time I was at college. That sounds a bit lame, but coming from where I do, a lot of people have to ‘sign on’ at least once in their life. So to me, that is a good thing.
Anyways, the CV is getting ‘worked on’ because I am applying for jobs. Be it in graphic design or not. I need a job where I can work full time hours, OR I need a daytime job. I am aiming for change this year. So am making myself do it properly.
When I get my CV update, it will appear on here, until I launch my site properly.
Yeah, this isn’t going to be a lengthy rant about anything, for a change. People will be happy, you are getting a break, LOL.
I have been emailing and contacting local bands and companies, looking to get some portfolio building done. Because I haven’t done any actual projects done in a long time, for the time being, work is being carried out FREE OF CHARGE! The only thing is, is that any work I will do, will be used online to advertise my work.
So if you want some free advsertising, and are looking for something created, such as posters, packaging or anything, I offer my services.
sueriot.com 