Alicia Barreto Jaime: 2012

How to check if the DNSChanger is going to affect you

22:00 | Etiquetas: check DNSChanger, technology fails

Sure you already heard the news about not having internet on July 9^th (next Monday). This is due to the DNSChanger botnet.

According to the article published by Mike Orcutt “No Web for Hundreds of Thousands onMonday” on Technology Review:

Between 2007 and October of last year, the DNSChanger virus infected four million computers in 100 countries, according to the FBI. Often without the victims' knowledge, the computers were turned into drones that were instructed by rogue servers to visit websites and click on ads in a scheme to generate fraudulent advertising revenue.

So it means that if you try to connect to iTunes, you would be sent to a website unaffiliated to Apple that stated to sell Apple software. This is the symptom that shows the infection.

Now, checkif the DNSChanger is going to affect you. It’s quick and easy.

Good luck :)

@lichabarreto

Kafka Tribute

20:23 | Etiquetas: franz kafka, kafka quotes, kafka tribute

Happy birthday, Franz Kafka. If you were still alive you’d be 129 years old!

His literary legacy gives us an insight into his thoughts, frustrations and fears. The way he expressed himself has never stopped amazing me! I recently finished “The Trial” and the ending was really unexpected, from my point of view.

Since his birthday was actually a Trending Topic on Twitter, I want to contribute with my very own Kafka Tribute including two quotes that reveal his bluntness and simplicity.

Enjoy!

What's your favorite quote by Franz Kafka?

@lichabarreto

Google Day Experience

22:23 | Etiquetas: google advertising, google day, marketing with google

Fun fact: I did not know that Google Days existed!

That’s how every expositor from Google began their presentation whenever they were about to talk about the many products that this huge company offers for online marketing. Fun facts certainly broke the ice.

I had the opportunity to attend this meeting in Mexico City, and although the trip lasted only one day, I took a lot of notes and absorbed every single bit of each exposition from the Google staff, even if it sounded ‘basic’ or ‘logical’.

The Google Day Experience focused on how to make Google ads by using platforms like AdWords and Google Analytics to run a campaign and measure it so that you know what to change.

Marketing with Google is not about publishing online ads everywhere. This actually involves effort in finding the right keywords, analyzing them and to then create the appropriate ad for a specific audience. While accuracy is one of the most important elements, the landing page (the site that the ad leads to after clicking on it) also requires optimization.

To do so, check out the tips provided by the Google staff:

Highlight the call to action in your landing page so that the user knows exactly what to do in this site. Maybe you are promoting a new product and service and you want the user to download a digital version of your brochure.
Eliminate all the buttons, text and web elements that don’t really need to be there. The user might get confused when noticing that your site isn’t exactly easy to navigate.
Simplify the web forms in your landing page. The more fields you add, the more you might discourage the user to enter their data.
It’s okay to have some text as part of the site’s composition. Just make sure it’s brief.
What the users read on your ad must be coherent with the content you’re showing on your landing page. Keep this in mind if you don’t want them to leave right away!
Avoid visual distractions. Placing pictures all over the site won’t make it more actractive.
As you really make an effort to make a clean and easy to navigate site, you will really gain trust from the users who click on your ads. This is a slow process, and worth trying it.

A single day isn’t enough to cover all the aspects involved in the world of Google advertising. It is certainly worth studying every platform to position brands on the internet adopting new techniques, and at the same time, keeping track of the campaign results to modify whatever is needed.

@lichabarreto

You and your job: critical thinking

14:22 | Etiquetas: critical thinking

In a fast-paced world, it seems that there is little time to think about our main priorities in life. The Holstee Manifesto is truly a guide to pursue our dreams; on the other hand, there is one urgent situation that we need to focus on: asking ourselves the following question.

“Do we like our job?”

But really…do we? According to studies, 80% of people aren’t happy with their jobs! Let’s find out if this is the case by taking a look at this “cheat-sheet” created by Sarah Peck. Take your time to go through each question, but above all, answer honestly. Ready for some critical thinking?

1) Am I my best self in this relationship?

2) Do I believe in the product, organization, or service?

3) How does this job make me feel? Good, Accomplished, Satisfied?

4) Am I challenged to be my best?

5) Am I growing and learning?

6) Am I meeting or surrounding myself with good people doing interesting things?

7) Are people in this organization open to new ideas and receptive to each other?

8) Is this the best use of my skills and talents? Aka – Am I indispensible?

9) Are there people I can learn from and look up to? Do I have good mentors or advisers?

10) Do I want to become my boss?

The Holstee Manifesto

15:53 | Etiquetas: creativity, holstee manifesto

Holstee is a company focused on lifestyle goods, designed with a conscience. Those words were written down by its three founders - Mike, Fabian and Dave - just when the recession was at the worst point in 2009. The message wasn't focused on their older jobs or shirts, they were looking deeper:

It was about what they wanted from life and how to create a company that breathes that passion into the world everyday. It was a reminder of what we live for. The result became known as the Holstee Manifesto.

Ready to start living your dream?

@lichabarreto

Happy Pi Day

12:40 | Etiquetas: pi day, π

Image taken from jasonflom.tumblr.com

Pi Day is a holiday which commemorates the mathematical constant π (pi). It is celebrated on March 14th due to the fact that 3, 1 and 4 are the most representative digits of the π decimal form.

wikiHow.com suggests 10 steps to make it a memorable day. You will find that Pi approximation day is also celebrated on July 22nd: 22/7. The fraction "22/7" is a common approximation of π, hence the name.

And well, today is March 14th so Happy Pi Day!

@lichabarreto

Infographic: 15 grammar goofs to avoid

17:15 | Etiquetas: infographics, writing tips

For all the bloggers and writers out there, pay attention to this infographic. Keep in mind that little details make the greatest differences! Especially with grammar.

Like this infographic? Get more copywriting tips from Copyblogger.

Any other writing tips?

@lichabarreto

Grow your Comfort Zone in 3 steps

22:27 | Etiquetas: comfort zone, target-review

Sure you’ve heard about the Comfort Zone concept before. Maybe you know right where you stand when it comes to that or maybe you aren’t really aware. Either way, you may find out by using this innovative calculator at whatismycomfortzone.com created by MarcusTaylor.

The project’s objective is based on William Edwards Deming’s philosophy:

You can’t improve what you can’t measure.

Moreover, it focuses on the professional, adrenaline, and lifestyle aspects so that you can take action as soon as possible depending on which one you get the highest score. In three easy steps, you get to learn about your strengths and weaknesses:

Complete a very short survey
See your results
Grow your comfort zone!

As part of the results, the calculator also includes a variety of links that helps you grow your Comfort Zone.

I already took it…and if you’re curious about my score, check it on Twitter!

How did you do?

@lichabarreto

If Kafka did it, so do you

19:02 | Etiquetas: franz kafka drawings, franz kafka pictorial artist, target-review

How many times have you felt like drawing but end up letting yourself down? And mainly because of one reason: you don’t have the talent. One more question: how hard have you actually tried to change that?

One of the best writers of the 20^th century did try: Franz Kafka. He wished to become a draughtsman when he was still a student. His written work is certainly more remarkable as The Trial, The Castle and The Metamorphosis prove; on the other hand, his drawings did reach exposure in 2011.

A collection of 40 drawings was edited by Niels Bokhove and Marijke van Dorst. Each one includes texts that originally belonged to or matched with it.

Title in english: Franz Kafka pictorial artist

Kafka’s technique wasn’t actually complex, if any. Simplicity is actually what makes these drawings so expressive and enigmatic. Through them, he portrayed the thoughts that came from his very core. And even when the texts aren’t clear enough on what he’s representing, you may still interpret.

Let your canvas portray what’s on your mind. Forget about the clarity of your drawings, it’s not a must. That’s the beauty of it. Let imagination fly. Interpretation is, and will always, be free.

Are you ready to retake drawing?

@lichabarreto

Longreads: for all passionate readers and publishers

11:00 | Etiquetas: target-recommend

Reading is a personal ritual. While some may prefer to stick to physical books, others embrace them in their digital form. Technology has been playing its part through apps like Instapaper, Flipboard, Readability and Read It Later, for example.

How about a web site that posts links to new stories? And yes, this includes publications in journalism, magazine stories, short stories, interview transcripts and historical documents.

That’s Longreads, founded by Mark Armstrong in April 2009.

The site allows passionate readers and publishers share storytelling that is 1,500 words or more. All they have to do is tag them on Twitter with the #longreads hashtag.

The Awl and Capital New York are currently participating.

On the other hand, it’s possible to create your own Longreads page by tweeting a link to a story from your Twitter account including the #longreads hashtag. In this case, it’s not necessary to sign-in or register.

Now, if you are a fervent writer, this option is a must! You can submit your story directly from the web site.

For more information on how Longreads started, the New York Observer published a very interesting article. Click here to read it.

Do you know any other great site for readers?

@lichabarreto

Three elements to make great social media infographics

13:02 | Etiquetas: social media

In social media, the presentation of statistical information can be either an interesting and entertaining experience or just a blank stare. Design, creativity and content are three essential elements to make graphics easy on the eye and develop interest…especially when numbers are around.

According to mashable.com:

Information graphics or infographics are defined as visual representations of information, data or knowledge. These graphics present complex information quickly and clearly, such as in signs, maps, journalism, technical writing, and education.

The data presented in these infographics highlights tendencies in terms of user’s habits and topics discussed on specific networks. This information is useful for marketers that seek accurate content to provide to their target and in the web sites they’re interacting most.

Hence, when the there’s more text than necessary, or more flashy design than content, the risk of getting them bored, or any other person interested in the subject, is huge. Creativity is the key element to reach balance.

Let’s take a look at some examples to then analyze.

Example A

Image taken from communitymanagers.com.ar

Example B

This infographic keeps the text short; however, it’s visually confusing because of the abuse of arrows. Also, only one tiny creative element is present: the icons.

Taken from mobilemarketingwatch.com

The use of colour makes the infographic look more dynamic. Aside from the icons, the thumbs up also work as an explicative visual. Text and numbers are used correctly for they annotate very punctual information. In other words, creativity is evident in this visual.

The difference between example A and example B is abysmal due to the presentation of the information. However, while design is very important to make an infographic attractive, it mustn’t be the only element that highlights. The Do’s and Don’ts of Infographic Design on the Smashing Magazine web site provide guidance to avoid this problem.

What’s the best or wore infographic you’ve ever seen on the internet?

@lichabarreto

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