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Everyone's in Pursuit of Something...

The first reason why I am making a reference to Robert Frost..
Syracuse, New York weather.


Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Second, this poem has me wonder where the speaker is traveling... and what s/he is in pursuit of.

So my question to you (readers) is: What are you pursuing?

Sure, your travels may not be as snowy as what it is like in Syracuse right now, but we're all looking for something...

Daily Orange Article #2: How the Internet Eases the Job Search

Although a few quotes were edited out because it came from someone who writes for the D.O. (oops)... I'm hoping that students will get something out of this article.

Check out the Article

As the fall semester ends, Syracuse University seniors are weighing possible post-graduation plans. Options are endless - anything from full-time employment, graduate school or even a year off.

Since time isn't so open-ended, some knowledge in networking typically goes a long way. Debi Walker, assistant director at Center for Career Services, stresses the importance of taking advantage of the tech-savvy resources SU has to offer.

Walker explained new developments to Orangelink, SU's online recruiting software, including switching to a new vendor and a partnership with CareerBuilder.com and how it will be easier for students to use this online tool.

If they don't use additional resources, students "might be missing out on something really great," she said.

"Networking is the still the best way to find employment opportunities," said Tim Kalucki, Information Technology and Services vice president. The firm specializes in consulting and direct staffing with offices throughout the Midwest. He warns students that they need to differentiate themselves in today's job market.

"If you're not competitive and out there, you will get passed over," he said. "It may not be your dream job, but look for a well-respected company. (Recent graduates) need experience and prove that they know how to work in a professional environment."

Another way to network online is through blogs, which can provide a new perspective to job hunters. Blogs connect to one another by linking to thoughts of other bloggers, instantly creating a knowledge network accessible no matter where the user is located.

The business networking site LinkedIn can be used for online networking by anyone, and joining is free. The site is made up of more than 16 million people representing 150 industries. The Web site boasts that "more people have joined LinkedIn than live in Sweden."

But it's no Facebook. The New York Times' blog Bits quoted LinkedIn Chief Executive Dan Nye explaining that the site is a "productivity tool to make professional people more effective," unlike other sites, where "there is a lot of noise and interference."

To find a blog that fits a specific topic, check out Technorati, a search engine devoted to blogs and social media. According to Technorati, which searches a database of more than 112.8 million blogs, there are 175,000 new blogs created every day.

Or, if generating your own content is more your style, create your own blog by signing up for free with Blogger, WordPress or Blogster, among others.

Kalucki, who works closely with college students and professionals to find life after graduation, stresses the need to publish one's resume in cyberspace."Put your resume out in as many areas as possible because you don't know how it's going to get picked up," he said.

His company and many other third party recruiters utilize software that scans the Internet for key words."Since on-campus exposure is limited, get your resume out there - on your home page, Monster.com and Craig's list," he said. "You want as many people to see it as possible."

"Employers say that a lack of research is why students don't get selected or interviewed," Walker said. "You need to be prepared before talking to employers or you are cutting yourself short. The technology is there. You can even (research) at 3 a.m."

Maine's Wife Carrying Championships (unrelated to Tech)

Bethel, Maine: Even if you can’t be here for the annual North American Wife Carrying Championships, Bethel is worth the detour off the well-traveled Maine Coast. Here in the White Mountains and along the Androscoggin River lie some of the state’s most exciting adventures, such as backpacking the new 42-mile Grafton Loop Trail, which has premier views of sparkling lakes and rolling hills. The Androscoggin teems with rainbow and brown trout while the town’s calendar is filled with community road runs, adventure triathlons and canoe and kayak races. Bethel is also a classic New England town with enough charm to warm cold winter nights after a day dog-sledding and cross-country skiing around the Telemark Inn or skiing and snowboarding Sunday River Ski Resort (207-824-3000). It’s Sunday River that hosts the Wife Carrying Championships every fall; teams train to compete on a 278-yard obstacle course and to win the wife’s weight in Red Hook beer.

via MSN city guides on the 10 Best Outdoor Cities.

I love the part that says "win the wife's weight in Red Hook Beer." YES!!!!!!!

The Blackberry Helmet

Ode To BlackBerry.

This one's for all you BlackBerry users out there.

My favorite part is at the end when he has the blackberry in one hand and a bottle of beer and a kid's bottle in the other.

A Week Without Technology?

I found this video on YouTube after doing a random search for "crackberry." I'm a new user (I purchased the new 8830 world edition over Thanksgiving break and I love it.

Due to my newfound addiction, I have started to run into things while walking. This could become a problem.

Anyway- back to the video. This video features Dennis Neal, managing editor of Forbes Magazine. He volunteered to "go without" email, cell phones, and his blackberry for a week.

Is it possible? Could you do it? I couldn't.

I love that he could "hear" the cell phone ringing- and also that he went through withdrawl. Another reason why it's a "crack" berry.

He brought up some interesting points though- in Today's society we are very demanding and expect instantaneous communication. Cutting off our "connection" (literally) may be liberating at first but I don't think I could do it. Similar to Dennis Neal, I'm living a "wired" existence in a "wireless world."

Dennis lasted 40 hours.

[On life, love &] Accolades.

iSchool Senior Received Honorable Mention in CRA’s Outstanding Undergraduate Award Competition
http://ischool.syr.edu/about/news.aspx?recid=491


Hi, I'm Alana, and that iSchool senior is me. Yesterday, I was walking home from pilates and the trusty (and new) BlackBerry (8830 world edition) was buzzing feverishly. I looked down, expecting a new facebook wall post or perhaps an email from a group project member and read this:

"We are very pleased to inform you that you have been selected for Honorable Mention in the Computing Research Association's Outstanding Undergraduate Award competition for 2008.

This year's nominees were a very impressive group. A number of them were commended for making significant contributions to more than one research project, several were authors or coauthors on multiple papers, others had made presentations at major conferences, and some had produced software artifacts that were in widespread use. Many of our nominees had been involved in successful summer research or internship programs, many had been teaching assistants, tutors, or mentors, and a number had significant involvement in community volunteer efforts. It is quite an honor to be selected for Honorable Mention from this group. A list of the winners, the runner-up, finalists, and honorable mentions appears below.

A copy of the announcement as it will appear in the January 2008 issue of Computing Research News will be posted on CRA's website (www.cra.org) next week. On behalf of the Computing Research Association, we are pleased to have you as a member of the computing research community, and wish you the best for the future."

I'm pleased too! Honestly, I can't believe I received an honorable mention out of the pool of applicants. The winners were from Princeton, Cal Tech & Stanford. Check out the complete list here.

As stated in the iSchool news article, I must take this time to dedicate this award and the other honors I have won to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my academic career.

To all of you. My most sincere thanks. I couldn't have done it without you.

What a girl needs to survive…

I was planning my journey home to Ohio for Thanksgiving break when my mom called and suggested that I stop somewhere and stay the night (mainly as I am a terrible nighttime driver)

Anyway, I went online and started to check out my options- I usually check out sidestep.com first and then go for your normal expedia’s and so forth.

What I came to realize as I was scrolling through my options of Country Inn’s, Hampton Inn’s and the like is that I didn’t want to stay there. Sure, they had high speed wifi and a fitness center and probably lots of channels… but I’m sick of those places. Yes, I’m 21 and sick of those places.

I know what you’re thinking. She’s totally spoiled.

But it’s not that. I decided to check out b&b’s in the greater Erie, PA area (it’s my halfway point). I stumbled upon a chamber of commerce site and caught myself- again realizing the power and reach of the Internet. The chamber of commerce site was bad- it didn’t even have websites listed!!

Here I am, a 21-year old student traveling home from Syracuse on home and refusing to settle for the average, common place hotel stay.

Instead, I checked out b&bfinder.com and wished they had more funding to make their site easier to use and browse. Regardless of the technical capabilities of the site, I found the Grape Arbor Bed & Breakfast. (grapearborbandb.com) located in North East Pennsylania.

The only word I can use to describe this place is perfect. I’m sitting here, the only guest in this mansion (they own two), drinking green tea, eating chocolate and sitting on this bed that is probably about three times to large for me with homework strewn about it.

Anyway, the point of this is that I realized that there are a few things that will make me happy no matter where I am. And I found them here, about 5 miles off Westbound I-90. My MacBook (now with parallels, why did I wait so long!?), headphones, a nearby outlet, a fireplace, low lighting, tea and chocolate. So what I’m really trying to say is that I’m thankful for these things. Really, really thankful.

So, it makes me sound a little techy. I’m kindof over it ☺

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

Published in the Daily Orange!

After noticing the new "technology" section in the Daily Orange, Syracuse University's campus newspaper, I decided to email the editor and ask if they were looking for any contributing writers.

The result: a feature article in the "technology" section based on my previous blog entry on coupon codes.

Check it out here.

Article Text below:

With winter right around the corner, students might not be as likely to make the trek to Carousel Center for a shopping spree. But unlike students of years past, there's one major resource today that transcends barriers of precipitation and physical space: the Internet.

The Internet can be used for investigative work on Facebook, research on Wikipedia, finding a place to live on Craigslist and even gossip with friends abroad on Skype. But what about shopping online?

The same Web 2.0 premise of user collaboration aided by the Internet applies to the online distribution of Internet coupons - also known as promo, discount or key codes. Usually transmitted via e-mail to mailing lists, discount codes award loyal customers additional discounts to be applied on future purchases.

Interactive marketing expert and adjunct professor Sean Branagan said he believes that discount codes follow a "natural progression of coupons."

"From UPCs to printed coupons and now, discount codes in an online shopping environment, these codes are the next organic step in couponing," Branagan said.

However, with online databases distributing the codes for free, online shoppers are no longer restrained to the offers targeted directly at them. Sites such as RetailMeNot.com and currentcodes.com offer bargain hunters a chance to browse codes in an easy-to-use interface as well as vote on which codes work. This interactivity encourages online collaboration to ensure that discount codes are freely available to all.

For example, if one searches RetailMeNot for Sephora codes, free shipping, extra samples and free gifts pop up. After visiting the site, a junior supply-chain management and marketing major Alyxa Lease said she thought the site was a great resource.

"I'm going to check this site before I commit to any online purchases. It's a useful resource that appears to be improving and expanding," Lease said.

The number of online shoppers who take advantage of sites like RetailMeNot continues to grow. Data from Alexa, the Web Information Company, reports that the site's Internet reach has increased 43 percent during the past three months.

On the consumer side, Mark Frantz, a dedicated Internet bargain hunter and vice president of technology at Internet Consulting Services, based in Syracuse, said "if there's a box, I search for codes. It's an extra 10 minutes to save money that you wouldn't have saved in the store."

But the use of retail codes is not restricted to the tech-savvy. "It's mainly classic bargain hunters, not more or less technical," Branagan said. "The advantage is to a technical bargain hunter," a hybrid style of consumer "who would know how and where to search."

Some wonder whether the effect of increased distribution of discount codes will be positive or negative.

"It's viral," Branagan said. "I would reward it. I would send these people more codes. It's a new way to gain customers with a low cost of acquisition."

Jeff Rubin, president and founder of Internet Consulting Services, said it would be in the best interests of businesses to look at these code distribution sites as opportunistic.

While browsing through RetailMeNot, many offers are posted by the companies themselves, most likely trying to gain usable data on the number of users who go to the site to find deals.

"Marketers must take into consideration the market diffusion of the codes," Rubin said. "Customers enjoy saving money. If the end result of using discount codes is that customers feel better about their purchases, then I don't see an issue."

Chris Kirkegaard, a graphic artist and adjunct professor at School of Information Studies, said he believes discount code users come from all walks of life. "My mom uses them and she can barely turn on her computer."

For discount updates, download the cross-platform RetailMeNot desktop widget or Mozilla Firefox add-on.

Just in time for the holiday season.


...I wish I could have added a shoutout to techyness.com to this article! Maybe next time ;-)