Research Findings
About the organization
The organization I’m doing is The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). It first began in 1953 in the United Kingdom by Reverend Chad Varah. He first launched a “999 for the suicidal” which help many people in difficulty. Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) was established on 1 December 1969. It is set up to provide emotional support to those who are in need and feeling stress.
Below is the statistics of the suicide rates throughout the years in Singapore.
Mission and Value
SOS has a 24-hour support by trained volunteers to provide those who are feeling suicidal a listening ear. And it’s mission is to be an available lifeline to anyone in crisis.
Current situation
1) Web Presence is bad, I feel the current SOS’s website is a little complicating. The layout and navigations are over-designed. This might be a little too complex especially for people who are in much stress and depressed. On top of that, people who not very good in computers will not be able to know how to navigate as well. And since SOS is targeted to these people, I feel the website should be kept simple like the Samaritan UK’s.
Below is the screen-cap of the Samaritans of Singapore(SOS) website.
2) SOS is in need for volunteers instead of donations. Therefore, by applying the use of social media, SOS can increase its awareness to the public.
3) The websites is more targeted to volunteers instead of those who are suffering. And it has not much informations or recent updates in the website as well.
Solution/Proposal
1) Create a user-friendly, less complicating and simple website.
2) Apply the use of social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MircoSite(Blog).
This is the statistics of the social media websites ranked by visits.
With Facebook ranking the first, SOS can create a group in Facebook to update people about the organization. I feel this will help to create a greater influence on the community. Additionally, some could share their past experiences with others in MicroSites and be updated of the coming events. As for YouTube, SOS can upload videos about them to increase more public and social awareness.
3) Other proposals includes, organizing of campaigns and hold talks to attract volunteers. Put up advertisement on internet, radio and television. And have posters pasted up at the bus stop billboards.
In conclusion, social media is an effective tool in helping one to create awareness among the public and community as most of the population these days are using the internet. And internet has become part of our daily lives.
Refrences:
SOS (http://www.samaritans.org.sg/index1.html)
Suicide Rates (http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/ssnsep02-pg21-22.pdf)
Reflection: YouTube Case Study
YouTube has become a classic example of a modern internet phenomenon. It is an online portal through which users can watch and share content for entertainment, self-promotions and thousand other reasons.
With YouTube, it allows user to view videos directly on the web instead of having to download special software to view them. Initially, YouTube is like a vehicle whereby people showing off their talents as home movie makers, building on the increasing popularity of “reality television” at the time. The people who are attracted to putting a home video on YouTube is because of the size of its audience, often produce content that attracts new viewers and on it goes in a virtuous cycle.
One of the reason for YouTube’s phenomenal popularity is that is both easy to use and edgy at the same time. Users can watch videos without even registering, so, as with shopping, all you have to do is “walk in the door”. This endless supply of material allows users to be entertained for hours on the site.
However, YouTube was losing money incurring the costs of storing and delivering millions of videos. It risked further costs because of potential copyright lawsuits. Fortunately, Google offered it immense storage capacity, the largest online network of potential advertisers as well as lawyers to help deal with any legal issues that may arise.
Despite its extraordinary success, the future for YouTube is uncertain. Critics argue that many videos are of dubious quality and barely watchable. It might face major legal issues over copyright and a wave of aggressive new rivals. Eventually, it will have to be shut down by legal action undertaken by the major music labels. Thus, it is said that YouTube is becoming the next Napster.
Reflection: Week 11 Lecture
Lionel Chin mentioned a lot about web designing stuffs. He show us a few of his impressive portfolios of projects. And one of which include the famous blogger Xiaxue. He also mentioned about the different social media tools at present which include, Facebook and Twitter and talk about how useful and effective it had become.
He also states that designing a web page could earn you about a thousand to ten thousand dollars. And each website are not sold page by page.
Next, he mentioned about the difference between a freelance designer and an employee. A freelance is a self-employed person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any particular employer. On the other hand, an employee has to fulfill all the needs a client want him to do.
Lionel Chin is the co-founder of Ripplewerkz, I think it is useful that he gave a speech and share his expertise and experience of the trade. And he briefly mention how tough and different the working life is. To be such a successful person at this young age, he definitely inspire me to work even harder towards my goals and future.
(Offsite): The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper. They serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, ensuring that the people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
The stories of our nation and our people are told in the records and artifacts cared for in NARA facilities around the country. We want all Americans to be inspired to explore the records of their country.
Before the National Archives was created in 1934, individual government agencies were in charge of maintaining their own records. Some took great care of the materials, but many did not. After an extensive survey, the Archivist of the United States reported in 1937 that nearly 1,360,000 cubic feet of records should be transferred to the National Archives. The volume of records continued to grow, as New Deal and then World War II records poured in.
NARA does not lend original documents for research use. But it offers a loan policy which allows qualified institutions to exhibit original documents, artifacts, and other historical materials from its accessioned holdings for temporary periods up to one year. This helps educate the public about the American national experience. Loans are made for public exhibition only for educational purposes and must be accessible to the public. Exhibitions must be of sufficient length to warrant the costs and risks associated with loans and exhibitions.
Congressional Affairs serves as the principal point of contact for NARA with Capitol Hill and can assist offices with constituent concerns or questions regarding agency policy and procedures. The National Archives provides complimentary, secure storage for the inactive papers of current Members of Congress.
Online exhibits can be viewed in the NARA website. Some of the featured exhibits are “The National Archives: Documents Rights”, “The Deadly Virus – The Influenza Epidemic of 1918” and “Ever Four Years: Electing a President”. The website also includes a section of the National Archives Experience which it tells the stories of the American journey to young and old, scholars and students, cynics and dreamers. There is a section on America’s Historical Documents as well. They preserves and provides access to the records of the Federal Government.
It’s publications includes books, research papers, catalogs, teaching aids, and more. Authored by archivists and other experts on the National Archives’ staff, our publications provide information about the National Archives and its holdings, and also include works about professional archival practice, and scholarly works on people and events of historical interest. And many of these can be obtained online or in print.
Non-profitable illness support group: Scoliosis Support Singapore
The Scoliosis Support Singapore, founded on 14th February 2004 is a non-profit and non-medical local support group for people with scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine is curved to one side. On an x-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with a typical scoliosis may look more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. It can happen in a child, usually from 10 years old and may worsen during the period of growth that occurs just before puberty. The curve usually maintains once this growth spurt has stopped. If not treated, scoliosis may lead to severe deformity.
The purpose of this support group is to increase the awareness of the general public, especially those with scoliosis, to the condition – its causes and treatments – and to provide support to people suffering from the condition.
The Scoliosis Support Singapore include services such as Talks/Speeches and Emotional Support. They organized events and activities such as the Scoliosis Support Group Gathering, Talk and Sharing Sessions. Such gatherings and talk sessions allows people with scoliosis come together and encourage each other to live on with a positive mindset. This can also be an opportunity for them to make friends, share experiences, exchange contacts and help each other through the condition.
On top of that, they also have hospital visits. The purpose for these visits are usually arranged at the vital moments before and after the Scoliosis Operation to help patients overcome their fear, give them “Get Well” cards, flowers, honey, soft toys, cheer and laughter. Counseling services are included as well. It will be helpful especially to teenage patients, who may not have the correct state of mind in handling such condition.
In order for Scoliosis Support Singapore to bring their awareness to a larger extent, they also have Financial Support and Integrated Treatment/Rehabilitation Program. Its has been proven by many successes that scoliosis is best treated in the long term through a multi-factorial approach, plus all possible methods of treatment such that they would compliment each other and bring fast recovery.
Refrence:
http://www.scoliosis.sg/index.htm
Literature Review: Blog Shopping
Blog shopping is so common that it has become the “in” thing, and everybody is doing so. In fact, a recent survey revealed that “the number of people shopping online across the globe has skyrocketed from 10% to 85% in two years, and 63% of people who shop online are women.” Online shopping has indeed become a popular trend in the world.
A blog shop is set up by individuals who wish to sell items on their blogs. It can range from clothes to accessories, and even handmade items. Payments can be made in two ways; either through Internet banking funds transfer or ATM funds transfer. The item will be then send by local postal mail or you can pay a little more for registered mail. But usually, the owners of the blog shop will meet up at public places such as MRT stations or shopping centres to collect cash payment and deliver your purchases on the spot.
Blog shops are promoted through various ways. The most common way is through the Internet. For instance, Twitter and Facebook are used to advertise and promote. Second way is through peers. He or she will introduce their friends about a blog shop and the friend will spread the word around. Another way is by distributing fliers or putting up advertisements on the newspapers.
Blog shopping has its advantages and disadvantages. It saves time, cheaper, and I can shop as and when I like. Additionally, there is no sales pressure and there is a large selection of products. Blog shopping also allows me to compare prices without having to walk around physically. And the cost involved in setting up a blog shop is usually free or low cost. Therefore, shop owners could save on the rental fees.
However, if everyone blog shops, no one will patronize shops in the malls. Eventually, these shops might lose their sales, and might have to be closed down. Ultimately, people could lose their jobs, leading to a rise in unemployment. Secondly, items like clothing, consumers will not be able to try on before purchasing. Wouldn’t it be a waste of money if the clothes could not fit on you in the end? Also, you will not know if the items sold were first hand, so consumers are at higher risk of fraud.
In conclusion, blog shopping is just another way compared to going out for a shopping trip. The number of blog shops in the internet are increasing. Personally, it is not only for young people to earn some extra pocket money, but it is also a great platform for those who have plans to open up a boutique or a shop of their own in future. Hence, it have become an upcoming trend in the world.
References:
Blog shops: For or Against
(http://webupon.com/blogging/blogshops-for-or-against)
Internet Statics
(http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/160155/85-of-worlds-population-shopping-online)
New online shopping trend
(http://myblogsg.com/blogshop-the-new-online-shopping-trend)
Online Shopping
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_shopping#Fraud_and_security_concerns)
Reasons for shopping online
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