Month: September 2010

Facebook is a social networking website that started in February 2004, winning the hearts of over 500 million active users who are continually using this site.  Initially created by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard roommates, Facebook became a huge success and is definitely recognized globally.  So what made Facebook so popular?

Facebook was not the first social network service introduced.  In fact, there were plenty of similar websites before like MySpace, Hi5, Nexopia, Twitter and Friendster however, Facebook did an exceptional job in positioning itself into the consumer’s mind.  Unlike the other websites,  Facebook managed to maintain popular because on top of their points of parity with others, they were able to find valuable points of differences to set them aside from their compeition.

Many several networking websites offer services like adding your friends, uploading photos, posting messages to let your knows how you’re doing.  However, Facebook proved to a more effective and convenient source that compiled all these useful benefits.  Facebook was different in the sense that it encouraged users to supply real information so if an old high school classmate was ever to search for you, it would be easy.  As well, sharing recents pictures is very simple with an unlimited amount you can upload.  Along with many games and applications you can choose to download, Facebook allows the creation of pages, interest groups and events that you may choose to like or join.

Being the leading social networking service, businesses will definitely not miss out on their opportunity to engage their consumers through this.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/web-strategy/facebook-is-about-interaction-its-not-about-sales/article1733173/

Are you a dog owner who is sick of constantly picking up after your dog and having to throw out his “unwanted business” afterwards?  Or are you someone who hates pets, especially when dogs rid of their feces on your neatly-mowed lawn and an irresponsible owner simply leaves it sitting there?  Then the solution for you is move to Massachusetts park!

Jay Lindsay describes in her article “The bright side of poop” how Matthew Mazzotta successfully complete his project of funding for a street lantern in Cambridge park that is attached to two steel tanks used to convert dog poop into energy.

Strengths of this implemented idea is that the originally useless waste is now used for a beneficial purpose so more people are willing to pick up the poop with the biodegradable bags supplied nearby and drop it into the tank.  However, a weakness is that the concentrated area of dog manure would cause a pungent odor, ruining the natural beauty of the park.  As well, the citizens of the community may feel threatened or worried about the environmental safety of the beautiful area in case there was a design malfunction and a spillage occurs.  At the same time, this project is  a great start for a more eco-friendly strategy in producing energy, providing plenty of opportunities for expansion in this field!

“That $3 pair of adorable lace-up sandals?  The price – given the human costs – really is too good to be true.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/the-high-cost-of-cheap-fashion/article1627251/

No woman can possibly complain about owning too many pairs of shoes, since our wants are virtually limitless, or tempting to purchase a new, subtle yet eye-popping outfit for your upcoming date with the boy next door, especially if you’re getting an amazing deal for it.

Naomi Wolf’s article, “The high cost of cheap fashion”, illustrates the guilty pleasure Western women take for granted to splurge on fashionable, must-have items that are surprisingly inexpensive due to the fact that women sweatshop workers from developing countries like Bangladesh, China, and Mexico are being exploited under inhumane working conditions.  Other than being forcefully locked in and sexually violated, it is simply unethical that these women are being paid as low as $25 a month which is barely enough to support themselves, nor their families.

This is definitely an on-going situation that has not been properly addressed and we need to recognize that productive measures must be taken in order to reverse the unfair employment practices for these suffering women, even if that means that the cute, little black dress may cost more in the end.