Thing 21: Short Message Service (SMS)

Exercise 1: Write about some approriate uses of SMS in reaching out to your target audiences.

Answer

1. Program invitations can be sent through SMS.
2. New arrival of books and other products can be announced through SMS.
3. New interesting web sites can be announced using SMS
4. News such as IRC closure for holidays, events can be sent via SMS

Exercise 2: I sent invitations to 20 guests I want to attend our Women History Month Program for March 9, 2011. I called up 5 guests and asked if they received my message. The message was instantly received, and they all agreed that it was useful but asked that I send a print copy of the invitation.

From my findings, the message got to them immediately and got to those I was aiming at reaching. Becuase I had only 160 characters to use in writing, I have to abbreviate so many words, used signs and other jargons to accomodate my message. I wondered if everyone that received my message understood what I meant. My guests requested a print copy of the invitation as a follow up to the SMS. With a print copy, it will remind them of the program and date.

Thing 20: Search Engine Optimization

Exercise: Note on your blog which keywords or keyword phrases searched for, and note your thoughts on the exercise. Suggest keyword that might drive more users to my site.

Answer: I searched keywords like "election and Nigeria." I got search results like Nigeria, election; election 2011; INEC and election in Nigeria.

My choice of keyword was based on the latest happening and thoughts in my country which is election malpractices. My thought on the exercise was to see what term(s) other researchers are looking out for this coming election. I noticed that most researchers searched for election in Nigeria, INEC, election rigging, tallying with my thoughts.

Keywords that will drive users to my site during the election period will be election rigging punishment, voters rights.

Thing 19: Web Site Usage Statistics

1a. At Alexa's Top Sites by Country, I browsed the 100 top sites in my country Nigeria, and the 5 top 5 are: Facebook, Yahoo, Google, Blogger.com and YouTube (broadcasting yourself)

1b. The top social networking platform on same site were Facebook, Twitter and Nigerianbestforum.com

2. I have signed up for the Google Analytics.

Thing 18: What's New with Search Engine

1. See link to my Google Custom Search Engine below

http://www.google.com/cse/manage/all

2. The Google's search option I like best is "Collaboration" because it enable you to invite other users for collaboration.