Podcasting can be defined as a series of digital media files and online audio content that an individual can download through a web syndication or an RSS . The key to podcasting is the distinction between the web syndication or just normally downloading a file. An example of this type of web syndication would be a podcatcher, such as ITunes or winamp. these applications can automatically retrieve new files that are associated with podcasts when they are made available right away. the term of the person who creates the podcast on any type of content is called a podcaster. Podcasting is accessible via any compter that is capable of playing media files. podcasting gives a vast amount of options in terms of content and programming than, lets say, the radio does. Listeners also have the advantage where they cant determine what time, what place and when they want to recieve and listen to content. It is said that podcasting has the potential to turn podcasters into radio personalities. Examples of what podcasting can be used for is : Self guided walking tours, Music, Talk shows, Training, and Stories.

If you are interested in listening to Podcasts, I would recommend going to Podcastalley.com or Podcastawards.com. Here you can find any type of Podcast Genre, as well as the most popular ones and the most viewed of the day. I started with Podcastawards and found a Podcast that I found interesting. I then downloaded the file and saved it to my documents. I then went to BlipTV and uploaded the file. I titled the file and began the uploading process. Here is an example of what a Podcast sounds like when finished with the process I just listed above:

Being that I had a various amount of choices as to where to go abroad, I could not be happier with my choice in Barcelona. I have visited seven places within Europe and although I loved them all, Barcelona gives off a “home” feel, and Barcelona’s nightlife has so much to offer. Every night that I go out there is an array of promoted places such as bars, pregame places and nightclubs. Clubs Like Sutton, or Opium Mar have a huge venue and are overall amazing clubs. One of my favorite bars has to be Pippermints, along with a place called Chupitos.

These bars usually get crowded around 12:30 AM and we will stay there usually until 1:45 AM or 2:00 AM and then head out to the Night Clubs.  The main attractions for students I have seen studying abroad here are: Monday nights, Broad Bar, Tuesday nights Shoko, Wednesday nights Duvet, Thrusday nights Opium Mar or Sutton and Friday and Saturdays switch off to new places. Through my research I have found that The most popular club in Barcelona has to be Sutton. It is known world wide and is in a very high class area. A lot of famous people from Spain and people visitng attend this club as well. It is a beautiful club, with many V.I.P. areas, and a huge stage. I Interviewed a man named Kyke who promotes all the most popular clubs for students studying abroad here. He lists the most popular places to go out at night, and when the most popular Time frame is for which clubs and around what time they get crowded. here is his interview:

After Interviewing Kyke I learned a great deal about Barcelona’s nightlife. He is doing more then just throwing parties, he is contributing to the success of Barcelona nightlife for residents of Barcelona and the students studying abroad here. He explains to me how every year the programs’ choices in night club selection changes. He explains how Carpe Diem, Shoko and Opium Mar are extremely popular for students abroad, due to the fact that is located by the beach and it is a tourist area. He explains how Barceloneta where he lives is an extremely popular area because it is by the beach. El Bourne Area is also popular because of their tapas bars and there are a lot of musicians who perform around there. Sutton, he explains is located by the mountain, which is a high-class area. There are two types of clubs with different time frames. 12:00 AM until 3:00 AM  or there is 12:00 AM  until 6:00 AM. They have these different time frames because of the lifestyle people live here. They start by having dinner at 10-10pm, so the night starts off late.

-Shoko Night Club

This is a Video I posted one night when I was out at Sutton Night Club. As you can see it is packed with people, everyone having a great time and it was taken at around approximately 2:45 AM. The Club has a beautiful atmosphere with chandeliers, three V.I.P areas and bars through out the club and a huge stage for performances with women dancing on it. Overall I have to say that Barcelona’s nightlife isn’t comparable to anywhere else in Europe. It is happening, young, lively and had a vivacious atmosphere. Everyone is just looking for a good time and Barcelona’s nightlife provides you with that.

Last weekend for a class field trip, our teacher took us to the El Periodico News Station. It was my first time ever at a News station, but I had an idea of what I was about to witness due to television, the media etc. after we met one of the Head of the staff, we all sat down and he basically gave us a run down of who El Periodico is, What they do and have done, their origin, and what makes them different from the other Newspapers in Spain. He explains to us that El Periodico was established 30 years ago and what created right after Franco had died. Their main source of a different characteristic comes from their use of so many graphics in their newspapers. They also elaborate much more on their Titles and Cover pages. El Periodico attempts to portray a Serious newspaper, while being an easy read for the viewer. They are also the first ever newspaper to use color in Spain, along with the use of two different languages. So, therefore there are two different editions of this newspaper. Although they steer towards the left side of ideology and aren’t afraid to hide it, they are aware trhat there is more then one side and show the other views as well. One Factor they take in, which a lot of other newspapers do not is the fact that they listen to their viewers. We were shows a cover page that did just that. On the cover was a list of what people have to say, whether it was a complaint, and idea, a comment. They want the viewers to know that they are important in this field as well. El Periodico is the third most read newspaper in Spain at the time with approximately 800,000 readers everyday. We were also informed that, even though in todays society with the media being on the internet and television etc., El Periodico’s numbers have not decreased in the sense that less people are reading their newspaperes. El Periodico also coincides to get information from the United States with the New York Times, U.S. Today and Wall Street Journal, along with CNN for television. Some of the Differences I have noticed when comparing El periodico with a United States Newspaper had to the be the use of graphics, design and color.  A U.S. newspaper’s field is not directed with in the graphics and design of the newspaper, which I  like that El Periodico provides you with, it makes the reading more enjoyable. Also the difference in the Font and the placement of the Cover page differentiates between the two types of Newspapers. Although New York Times’ font shows a more proper look, it means nothing. It still portrays the same amount of information and it is given at a sixth grade reading level.

1) Send it- It is an easier way to reach a lot of people (SMS).

2)Viral (Incentive)-One can receive money or can be rewarded in another way if a message is sent to someone else.

3)Masked marketing-One sends mysterious information, which doesn´t seem to be an advertsiing campaign. and people are curious to know what it is about.

4)Rumor marketing-An exmample of this technique would be that, we read incredible things about some actor just two or three days before he presents his new film.

5)Social database-An online service that offers a database so that clients can add contacts when necessary.

6)Invitations- Gmail or emails (not everone may have a Gmail account).

Another succesful aspect of advertising is Corporate Blogging. This is created and used by an organzitinos to reach a specific objective or goal. An advatnage of this type of blogging is that the posts and comments are easy to reach and view due to the generalized structured conversational threads. majority of Corpoarate Blogs can be categorized as internal or external. there are many ways one can succeed when using a Corporate blog: Having your own server or URL, it has to be written by many people of the specific organzition, using images that make the post more attractive, instyalling an interal searcher, offering trackbacks, having your information divided and ordered by certain sections etc. ¨Corporations are slowly starting to realize that it is important to jump on the virtual bandwagon of blogging. This medium represents the missing ingredient that traditional media lacks: the ability to directly connect a company to its customers¨. this quote basically depicts the evolution of how corporations can communicate directly to their costumes in an easier way, via internet. Corporation blogging represents the compnays values, beliefs, philosphyies and direction. it allows the consumers to communicate with them in a more personal and direct way. a recenty invetigation as of February 2008 shows that at least 54 companies in the Fortune 500 have corporate blogs.

This weekend I had a lot of time to myself,time to really take in Barcelona and realize where I am, and what is it that I am doing. Being in Barcelona has not only cuturally influenced me, but has really opened my eyes to the brighter things life has to offer. The fact that there is a recession in America, and I am here living the dream that most people can’t say they’ve ever done is just incredible. I walk the streets and just appreciate every building I see. being on the beach and laying around the port is one of the most exhillaraing things for me to do here. I don’t feel as if  I am in Barcelona when I am there. This weekend I ate at this restaurant called Champagneria. the Atmosphere was very cool. It is a restaurant where you stand up as you eat your meal, which was a big burger and they give you a bottle of champaign to drink. I got my food and my drink and stood outside on a gorgeous day. My Area which is literally a block from Sagrada Familia is more or less my second home. I feel so safe here. It is extremely residential and accommodates to my every needs, such as a dry cleaners, mani and pediucre places, restaurants, a 24 hour gas station called Respol, (which is great for late night!) This past Thursday night for my birthday my friends and I went to this club called Sutton, where we were taken care of by the owners son of the club. This club had to be one of the nicest clubs in Barcelona so far from what I have seen. It was amazing. here is a glimpse of what I have been seeing/doing and will be doing for my abroad experience.

As for the rest of my Travels, I will be going to Ireland and staying at the Westbury Hotel, which is supposed to be beautiful and then Israel for my spring break, which I am So excited for. I have been to Israel twice before, once for my brothers barmiztvah and then i went through a program called Taglit Birthright.  overall, after all of the places I have traveled too, I couldn’t be happier with my decision in coming to Barcelona. This is single handedly the most amazing experience of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

Social Networking

Social Networking can be defined as the grouping of individuals into specific groups, categories etc. Social net working can be done in person, but is most popular through the Internet. Websites such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are perfect examples of how social networking can be put to use. Children of all ages, adults, co-workers, long lost relatives, family members, friends and employers all use the internet as a tool for communicating with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other individuals with the same interest. These interests vary from starting or re-iterating friendships, business, relationships, etc. online social networking are also known as social sites. The sites function as an online “community” or a place where individuals can comminucate with one another and build relationships via internet. These social sites can be viewed as extremely beneficial to society. They enable people to search or revive past relationships with people and build new ones. They are beneficial for job purposes as well. There are also dangers that come with these online social sites that people must be cautious about. As one is told that whenever you meet a stranger you must be conscientious of your situation, it goes for the same as the internet. Fraud is extremely popular in the online world because it lacks the public aspect in the sense that you are not really meeting this person face to face, you don’t know who they really are, but are trusting that they  are providing you with factual information about themselves or their business etc. Although there are many negatives to this type of Networking, overall Social Networking has become very beneficial to society and all around the world. It has created many opportunities for people to stay in touch, meet new people, get jobs, find loved ones, and much more.

The weekend of February 25th-29th, my friends and I flew to Florence for Wednesday night and Thursday night and then Friday afternoon, we took a train to Rome. Florence was amazing. The city was so quaint and beautiful. I basically knew where I was going after day one. The fact that everyone spoke English there was extremely comforting, along with the amazing food. My two best friends from home were abroad there, so I stayed in their apartment, which was also so beautiful for two days. We went to Anne’s bakery for breakfast and then walked through the leather market where I purchased a leather jacket from a man named Massimo who owned a store called Massimo Leather.

 Later that night we went to a restaurant well known in Florence called Tres Panchos (Three Benches), which was amazing. There are literally three long benches in the restaurant so three big parties can attend, but no one else can fit inside. Everyone was very sweet to us and the manager of the restaurant even gave us free cheesecake! The following morning we took the  train to Rome. It was an hour and ten-minute train ride and it was easy and great. We met up with my friend from school who let all 4 of us stay with her for the weekend.

She took us to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and took us to great restaurants for lunch along with incredible Gelatos.  We went to a restaurant called 34, which was amazing as well.

The weekend of  February 19-22, My best friend from home who is studying abroad in Rome, along with my best school friend who is studying in Rome stayed with me for the weekend. With them, there two best friends from Rome stayed with us as well. So we had 4 visitors along with the 5 people we have living in our apartment, all sharing 1 BATHROOM!! Talk about hectic. But overall it was great. We had so many visitors from Rome, Florence, Prague, and it was the University of Michigan’s Spring break. Since I haven’t really explored Barcelona in its entirety, I brought Stacey (my best friend from home) to Parc de Gualle, which was incredible, it was a very trippy scenery and it was gorgeous out so we got to just stroll around. We then took pictures around Gaudi’s first house which again was so artsy.  The night life here was so much fun because we had so many more people then we normally do. I also have not been here on the weekends in quite some time due to traveling so it was a great feeling to just be in your ¨home¨ city and relax. We took the girls to our favorite restaurant Café Ugarit. We went to Carpe Diem for dinner and then some small Tapas restaurant the last night. Overall the weekend was very relaxing during the days and had a crazy time every night and I would not have done one thing differently.