Ta da! aka Blog post numero uno

Well, spent more time than I probably needed to for an initial posting, but I'm almost satisfied!

Onto the assignment!

Is there a difference between the term "multimedia" and "multimodal"?  Describe why or why not.
Dictionary.com defines Multimedia as: the combined use of several media, as sound and full-motion video in computer applications.   I feel that multimodal encompasses more than just media.  It's text, sounds, visuals, people, and it's more about what the choices that were made to bring forth a product, much like the choices I made in designing this blog.


3. I believe that the use of "people of Japan" helps to unify the country, that this isn't something that just happened to one portion.  I also think that the text shows that the President is interested in keeping apprised of the situation, even on the weekend when other things may fall through the cracks.  The statement also reassures that America as a whole is available for assistance, while still leaving that decision up to Japan in their recovery efforts.

4.  The Twitter profile on the left is much more of a "serious" color pallet, navy blue with a touch of funk with the Kelly green.  Compared to thing profile on the right, the left still has a photo of her face, though not all of it, leaving her somewhat mysterious.   The light blue color and the twig branch in the background of the right's profile gives it a light and airy feeling.  Though the profile has an avatar that shows a cartoon of a Panda, perhaps to express her love of Pandas?  Or simply to be goofy.

My own profile: http://twitter.com/MsSaraJo
Is brightly colored and filled with my favorite colors in a geometric pattern.  My picture shows me having a fantastic time (it really was) in Barcelona.  The location may not be obvious, but I knew I was there!

5.  I hear a tone much like I'd hear in yoga class with a mild drum beat and cymbals.  The narrators voice is very mild too, female and much like I've heard in my stress relieving workshops or what I commonly refer to as a "yoga voice".    If the music were country is would feel more upbeat but pressured to be more.

6. The eye is drawn to the center of the page with elements lining the outside of the window.  This creates the idea that whatever is in the middle the most important with everything else being secondary or even tertiary. I feel that though the page would look off center, the usability of the website would be better suited to have the most common buttons (the ones located at the bottom) moved to a more centralized location.

7. President Obama's face is kept serious during his discussion of Libya.  He doesn't make much eye contact as he reads his bullet points, not emphasizing much with his hands as he folds them onto the podium at 45 seconds.  He makes an effort to make eye contact with each of the reporters surrounding him.  He emphasizes his words by pausing slightly after what he feels is important like "rats (pause)".  In this clip, the president doesn't use as many hand gestures as he usually does, and perhaps that's on purpose as he tries to communicate the seriousness of the events in Tripoli.

President on Libya