The Jill Spill

You've Got Mail

Right now I am watching "You've Got Mail," one of my favorite movies of all time.

As I'm watching, I'm shocked by the remembrance of good 'ole dial up America Online 4.0.

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are taking me back to my very first experiences with AOL. It was 1997, I was 10 years old, and my Dad got AOL on our home computer. His screen name, LWhit5455, was one that he and I shared (LWhit, standing for my dad's first initial and last name, and 5455 being code for my name, Jill - look on your cell phone!) We shared this screen name for a year, until he decided that he needed the screen name as his own for business purposes. I'm also sure he was tired of the e-mails I was receiving from the few friends I had online.

I was a very brave 10 year old. I remember the VERY first time I signed online, I heard the screeching of the dial up and it scared me. With my over active imagination, I thought that by "signing online" people would automatically be able to see me (ironically, much like today's chatroulette). Of course, back then we didn't have web cams, and signing onto AOL mearly lead you to the generic "Welcome page," but at 10 years old, I didn't know this. I had NO IDEA what to expect. "YOU'VE GOT MAIL," the computer shouted at me. I grew accustomed to email VERY quickly and thereafter ventured straight into AOL chat rooms.

I'll admit. My parents had NO CLUE I was learning the ropes of internet chat rooms the same time that I was learning long hand division. Before AIM became a fad, I was in AOL chat rooms learning the meaning of A/S/L or even better "ASL check" - as if you really have to check your age, sex and location.

I was a shy kid. I went INTO the chat rooms, but rarely had the courage to actually say anything. I was smart. I never gave out my location or full name. The Internet was fascinating to me and I wanted to learn EVERYTHING about it. I usually entered chat rooms on a quest looking for kids my own age. This is hysterical to me now, but my favorite chat room was "Gymnastics chat". During the 1996 Olympics, The Magnificent 7 had dominated women's gymnastics. I became star-struck by USA champion, Dominique Moceanu, and I when I learned she trained at a Houston gymnasium down the street from my house, I started gymnastics. My athletic training lasted one whopping year, and I quickly realized I was not meant to go to the Olympics (and that I'm just NOT an athletic person, in general).

I remember going into this sporty chat room and chatting with other Mag 7 fangirls, trading gymnast photos and audio files of interviews and Olympic routines. Back in those days, it would take HOURS for pictures to upload. It would take literally half the day for an audio or video file to be transferred. Not too long after I grew accustomed to the culture of AOL chat rooms, my dad made me get my own screen name, and with this new screen name came parental controls that lasted until I was 18. Needless to say, I fell out of the chat room world as quickly as I fell in.

My first screen name was JWDramaGrl. JW, standing for my initials, "drama" referring to my love for the theatre (I was a theatre kid. I practically grew up on stage in Houston Community theaters) and at 10 years old, it was OBVIOUSLY so much cooler to spell "girl" without the i. Yessss. I kept this as my active e-mail until I was 21. (EMBARASSING, I know). Finally, two years ago I realized that employers and professors might get the wrong idea if they received mail from JWDramaGrl.

This movie makes me nostalgic. I miss signing into the AOL software. This was my only form of Internet for years, until Internet Explorer became the norm. Now there's Firefox, Safari, and who knows how many other kinds of internet operating systems. AOL was a different kind of online culture. I can't explain it. Only hard-core early AOL adopters know what I'm talking about. I remember personalizing my AOL homepage, changing my background, agonizing over the wordage of my user profile, and customizing my buddy icon and fonts used for AIM. I remember replacing the standard AOL "Welcome" audio blip to Joey from Friends saying "Heeeey. How You Doin?" "You've got Mail" was replaced with Lisa Kudrow squealing, "Ooh Ooh! You're popular! You've got mail," and my "Goodbye" was replaced by Jamie Lee Curtis hollering, "Seeya later!"

Now that I think about it, AOL was my first Internet "have-it-your-way" user-customization experience. That's pretty cool.

This is my ode to AOL; my introduction to the Internet.

I'm a loyal AOL fan, and I still use AOL.com as my personal e-mail provider today. Were you ever an AOL user? What was YOUR first internet screen name?

I love reflecting on how the internet alone has transformed since 1997. Thanks Tom and Kate, for the stroll down technological memory lane.

That's "the spill",

Jill

Facebook Changes Actually DELETED my Content. Not Okay.

Did anyone else log into Facebook this week only to be notified that all of your "Interests" and "Fan pages" have now been LINKED to your profile?

Basically our info pages on our profile have been completely re-formatted and I found that lots of information was deleted from my profile, and some information was CHANGED to accommodate the new linking system. One of my interests, Chi Omega (as in, The Chi Omega Fraternity that I am a member of) was changed to Omega-3. I don't know what Omega-3 is, but I'm certain it's not the sorority I've been a part of for the last 5 years and I DON'T want it linked to my profile.

Content listed under my "favorite books, music and movies" disappeared, much to my annoyance. I guess they don't have a link for "Small town Christmas Movies" or "Anything not screaming" or "Books that are witty and fun." However, does this give Facebook the right to remove my content?

Basically if I didn't list specific products or brands that could be easily linked, Facebook deleted it or replaced it with something bogus like Omega-3. Dumb.

I also noticed my education info changed and my Masters degree is no longer displayable on my info page. I'm working my tail off for my Masters in Public Communication and Technology and so I'd like to let people know about it, Facebook! Please fix this glitch!

If Facebook is for social networking and possible business networking, you would THINK that Facebook would realize that something as important as a DEGREE should be displayable on one's profile. Am I annoyed? You betcha!

So Facebook, after spending an hour cleaning up the mess you made of my profile last night, I hope these links prove to be non-intrusive and that there are not any other re-formatting issues that DELETE and ALTAR my profile content! Because that's just not okay!

That's "the spill",

Jill

UPDATE:

So I just realized I appear to be the only person in my network of friends that has experienced this Facebook change. My guess is that Facebook is slowly transitioning these changes and taking over user pages in small groups (like they've done in the past in implementing design changes). So if your Facebook "info" page hasn't changed yet, consider yourself lucky and look at my "info" if you're curious to see what's to come!

I've also figured out how to trick Facebook into displaying my Masters degree again. Under Info -> Edit -> Work and Education -> I had to type my degree in the space titled "concentrations". Note there is a drop down menu that asks for your "degree" yet after the degree is entered it WILL NOT show up on your profile. So type your degree into the "concentrations" box if you want it to show up, m'kay?

Oscar Mayer & Kristin Chenoweth Aim to Deliver Good Moods For A Good Cause

What's more exciting than accidentally stumbling upon the Weeniemobile in your hometown? Finding the weeniemobie AND Kristin Chenoweth! (And partaking in Oscar Mayer flavored fun for a good cause, of course!)

Oscar Mayer recently launched a completely VIRAL campaign that hopes to turn "good moods" into 2 million pounds of food for Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization. Oscar Mayer has partnered with Broadway superstar, Kristin Chenoweth, to launch "The Good Mood Mission". Chenoweth has been chosen to serve as the official "Good Mood Ambassador."

Chenoweth helped launch the campaign in Los Angeles, celebrating with hundreds of passersby and performers in a giant musical FLASH MOB! The event was complete with Oscar Mayer swag and Weeniemobile vehicles! Chenoweth will officially dispatch the fleet of Weeniemobile vehicles on their cross-country journey to spread miles of smiles for the Good Mood Mission.

Um, nice stuffed animal, Kristin. I want one!!

Looks like Kristin put hers to good use!

Oscar Meyer has already donated 1 million pounds of food and is asking for America's help to match this at www.GoodMoodMission.com. All you have to do it fill in the blank "It doesn't get any better than _______" For every "good mood" America shares, Oscar mayer will donate one pound of food to Feeding America. The goal is to double the original donation resulting in 2 million pounds of food!

About the viral campaign: The campaign will run from January through September and rewards participation with coupons and other fun offers. "The Good Mood Mission campaign is aligned with the new "It Doesn't Get Better Than This" advertising campaign, which launched on January 17, 2010, during the Golden Globe Awards. The campaign marks the largest advertising campaign in the brand's 125-year history. The creative executions are designed to capture spontaneous "just happened upon" moments." (Morse, 2010).

Moments can be shared online at www.goodmoodmission.com, as well as on Oscar Mayer's Facebook website. Participants are encouraged to "friend" Oscar Mayer on Facebook, and "Follow" @OscarMayer on twitter for more opportunities to donate and partake in PR events. The advertising will run in broadcast, print and digital outlets throughout the year.

To view the entire article, visit -> http://tinyurl.com/ybccytn

Give a Day of Volunteer Service, Get a Day of Disney Theme Park Fun, FREE

I LOVE this! Disney has released a new campaign that encourages individuals to go out and complete volunteer projects!

If you give a day of volunteer service to a participating organization, you’ll get one day of free admission to a Disney Park. It’s a first-of-its-kind program Disney has labeled "Give a day, get a Disney day."

Visit www.DisneyParks.com or www.DisneyParks.ca to search for eligible volunteer projects. After completing the volunteer work, an e-mail will be sent from Disney with a link to print out a voucher to redeem at a theme park for a free one-day, one-park admission. If you’re unable to use the ticket, it can be donated to a charity designated by Disney.

More information can be found here ->http://tinyurl.com/y8k2qu9

Great idea, Disney!

That's "the spill",

-Jill

10 Things You Need to Stop Tweeting About

Are you a fan of Twitter? If so, you might enjoy this as much as I did.

This is hysterical. "10 Things You Need to Stop Tweeting About" -> http://tinyurl.com/yjpjaw6

That's "the spill",

Jill

Social media makes even ME feel old!

Tonight I got distracted reading a few of the 373 entries from my old Live Journal that I created back in 2004.

Live Journal. Yeah, remember that? (If you weren't blogging in the mid 2000's, or if you're not a part of "Generation X", you probably don't have a CLUE as to what I'm talking about!) The creepy little tool bar at the top of the site (the one featuring good 'ole Frank the goat) happily informed me that LJ is 10 years old this year. That's crazy. TEN years old? It seems like just yesterday I would turn to Live Journal for all of my high school theatre gossip! I had to remind myself that this social networking site was created before Twitter, Linked In, Facebook, Youtube, and yes, even MySpace! It's amazing how ALL of my high school friends turned to this site for blogging and social comfort.

Today LJ is rarely known by anyone- unless you were apart of the fad in the early 2000's. Two or three times a year I log on, just to see if any of my old friends keep up with their old accounts, and there are maybe five loyal users left (out of what started with over 100). Is this where Myspace, and maybe even someday Facebook are heading??

Who knows! Looking at the new media that has developed since the LJ faux pas makes ME even feel old!

After laughing over old memories and poking around google, I found a nifty tool that claimed it would import all of my 373 entries to my personal Blogspot blog!

At first I was nerdily excited, and the OCD girl in me was screaming to combine all of my entries to one place, but as I went back to scan additional memories and adventures that go back to my junior year of HIGH SCHOOL, I quickly realized the mistake I was about to make.

Um, no. I am so not going there! As hysterical as half the entries are, and as fun as it is to observe my own changes in writing style, I realized I would be completely nuts to re-post the drama, love stories, ups, downs, and life lessons learned in my adolescent past. (Mind you, during those years my LJ was "friends only" so yes, I was candidly honest and openly trusting- something a naive high school teen should never be on the internet.)

Some things, really should stay in the past. Luckily for me, even at 16, I was overly mature for my age, and even though some of my stories are completely embarrassing now, none of my posts were dangerous or inappropriate. Today, social networking is more popular, easy-access, and therefore, more threatening. High school, junior high, and even elementary aged kiddos not only have the opportunity to embarrass themselves via Facebook "blogging" or instant status updates- today's generation can ruin their lives with pictures and video.

I could go off on a tangent about all of this, but internet safety and common sense is not the point of this blog. My main question is this: social media changes SO fast; what do you think will survive over the next few years, and what will deteriorate to today's "LJ"? Where will Blogger be in 10 years? Wordpress? MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Linked In, etc? Will this blog that I am updating right this instant be obsolete?

Only the future knows, but I think it's exciting to find out- which is why I love my chosen field of mass communication! Who says new media isn't interesting?

That's "the spill",

- Jill

Recent Media Articles pulled from my Twitter.

Here are some interesting new media links I've been sharing out in the twittersphere. Hot topics include the new iPad, Republican "celebrity" endorsement for the NOH8 Campaign, new technology coming to Disney, and new law suits developing for uploading copyrighted Disney content to YouTube and other social media sites! Check out what's of interest to you!

Apple Tablet receiving hate before it's even launched. Are speculations well justified? -> http://tinyurl.com/yh5sqkx

Cindy McCain and daughter pose for "NOH8 Campaign" supporting gay marriage. http://tinyurl.com/yla9k2v

Legal limbo: Disney could go after you for posting vacation videos online.http://tinyurl.com/yayqkkg

Very cool technology coming to Disney! Disney + Apple + RFID = BIG! http://tinyurl.com/yjbspk6

Going to Disney? Sign up for in-park text messages. Get attraction wait times and park hours by sending a text message! http://bit.ly/8KJEVo

That's "the spill",

- Jill

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