TweetDeck versus HootSuite

TweetDeck and Hootsuite are both software applications that I have used to manage my social network community. Although they might seem similar, there are quite a few distinguishing characteristics between the two. Here is a brief comparison of the two apps although I prefer to use only one.

TweetDeck is an application designed to manage twitter accounts when it comes to sending and reviving tweets as well as when viewing profiles. The first version of TweetDeck was release on July 4, 2008. TweetDeck allows users to  monitor and tweet from multiple accounts simultaneously. It has its own URL shortening option whereby a link of any length will only use 23 characters of a Tweet's 140-character limit. It has a Twitter users Login Verification which is an added account security should users sign in with their Twitter username and password.

Tweetdeck's dashboard consists of several columns that display the Twitter account's timeline as well as other options such as viewing tweet updates, tweet mentions, direct messages, lists, trends, favourites, search results or hash-tags. Tweets are sent immediately or can be scheduled for later delivery and columns can be filtered to include or exclude words or tweets from other users.

I have discovered that Facebook is the only other social network that TweetDeck works with. TweetDeck allows these social networks to select or deselect as many messages as I want across multiple profiles of Twitter or Facebook.

Hootsuite, on the other hand, was launched in 2008 and differs slightly from TweetDeck as it allows connections with more than one social network such as LinkedIn, Foursquare, Myspace and Wordpress to name a few. You can use any of these social networks to login to HootSuite.

This social media management tool has a dashboard (which I love) that consists of tabs that organise all the other social profiles that I have connected to HootSuite. With this application there is no need to sign in to each different profile as I can monitor multiple streams from one platform, thus improving productivity as I will have more time to do other important things.

Although this platform allows communication to more that one social network, one can still send private messages out to targeted audience groups through the HootSuite dashboard.

HootSuite is currently one of the only ways to cross-post to my Google+ page. It also has a link shortening icon that tracks the metrics on posted links. With this app you can also create reports and summaries for your organisation which can be helpful.

HootSuite has a mobile app that is available to check on all my accounts while travelling, therefore, saving me time and money,

Creativity As A Skill

The creative skill is usually expressed and applied in a visual form through a diverse range of human activities to communicate or to make a statement.

I recently took to the streets to observe various works of creativity to learn about the inspiration behind this creativity.

Caption: Handmade Bags and Clothing (Table Mountain Market)

This stall belongs to a Malawian guy (Joseph) who collects fabric and material from all over the African continent to design bags and clothing. This genre of design is referred to as Fashion Design and it is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and other lifestyle accessories. These garments, jewelry and handbags fall under the “ready-to-wear” category of fashion design. Ready-to-Wear collections are standard sized, which means that they are not custom made, so they are made available to the general public.

Caption: Large Mural Painting on a Wall

Featured here is a group of young graphic designers painting a large mural on a wall as part of an event to promote a shoe customisation for the Levels Brand Weekend event that was organised by the Boaston Society -a lifestyle and clothing store.  This store is known for selling rare clothing items as well as local emerging brands.  

A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. The architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture such as with this painting which was originally painted on a large canvas which then was transferred to the wall.

Caption:  Body Art/ Adornment

Also on our streets is the growing trend of tattoos. Tattoos have become a modification of the traditional Henna body art that was practiced by the Hindi people. Henna is normally worn by women of all ages for special occasions but it is not permanent.

Tatoos on the other hand are permanent and you would have to go through extreme laser treatments to take it off which could be costly and sometimes painful. Historically, tattoos were created to beautify as well as to proclaim bravery, group solidarity or independence and they are now a regular part of everyday society.

Many people say that tattoos are an addiction, so once you get your first one, you’ll want to go for more. Body adornment continues to transform, with new generations learning the art and adding unique flavours to the art as they represent the change in time and place as well as individual aesthetics.

Caption: Braided Hair Styles

In Cape Town, exists a numerous number of hair salons that do braids. Braiding is a weaving and plaiting techniques which is currently a popular form of beautification across the African continent. Both women and young men seek different designs based on the individual’s request and personality.

Now in urban settings, braided hair is ubiquitous and a reflection of the globalisation of hair styling options for many African women and men.

They come in many different plaiting patterns, the most commonly known basic braids are:

Cornrows

Box Braid

Pony Tail

Twists

Hottex Braid

Newer Personified Styles include:

Mohawk Braid up-do

Combo: Braids + Curls

French Style Braid

Braid Crowns

For more on the trending braiding hair styles visit: http://bit.ly/1mCOHuE

Who am I? .... Who are you?

Have you ever wondered why you have a brain and why it has an important role to play in your life? Well, I have. In fact - I do it all the time. As weird as it may seem, I admit to trying to figure out what connects us with the rest of the world.

Have you ever wondered why social influence affects one's individual needs in terms of conformity?

I'm an inquisitive being who takes an interest in psychology (human analogy) and communication, who just seeks to understand how we know who we are and manage ourselves.

With my rather wild imagination, I hope to take you on a journey where we will try to figure out who we are and why we behave the way we do- especially on the social context.

Human behaviour can be associated with our surroundings mainly because we base our lives on what we see and believe to be true. We are influenced (whether positively or negatively) on a daily basis by the media or even by tradition through social interactions with others.

Social influence refers to ways in which people produce changes in others in their behaviour, attitudes or beliefs directly or indirectly depending on the type of influence. The social influence that we are familiar with and is most common among us is conformity. It is characterised by the change induced by general rules concerning what behaviour is appropriate or required. Conformity refers to pressures on an individual to behave in ways consistent with rules indicating how we should or ought to behave. These rules are known as social norms, rules indicating how individuals are expected to behave in specific situations.

Studies show that the reason why we conform is related to two reasons such as:

1. The ‘Normative Social Influence’ which is social influence based on the desire to be liked or accepted by other people, and
2. The ‘Informational Social Influence’ which refers to social influence based on the desire to be correct (i.e. to possess accurate perceptions of the social world).

Conformity has its disadvantages too as the pressure to go along might overwhelm one’s personal values. The need for individuation, for being distinguishable from others in some respect may be limited especially when individuals try to be like other people.

Also, the desire for personal freedom seeking social change with emphasis on individual preferences or freedom may be diminished as no individuality is encouraged.

Thus it is imperative that human beings realise that the extent to which other individuals are psychologically present in our lives can strongly affect our behaviour and lifestyles particularly when we have not discovered ourselves and our capabilities as individuals. Our minds were created to distinguish ourselves from others to stimulate the different goals we seek in life, to produce knowledge and ideas that express creativity as well as innovation.