STS THY- in10se

[GDAYX MNL REACTION PAPER]

Danielle Elisha F. Ching
2013-68141

GOOGLEFIED

Google it.

Living in a typhoon-stricken country, we are in need of proper information dissemination, so the talk on “Crisis Mapping Experience and the Google Crisis Information Page” was indeed relevant and helpful. I could never agree more that one of the greatest aids one could send to the affected ones is right-on-track and useful information.

Directing towards the business-orientation of the event, the other two talks I managed to listen to were presenting some Google features as tools for business endorsement and management— “Google Places & Mapping for Business” and “Google+ for Business.” As backward as the person I am, I never knew that anyone could edit and put up any place on the widely- used global map until GdayX Manila. Having one’s business address included on this map really does wonders to a business’ success. Google Maps is one of Google’s best features by far, while Google+ is a more recent development. I have a Google+ account, which I use for watching YouTube videos and sending Gmails, but I have not yet tried its other functions and features. The speaker focused more on the blogging feature using Blogger or Blogspot. Since I don’t blog, the talk helped me see the importance of blogging, specifically in business. Instead of creating a website, a blog is more helpful both to the business owner, and customers. There is interaction, engagement, and commitment between parties. I was fond of the idea the speaker was trying to impart— a blog, which is free, is more effective than a website, which requires investment.

Although the speakers and their talks are trying to convey useful business tips and information, I don’t think the advertising team of the event used those tips to endorse theirs. Maybe it was because of what noticed when I came—there were only a few people, not as much as I expected. It was ironic since the event was about educating people on how to exploit Google features for advertisements and information dissemination; however, the event itself did not seem successful in luring people to attend. Somehow, the credibility of the event was diminished.

Apart from the few number of attendees, the event was successful and well-organized—the receptionists and ushers were friendly, there were a lot of event and food sponsors, the venue was suited, the light and sound systems were properly working, and the talks were right on schedule. To think that there was no registration fee, the conference catered more than enough to its attendees. It’s an event which I would definitely attend again in the future, and I’ll bring more people with me by then. #