How the Chinese Government Uses the Internet: MK299

Aside from sailing the ocean blue....I'm going to talk about how the Chinese government uses the internet for my Internet Marketing (MK299) class.

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In an article from the United States Department of State website titled China Uses Internet as Tool of Repression, Congressman Christopher Smith takes on this issue. A republican from New Jersery, Smith is the chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. He takes this issue into recent accounts and states the Chinese goverment is repressing its citizens. Instead of letting the Chinese people explore, learn, and take advantage of the vast amount of information on the internet, the government is regulating what is available for the people on the internet. This regulation is a propaganda scheme run by the Chinese government and is not fair for those who want to learn and explore the entire world through the internet.

Furthermore, Smith has held a meeting to discuss what is happening in China. His speech, discussed in the article, partially mentions:
"...While the Internet has opened up commercial opportunities and provided access to vast amounts of information for people the world over, the internet has also become a malicious tool: a cyber sledgehammer of repression of the government of China. As soon as the promise of the Internet began to be fulfilled - when brave Chinese began to email each other and others about human rights issues and corruption by government leaders - the Party cracked down. To date, an estimated 49 cyber-dissidents and 32 journalists have been imprisoned by the PRC for merely posting information on the Internet critical of the regime. And that's likely to be only the tip of the iceberg."
To me,This seems like a type of movement that will continue to go on. The Chinese government is not full of ideas of freedom and fairness, like we experience everyday in the United States.

vquzeshuf

Fooding & Cruising

VQUZESHUF

Eating is a big part of cruises, which is also a big portion of price of a cruise. Many say that they weigh ten pounds heavier when they get off the ship, due to all the food. Most of the food on a cruise is already paid for, note that I say most. The majority of cruises have a separate dining time and room; where everyday at your designated dining time you will go to the dining room, dressed appropriately in casual to fancy clothing (depending on the night) and sit in your assigned seating and be served by the same servers. This is a time to relax and gather together with the family to discuss your day and what tomorrow will bring. This entire four course meal is included in the cruise price and may even include a complimentary drink.

All other meals are also included and range in style: a sit down service breakfast, sit down service lunch, buffet style breakfast, buffet style lunch, and even a buffet style dinner (if you decide to skip the sit down formal dinner - or if you don't feel like getting dressed up). The food is delicious and in some cases, each day serves a different style of food. On cruises that I went to each day there was a station that was called International Food. Some days it was Caribbean, Italian, Indian, Chinese, American, and so on. By the pools there is usually ice cream, hamburger/cheeseburger, hot dogs, and fries. In Carnival's case, there is 24 hour pizza, salad, and ice cream.

Other interesting facts of cruise food include:

- Food Stands: These usually cost money and most of the time has sushi or other unique foods

- Supper Club: This offers a fancy upscale four course dinner and dancing. This also costs on average $30/per person.
- Specialty Buffets: Gala Buffet (largest buffet - last night of cruise - a must see), Chocolate Buffet (delicious and tasty), Midnight Buffet (night of leaving a port, usually Mexican/Caribbean food full of fun, dancing and music). The best part -- all of these are FREE!

Enjoy the food and again, expect to eat more than usual; yet don't forget to take a nice walk on deck after large meals (or you can even hit the free gym)!

VQUZESHUF : MK299

The above made-up word VQUZESHUF has been created by my Internet Marketing class, MK299. We created this word to test Search Engine's and to determine how our blogs can be seen on Search Engine results. Again, this word is: vquzeshuf. My group members also must have this word, their sites include: vquzeshuf - Nicole, vquzeshuf - Matt, and vquzeshuf - Mallory.

Excursions in St. Thomas

St. Thomas is a very common stop when cruising in the Caribbean. Located in the Eastern part of the Caribbean, St. Thomas is part of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). From some of the world's most beautiful beaches to some of the best snorkeling experiences to the best shopping for jewlery; St. Thomas has something for everybody. Most cruise ships spend an entire day at St. Thomas, since there is so much to do and see and did I mention, to buy. For an overview of the types of excursions available for all on St. Thomas, visit the website ShoreTrips, found at this link: vquzeshuf. Below, you will find some of the most popular excursions Carnival Cruise Line ships offer while in St. Thomas as your port of call:

-Scuba Diving: Beginner Scuba is an excursion for those who always wanted to try and be taught by professionals on how to scuba dive. This is in the medium level of pricing, takes 3 hours, and is a limited excursion (so book fast!).

-BOSS Underwater Adventure: This excursion includes an undersea adventure on a motor scooter; very neat and unique. This adventure is expensive, but definitly a once in a lifetime event. This takes 3.5 hours.

-Caribbean Parasailing: An adventerous and daring adventure, this excursion. This excursion is priced in the middle level and does not take a lot of time.

-Snorkeling: Out of the many snorkeling excursions offered by Carnival, the best would have to be Castaway Barefoot Sail & Snorkel to Shipwreck Cove! Not only is it such a great afternoon, but the instructors are so much fun. You will sail off to a private snorkeling area, take a snorkeling tour of the ocean, get a personalized understanding of the fish and coral, and even encounter a sunken ship. The way home is also a blast with unlimited Rum Punch, lively Caribbean music, and talking more with the wonderful staff (these 4 made the trip most definitley worth while!). This trip is also very reasonable, worth the price, and will not take up your whole time at St. Thomas.

-Coral World & Magen's Bay: Coral World, a water amusement park, along with Magen's Bay, rated by National Geographic one of the world's most beautiful beaches. This can be an excursion together but also can be done separatly. At the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, and there is even a bar. This is fun (but for hints, you can hire a taxi to take you to the beach).

-Jeep & Beach Safari: This excursion involves renting a Jeep Wrangler (must be 25 years of age+) and adventure yourself through the island, up and down the hilly roads and see the beautiful sights. After the adventure, relax on a beautiful St. Thomas beach.

-Kayak, Hike, and Snorkel: This includes every outdoor adventureous activity combined. This excursion involves - a unique, multi-eco experience awaiting you in St. Thomas' Mangrove Wildlife Refuge & Marine Sanctuary. This trip also includes a snack.

-Downtown Shopping & Beach Getaway: Not only do you get to experience the world's most inexpensive jewlery shops, but you will also get to experience one of the world's best beaches...a great combination. Some of the world's most rare gemstones and coral jewlery is available here in St. Thomas (also includes the cheapest diamonds as well). This trip takes 5 hours, a day trip, but allows you to shop and enjoy the scenery; something for everyone.

Though this is only a few excursions St. Thomas offers, there is many more. Again this island offers so much that you will most likely not be able to see and do everything you hoped for; which only means one thing - you must go back. I am definitly planning to return to St. Thomas some day...to sit back with a drink and enjoy the crystal clear blue water and even take a break to shop. Enjoy!

Attention Max - Great Marketing Comes With a Smile: MK299

Aside from sailing the ocean blue....I'm going to talk about a blog posted on the Attention Max Blog, the post titled Great Marketing Comes With a Smile for my Internet Marketing (MK299) class.

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This blog post deals with the latest news and information regarding the world of marketing and media. The post focuses on smiling as an important marketing tool. Smiling is first considered acceptance and a basic human need, not to mention the fact that smiling causes calories to burn. Smiling creates confidence, fosters accessibility (can create anxiety or intimidation or even a calm feeling). Smiling breaks down barriers while at the same time is creating trust in others. Studies show that smiling actually makes a person more attractive as well; a key to sales. It is also known that "happiness is a byproduct of smiling," when someone smiles the receiver usually gains a feeling of happiness.

In regards to smiling as a key tool to marketing, the blog post states, "Smiling should start with employees, but the essence of smiling should extend to every aspect of brand experience. Does your logo embody the spirit and effects of smiling? How about your commercial messages or direct customer communications? How about the very product you offer customers? Does it come with a smile?"
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In regards to my own blogs topic, Caribbean cruising, cruise employees most definitely use smiling as a key marketing tool. If cruise employees did not exemplify smiling, the cruisers would not have a good cruising experience and vacation. Those that work on cruises work mostly by months; for example, 6 months on (working) and 6 months off. When one trip leaves the cruise ship, another group of people are getting on. The employees are always seeing new people arrive on the ship; so in order to give these people a good cruising experience, they must always show excitement and enthusiasm with a smile, which will then allow the cruisers to be happy as well. Smiling is an excellent marketing tool that spreads rapidly and includes the best aspect; smiling has no costs involved...So the next cruise you go on, look at the employees and make sure that they are smiling and creating a strong brand image for the cruise line itself.

Types of Cruise Cabins - from Inside to Suites

When deciding to book a cruise, you must think about the type of room that you want to book. The style of cruise ship cabins range from inexpensive interior rooms to more expensive suites. From my experiences, I found cruise cabins to be more spacious than I had imagined. I was thinking I would be stuck in a room where there was no room to stand and only space to sleep and shower. My room was so large that we actually gathered together a few nights (at one point we even had 8 or 9 friends and family) in our interior cabin. As cruise cabins are obviously smaller than hotel rooms, it didnot seem to bother me and the other passangers I was with.

There are four main types of cruise cabins to choose from, beginning with the least expensive an ending with the most expensive: Interior Cabins, Ocean View Cabins, Balcony Cabins, and Suites.

Interior Cabins



Interior cabins do not have windows or views of the ocean. They get very dark when the door is closed. If you suffer from claustrophobia, and interior cabin may not be a perfect match for your needs. But if you plan on spending a minimal amount of time in your cabin, a majority of the time up on deck, and your cabin to mainly sleep and refreshen, interior cabins are the lease expensive and a cost-saving option.

Ocean View Cabins


Ocean view cabins have windows allowing the cruiser to view the ocean from the side of their ship with the convenience of not leaving their cabin. The cabin does not get as dark and allows light to come through. Ocean view allows you to see when you are getting close to land or see the land itself. These rooms though usually are not allowed to be opened and is priced only a few hundred more dollars a person more than interior cabins.

Balcony Cabins


Rather than just viewing the ocean outside of the ship, a balcony cabins allows you to be outside and feel the breeze off the water, smell the sea, and even hear the waves clashing against the ship. Balcony rooms are a lot more expensive than just a regular interior room, but it also gives you privacy of the ocean in the convenience of your own cabin. The balcony's are usually just enough room for two chairs and small table, but an excellent option if you want to privately view the ocean (just be aware of your surrounding neighbors with balcony's as well).

Suites


Suites are the largest style of cruise cabins with spacious room to walk around and also includes a spacious seating area and larger balcony (sometimes two doors to get out to the long balcony). Suites are also the most expensive types of cabins allowing many cruisers to sleep comfortably (from 4 to 8 passengers). Suites also consist of more than one spacious room. If you have the funds and are planning to spend a lot of time privately in your room (aka maybe a honeymoon) then a suite is a suitable cabin choice. But if you are not looking to spend a lot of time in your cabin, this may be not worth the costs and you should consider spending your money on excursions and other events on the cruise instead.

*Pictures provided by Carnival (http://www.carnival.com/)*

How the Government Uses the Internet: MK299

Aside from sailing the ocean blue....I'm going to talk about how the United States government uses the internet for my Internet Marketing (MK299) class.

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As known, the government was the ones to first use the internet. Not only were they the first users, but they were also the inventors and creators of the internet. Created as a military defense project, the internet gained way into our world. Today, the United States government website is for all types of users. Below, find the print screen of the US's government website titled USA.gov...







USA.gov (http://www.usa.gov/) is the government website for everyone to use. The website is broken down into different sections:
For Citizens
-Kids, Parents, Seniors, Military and Veterans, Americans Abroad
For Businesses and Nonprofits
-Small Business, Self-Employed, Nonprofits, Corporations, Foreign Businesses in the U.S.
For Government Employees
-Federal Employees, Military and Veterans, State and Local Employees, Tribal Governments
For Visitors to the U.S.
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Under each of these categories, there are things for people in each type of these categories that can benefit from using the usa.gov website. Children can educate themselves about the government and its policies, businesses can learn how to receive grants, government employees can learn of their benefits, and visitors to the United States can learn a little more about the country and its government information. This website is very helpful, allowing the government to share its public information to all internet users.