Social Media Smackdown

     For my social media smackdown, I chose a Website called Punchbowl that I found on the "List of Social Media and Social Networking" website. On this site, you can send custom invitations to anybody with an email. I have tried using sites like Evites, but I enjoy Punchbowl a lot more.
     In my family, we tend to use email to invite each other to Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and other events. This is an easy way to get in contact with everyone and have all the responses in one place. Then, of course, we inform my grandparents, who are the only ones who don't have an email. :) Emails can be boring though, which is where Punchbowl comes in. Here, you can choose from many types of invitations (some are not free) and change the colors, fonts, and message. You can even design the envelope. Then, the next step is to put your list of emails into the system, and the invitation will get sent to them. You will get notified via email when people respond, and you can give them the option of bringing a guest or leaving other comments, such as the dessert they are bringing. There is even an App! Another cool feature is that they give you party ideas for a plethora of themes including princesses, baby showers, and Thanksgiving dinner. Finally, not only can you send invitations, but you can also send digital greeting cards. If you pay for a membership you can get features like the ability to add photos, schedule recurring events, and create polls to get answers from guests about the party. 
     I think this is a great site because many people are very computer oriented and may find it easier to receive invitations through their email. It's a little more formal than a Facebook invite, and I think it's more likely that people have an email than Facebook. It also saves paper, and the sender doesn't have to spend any money unless they want the premium version. Compared to Evites, this is a much better option. On Evites, you can't change what you can't write on the card, and there are limited options for colors and fonts. I can't wait to try out this site for our next party!

Technology Blog #6

For my last technology blog, I decided to write about Uber. While many people probably know what it is, I believe it is an important app to talk about because it can help reduce the amount of drunk driving and keep people safe. We go to a school where we don't even have to drive five minutes for the closest bar, and a lot of people think five minutes isn't anything to have a few drinks and drive home. But, this is not the case. Using an app like Uber for that five minute drive may cost some money at that moment in time; however, that money is nothing compared to somebody's life.

Using Uber is pretty much like flagging down a taxi from your phone. All you have to do is download the app (for free =]) and plug in your credit card information. Uber will find your location and tell you how far away the nearest driver is. Uber drivers have to have certain qualifications, such as owning a newer car, and they are required to go through background checks. Next you click "set pickup location" and simply put in the address like you would on Google maps. It will give you a rough estimate of how much your ride will cost. There is also an option to order a bigger car to fit more people (caution: this can be pricey!). Now your Uber is ordered, and you will receive a text messages that it is on the way. Then, you will get a message that the car arrived so you don't have to wait on the curb in the rain, cold, etc. Uber will provide a description of the car so you know what you are looking for. Some other things that are cool about Uber are that you can put multiple cards in your account, and you can split the ride with someone and use two cards for the same ride. Finally, no matter where you are, Uber will find you. You usually don't have to worry about there not being a driver somewhere close by unless you live in the middle of nowhere.

Here's what I don't like about Uber: One, it can get pretty pricey. Uber will jack up the prices on weekends, holidays, and certain times of the night. I recommend it for shorter rides. Second, I have had some experiences where the driver has gotten lost, which stinks! Third, while drivers have to go through a long process to earn the job, I still would never feel 100% safe riding in an Uber alone. Therefore, I think it's good to go with at least one other person! These negatives of Uber, however, do not outweigh the positives. I definitely will continue to advocate for this app, and I think more people should use it and avoid getting behind the wheel after a night out!