Planning Your Vacation Online
Using Social Networks To Plan Your Next Vacation
With new social networks springing up every day, and more and more people spending time on these sites, there are, need we say it, more ways to use social networking sites than ever before. Some people use them to reconnect, some people to keep in touch, some people to play games, and some people to stay up on the latest news and trends. No matter how you normally use social networks, the fact is there are probably several ways to use them that you haven’t even thought of yet, for example— planning your next vacation.
Bet you didn’t see that one coming. But really, there are several ways to make planning your next vacation not only easier, but more time efficient and less expensive as well.
Let’s start with picking a destination. The easiest thing you can do is use your social networks to simply ask for suggestions. This is the equivalent of asking a travel agent for destination suggestions, except your responses will be from trusted friends and/or, at the very least, acquaintances who you know are not trying to sell you something because it will get them a better commission. This approach works especially well if you’re trying to decide between a few specific locations. By broadcasting the choices to your friends, you will get responses from people who have actually experienced the locations, and can tell you the pros and cons from firsthand experience. And all in a matter of minutes, which sure beats calling 200+ people to see where they’ve been and what advice they have.
You can also find great travel deals through social networking sites. For example, Jet Blue and Southwest are good examples of airlines using Twitter to extend great travel deals to their followers. Many times, twitter followers of these airlines will be the first to know about special $99 promotions and other deals. This will allow you to book your flight for a cheaper price if you start looking for these deals in advance, so you can save the extra money for souvenirs or a nice dinner on your trip.
If you are planning a trip for a larger group, consider using wikis to keep the planning process flowing smoothly. A wiki is a space which allows people in different locations to collaborate on the internet to have conversations as well as share documents and Websites. Wikidot and Wetpaint are good examples of these. Google docs and Google wave are also very effective, and Google wave even has a “voting” feature so different members of your party can offer suggestions and the rest of the group can vote and comment on them.
Finally, you can use location-based social networking sites to gather advice on activities and destinations ahead of time. In addition, you could use these networks when you’re actually at your destination to find people you know who might be visiting or live there permanently.
However you use them, there is no doubt that social networks can be a great planning tool, as they integrate technology which gathers all of your friends, helpful reviews and location based technology, all for the purpose of helping you out.
Read More»Alternative Spring Break Destinations
Believe it or not, Spring Break, or March Break, isn’t all about partying the night away anymore. Many college students are now opting to partake in alternative Spring Break trips. Alternative Spring Break can still mean sun, sand and surf, but usually involves volunteer work or travel to a remote destination clear of bikini clad co-eds, making the week without classes very rewarding and relaxing experience for all participants.
Students can find information about alternative Spring Break volunteer programs directly from their college or university outreach programs. In addition to programs affiliated with a college or university, numerous private organizations offer alternative Spring Break programs. They are moderately priced and usually include room and board and transportation at the destination in the program cost.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you’re interested in a relaxing spring break at a sunny location, but want to skip the co-ed wet tee shirt contests, check out Playa del Carmen, Mexico. A calm, yet beautiful alternative to the crazy Mexican spring break destination of Cancun, Mexico. A popular destination port for cruise ships, Playa del Carmen offers all-inclusive hotels each featuring daily activities for students and families alike, travel opportunities to secluded beaches and local restaurants. If you arrive and Playa turns out to be too relaxing for your taste, Cancun is only an hour away and transportation is available by shuttle.
Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit organization. Habitat works with local donors and volunteers, experience not necessary, to build sustainable housing for families in need. With locations throughout the United States, students have the opportunity to travel domestically during spring break, volunteering and interacting with locals while simultaneously exploring a new city. Additionally, Habitat for Humanity offers volunteer opportunities internationally in countries such as Myanmar, China and the US Gulf Coast. For more information about this alternative Spring Break, visit their website.
For a Spring Break that doesn’t include a two-week hangover, check out alternative Spring Break destinations. Your wallet, liver, and conscience will thank you.
Read More»eHarmony Sued for Gay Rights Issues
Dating Website ‘Welcomes’ Gay Users
A major dating site has agreed to make itself more “welcoming” to gays and lesbians, following at two and a half year legal battle.
eHarmony.com settled with half a million dollars, with $4,000 of the settlement funds going to each complainant who filed against the company in California.
In a separate unrelated settlement last year, the company created a gay and lesbian dating site called Compatiable Partners which does make its connection to eHarmony explicit.
However, it resisted calls from gays and lesbians keen to use its main dating service, arguing that the company’s formula for matching couples was based solely on heterosexual married couples.
The company also argued that there were alternative services for those wanting same-sex relationships.
Attorney Todd Schneider, representing the plaintiffs, said: “We’re delighted that eHarmony has chosen to make its remarkable technology available to the gay and lesbian community in a way that is more welcoming and inclusive.”
eHarmony was established in 2000 by the evangelical Christian clinical psychologist Neil Clark Warren.
His service is famous for isolating 29 ‘dimensions’ for dating success, on which people are matched for their suitability.
For more informative and interesting articles about online dating sites and much more please visit the News section on GKLife.
Read More»UK Residents Posses Lower Technology Knowledge then US
Survey Reveals Lack of Technology Knowledge
A severe lack of knowledge about the world of technology among UK residents has been highlighted by new research.
According to a new survey by Lewis PR, nine per cent of Brits think Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who founded the internet, is the head of security service MI5.
The report also revealed that one in 20 Brits think Apple founder Steve Jobs is a soccer player in the lower divisions of the English League.
Granted most people may not recognize either of the IT moguls as they walked down the street, but 20 per cent of those asked said they absolutely no idea who Mr Jobs is or what he does for a living.
The report also found that 11 per cent of UK residents were unable to name a single social networking website despite the phenomenal popularity of sites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Eb Adeyeri, digital PR director at Lewis PR, said: “Technology and the Internet is playing an increasingly dominant role in our lives but it is still striking how little is known about some of its key figures, gadgets and aspects.”
For more informative and interesting articles please visit the News section on GKLife.
Read More»Surfing the Net, One of the Many Benefits for Stay at Home Moms
Internet a Priority For Stay at Home Moms
Women are spending more time on the internet than they are cooking, cleaning or having quality time with their children, a new survey has suggested.
According to new research from gaming competition website Winmonkey.co.uk, 80 per cent of stay-at-home moms are online for longer than they spend doing household chores.
Almost a quarter of the stay at home moms who took part in the 1,466-strong survey said they spend longer periods sat in front of the computer than they do having quality time with their children.
Sam Notaro, founder of Winmonkey.co.uk said: “Finding a balance between time spent online and other responsibilities is extremely important and something we ask our users to be mindful of.
Social networking proved to be the most popular online pastime with 41 per cent of women saying this is what they did when on the computer.
Gaming was the second most popular pastime with 23 per cent, while shopping, forums and news made up the top five.
For more informative and interesting articles please visit the News section on GKLife.
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