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jcmarchi · 12 days
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Has Web Design Become Too Complex for Freelancers?
New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/has-web-design-become-too-complex-for-freelancers/
Has Web Design Become Too Complex for Freelancers?
Web designers take pride in being knowledgeable. We help clients navigate challenges and establish their little corner of the internet. We guide them toward success. Doing so requires experience and know-how.
The industry has worked this way for years. However, the situation feels different these days. The job is now akin to untangling a ball of wires. We keep pulling strands while continually finding new knots.
Building websites is no longer straightforward. There is no shortage of moving parts to manage. Not to mention the related technologies we work with. It’s enough to keep freelancers up at night.
So, how did we get here? And what can we do to bring some sanity back to our lives? Let’s try and sort this out together.
More Powerful Websites Equals More Responsibility
Building a high-functioning website was once limited to enterprise organizations. They had the resources to build from the ground up. The rest of us had to settle for less.
That’s no longer the case. For example, there are now eCommerce solutions for all budgets. A freelancer can put an online store together with off-the-shelf parts.
Tools like WordPress and its ecosystem have closed the gap. The benefits are tangible. A highly functional site is now within everyone’s reach. A whole market has opened up for solo entrepreneurs and small agencies.
However, these tools also place a great deal of responsibility on developers. We now have to consider:
Keeping software up to date;
Security monitoring and remediation;
Interoperability with payment gateways, etc;
Adapting to changes in software;
Accessibility;
Privacy regulations;
Performance;
Customer support and training;
Large organizations have staff dedicated to these tasks. They should also have the budget and expertise to do the job right.
As for freelancers? Well, we must do all or most of it ourselves. All on a shoestring budget.
Looking after a single website is hard enough. Now, multiply that difficulty by the number of sites you manage. The whole thing seems unsustainable.
Website Issues Are More Complicated than Ever
Odds are, you don’t have time for a broken website. But break they do. And their issues tend to be complicated.
Sometimes, it’s a software incompatibility. Perhaps that plugin update isn’t playing nicely with the rest of your site. You may have to work with support staff to find a resolution. That could take days or weeks.
Security issues are even worse. A hacked website can leave you scrambling for answers. And it can easily monopolize your time. There’s also the possible hit to your (and your client’s) reputation.
Then there are unexpected changes to the software we use. Themes and plugins may undergo major revisions that require developer action. From there, it’s about researching and implementing the necessary changes.
Fixing these issues takes time and money. They also place a burden on freelancers and website owners.
How Do We Simplify This Mess?
Maybe the proverbial cat is already out of the bag. Websites are increasingly complex – and they aren’t going back. Clients aren’t likely to ask us to code like it’s 1999.
Having said that, what are some realistic things we can do to simplify? Here are a few possibilities.
Build Websites According to Need
Yes, modern website platforms are complicated. However, web designers should also share some of the blame.
We often reach for these solutions – even when they’re not necessary. The result is an over-engineered site with a lot of moving parts. Seriously, does a small brochure site need a dozen WordPress plugins?
All of these tools are within our reach. So, we use them time and again. Maybe it’s time to do more with less.
The bottom line is thinking about your current and future needs. Build websites that are as lean as possible – with room to grow.
Take Advantage of Automated Tools
We can’t be everywhere at once. However, keeping track of the websites we manage is a full-time job.
Several automated tools can help. We can employ them to monitor security issues, uptime, and performance. They can also apply software updates.
None of this means we should stop checking these items manually. We still have a responsibility to ensure everything’s working.
The idea is to spot issues and get them fixed more quickly. Automation provides an avenue for busy freelancers to do so.
Shift the Burden Where Appropriate
Web designers tend to take responsibility for tasks outside our expertise. Think email deliverability or information technology (IT) issues. It’s a common problem when working with small organizations.
Advising clients on these subjects is one thing. But maintaining them should be their job. Or they should hire specialists to deal with them.
Too often, we are stuck doing more than we should. Clients naturally come to us for answers. However, each task only adds a layer of complexity to our job. Things can get out of hand in a hurry.
Creating boundaries can help. Define your areas of expertise and stick to them. Inform clients on what you can and can’t do.
They’ll have a better understanding of who to call for specific tasks. And you’ll have more time to focus on the things within your niche.
Web Designers Must Adapt to a New Reality
Being a freelance web designer has never been more complicated. There are so many tools, technologies, and best practices to study. Meanwhile, client expectations are through the roof.
All told, it’s getting harder to do our job. Therefore, we must take advantage of anything that helps us simplify.
Perhaps we also need to take a look in the mirror. How are the choices we make impacting our workload? Where can we make improvements?
The old methods of web design no longer work. Not when there is so much ground to cover. We must adapt to the reality in front of us.
Communication should also be a priority. We need to educate clients about the benefits and drawbacks of a given approach. Together, we can choose what’s right for them with an understanding of the consequences.
The key is to find better ways to assess and manage risk. That will help us transition to the next chapter of our industry.
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thinkprile · 9 months
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brainrotdotorg · 4 months
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lrb im so angry right now. i think the prevalence of AI Art goes hand in hand with something im also pissed about- the death of the attention span
everything is just made to be so . fucking fast. people dont wait for things anymore- myself included! one of my resolutions for this year was to reclaim my attention span because ive lost so many hours to a time vampire algorithm or my own impatience. i feel like i cant sit down to do things anymore. its maddening.
and this doesnt just relate to the CREATION of AI art- obviously, obviously someone who is impatient and wants things NOW isn't going to spend the time waiting for a quality product. not when they could have something "sufficient" right now. they'll just generate it. but i think the worst part is when viewers of that AI art will look at it and see nothing wrong- all because they didn't LOOK at it.
if you aren't really observing, not really drinking in what you're looking at, just letting it slide over your eyes, then you're not going to notice all the fucked up blurry patches, or the way the dimensions are all off, when parts blend and there are random color splotches grafted onto it with no meaning. no one cares to look closely enough to see whats wrong. if it looks okay at a glance, why bother refining it? A glance is all people are ever going to give.
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vermillioncrown · 6 months
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woke up from a nightmare dealing w the logistics of batarang manufacturing
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self-spaghettification · 10 months
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they/themavos real
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madnessofmen · 1 month
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I love automation. I love not doing work
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pristine-starlight · 4 months
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been really happily vibing in PoGO lately (partly thanks to having had someone else to walk around with for a while) and it's very fun but holy shit every time i get one of those AR mapping tasks (often) i am filled with primal rage
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angstics · 10 days
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crazy that at this point im no longer an mcr blog. remember when i was an mcr blog?
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basit4568 · 16 days
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Make Money On Youtube With AI
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Click on this link for more information
**Unveiling the Secret: How to Effortlessly Earn Money on YouTube by Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence Tools to Automate Content Creation, Boost Viewer Engagement, and Unlock New Revenue Streams**
In the digital age, YouTube has emerged not just as a platform for entertainment and information but as a lucrative marketplace for creators. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has opened up new vistas for content creators, allowing them to monetize their channels with greater efficiency and creativity. This article explores the transformative power of AI in creating a sustainable income stream on YouTube, even for those who prefer to stay behind the camera.
### The AI Revolution in YouTube Content Creation
The landscape of YouTube content creation is undergoing a radical transformation, thanks to AI. With these technologies, individuals can generate content, engage viewers, and drive monetization efforts more effectively, without the traditional hurdles of video production.
1. **AI-Driven Scriptwriting**: Tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the scriptwriting process, enabling creators to generate engaging and SEO-friendly scripts within minutes. This not only saves time but also ensures that the content resonates with the intended audience.
2. **Voice Synthesis**: Voiceover is a critical component of video production, especially for creators who wish to remain anonymous. AI voice synthesis technologies, such as WellSaid Labs and Murf AI, provide realistic and customizable voiceovers, adding a personal touch to videos without revealing the creator's identity.
3. **Automated Video Editing**: AI-powered video editing tools like Pictory and InVideo are simplifying the editing process, allowing creators to produce high-quality videos by automatically aligning text content with relevant visuals and transitions.
4. **Thumbnail and Graphic Design**: First impressions matter, and AI is helping creators stand out with eye-catching thumbnails and graphics. Tools such as Canva and Adobe Spark leverage AI to suggest designs based on content themes, significantly enhancing click-through rates.
### Engaging Your Audience with AI
Engagement is key to building a loyal viewership on YouTube. AI tools aid in understanding viewer preferences and optimizing content accordingly.
- **Personalized Recommendations**: AI algorithms analyze viewer behavior to suggest personalized content, keeping audiences engaged and increasing view times.
- **Interactive Chatbots**: AI-powered chatbots can be integrated into video descriptions or as pinned comments to answer viewer queries in real-time, enhancing interaction.
### Monetization Strategies Leveraging AI
With a solid content and engagement strategy powered by AI, monetization becomes the next frontier. Here's how AI can aid in monetizing your YouTube channel:
- **Ad Optimization**: AI tools can predict the best slots for ads within your videos, maximizing revenue without compromising viewer experience.
- **Sponsorship Matching**: AI can analyze your content and audience demographics to match you with the perfect sponsors, streamlining the sponsorship process.
- **Merchandising**: By analyzing viewer data, AI can suggest the most viable merchandise options, ensuring that your merchandising efforts hit the mark.
### Conclusion: The Future Is AI-Powered
The integration of AI in YouTube content creation and monetization represents a paradigm shift in how individuals approach this platform. It's not just about automation; it's about enhancing creativity, personalizing viewer experience, and optimizing revenue streams. Whether you're a seasoned YouTuber or just starting out, embracing AI tools can propel your channel to new heights, making content creation more accessible, engaging, and profitable. As we stand on the brink of this new era, the question is no longer if AI will transform YouTube content creation but how quickly creators will adapt to this change.
Click on this link for more information
Make Money on YouTube
AI in Content Creation
YouTube Monetization
Artificial Intelligence Tools
Faceless YouTube Channels
AI Voiceovers
Automated Video Editing
Content Creation Automation
Digital Income Streams
YouTube SEO
Scriptwriting AI
AI for YouTubers
Passive Income Ideas
AI Technology in Video Production
Online Business
Social Media Marketing
Video Marketing Strategies
Engaging YouTube Content
YouTube Channel Growth
Monetizing Digital Content
AI Generated Content
YouTube Analytics
Video Content Optimization
Thumbnail Design AI
Voice Synthesis Technology
Creative Content Strategies
AI and Digital Marketing
Earning from YouTube
Content Creator Tools
Video Editing AI
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marioriobreskic · 4 months
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Finishing up my Social Media backup in OneNote:
adding are.na and linkedin next, so that IFTTT.com can store are.na’s feed, and me posting (possibly liking, depends on what IFTTT can do with LI’s API) on LinkedIn respectively inside my OneNote.
Having started this a couple of months ago has proben invaluable: I can search for whatever it was I did, in one place, and actually find it.
I am pretty sure I did not invent this, but the idea predates my storing my output, so 😜
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And that is it!
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jcmarchi · 21 days
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Achieving Diversity in Technical Roles Through Equitable Interviews - Technology Org
New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/achieving-diversity-in-technical-roles-through-equitable-interviews-technology-org/
Achieving Diversity in Technical Roles Through Equitable Interviews - Technology Org
In the technology industry, there is an increasing focus on improving diversity and inclusion. However, interview practices often unintentionally disadvantage underrepresented groups. Studies show women, people of color, older candidates, and others face implicit bias during the interview process.  
“We believe that interviews should never be a barrier to recognizing talent, skill, and ability in candidates regardless of their background,” says Dr. D Sangeeta, CEO of Gotara, an online business leadership acceleration platform used by over 30,000 women across 176 countries. “Our platform is built on empowering women across a multitude of industries to advance, and equitable interview practices are a necessity to make that possible.”
By taking proactive steps to remove bias from interviews, companies can work towards building more diverse, creative, and innovative teams. This article provides practical tips and guidelines for making interviews as fair and gender-neutral as possible.
Use Structured Interview Techniques
Unstructured interviews that rely on the “gut feeling” of the interviewer often introduce unconscious bias. Structured techniques that assess all candidates on the same predefined criteria can help reduce this. Some examples include:
Ask the same core technical questions of all candidates for a given role. Avoid asking different questions based on irrelevant factors like educational background. 
Use standardized rating scales when evaluating responses instead of general impressions. Train interviewers on how to apply the scales.
Limit discussions around previous experience to focus on concrete skills a candidate possesses rather than perceived pedigree of past companies.
Prioritize Skills Over Cultural Fit
Seeking candidates that “fit” with company culture can reinforce homogeneity if not approached carefully. Technical skills should be the priority evaluation criteria. Only assess cultural alignment based on how a candidate demonstrates inclusiveness, cooperation and values that align with diversity goals.  
“Seeking candidates that “fit” with company culture can reinforce homogeneity if not approached carefully,” explains Dr. D. Sangeeta, CEO of Gotara. “Technical skills should be the priority evaluation criteria. One always benefits from having complementary skills rather than a clone of  themselves. When interviews are structured around skills rather than subjective impressions of candidates, it opens doors for those facing systemic biases and works towards undoing historical barriers many have faced.”
Train a Diverse Panel of Interviewers
Ensure women, people of color and other underrepresented groups are well-represented among the panel of technical interviewers. This helps reduce the impact of any one interviewer’s unconscious biases. Require all members to complete unconscious bias training regularly and train them how to conduct unbiased interviews, training that Gotara offers.
Conduct Interviews Remotely When Possible
In-person interviews allow subconscious biases related to race, age and appearance to seep in. Remote video interviews place more focus on responses and technical abilities. However, take care that communication differences across cultures are not penalized. Provide options for interviewees to ask clarifying questions.  
Institute Blind Review Procedures
During initial screening stages, remove all identifying candidate details from resumes/applications before review. Later stages can reveal this information, but initial assessment remains tied to skills. Automated tools can help facilitate blind screening at scale.  
Additionally, when possible conduct technical code reviews in a blind manner, hiding any indication of the author’s identity or demographic background to reduce the chance of implicit bias creeping in.
Standardize Evaluation of Experience
Ask candidates to describe projects and impact rather than rely on the notoriety of previous companies. Discount work experience timelines when assessing older candidates. Focus on relevant skills vs. years of experience, which can be indirectly influenced by systemic biases. Provide clear guidance on how this expectation is applied evenly across candidates. 
Highlight Company DEI Commitments
Ensure candidates see a visible demonstration of diversity, equity and inclusion commitments from leadership. Share actionable plans and metrics around improving representation.  
Allow candidates space to ask questions and assess your commitment to DEI as a company. Be prepared to address concerns around previous diversity numbers or experiences at your organization.
Support Growth from Day One
In your offer to the candidate, once they pass the interview process, demonstrate that you care about their future growth by offering upskilling and coaching in the first six months, like one of Gotara’s programs. Not only does this show your commitment, but it will significantly decrease ramp-up time for that candidate to become productive and proficient in the new role, leading to increase engagement and future retention. 
Guide Interviewers on Inclusive Communication
Provide tips for avoiding exclusionary language and establishing an inclusive tone during interviews. For example, using gender-neutral pronouns until indicated otherwise and avoiding assumptions about family status. 
Interview panel training should cover nonverbal communication as well, such as making eye contact with all candidates equally and being aware of any differential body language responding to certain demographics. 
Encourage Interview Feedback
Gather structured feedback from all interview candidates on their experience, including perceptions of unfair bias or discrimination. Track trends to detect issues. Ensure a transparent process for safely reporting any incidents without fear of retaliation, which would suppress reporting.
Monitor Outcomes and Iterate 
Collect voluntary demographic data during hiring and track offer rates across gender, race and other factors. If disparities arise in offer rates, analyze results to detect where bias enters the process. Refine approach to address issues. Report metrics and progress regularly to leadership.  
Set Goals for Representation
Leadership should define clear targets for diversity at all levels of technical roles. Measure effectiveness of updated interview practices on hitting goals. Link outcomes to executive accountability. Make plans incremental to give adequate ramp up time but maintain urgency through regular check-ins.  
Inclusive Interviewing Drives Real Change
Removing subtle but substantial biases from technical interviews is a complex undertaking but pays dividends in building a more diverse workforce positioned for innovation success. The above steps require dedication but enable organizations to tap talent that may have otherwise been left behind.   
Updating technical interview approaches needs to be part of a comprehensive strategy focused on achieving diversity, equity and inclusion milestones. Paired with adjustments in outreach, hiring manager expectations, onboarding and corporate culture, equitable interviews can serve as a key lever in transforming representation.
“Removing subtle but substantial biases from technical interviews is a complex undertaking, but pays dividends in building a more diverse workforce positioned for innovation success,” says Dr. D Sangeeta, CEO of business leadership acceleration platform Gotara. “The ripple effect in innovation is immeasurable when teams reflect diverse perspectives.”
The technology solutions we build are powered by the creativity of our teams. Ensuring people from all backgrounds can equitably demonstrate qualifications will drive innovation that represents the full diversity of our users and moves society positively forward. But we will only unlock the full potential of our talent through a systemic commitment to progress on representation.
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planmysocial · 30 days
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Engage Expert Social Media Marketing Tool – Plan My Social
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As we see the digital environment becoming more congested and social ecosystem characterized by dialogue and trade, Social Media Marketing Tools become pivotal by serving as bridges, connecting brands and audience, and ultimately making passive customers become fanatic followers.
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Unfortunately all chatgpt is good for is interview/job application stuff which I think says a lot about the hiring process as a whole
#wrenfea.exe#as an actual artifical intelligence? no its horrible bc it really ISNT one#its a writing synthesizer it generates writing based on data searches and boundaries from training#thats what a neural network is its a very convoluted input-output sequence#it has no capacity to understand the meaning behind what it generates#it is simply generating the specific things that the user is looking for#the job interview process has become so robotic and automized that ai fits in perfectly#but employers HATE that people are turning to chatgpt for cover letters and interview answers#so it was fair for them to use filtering programs to accept/deny applications before it got in front of an actual human being#and its ok for them to use ai and pre-written formats to make job announcements descriptions and interview questions#but god forbid we are forced to use those exact same tools to get a humans attention so we can get a job and not starve#pushing aside the whole copyright debate on chatgpt and the environmental impact of its power usage btw#im soley analyzing how its become commonly utilized on both sides#by interviewer and interviewed#the mechanization of the whole process is now on both sides#it just seems very inhuman..#its also how some people have figured out how to somehow become employed multiple times by the same company due to lack of human oversight#and how automated theyve made their hiring process#probably should have made these tags into a separate reblog oops#also disclaimer do not cut and paste right into your application materials bc chatgpt often just lies#also many places now can tell you used chatgpt due to how similar its answers are#i only use it to make a template and see how things can be phrased to be more professional and buzzwordy#id never use it for something actually creative#and dear god do not write academic essays with it#i tried using it to supplement my own cover letter template but it was too robotic even for a cover letter#it is very good at accessing and summarizing publically available information#thats all it does not make sure the information is true or good
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shinobicyrus · 5 months
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We are joined by Antony Loewenstein — author of The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World — to discuss his extensive reporting on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the policing tactics and surveillance technologies that are tested on Palestinians before sold as part of lucrative global export industry, and how the dynamics of occupation never stay within their cordoned zones but always expand to capture increasingly more people and places.
This came out five months ago, so before the current conflict. It was very enlightening and shattered a lot of the perceptions I had grown up with around Israel. Particularly, Israel's history of coopering with brutal regimes and their selling their skills and technology to the highest bidder. Oftentimes as a middle-man for the United States.
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martilyongabo · 4 months
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not sure what maderpakery hullabaloo happened behind the scenes but my wife’s school made one of their VR classes require an “AI animation project”
no this is not optional. it’s a required thing they gotta do.
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jinzouacting · 4 months
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periodically people have to be reminded that you should be against these large generative ai models because its aggregate content theft and not because of like "laziness" or whatever
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