Pandemic

First of all. Happy Star Wars Day.

So, I think we have some decisions to make. Here is some of the latest news:

• The virus has spread to pigs, which is a bit ironic.
• The WHO is likely to raise the threat level to six. The quote from Margaret Chan is classic.
• Numbers of cases is jumping, but the disease does not seem to be that harsh.
• The NPR blog has some great posts.  Put in bookmarks.

What do you think? Is this a serious threat or not? Has your view changed? Make a short blog post that includes links to your trusted sources.

The rest of the time is devoted to making updates to your blog posts, fixing flyers, making sure you saved the movie correctly, etc... I have not graded anything yet (only checked that it was done on time) so this is an opportunity to boost up your grade.

If you are having any computer trouble please be sure you have filled out the google form.

Nine New Google Analytics API Client Libraries To Get You Started

Its been a week since we launched the Google Analytics Data Export API and we're already seeing Google Analytics being used in exciting new ways. For example, Michael L. of the New York Public Library is visualizing search data as tag clouds, and Patrick C. is using the Google Analytics API in conjunction with technical software to generate plots of online buzz and graphs of site traffic flows.

Sometimes it's easier getting started using the tools you're most familiar with. While we initially released Java and JavaScript client libraries, a number of talented 3rd party developers have created 9 new Google Analytics Export API client libraries in PHP, .NET, Python and Ruby. All of these libraries have been released as opensource and are supported by the developers themselves. We're very excited to see developers building on top of our API and giving back to the community.

In addition to these libraries, we've added new JavaScript interactive samples to play with the API in real time. These fully interactive examples allow you to see how the API gets data, visualize the data returned, review the code and even edit the functionality directly in the browser (You need a Google Analytics account to make this work).

If you haven't done so already already, come share your new apps, tutorials, and best practices in the Google Analytics API discussion group.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Posted by Nick Mihailovski, Google Analytics API Team

Update

Are we switching to H1N1?

Read this about staying home--can people do it?  Some effects of everyone going to the doctor--can we afford it.

Be sure to save your movie correctly.  We have talked all semester about establishing a folder and sticking with it.  Those that are having trouble are ignoring that.  Be sure to save the movie file!

Now, its annoying when things go wrong.  I understand.  But most of these mistakes are avoidable with proper planning and procedures.

Seminars for Success coming to Melbourne, Phoenix and Toronto in May

That's right, we're going to be in Australia, Canada and of course the USA...

Seminars for Success are day-long seminars designed to help you improve your online marketing and get the most out of Google Analytics and Google Website Optimizer. We've selected industry professionals from our Google Analytics Authorized Consultant network to teach these seminars in cities around the U.S.

Google Analytics – Introduction & User Training

Thursday, May 14 - Melbourne, Australia
Tuesday, May 26 - Toronto, Canada
Wednesday, May 27 - Phoenix, AZ

Walk away from day one with the knowledge to take actionable information out of Google Analytics and drive your business decisions. Day one topics include:

• Introduction to Web Analytics
• Common Interface Features
• Dashboard Reports & Customization
• Understanding Visitors
• Much, Much More…

Google Analytics – Advanced Technical Implementation

Friday, May 15 - Melbourne, Australia
Wednesday, May 27 - Toronto, Canada
Thursday, May 28 - Phoenix, AZ

Day two takes you through Google Analytics configurations, best practices, filter set ups and advanced installs and implementations. Day two topics include:

• Profiles and Strategies
• Filters – Uses and Implementation
• Profile and Filter Combinations
• Goals & Funnels - Configuration & Setup
• And much, much more…

Landing Page Testing with Google Website Optimizer

Friday, May 29 - Phoenix, AZ

The Google Website Optimizer experts present this practical course taking you through the process of testing your site to improving your users’ experience and seeing your conversion rates soar. The course includes an overview of Website Optimizer, loads of testing best practices, and hands-on experience to better understand and run A/B and multivariate tests on your website and key landing pages.

Seats are limited, so register today!

• Melbourne Seminars for Success
• Toronto Seminars for Success
• Phoenix Seminars for Success

Posted by Sebastian Tonkin, Google Analytics Team

Thursday

Web 2/3:

Some news as of 6:30am:

• Texas cancelling or postponing spring sport season. (Alabama joins them as of 10:42am)
• WHO raises to Level Five.
• A couple more CT schools have closed.
• East Haddam students test negative for Swine Flu.  Schools will re-open tomorrow.

Today you will work in teams to create a short video.   This video is designed as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to reduce the threat of a pandemic.  Your video must:

• Be 28 seconds long.  
• Include a voice-over.
• Outline steps to reduce the threat of disease (wash hands, etc..).
• Audience is high school students.
• Be completed using Moviemaker.
• Save to Udrive-WebSchneider-PSA Projects-PSAMovies when done with names (CassBobJaneflumovie).  Be sure to Export movie for the Udrive.
• Due end of class on Friday.  Work fast.

I put some old examples of PSA movies in the "Sample Movies" folder.

Web 4:

You will use the next 2-3 days to complete three sample designs for an opening page.  This should include all the basics from your concept map, but it will be only a sketch of the final site. Your client (me? Chuck?) will then choose the design that you will use.  You should:

• Create a SHS School site (can this be shared from Udrive??).
• Include image boxes where movies might go.
• Be as accurate as possible with basic design, color, font, but don't fret with the details (emails, links, etc...).
• You only need to create the initial page (index1, index2, index3).
• Be prepared to outline the strengths of each design.  You want to highlight your team so all designs should strong.
• It might be smart to mirror some of the "awesome sites" we have looked at.....

Mr. Skiparis gave us all of the yearbook pictures.  We will spend some time today culling out the pictures we want.

Analytics and AdSense, Together at Last

For the past few months, more and more Analytics users have been invited to integrate their Analytics and AdSense accounts. Today that feature has become available to everyone. That means if you have an AdSense account, it's time to get it linked! Here's how:

Linking your Analytics and AdSense Accounts

1. Log in to AdSense
2. Click the link that says "Integrate your AdSense account with Google Analytics" on the Reports > Overview tab
   
3. Follow the on-screen instructions

Having trouble? Visit this help center article.


Which Reports are Available

Once you link your accounts, you'll find an AdSense-specific menu under the "Content" section of Analytics containing these reports:

• The Top AdSense Content report allows you to see more details about specific pages on your site and analyze ad performance. For instance, if you find that some of your pages generate a high number of pageviews but aren't monetizing as well as other pages, you can focus your optimization efforts on improving these pages.
  
• The Top AdSense Referrers report can help you see how different incoming traffic sources contribute to your revenue.
  
• Last, the AdSense Trending report lets you analyze how your site generates revenue during different times of the day and different days of the week.

How to Read the Reports

Check out this video to get a better understanding of how to use these reports:



You'll also notice that other sections of your Analytics account will show a new "AdSense Revenue" tab. You'll be able to compare how much of your AdSense revenue is coming from new visitors versus existing ones, and view revenue based on user language.

Enjoy your new data, and be sure to visit the Help Center if you have other questions about linking your accounts or reviewing your reports.

Like the new feature? Hate it? Leave a comment and let us know!

Posted by Sebastian Tonkin, Google Analytics Team

Project growth

Web 2/3:

There was some great writing yesterday.  I was very impressed!  Some good examples include: Amanda, Patrick, and Christina.

Today all will work on a flyer that would could be sent home with students TODAY.  Use Fireworks to complete this page.  You should be sure to design the page so it looks official and is the correct size to be printed (you figure it out!!).  It should include:

• Current information from trusted sources.  List the source.  Remember, information may have changed since yesterday (or this morning).  
• Steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Places to access information (phone and web) at the state and national level.
• School contact information.

Here is an example from the State of CT.

Save to Udrive-WebSchneider-PSA Project-Flyers (bschneiderflyer)

Web 4:

Use Fireworks (or other software) to create a "concept map" of your site.  The concept map should include all major information and how it links together.  You will submit one map per team.  We will review this in class.  Save to Udrive-Web4-School Site.

A few thing to read for information about school websites: Example #1,  Awesome Sites.