About the sprockFIT Project

sprockFIT helps tech-savvy people find the right apps and gadgets to help them accomplish their wellness goals.  The site targets its audience by:

- mobile operating system
- fitness level
- activity type

Site visitors can quickly find technologies that meet their exact needs.

About sprockFIT’s Site & Content
sprockFIT fans learn about technologies and find support through:

- reviews of apps and gadgets
- a directory of online resources for wellness and nutrition
- links to fitness-related communities
- top ten lists for inspiration

In addition to this content, visitors can rate and review apps themselves.  They can also submit their apps or products for review via the contact form.

Visitors can learn about the app of the week and new technologies through the weekly sprockFIT newsletter.

About the Future of sprockFIT
The format of a blog works well for quick scanning of reviews.  However, future site development will include a mobile-friendly directory that can be accessed even more easily.  Screenshots of this prototype are below.

About sprockFIT’s Audience

Addressing Audience Needs
sprockFIT’s audience is both fit and tech-savvy.  Their needs are addressed by providing short reviews targeting active lifestyles.  Content is concise.  

Content Tone

No explanations of technical terms or promises of support are provided as sprockFIT’s audience is technical.  The tone of the content matches the intellect level of technical users, yet still maintains an ‘active’ (not dry) vibe.

Content Targeting

Based on research, sprockFIT focuses mainly on apps for Android and iOS devices.  These are most popular and represent the largest audience. 

Since many fitness enthusiasts are triathletes, sprockFIT also focuses on apps and gadgets related to running, swimming, and cycling. 

About sprockFIT’s Successes and Challenges

Celebrating Successes

sprockFIT is successful in providing detailed, yet concise, reviews.  Mobile users can scan the site quickly, find, and download apps.

The site is also successful in creating opportunities for audience engagement.  Visitors can review apps, contribute ideas, and send feedback.

Addressing Challenges
The greatest challenge confronted with this project is the time required to find, install, and review apps for various devices.  This challenge could be met by having more than one author writing future reviews and focusing on iOS and Android apps only.

Online Form for sprockFIT

Hey sprockFIT Fans! We don't want to waste your time with reviews that aren't interesting. Tell us more about you so we can pick the best apps and gadgets to review and help you meet your goals!

Nebraskan Vacations (Revised)

Nebraskan Vacations

The cornhusker state of Nebraska has been drawing tourists for quite some time. There are plenty of things to do for travelers of all kinds:

• romantics
• historians
• outdoor enthusiasts
• sports lovers

Nebraska offers something for almost everyone.

For Romantics

From train rides to waterfalls, Nebraska has many opportunities for romance. 

Chadron State Park
Location: Northwestern Region (Chadron, NE)
Get away from it all and head up 5,000 feet to Chadron State Park, where you’ll find a modern campground with:

• cabins 
• RV hookups
• hidden bike trails 
• a quiet relaxing forest area
• a swimming pool
• volleyball court 
• fishing areas 

Enjoy all of these amenities and activities in the state's panhandle. 

Smith Falls State Park
Location: North Central Region (Near Valentine, NE)
Take a trip to Smith Falls State Park to admire the natural beauty of Nebraska. Here, you can:

• view the state’s highest waterfall
• visit the nature preserve
• see rare plants
• camp overnight

Campsites are available for overnight guests. Reservations can be made a year in advance.

For the more romantic travelers, why not take a ride on a train?

For Historians

Nebraska is a great vacation spot for historians. 

The Railroad System
Location: Midwestern Region
Nebraska is home to several railroad museums. The rail system played an important part in the state’s history. The Transcontinental Railroad originally ran through Nebraska. The Union Pacific Railway is still headed in the Midwestern state. 

Nebraska’s Geology
Location: Northwestern Region (Harrison, NE)
Nebraska’s land was once known as the great American desert. Before European settlers arrived, Native American Indian tribes occupied the land. It was known for its fertile soil and hunting opportunities. 

Dig around the past at the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. The 3,000+ acre quarry is full of mammal fossils and a museum with over 500 Indian artifacts. 

Carhenge
Location: Northwestern Region (Alliance, NE)
Check out Carhenge - a replica of the world famous Stonehenge, but made of old cars.

For Outdoors Enthusiasts

Be challenged and excited during your vacation!  Here, you can enjoy:

• prairie wildlife
• camping
• hiking
• fishing
• boating
• biking
• star gazing

With these activities and plenty of parks, Nebraska is the ideal vacation destination for you!  

Hilltop Mini RanchLocation: Central Region (Phillips, NE)

See a working horse ranch in the southeast corner of the state. At Hilltop Mini Ranch you can view majestic spotted Appaloosa horses.

For Sports Lovers

Nebraska is best known for its college sports. 

University of Nebraska Cornhuskers
Location: Southeastern Region (Lincoln, NE)
Catch a game during football season at the University of Nebraska. The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers’ fans enjoy games full of spirit and sportsmanship.

Getting Here

Drive, fly, or ride the rails! It’s easy to access your favorite Nebraskan spots.

For Drivers

All parts of the state can be accessed from Interstate 80, which spans statewide east to west. Many highways intersect I‐80.

For Flyers

Hop a plane and head to any airport in the state. Nebraska doesn’t have any international airports, but numerous regional airports make it easy to catch flights in and out.

Getting to and around Nebraska is easy, no matter how you travel.

Learn More

With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why people choose to vacation in Nebraska. 

Visit TripAdvisor's Nebraska Vacation page to learn more.

Nebraska: A Vacation Spot for Everyone

Nebraskan Vacations

The cornhusker state of Nebraska has been drawing tourists for quite some time. There are plenty of things to do for travelers of all kinds:

• romantics
• historians
• outdoor enthusiasts
• sports lovers

Nebraska offers endless possibilities of vacation fun for everyone.

For Romantics

From train rides to waterfalls, Nebraska has many opportunities for romance. 

Chadron State Park
Get away from it all and head up 5,000 feet to Chadron State Park, where you’ll find a modern campground with:

• cabins 
• RV hookups
• hidden bike trails 
• a quiet relaxing forest area
• a swimming pool
• volleyball court 
• fishing areas 

The state park is located near the town of Chadron in the panhandle. 

Smith Falls State Park
Take a trip to Smith Falls State Park to admire the natural beauty of Nebraska. Here, you can:

• view the state’s highest waterfall
• visit the nature preserve
• see rare plants
• camp overnight

The park’s located in the North Central part of the state, near the town of Valentine. Campsites are available for overnight guests. Reservations can be made a year in advance.

For the more romantic travelers, why not take a ride on a train?

For Historians

Nebraska is a great vacation spot for historians. 

The Railroad System
Nebraska is home to several railroad museums. The rail system played an important part in the state’s history. The Transcontinental Railroad originally ran through Nebraska. The Union Pacific Railway is still headed in the Midwestern state. 

Nebraska’s Geology
Nebraska’s land was once known as the great American desert. Before European settlers arrived, Native American Indian tribes occupied the land. It was known for its fertile soil and hunting opportunities. 

Dig around the past at the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. The 3,000+ acre site is located in northwest Nebraska, 22 miles from the city of Harrison. Find quarries full of mammal fossils and a museum with over 500 Indian artifacts. 

Carhenge
Check out Carhenge - a replica of the world famous Stonehenge, but made of old cars. Created in 1987 by six families celebrating a family reunion, Carhenge is located in Alliance, on the panhandle.

For Outdoors Enthusiasts

Be challenged and excited during your vacation!  Here, you can enjoy:

• prairie wildlife
• camping
• hiking
• fishing
• boating
• biking
• star gazing

With these activities and plenty of parks, Nebraska is the ideal vacation destination for you!  

Hilltop Mini Ranch
See a working horse ranch in the southeast corner of the state. At Hilltop Mini Ranch you can view majestic spotted Appaloosa horses. The ranch is located in the town of Phillips, Nebraska. Get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty Nebraska has to offer!

For Sports Lovers

Nebraska is best known for its college sports. 

University of Nebraska Cornhuskers
Catch a game during football season at the University of Nebraska. Located in eastern Nebraska, in the city of Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers’ fans enjoy games full of spirit and sportsmanship.

Getting Here

Drive, fly, or ride the rails! It’s easy to access your favorite Nebraskan spots.

For Drivers

All parts of the state can be accessed from Interstate 80, which spans east to west from Omaha to the southwest tip of the panhandle. Many state highways intersect I‐80.

For Flyers

Hop a plane and head to any airport in the state. Nebraska doesn’t have any international airports, but numerous regional airports make it easy to catch flights in and out.

Getting to and around Nebraska is easy, no matter how you travel.

Climate

Nebraska’s climate varies by season.

The state sees its fair share of thunderstorm activity, which sometimes spawns tornadoes. Most tornadoes occur in the spring and summer, but fall can be active during some years.

Learn More

With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why people choose to vacation in Nebraska. 

Visit TripAdvisor's Nebraska Vacation page to learn more.

Revised Infographic: 2012 Global Smartphone Operating System Market Share

View Larger Image in PDF Format

Revised Infographic: 2012 Global Smartphone Operating System Market Share

View Larger Image in PDF Format

Infographic: Calories Burned in 60 Minutes

Source: myfitnesspal.com, 2013 | Design: Sherry Umlah , 2013

View a larger image in PDF format

 Aim

The goal for this infographic is to convey the:

• Number of calories burned in 60 minutes for various exercises
• Difference in calories burned for people weighing 150lbs and 200lbs
• Most effective 60-minute workouts in terms of calorie expenditure

Using activity icons and a pie chart as the face of the stopwatch helps accomplish the aim of this infographic.  It illustrates time, activity, and calorie expenditure.

Rationale

Rationale for producing this infographic was based on the need to identify the most effective workout activities. Understanding calorie expenditure helps sprockFIT focus on the most effective activities when reviewing apps and gadgets.  Encouraging visitors to choose calorie-intensive activities will help them accomplish fitness goals quicker.

Data for 150lb and 200lb individuals was chosen to portray an average calorie expenditure.  Number of calories burned correlates to weight.  The pie chart represents the comparison of activities.

sprockFIT will focus more on gadgets and apps related to running, biking, and martial arts.  The infographic will be used within the FAQs page to illustrate calorie expenditure to visitors.

Process

This infographic took more than 60 minutes to create.  Steps taken to create this infographic:

1. Searched for calorie expenditure for a variety of exercises and found a handy calculator from myFitnessPal.com
2. Chose the most common activities and a representation of range (sedative to active)
3. Created an Excel pie chart from data
4. Took a screenshot
5. Imported the screenshot into a graphics program
6. Designed the stop watch in Adobe Illustrator
7. Found icons for various activities
8. Mashed it all together in Adobe Photoshop

Calorie expenditure for the above eight steps was estimated to be 140 calories.   Time to go burn some more!

How to Improve the Infographic

An interactive infographic would be awesome in this example.  Allowing visitors to enter in their weight to change the calories expended would be useful.

Know This: Calorie Expenditure Varies by Weight

Wonder why it's easier to drop the first five pounds and hardest to drop the last?  The more you weigh, the more you burn!

Infographic: 2012 Global Smartphone Operating System Market Share

Source: International Data Corporation, 2013 |  Design: Sherry Umlah, 2013

View a larger image in PDF format

Aim

Several goals for the infographic were identified. This infographic aims to convey:

• Appealing data for geeks
• Market share of smartphone operating systems (OSs)
• Android OS's popularity
• Android OS's consumption of other OSs

Creating a gaming-related visual that represents the Android OS as the 'Pac-Man' of OSs accomplishes these goals.  Designed for geeks!

Rationale

Rationale for producing this infographic was based on the important need to understand sprockFIT's target market.  OS market share is important because it shows the largest audience to target.

Data from International Data Corporation (IDC) was used because it's a credible source in the industry.

sprockFIT will review more Android OS apps and use this infographic on the FAQs page to justify focusing on Android OS users.

Process

Creating this infographic was easy as pie.  Steps taken to create this infographic:

1. Watched the Lynda.com tutorial on Infographics: Area Bubbles
2. Searched for statistics for smartphone OSs and market share
3. Settled on data from IDC as a foundation
4. Created an Excel pie chart from data
5. Took a screenshot
6. Imported the screenshot into a graphics program
7. Edited colors and arrangement to mimic Pac-Man game design
8. Saved the file in PNG format and PDF format for larger viewing

Eh voila! Seven easy steps to creating an infographic. It packs a punch, right?

How to Improve the Infographic

Imagine if this baby was animated?  Now, THAT would be imPACtful.

Know This: Great Tutorials are Online

Interested in learning how to make infographics?  You should check out Lynda.com's tutorials!

Semester Project Progress: 10/07/2013

This Week's Update: 

• Blog Post / Gadgets & Apps: Motivation App: Podrunner
• Added a Newsletter Sign-up Form via Mailchimp
• First Newsletter Sent
• Set up Facebook Page
• Set up Twitter Account
• Set up IFTTT account to auto publish Wordpress posts to Facebook and Twitter
• Online Resources: Health & Wellness
• Healthy Helper Blog

Peppers: Pick'em, Store'em, Handle'em & Cook'em

How to Pick a Pepper, Keep it Fresh & Handle it

When buying, storing, and handling fresh peppers:

• Pick peppers with tight and glossy skins with no bruises or soft spots
• Store fresh peppers in a paper bag up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Know that two peppers from the same plant can differ in heat
• Know that the longer and thinner the pepper, the hotter it will be
• Turn down the heat by halving the pepper and removing the pithy ribs and seeds
• Wear rubber gloves or cover your hands with plastic sandwich bags before touching chile peppers
• Wash your hands after handling chiles and never rub your eyes or touch your face (peppers can cause second-degree burns, and it takes 12 hours for the pain to subside)

Cooking with Chiles

When cooking with chile peppers:

• Always taste the peppers and the dish you are adding them to
• Know that most of the flavor, not the heat, is in the outer wall.

Hot Peppers of the World

Hotness is Subjective

Perceived 'hotness' level of Real Hot Pepper Chutney differs by region and individual taste. Some people go for the burn, others like deep flavor that develops by layering various levels of warmth.

Follow this guide to the hot peppers of the world to save your taste buds, or savor the heat:

Peppers: Hottest to Mildest

Source: 101habaneros.files.wordpress.com

Habanero

Shape: Squat and fat
Color/Description: Neon orange
1,000 times hotter than the jalapeño. Use just a little and keep your hands covered when working with them.

Source: feralbiologist.blogspot.com

Cascabelle

Shape: Tiny, fat cone/bullet-shaped
Color/Description: Fire-engine red, bright orange, or creamy yellow-green. Incredibly hot!

Source: specialtyproduce.com

Serrano

Shape: Look like fat little pinkie fingers with a slight point at the end
Color/Description: Red or green. Very hot. Mexican cooks mix them into everything good -- from guacamole to beans. Cool their fire by removing the ribs and seeds or roasting them.

Source: womansday.com

Santaka and Thai

Shape: Size of a small fingernail
Color/Description: Sold on the branch or as a whole plant with hundreds of peppers. Extremely hot, and the heat doesn’t soften, even after cooking. Peppers dry and keep for years. Pick them as needed.

Source: sheknows.com

Cayenne

Shape: Slim and twisted with a long point
Color/Description: Red, green, and yellow-green. Range from 3"-6" in length.. Fresh cayennes are fiery hot. Hotter peppers are smaller and more pointed. Most are dried for cayenne pepper.

Source: thedailygreen.com

Jalapeño

Shape: Plump little barrels. Most are as big as a thumb.
Color/Description: Thick green skins. Hot but manageable. Most available of all the fresh chiles. Try them roasted; they're a little less hot and have wonderful flavor.

Source: specialtyproduce.com

Fresno

Shape: Shaped like the jalapeño
Color/Description: Lighter green or bright red skin

Source: ecoseeds.com

Santa Fe Grande

Shape: Cone-shaped with smooth skin
Color/Description: Deep red or yellow streaked with orange Very hot. Use them fresh or roast and peel them.

Source: truestarhealth.com

Hungarian wax (banana pepper)

Shape: Long, tapering cones
Color/Description: Creamy yellow skin. Some are mild; others are medium-hot. Taste before adding them to a dish. Wonderful pickled. Look for them in big jars with Hungarian labels.

Source: reimerseeds.com

Surefire

Shape: Elongated, cone-shaped peppers with a slight curve or twist
Color/Description: Deep red or bright yellow
Medium heat

Source: whiteflowerfarm.com

Ancho (Poblano)

Shape: Cone-shaped with a long tip
Color/Description: Green or red
Very shiny skin, medium heat but wonderful flavor. Best roasted and peeled.