One of the most exciting fields today is that of communications. Technology has widened the scope of communications fields and made it possible for us to interact in new and interesting ways. No matter your communications career, you can use web tools to keep in touch and even complete work assignments. Here 25 web startups that are helping to revolutionize the way we communicate:

Events, Networking and Location

Keep in touch with others, send event invitations (and receive timely RSVPs), as well as coordinate meetups and see where members of your networks are.

1. Eventful.com: See what’s happening in your area, and share events with others. You can promote events easily, and arrange to meet up at your favorite event with member of your community. Keep in contact with your friends and plan outings using the internet.
2. Meetup.com: If you are interested in finding new people to share your interests with, Meetup is a good place to start. You start your own group, or join an existing group of interest. Share your events, and see what is happening. Communicate with others about interests and group activities, and plan events with your new friends, and promote your latest fun event or outing.
3. Xanga.com: This is a blogging community that also acts as a place for photoblogs and a social networking home. It’s a place where you can express yourself, and it provides a sort of “home base” for your social world online. A good place for people to go if they want to keep up with your life, and if you want to keep up with the lives of your loved ones.
4. FMyLife: An interesting way to communicate the everyday minutiae of your life. You can see what others are saying, and keep in touch with others. It’s kind of a place where you can share the stories that can make life frustrating. It’s a place to go to blow off steam, and feel like maybe your life isn’t that bad.
5. Plurk: Share your daily life, with Plurk. You can let people know what you are doing, and share information. A good way to keep up with others, and to coordinate schedules. Features a way for you to keep track of relationships and share your own schedule.
6. Jaiku: This is a lifestreaming online application that allows you to enjoy conversations with others. The start-up was actually bought by Google in 2007, and is likely to enjoy the benefits. You can customize your design, add icons and see how others are doing. A fun and easy way to show your personality while carrying on an online conversation.
7. Brightkite.com: Many people like to share their locations, and find their friends. BrightKite allows you to connect with friends while you are on the go, changing the way we are always online. Others can see where you are, and you can see others’ locations. Also allows you to find new places and simplifies setting up meetings.
8. Yammer.com: Companies know that their employees are interested in social networking and communications. Yammer provides a place for your employees to engage in private corporate conversations, rather than public conversations. A great way to bring social networking to the corporate world.
9. Causes: This is an interesting startup aimed at helping people articulate support for causes. It helps people donate, as well as helps them get the word out about causes that are important to them. Social fundraising at its finest. Makes use of Facebook to do even more.
10. Waze: Real-time traffic advice. A great navigation tool that allows you to get updates from others about traffic conditions on the roads. Helps you get through difficult intersections and avoid traffic jams. All with communications from strangers.

Multimedia, Entertainment and Reviews

How we communicate now encompasses multimedia: Video, audio and more. These startups are changing how we interact with media, and how we enjoy entertainment, as well as our reviews about different products and services.

11. deviantART.com: If you are looking for user-made artwork, this is the place to go. You can exhibit your art, and discuss others’ art. It is a great way to connect with other artists — and maybe even make business connections. Express yourself through your art.
12. Stickam.com: A live community that offers live streaming. Changes the way we make movies and video, allowing you to do it from anywhere, including your phone. A great way to talk face to face, and to connect with others on a more “real” level.
13. sevenload.com: Allows you to share video and connect with others. You can create clips, and even make your own TV show. A good way to get yourself out there, and share your views (or your creativity) with the world.
14. ccMixter.com: Use this site to communicate with music. You can find Creative Commons music here, and mix it, cut it and more to put with presentations, your own videos and other projects. You can also get your own music out there. A good way to express yourself with music.
15. Kongregate.com: Social gaming site that allows you to communicate through your love of games. Rate different games and connect with others. Share your favorites, participate in challenges and learn about developing your own games.
16. ActiveWorlds.com: This global 3D chat allows you to build worlds and interact with others in a virtual environment. Create textured 3D homepages and even do business. Meet and communicate with people all over the world.
17. MouthShut.com: Share your views on a number of items from hotels to mobile phones to movies. A fun way to share your opinions, and learn from others. A great way to connect with others, and a way to get a global perspective on products and services of interest.
18. Askville.com: Get answers to questions. An interesting way to use the wisdom of the crowds to get reviews and opinions, as well as get answers to personal conundrums. Askville is now owned by Amazon.

Collaboration, Presentation and Brand Building

You can use online tools for better communication, as well as brand building — getting your name out there.

19. Wetpaint.com: A collaboration site meant for those who are a little unsure about being online. A wiki that allows multiple users to help create and edit projects. Wetpaint also includes social networking features that make it easier to communicate and share. A helpful way to communicate and work on projects and presentations, as well as manage content, across distances.
20. PBworks.com: Another great online collaboration site that helps with content management and project management. Provides for team collaboration across distances, and makes it easy for multiple people to contribute to a single project.
21. Scribd.com: Great presentation site that allows you to create and publish presentations. You can also share the information, get feedback and learn more about others. Get involved on the community, and learn how you can better express yourself using presentation and collaboration.
22. Wikia.com: Another wiki based collaboration company that allows you to put together different projects. You can join wikis for your favorite games and shows, participating in a community, or you can start your own. Great for adding to long-distance projects.
23. Statsit.com: This is a great tool for brand building, since it allows you to keep track of your stats online. Helpful for those looking to measure results and build a brand. Provides feedback so that you can change the way you communicate to your audiences.
24. Vocus.com: Revolutionize the way you handle public relations with this company. You have access to a media database, as well as help with distribution. Includes the ability to monitor social media. A great tool for those who want to better control their brand image.
25. Attensity.com: Helps companies manage customer communications. Makes it easier for you to communicate with your audiences. A way to more easily track customer satisfaction and get higher marks.

A communications course could range from information about journalism to instruction in visual and digital aspects of storytelling online. No matter if the communications is in reporting, advertising, public relations or marketing, the gamut of knowledge includes ethics, policies, information technology and even foreign languages. All these topics and more are covered in this list of 50 enlightening open courseware classes on communication.

Journalism

1. BBC Academy: From television to radio, new media and broadcast tech, this site covers the entire spectrum of journalism [BBC].
2. Center for the Study of the Public Domain: This entire site, offered by Duke Law, concentrates on intellectual property unprotected by intellectual property rights and free for all to use or build upon [Center for the Study of the Public Domain].
3. City Council: Learn how to cover a city council meeting through an actual example [City Council].
4. Columbia Interactive: This page offers several seminars and lectures on how to report war, the dilemmas involved in reporting terrorist activities and more [Columbia Interactive].
5. Information Law and Policy: This series of iPod lectures covers copyright and other forms of legal protection for new media [Webcast Berkeley].
6. Journalism: This link leads to a variety of videos about journalism, from genre to gender [Research Channel].
7. News University: This link leads to the list of courses offered at news University. Look for “self-directed courses” which are free [News University].
8. Newsroom 101: Practice exercises in grammar, usage and AP style [Newsroom 101].
9. Processes of Research and Engagement: In this course, students identify issues in educational or other professional settings on which to focus their critical and creative thinking skills [UMass Boston].
10. Text as Property/Property as Text: Learn the difference between collaboration and plagiarism as well as information about ownership, licenses and more [Rice Connexions].
11. The Withering Watchdog: This expose by PBS provides insight into today’s media environment [PBS].
12. Understanding media: the celebrity in the text: How has the media created celebrity status and how does this press influence opinion? [The Open University].

Information Technology

13. Berkman Center for Internet & Society: Explore and understand cyberspace through this site’s offerings [Berkman Center for Internet & Society].
14. Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning: This course is designed to help you understand and effectively use a variety of “web 2.0″ technologies [Utah State University].
15. Columbia Interactive: This page contains several topics including interactive tours, a lecture on “Digital Media and Its Implications for Academia and at least 15 more IT learning tools [Columbia Interactive].
16. Computer Applications: This course explores the use of multimedia in communicating information and solving problems [Notre Dame].
17. Computer Sciences: This group of three courses offers information about “Machine Learning,” “Kernel-Based Learning” and an introduction to artificial intelligence [University of California at Irvine].
18. Digital Communications: Learn how fibers link, examine the technology used and assess the future direction of this continually developing area of communication [The Open University].
19. Global Issues in Information Technology: Learn why technologies remain the same across national borders, but how usage and context changes according to cultures and laws [Weber State University].
20. Principles of Digital Communication I: This first course serves as an introduction to the theory and practice behind many of today’s communications systems [MIT].
21. TUlib: How to find and use scientific information: This site provides researchers with methods on finding, using and judging online resources [TUDelft].
22. Understanding Online Interaction: This course is designed to provide an introductory level of understanding of the manner in which individuals interact with one another via the network [Utah State University].
23. Using Internet Communications: This course enhances students’ theoretical understanding of electronic communication and their ability to communicate as professionals using the Internet [UMass Boston].

Visual Communications

24. Art and Technology: Learn about digital technologies and cutting-edge bio-technologies (cloning, genetic engineering) [Capilano University].
25. Blender 3D Design: This course updates and replaces Three-Dimensional Modeling, Animation and Rendering Using Blender 3D Software (2006), previously on Tufts OCW [Tufts].
26. Communication and media studies: Specialists across the UK provide resources for visual communications that range from advertising to publishing [Intute].
27. Data Visualization Theory & Practice: Explore visualization for quantitative data in this course, which uses a variety of software [Utah State University].
28. Designing the user interface: text, color, images, moving images and sound: Why is the way something looks important? [The Open University].
29. Documentary Photography and Photo Journalism: Still Images of A World In Motion: Learn about the photographic documentary tradition [MIT].
30. Creative Online Tutorials: The emphasis is on Photoshop, but other tools are discussed as well as the business end of graphics [The Graphic Reporter].
31. Interactive Multimedia Production: This course uses Flash CS3 (Flash 9)/Actionscript 3.0. You may also be interested in INST 5270, which uses Flash 8/Actionscript 2.0 [Utah State University].
32. Producing Films for Social Change: Learn the basic principles and techniques of video journalism [Tufts].
33. Storytelling for the Web: Storytelling for the Web requires the same journalistic standards as it does for print. Learn more about how to engage in this process [Gannett Online Training].
34. Studio Art: These four courses provide students with a thorough foundation in the fundamentals of visual analysis and creative problem-solving [Capilano University].
35. The Dynamic Word: Textuality and Technology: This course introduces the various ways technology has both influenced and been incorporated into modern literary works [Capilano University].
36. The Elements of Digital Storytelling: Explore this uncharted territory and interact with the site [University of Minnesota].

Languages

37. BBC Languages: This Web site offers beginning and refresher courses and tools for over eight different languages, including Chinese, Greek and Italian [BBC].
38. Creole Language and Culture: This course introduces students to the language of Haitian Kreyòl, or Creole, and to the culture of its speakers [Notre Dame].
39. Creoles, Pidgins and the Evolution of Languages: In this seminar, Salikoko S. Mufwene looks at some of the issues surrounding the evolution of English [Cambridge University Press].
40. eLanguage School: The courses in multiple languages are free, but you must put up with advertising [eLanguage School].
41. First Year Chinese: This course provides an understanding of basic principles of Chinese speaking and written language. When you’re through, move on to the second course [Utah State University].
42. Foreign Languages and Literatures: This list of courses provides a broad selection of language comprehension through literature [MIT].
43. Foreign Language Learning: Learn foreign languages and cultures and engage in interactive learning [Wikiversity].
44. Languages: If you learn best by video, this site offers a wide variety of foreign language lessons [eduFire].
45. Modern languages and area studies: Specialists from across the UK provide the best resources for modern languages at this site [Intute].
46. Skype in Foreign Language Classrooms: This module approaches how to use Skype in a foreign language situation [Rice Connexions].

Other Communications Courses

47. Communication Skills for Academics: This course, primarily, will acquaint you with guidelines that will help you create well-crafted academic communication [MIT].
48. Comparative Media Studies: This list of grad and undergrad open courseware classes provides a variety of material on digital, visual and journalistic genres [MIT].
49. Gender and Media Studies: Women and the Media: This course examines representations of race, class, gender, and sexual identity in the media [MIT].
50. Writing and Humanistic Studies: This list provides a wide variety of courses offered in the writing discipline [MIT].

Communications is an interesting and versatile field. There are a number of careers available in communications, from broadcast to public relations to advertising to public speaking. You can get a Masters in Communication from a number of good schools, or you can take a degree in communication and use it to get a law degree, MBA or some other specialized degree. If you are interested in learning more about communications, here are 50 great blogs that can help you on your way:

Media and Journalism

We see images and read words all around us. If you are interested in garnering some insight about the media and about different forms of journalism, these blogs are great choices.

1. Romenesko: This media and journalism blog from the Poynter Institute includes commentary, news and more about media and journalism.
2. Media Matters: What’s happening in broadcast media? How are pundits and journalists behaving? Media Matters analyzes what’s going on with the Fourth Estate.
3. Internet Media Commentary: Learn about what’s happening with developing media and the Internet.
4. Media Bistro: Get news, headlines, information and commentary on media happenings from around the world.
5. The Innovations Journalism Blog: Delve into journalism concepts and innovations to journalism.
6. Columbia Journalism Review: Commentary on journalism, and the way the news is covered from the premier journalism school in the country.
7. The Editoroaliste: Citizen journalism, professional journalism, and how news is covered.
8. Tony’s Journalism Blog: A great offering from About.com, featuring commentary and information on media, journalism and communications.
9. JOUR MO2 Writing and Reporting for the Media: This handy class blog will provide you with insight into the media, and how reporters do their thing.

PR and Advertising

Public relations and advertising are two of the cornerstones of communications fields. Read these blogs for a little more insight.

10. POP! PR Jots: Jeremy Pepper takes you on a wild ride through the world of public relations, and provides insight into the field.
11. Strategic Public Relations: Great blog about how PR works, and insight into different way s media can be used for better public relations.
12. Public Relations and Publicity Blog: Learn more about PR and publicity, and how to protect your brand image.
13. Ad Age: THE place to go when you are looking for news, commentary and latest trends in advertising.
14. I Believe in Advertising: Great examples of ads from around the world. The best ads out there, from a variety of media.
15. Adrants: This blog offers “Marketing and advertising news with attitude.” Get an inside look at ads, marketing and campaigns.
16. The Marketing Blog: A look at different types of marketing and advertising, and insight into the industry.

Organizational and Business Communications

The way that you communicate in an organization is important. Businesses have their own ways of communication, and these blogs can help you learn more about organizational communication.

17. Business Communication Headline News: Find out what’s going on in the world of corporate and business communications.
18. Wendy Mack: This consultant and expert offers insight into business and organizational communications.
19. Communication Overtones: Learn about using communications to better communicate within your organization, and with others outside your organization.
20. Better Communication Results: This Aussie knows how to communicate more effectively in business settings.
21. Corporate Eye: This blog is meant for corporate communications professionals. Plenty of news and commentary, as well as insight.
22. Kivi’s Nonprofit Communications Blog: A helpful and interesting blog about improving communication for nonprofit organizations.

Public Speaking and Speech Writing

There are a number of people who make their livings by public speaking, and even writing speeches for others. Here are some insightful and interesting blogs about these subjects.

23. Toastmasters International: This blog offers information on building public speaking skills, and insight into how to present yourself better.
24. Six Minutes: Great blog on public speaking and developing presentation skills.
25. Speech Writing and Professional Speaking: Get insight into how to write better speeches and speak better in public.
26. Speak Schmeak: Public speaking coach Lisa Braithwaite offers helpful hints on communicating better in public.
27. Speech Writing Pro: Learn essential speech writing and presentation skills for better communication.
28. Presentation Zen: Make better presentations, and learn tips for more effective public communications.
29. The Eloquent Woman: This blog is aimed at helping you develop better public communication skills.

Conflict Resolution

Sometimes you need a little help in your communication attempts with others. These are great conflict resolution blogs.

30. Program in Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution: Learn more about conflict resolution and ways to solve disputes through communication.
31. The Definitive Guide to Workplace Mediation and Managing Conflict at Work: Helpful and insightful blog focusing on conflict resolution and mediation.
32. Creative Conflict Resolutions: Learn to communicate more effectively as you search for resolutions to disputes.
33. Conflict Zen: Insight into handling conflict, and how to use communication to get beyond disputes.
34. Association for Conflict Resolution’s Blog: Get a handle on mediation and conflict resolution, and learn how to communicate your concerns more effectively.

Technical Communication and Science Communication

Learning to communicate specifically with an audience is important. Technical communication and science communication are interesting ways to get the message out about specific subjects.

35. I’d Rather Be Writing: Learn about technical writing, and get good tips for improving your abilities.
36. Technically Speaking: Paul Pehrson provides insight and tips for technical communications.
37. A Technical Communication Community: Tips, news and insight into better technical writing.
38. Framing Science: An interesting blog that addresses how science is presented and communicated to the public.
39. Science Communication Review: A look at what is going on in the world of science communication, and tips for engaging with the public.
40. Science Communication: Read stories and information on science communication from EcoCheck.

Communication Theory

Learn more about different communication theories, general communication, and interesting insights into interpersonal and social communication.

41. The Communication Blog: Learn about how we communicate, and delve into issues in communication.
42. Communication Nation: This blog looks at the way that we engage each other and communicate as individuals and in societies.
43. Better Interpersonal Communication: Learn theories about communication and interacting with others.
44. Interpersonal Communication Blog: Information on connecting and communicating with others, especially in business settings.
45. Social Communication: A look at what makes communication in societies tick, as well as theories of innovative communication.

Communication Disorders

In some cases, it is difficult for people to communicate with others. Here are some blogs about communication disorders.

46. Aphasia Blog: Looks at aphasia, and other speech disorders and interesting occurrences.
47. Deaf News Today: Learn more about deafness and what is happening in the world of hearing related issues.
48. Dyslexia Blog: Learn how to help children with dyslexia, a disorder that makes it difficult for them to communicate through reading.
49. Autism Blog: Autism is marked by difficulties with emotional communication. This blog has interesting insights.
50. The Stuttering Brain: Stuttering can make communication difficult, and this blog offers insight and scientific evaluation.

When you are a professional into the career of Public Relations, then you need to consider and ponder over a number of points and features related to your career and profession. You may come across a number of tipsy situations that you needs to handle situation effectively there your skills as a public relation professional are tested to the ground.

Crisis Situation

In the situation of crisis in your company you should always inform top management while making any decision. And never reach to head of your company with a problem and without at least with three solutions to the problem. In crisis situation, first of all you should plan first what you should say to the public, what to your employees and what to the press. As with company statement is sure you are in league with other companies dealing into same type of business being like yours.  According to situation deploy a dedicated spokesperson.

Contacting With Media

There are many does and doesn’t when you are contacting with any media and most essentially be organized before picking up the phone or sending an e-mail id.   For product branding, know prior who your target audience, plan ahead is and be creative when pitching up your project.  So make best use of every phone call and opportunity when you are connecting and raising brand awareness.

For product pitching with respect to contacting with media first decide about appropriateness of the product for the pr campaign. Pitch the appropriate section and editor. If it isn’t clear, ask who might be the best person to pitch. Editors have no patience when you pitch something that is not relevant to their section. Also go to non endemic press too.  Now for the pitch it should be as long as to 45 seconds. Develop interesting and unique catchy pitches, use creativeness in subject lines to get attention of an editor. Write short, to the point emails. Always review a live phone conversation in the end.

When you are sending out voice mail messages, remember never leave them too long and leave slowly, clear and to the point messages. Leave away in voice mail message your name, company, phone number and website.

Developing a PR Campaign

While preparing a simple product PR program, there are three important points that a PR professional should always keep in his mind before pitching the product into media.

• Goal your audience:  Is it trade or consumer? For a single product, you are likely going to have a different message for retailers than you will for the end consumer.
• Develop your Message:  Is it appropriate for your defined audience? Is it clear and concise? Does it encompass the unique selling points that your product has?
• Create a set of Tactics:  What materials such as informational one-sheets, news releases or product photos will help you convey your product’s features? What deadlines must you meet to publicize your product in the proper time frame?

With change in time the prospects of jobs in all sectors and areas of career has been changed rapidly. Mass communication is one such field that is catching attention of a good number of young ones now-a-days. They can make career in number of fields in media like newspapers, magazines, radio, television, advertisements, public relations etc.

• On a broader platform communication covers a wide range of areas and closely related fields like advertising, communication and public relations. All forms of sectors weather they are from business, government or political requires services of communication professionals. And that is a very encouraging for people who are already in the field of communication or wish to make career in communication.
• As for range of communication, it covers wide range and fields under its sphere. A person with communication background can work into print journalism, electronic journalism, in film production as producers, actors, musician and dancers. Advertising and public relations are other fields which has great scope for communication students.
• The sphere of mass communication being widely spread requires a combination of skills and traits. Different areas asks for different qualities, but for anyone to take on any of the fields of mass communication definitely requires better than average performance in whatever one does. It is not easy to get in and progressing is even difficult. In general, excellent communication skills, being a good team player are important, besides being confident and hardworking. Physical stamina and will power count in favor for jobs in mass communication. Other attributes vary from one another depending upon the area one pursues.
• According to survey conducted for a basic salary of a communicator it in North America rolls round between $80,000 to $90, 000, however, this salary vary from industries to industries. Average salary as for non profit sector ranges to $60,000-$70,000 in the non-profit sector whereas in telecommunication and technology it is around $90,000-$100,000. Whereas salary for a typical instructor of communication in the United States is $42, 289.
• A degree in communication provides an excellent career opportunity to a student with a liberal art foundation for employment or additional graduate education in business, education, social sciences and health sciences. A communication graduate gets job opportunities in the related fields like education, management, sales, media, social services, health care, public relations, customer service and finance.
• According to the findings of The National Communication Association (NCA) a student in communication should have abilities to listen, speak, creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, reasoning, self esteem, sociability, self management and integrity/honesty.
• For looking out for job in communication field a student should indulge in activities like researching companies, promoting skills and experience and identify the job markets. He should attend workshops and conferences related to job search strategies, resume writing, cover letter writing, interview techniques, developing internship and getting admission into a graduate school. More he can look at for job opportunities with state employment opportunity office, check with local newspaper classified ads, and call employment-temporary placement agencies.

If you want a degree that will prepare you for a career in media, you should enroll for an online Masters in Communication. The most notable advantage that you get is the flexible schedule offered. The course patterns and degree plans are individualized to fit around your schedule. The research projects offered in the online Masters in advertising are customized for particular problems that affect businesses.

The programs offered in this graduate degree are developed with the assistance of professionals in the communication industry. An online degree is also affordable because there are fewer expenses included compared to a campus based one. Financial aid is also available for those who want to enroll for.

To complete your Masters in Communication, you will require 36 credits. There are two options that you can choose from including a part-time online option that allows you to finish your degree in 2 years. This option includes an 8 week courses during spring and fall and only one course in the summer. A thesis is required and in this case, you will have to finish it during your second semester. Some of the courses you will take in this part time option include communication theory, research strategies and methods, leadership communication, organizational communication and interpersonal communication.

The other option available for the Masters in Communication is a full time one that takes a year. For this option, you will take four courses during spring and fall and the last two in summer. All the comprehensive exams, coursework and thesis have to be completed in the summer. The courses taken are similar in both options.

To qualify for a Master’s in Communication, you have to hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Adequate study in speech and mass communication is also required for this online graduate degree. Your undergraduate G.P.A should be 3.25. If you do not meet these requirements, you can still apply for an online Master’s in Communication but you will have to complete about 12 credits before you can be enrolled in the graduate degree. This can only happen if you prove that you have the ability to succeed in the graduate degree.

There is no difference in terms of quality between the online courses and the campus based ones. The only difference is the amount of time spent to complete the degree. For this online degree you choose to the time to study.