NASA EDGE now has a Facebook and MySpace page. We already have many friends on our site and we continue to add more daily. It’s great to meet new people who have a strong interest in NASA and space exploration. I am new to the Facebook and MySpace world but my goofy co-host and marketing director seem to be on top of things. If you have any advice on how a digital immigrant (host) can turn into a digital native (younger generation) then please pass the advice along.
Chris
Host
I have some great advice, starting with this blog!
First, add some “flavor” to it! You (after all) represent NASA, and there is no way our American space agency can have a site that is this “bland.”
Add some images in the header, find a coder, etc. and make it look professional and cool, although don’t go overkill on the graphics.
Second, do video interviews! Interview your coworkers about some of the things they are doing to help get humanity into space (and on the moon). People are interested in space, but unless you can show what NASA is doing to help get humans upon other worlds, then public awareness (and potentially support) for NASA will erode.
Third, add a field to allow commenters to insert their page link, besides their name and email address. In order to keep spam down, I would recommend not allowing links in the comment section, as well as ditching the trackback and instead use Technorati link backs to inform you on who is linking to your site.
I have even more ideas, although I think these three are what NASA can handle for now. 😉
Darnell,
Thanks for the great suggestions. In fact my co-host is looking into some of the features you mentioned. We are limited with respect to the architecture of the site, but we are trying to push the boundaries. Hange with us as I am sure the site will improve over time. What did you think of NE@The Gantry?
All the best,
Chris
Host
Amigo
Le embio un saludo dese Argentina, espero poder ayudarlo en su blog,
le presento mi site en http://www.programaespacial.com
Doy difusion a lo que Uds hacen para que mi pais los conozca y conozca su trabajo.
le envio un fuerte abrazo
Claudio
Hello all,
I surfed in to check out what this edge blog is. I was also curious to see who is looking to market NASA initiatives in the Action Sports Industry. If this is truely a NASA sponsored and funded blog, and if there is funding going towards marketing in this area, I would like to get involved to make sure it is marketed correctly in this industry. Scientist and Blue Planet Surfer,
Soul Citizen
I agree with Darnell; this blog needs a splash of color and a sprinkling of zest. A NASA blog is such a great idea, and it is a shame to let the “architecture” of this site hinder the eye-candy NASA can offer. A LiveJournal account might be a good way to step over that boundary. I’d encourage you to check out some LiveJournal communities to see how “artsy” a blog can get (try looking up things like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Orlando Bloom…etc…big name celebrities, because you are bound to come across some “shrines” and very good examples of what a cool blog looks like). Throw up a picture of a particularly awesome looking nebula for the background, and collage some pictures of spacecraft for the header. And make some avatars/icons! They add a little something to your posts, and if people think they’re cool, they’ll save them and use them in their own blogs (FREE advertising!)
And speaking of LiveJournal, it would probably be easy to get a following there. Many LiveJournal users are digital artists, and I know that I often use NASA pictures of galaxies (and other pretty things) to accent my digital artwork. By posting pictures and NASA news, you could probably generate a lot of interest in the space program if you play your cards right.
As for Facebook, being a college student, I know a thing or two about it ;o) Have you looked at the applications feature? It would be very cool to have an application to put on profiles that tracked where the space station was at a given time, or that allowed NASAtv to be streamed from profiles. Even a NASA picture of the day would be neat.
Keep up the good work! This sort of “marketing” is exactly what the space program needs right now!
Blair, Chris, Franklin, and Brandon,
I created an account on Facebook.com…now, what do I do to join you there? Im totally a newbie. I beg …be patient with me!
Hugs and cookies from Monterrey.
b
I agree with Darnell; this blog needs a splash of color and a sprinkling of zest. A NASA blog is such a great idea, and it is a shame to let the “architecture” of this site hinder the eye-candy NASA can offer. A LiveJournal account might be a good way to step over that boundary. I’d encourage you to check out some LiveJournal communities to see how “artsy” a blog can get (try looking up things like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Orlando Bloom…etc…big name celebrities, because you are bound to come across some “shrines” and very good examples of what a cool blog looks like). Throw up a picture of a particularly awesome looking nebula for the background, and collage some pictures of spacecraft for the header. And make some avatars/icons! They add a little something to your posts, and if people think they’re cool, they’ll save them and use them in their own blogs (FREE advertising!)
( http://www.peoplerecords.com for more info)
And speaking of LiveJournal, it would probably be easy to get a following there. Many LiveJournal users are digital artists, and I know that I often use NASA pictures of galaxies (and other pretty things) to accent my digital artwork. By posting pictures and NASA news, you could probably generate a lot of interest in the space program if you play your cards right.
As for Facebook, being a college student, I know a thing or two about it ;o) Have you looked at the applications feature? It would be very cool to have an application to put on profiles that tracked where the space station was at a given time, or that allowed NASAtv to be streamed from profiles. Even a NASA picture of the day would be neat.
Keep up the good work! This sort of “marketing” is exactly what the space program needs right now!
Nasa Edege is such a great idea.
hey my name is relly nasa and i woud want to get on nasa by i love u.
Chad wrote:
“Hi! How do you I find your profiles on Facebook or Myspace? Does NASA have a Twitter account? Post links!”
Note – We can’t use external links due to NASA rules and regulations.
Dear Chad,
It is really simple to find NASA EDGE on Facebook and Twitter. From Facebook search for Nasa Edge. On twitter, look for NASA_EDGE.
NASA has many, many twitter feeds and facebook pages. If you befriend us, you will find many of them in our friends list.
Peace,
The Co-Host
This is great that you are also on Facebook, because certain persons use essentially Facebook and nothing others… And therefore, the Fact that you are on Facebook, This is a means for me to divide equally this passion for the Space with the persons being part of my network on Facebook… lol…
Thank you a lot the NASA to have created all these means of communication…
Dear Sir and madams,
I LOVE NASA.
Respects and Regards.
Yours,
Mr.Selim Rana Shelly
[Astronomer].
PS.”life&worldisverybeautiful.longlivepeace&learn.love”
Roland Wingo wrote:
“i have a great web page for nasa email me nasa i want to send this up to the international space station rollie wingo…”
Note – We can’t use external links due to NASA rules and regulations.
Thanks,
The Co-Host
Dear Roland,
As you have probably noticed, we are unable to post comments with links and e-mail addresses. If you have something you would like NASA or the ISS to see, please send it to our NASA EDGE e-mail address:
nasaedge@lists.nasa.gov
We may not be able to get it to the right people, but we will try.
Note: It is not against NASA rules and regulations for us to post our own e-mail address.
I look forward to your questions, comments, suggestions, etc.
All the best,
The Co-Host
hola quiero contactarme d alguna manera con la nasa.
Thanks to NASA EDGE’s very own Jacky Cortez for translation of earlier post.
“Hi, I want to somehow be contacted with someone at NASA!”
In response, just e-mail NASA EDGE directly with your specific request!
NASA EDGE: nasaedge@lists.nasa.gov
All the best,
The Co-Host