Here's what I've learned during the process.

A learning experience

My eyes have been opened up to the lack of media attention given to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. What troubled me more was that it seems to be even worse here in South Florida. Some critics say tourism could play a major role in the lack of attention focused on the virus. Many people don't want to show visitors what lies beneath the glamour of this city.

When I first started working on my blog I focused mainly on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, but now I see that there are so many other cracks within the health care system. South Florida seems to be under prepared to deal with people infected with the virus. Our area has a growing population and an even faster growing population affected by HIV/AIDS, but lacks the means to treat and educate the community on the subject.

More attention needs to be brought to the lack of medical care for those infected with HIV/AIDS, and the difficulty many face in getting the necessary meds they need to live with the disease.


Multi-media

A new age in media has come before us, media that brings print, video and the web together under one roof. I like the idea of having multiple ways of giving the audience a message. It seems to be the best way to grab the consumer in such competitive times. Video allows the viewer to see images that bring the story to life, while print only allows the reader to imagine the story in their own mind. I think there’s room for both types of media to survive in this world. People still like to use their imagination even though we live in a world of instant gratification.
Working on the HIV/AIDS website has taught me a lot about how to structure a web page that is both easy for the viewer to follow, as well as pleasant to the eye. We had a chance to look at other websites pertaining to the same subject and found that they didn’t really capture your interest. While it’s true that the content is the most important part of the website, aesthetics allow you to hold the viewer long enough to read your content.

I look forward to finishing this project about HIV/AIDS awareness, and hopefully making a difference along the way.