teens and kids

Key Magazine & the Web
by Danielle Ruberto

One of the advantages of writing this column is that I get to use father's computer. He has the fastest Mac in the world and a huge 30-inch flat screen monitor. It's a sweet setup.

If you have read my past articles, you know that I usually poke fun at my dad about his precious gadgets and gear. The truth is, he really understands and embraces technology.

Quite some time ago, my family was enjoying a wonderful vacation in Sedona, famous for it's beautiful red rock formations. My brother and I wanted to take a jeep tour, so I borrowed his Sony PSP (portable game system) and connected to the hotel's free wireless network. Jim and I looked at a few jeep websites, photos and videos and then called dad over when we found the one we wanted. When I handed father the PSP with the jeep photos, he looked shocked. He didn't know that my brother's game system was also a wireless web device and browser. Within minutes, I actually saw a light go on in his head - the multi-media future had been laid at his feet.

Early last year, we launched the Key 360 Rich Media program - go to ArizonaKey.com and click on Rich Media Spotlight. It is a sleek, web-based panel that allows you to learn more about our advertisers via text, slideshows, virtual tours, audio tours, mapping, and high definition videos. Unlike many of the smaller images and videos you've seen online, these files are full screen. In addition to viewing on your computer, the audio, slideshows, and videos are available in various mobile device formats. This allows you to go to our website, download and sync files, and then play them on your iPhone, Treo, Blackberry, flip phone, iPod or Sony PSP.

It's so easy to do that even my eight year old brother Jim has a library of Key customers on his Sony PSP. He could watch the Sedona Offroad Adventure Hummer tour video and the Out Of Africa slideshow over and over. As for me, I'm particularly fond of the E&J's Designer Shoe Outlet and Avant’ Italian Restaurant videos on my iPhone! And many more are coming... Key is working on dozens of additional advertiser panels.

In an attempt to keep my beloved father hip and happenin', I have helped him set up accounts on YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. Dad's starting to get it, but every once in a while he'll ask me how our "MyTube" page is doing. He's quite comical that way.

Although I recommend you view them on our website in high definition, on YouTube we have videos of our rich media customers. Visit our page at youtube.com/arizonakey. We invite you to watch these videos and subscribe. On MySpace, I have posted all my teen articles and photos. Be sure to go to myspace.com/azkeyteens and add me as a friend. Lastly, if you search under Arizona Key, you can find us on Facebook (facebook.com), where we have uploaded a countless number of pictures. Give dad a high five or a chest bump on Facebook for me and hit him up - lol :)

Now I just have to teach him the IM text messaging shortcuts! C U 8r!

Danielle Ruberto is the 15 year old daughter of Key publisher Tom Ruberto and a sophomore in high school.

ARCHIVES

OODLES OF NOODLES
by Danielle Ruberto
November / December 2007

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE
by Danielle Ruberto
September / October 2007

OUT OF AFRICA WILDLIFE PARK
by Danielle Ruberto
July / August 2007

HAVASU FALLS... Get There If You Can
by Danielle Ruberto
May / June 2007