3 Easy Ways to Make & Get GIFs for Social Media: About .gif Files

Recently, it dawned on me that although GIF sharing has become a wildly popular activity in social media due to the sheer fun of it, still plenty of people don't use GIFs, mostly because they can't. Or, this is what they seem to think. I may not have noticed otherwise, but being a moderator of a busy Facebook group brings a keener eye than usual to motivations of users in response threads.

Bantering commenters, many using GIFs, move quickly. Occasionally, a user becomes frustrated by the challenge of keeping up, especially when they're not familiar with some of the activities happening, such as GIF posting. After helping a few people get the hang of using GIFs to express emotions, reactions, and other communication via fun imagery, it became clear that everybody wants to know how to use GIFs, no matter how indifferent I'd assumed people might be about the absurd interplay. 

So if you want to know how to get GIFs, I'll show you my favorite, easy ways to make your own or find them from existing libraries.

GIFs remain one of those techy things that plenty of people simply have no experience using despite being regular internet users. The super-short, looped video images are often used as commentary–usually funny, but not always. Several of the social platforms have incorporated GIF functions in menus for users to easily find great samples for use right then and there at their moment of need. There are GIFs for exclamations, meme GIFs, statement GIFs . . . the list goes on. Once you start using them for fun, you'll find all kinds of uses for them.

Without further ado, here are the easiest methods I've settled on for obtaining my GIF files:

1. Playola invites users to make their own GIFs from existing content, which is great for entertainment fans or political aficionados. I like Playola because it's also a sound mixer. You may've noticed that many GIF files don't feature any sound, but Playola absolutely can, if you like. Visit Playola.co and make your first GIF file now! They'll render several formats for you choose from and download. Be sure to take a video link with you (YouTube video URLs work), or upload a video of your own.
2. Giphy invites direct contact and would love to talk with users about how "GIPHY Studios is making all the GIFs", FYI. If you'd like a GIF professionally made for your brand, then they may be a good way to go, judging by their collections of portfolio samples here. Click on their logo at top left of the site to get to their main page, where users can search their library of freebie GIF downloads. Want to make your own? They even let you upload multiple images for GIF slideshows.
3. Tenor - As far as I've seen, Tenor isn't a production tool but does offer a clean UX design for searches as well as being supremely sharable across devices including mobile. Tenor proudly advertises that they are the "#1 downloaded and used GIF-sharing app on both iOS and Android". Just take a look at all Tenor's "reaction" GIFs for an idea of how easy it is to find great shares. 

Of course, you can always download random GIFs found as you make your way around the Internet. I've listed three of the primary GIF options, because any time I needed them was a rush scenario and I simply picked from the top-ranked results via search to find these. They've made me happy! So, if you're using a great GIF site or app not listed here that you really love, I'd like to know about it.

If you're completely new to GIFs, don't sweat it. A person doesn't need to know a lot of information they'd typically never bother with in order to make and use GIFs on these sites. I've provided basic information here that will lead to specific instructions at each site. If you find yourself stalled on some aspect of the process on one of these sites, then reach out and I'll walk you through it via chat.

For those who want know more about the history GIF files, continue reading below: 

Being an easily portable file due to small size and quick-load application, the bitmap-based Graphics Interchange Format file was developed fairly early during the Internet age by CompuServe, the first major commercial internet provider in the United States. GIF files were an improvement on their prior RLE files, which only functioned in black and white. 

Still, limited color capacity and low resolution meant that GIFs as preferred online media wouldn't last, yet they remain in popular use today due to their utilitarian appeal in basic logo design where the GIF file's lossless compression renders nice, clean lines with little or no pixelation along edges.

Other uses have included video games, where GIF files are be used to add functional design and artistry without demanding much software overhead. Atari, Nintendo, and Sega are popular brands that use GIF technology.

Language: How to Say "GIF"

Finally, etymology of the acronym has a 'nutty' history that perfectly illustrates the malleable nature of language. If you haven't had the discussion yet, be ready for it. GIF may be pronounced with either a soft or hard 'G', so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

The file creators originally used the soft consonant pronunciation, so speaking of GIF sounded like speaking of the popular peanut butter brand if one didn't know any better and overheard the term. According to Steve Wilhite, the maker credited with invention of the GIF file, the pronunciation is proper as follows, and recorded in official record:

The GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), pronounced "JIF", was designed by CompuServe and the official specification released in June of 1987.

It's said, too, that CompuServe employees would say "Choosy developers choose GIF", in reference to the brand as well as correct pronunciation of the file name.

Time moves on and language develops. Overall, language adapts to conditions through various measures of convenience. It's plain easier to say GIF with a hard G. This is part reason for the evolution of the term. Newbies saw GIF, and naturally pronounced it from the easy, back portion of the tongue in natural utterance. Despite occasional corrections of know-it-all computer science students, the hard G has won over the soft one, largely to to the phenomenon known as palatalization. In this case, a consonant has been palatalized by a vowel. 

Today, one would be more challenged than in the past to find dictionary reference that suggests using the soft "JIF" pronunciation. While some reference sources continue offer it as an alternate, others leave it out completely, opting for the evolved hard G pronunciation.

The funniest thing about this type of language evolution (the term evolution, by the way, does not necessarily indicate improvement) is that it often flies in the face of academic language principles and common teaching and language learning. According to English pronunciation rules, the G in GIF should receive the soft "JIF" pronunciation (probably why the inventors called it as they did). But, popularity is already winning over the rule. Still, there are traditionalists who remain loyal to the original.

Why I Write: October 20 Annual Writing Hashtag Event

The National Day on Writing inspires a time during end-October for writers and associates to celebrate and organize events. Centered around a concept of the National Council of Teachers of English, the day honors the constant relevance the written word. (Since 1911, the NCTE has organized for the betterment of language art studies through various means). 

Developed by educators, the National Day on Writing appeals to teachers especially, who use the opportunity to enhance our perceptions of writing as a critical component of comprehension, learning, communication and overall understanding. For writers from any scene, October 20 each year is the date around which we can plan an event or outing according to this general theme.

We consider it highly appropriate that this writing event is coordinated with the cooling autumn weather, which happens to render steaming cups of coffee, tea and cocoa all the more relevant to our efforts. We're greater plussed if sweaters are needed.

Because the annual writing event happens to fall on a Friday this year, there's little excuse to avoid an appropriate event or activity this weekend. What will you do?

We should all get a start by answering the associated hashtag #WhyIWrite, via Twitter and other social networks.

Like people, language evolves

"Black language matters."

Civil Rights Memorial - Montgomery, Alabama 

Yes, it does. Kudos to the creatives at Grammarly for conceptualizing and posting the following acknowledgement of the original Civil Rights Era in American history: The Influence of the Civil Rights Movement on English

It was a time that introduced us to greatness in leadership we'd otherwise not have known, and left us with indelible phrases of the language of humans struggling to survive. Discrimination, segregation and plain violence mar any visage of a glowing American experience for all.

The bloodstained and tearful realities of the American experience for African slaves were a far cry from some of the most positive aspects of American history as it's been experienced by those who had easier passage. While basic themes weren't very different from similar aspects of world history, the grimy reality is that it's our most immediate history. It's recent. It's ours, as Americans. We're all close to it. It's painful.

As usual, we'll evolve. Our challenge is to evolve with all the freedoms possible. The breadth of knowledge we have along with supports of freedom that our very constitution encourages will guide us along the way. We have all the tools we need in language and communication. We must continue to use them wisely.

Part purpose of American history is to remember that we have a relatively new opportunity to freely express our experiences in many ways. It's to be accepted that the road we're on is the only road we could have taken. This is where we are. Our history- world history- has brought us to today's circumstances. Regional American history is a great part of the identities of so many people now. The need for America's promise never changes.

An accurate historical account is the most important gift of language we can offer each other. Good, bad and ugly- don't we owe it to ourselves to leave this life knowing that we've played our parts as true as could be done? Let's continue to utilize our experiences through language that can touch others.


REF:

Wikipedia contributors. "Civil Rights Memorial." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.

Promotional Tour Takes Unexpected Toll

It seems most likely that the Maleficent promotional tour's purpose was not to offend, especially on any large scale, as this would quickly defeat it's own end. Take a quick read below and let us know what you think. Angelina Jolie deserves a break here, right?

Post by Copy, Edit, Etc.

 
It's relevant to also add here an RT tweet by Kurtis Vanous, and Albert Einstein quote referring to interaction (communication), noticed today as I fed on social:

I fear the day technology will surpass our human interaction-Albert Einstein

— Kurtis Vanous (@MysteryBrandMan) April 8, 2014

 
What are some actions that could be taken to avoid these types of misunderstandings? 

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All About Though and Although

Subordinate Conjunction Connection

Although and though are two subordinating conjunctions. They are used to connect an incomplete portion of a sentence or idea, aka dependent clause, to a free-standing sentence (independent clause).

The dependent clause is known academically as the subordinate clause. Since it is "subordinate", it is "less than", and needs more- a connection- in order to complete the intended meaning. Hence, the subordinate clause needs a subordinating conjunction.

This isn't a a forfeit, although it seems like one.
This isn't a forfeit, though it seems like one.

Let justice be done, although the world perish.
Let justice be done, though the world perish.

Most resources indicate that either though or although will work in place of the other. We see this simple interpretation put to use in broad fashion. Yet, there are best practices with every endeavor. Writers, deciding which term to use in each case should be based on a couple basic criteria.

Referring to examples just above, we see how each term can be used as a subordinating conjunction. Both terms appear together in the most common lists of subordinating conjunctions. Still, there are differences of usage:

1. While both although and though can indicate condition or concession (cause and effect), only though should indicate manner (adverbial).
2. Conversely, although stands alone (without though) in lists of the adversative conjunctions group. This type of conjunction- adversative- is used to point out comparison or contrast (despite that/even though), as below.

Note that although is often associated with more formal writing or speaking endeavors, but this fact alone isn't sufficient guidance to usage.

 

Adversative Conjunction Connection

 

April could be the cruelest month, although I’d posit May.
He took well to the stage, although he was ill-prepared. 

These examples of adversative conjunctions will have some wonder, "Can't I use 'though'?" The common answer is yes, you could. However, the best answer is no! Remember, each case differs, and a practiced pen will help.

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REF:

http://grammarist.com/grammar/conjunctions/

http://depts.gpc.edu/~dunowl/handouts/conjunctions.pdf

http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Subordinating_Conjunctions.pdf

http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/writing/handouts/Coordination.pdf

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/although