Refresh Pittsburgh meeting

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Cynthia Closkey

The next meeting of Refresh Pittsburgh will at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26 at the Creative Treehouse in Bellevue.

Refresh Pittsburgh is a community of designers and developers working to refresh the creative, technical, and professional culture of Internet developers in the Pittsburgh area.

Cynthia Closkey (that’s me!) from Big Big Design will present “Google-Friendly Blogging in Five Easy Steps.” I’ll talk about basic search engine optimization for WordPress, and by extension, for other blog tools as well. I’ll talk about misconceptions about SEO, and I’ll give some simple steps one can take to improve one’s search ranking.

Next, Jeff Hunter, organizer of Devhouse Pittsburgh will present an introduction to Ruby: what it is, why you may want to consider using it for your next project.

Full details are at the Refresh Pittsburgh website. Visit there and RSVP so we have a headcount.

EnterPrize Competition 2008 begins

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Cynthia Closkey

The Pittsburgh Technology Council is running its EnterPrize Business Plan Competition again this year. From the website:

EnterPrize supports southwestern Pennsylvania’s technology entrepreneurs by providing financial incentives, educational workshops and mentoring.

EnterPrize participants are given the expert advice they need to shape their innovative ideas into viable business plans. Whether they won or not, past participants have gone on to raise more than $100 million in subsequent capital.

In 2007, the EnterPrize Business Plan Competition awarded more than $80,000 in cash prizes.

They’re looking for competitors in two categories: new business and existing business. There are opportunities for prizes throughout the competition. Throughout the competition, experts will present talks and workshops; these are open to the public, even if you’re not involved in the competition.

They are also looking for volunteers, “experts in management, product development, marketing, accounting and law to serve as coaches.”

To find out more, including the schedule and details for competing or getting involved, visit the EnterPrize Competition section of the Pittsburgh Technology Council website.

PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 planning meeting

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Cynthia Closkey

There will be another PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 planning meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM at the Creative Treehouse in Bellevue.

Topics to be covered will include:

Progress to date
Subcommittee leader assignments
Possible speakers from outside Pittsburgh
Next steps

As Justin says, “If you have any questions, concerns or cupcakes, please bring them to the meet-up.”

Digital Democracy Conference

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Cynthia Closkey

If you’re interested in new media/social media, the evolution of journalism, and how both interact with the political process, here’s an event you’ll want to know about. I received this announcement from Bob Mayo, a journalist at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who also blogs at The Busman’s Holiday.

Digital Democracy is a special event happening here in Pittsburgh next month. This is a project I’ve been working on for months and I’m excited to let you know about it now.

It’s a conference that will explore how the digital revolution — including blogs, online video, websites and social media — is changing traditional news media coverage and citizens’ access to the political process.

The event includes national-caliber speakers who are coming to town on Saturday, March 15.

Its website is now online at: http://www.spj.org/pittsburgh

Our speakers include:

New York Times Online Politics Editor Kate Phillips, who writes for and edits The Caucus, The New York Times politics news blog.

Newsbusters.org Executive Editor Matthew Sheffield

MediaMatters.org Senior Fellow & Director of Special Projects Paul Waldman

Hearst-Argyle Director of Digital Media Content Jacques Natz

J-Lab Executive Director Jan Schaffer

Media Bloggers Association President Robert Cox

Other speakers include former USA Today reporter Toni Locy, who’s topic is “Subpoenaed For Her Sources”. She’s the subject of a contempt-of-court request for her refusal to identify sources who provided her information about the 2001 anthrax attacks and the subsequent investigation.

There will also be sessions on “Bloggers as Journalists and Journalists as Bloggers”, on new media skills and digital literacy for reporters, and on Open Records laws.

Digital Democracy is a Society of Professional Journalists regional conference, hosted by the Pittsburgh chapter. Region 4 covers Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, but the event can draw from beyond. Its something for all journalists — and you don’t have to be a member of SPJ. In fact, given the theme, bloggers, students, and others with an interest and involvement in the conference theme are welcome to attend. The Digital Democracy website has links for online registration and there’s a special rate for students and SPJ members.