Blogging 101 (video)

Thanks to Thomas Beach for capturing my presentation at the recent PodCamp Western Mass. The slide I referred to on the screen doesn't always show well on the video but is shown here.



here is the video:




In addition to the slide, I had previously created a series on basic blogging which covered similar ground.

You can find that series here:
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2010/10/basic-blogging-or-blogging-100101102.html


The "Fire Circle Story" in both text and audio (podcast) versions can be found here
text =  http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2005/11/fire-circle-story.html
audio = http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2006/10/fire-circle-story.html


If you have questions on any of this material, feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your question.


My photo essay to recap this event can be found here
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2013/04/pcwm-granted-permission-to-110.html

#pcwm

Concert time

The Concert for Boston put on by the Dudley House Orchestra and Chorus featured Mozart's Piano Concerto 16 and Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Professor Robert Levin played the piano and was superb.

prepared for Beethoven's 9th

Niece Meghan was in the Violin 1 section. We represented the family contingent for her and enjoy a good dinner and conversation after the concert.

Revs game

My favorite Revs fans all ready for the game on Saturday evening

Carolyn, Dolores, Allison

The Revs played well to win 2-0. This was the video shown in the pre-game ceremonies

Morning bird songs 4/26/13

listen to ‘Morning bird songs 4/26/13’ on Audioboo

orchestra pranks? yes, it can be done

Yes, music in good fun!



Thanks to Carl Weston for sharing this

Job Search Jam Sessions return June 14, 2013

job search jam sessions

The economic outlook still has no prediction on a return to ‘full employment’. Recent Dept of Labor statistics show more than 3 applicants for each posted job and hundreds more dropping off the unemployment count.

This Job Search Jam Sessions event will provide you with help for your job search and explore alternatives like entrepreneurship. Sessions will provide you with the tips and tricks to build your network and explore the use of social media tools.

While many runners train for a long time to start the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, the Job Search Jam Sessions is an event to help you prepare to deal with your job search. “This is an ‘unconference’ for the unemployed and underemployed,” says Steve Sherlock, lead organizer. “The event’s organizers and session facilitators all have experience dealing with the challenges of layoffs and unemployment, and they are enthusiastic about sharing what they’ve learned to help your job search.”

In coordination with the Hopkinton Networking Group, Job Search Jam Session 4 will offer networking opportunities and motivational support for unemployed and under-unemployed workers.  New and recent college graduates are welcome to participate to learn and share the tips and tricks of the job search.

Job Search Jam Session 4 is scheduled for Friday, June 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The location: St. John the Evangelist Parish Center, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton, Mass. The event has the capacity to serve up to two hundred job seekers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and anyone willing to get to Hopkinton.

Persons interested in attending should register at http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com. 

The cost is – $8 per person.  You can pay via credit card or cash at the door. 

Attendees will be asked to check in at the Parish Center on Jun 14, between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.  Coffee, refreshments and snacks will be available for the morning and afternoon break. Lunch will also be served during the conference.  

Proceeds from ticket sales will help defray expenses. Any ‘profit’ will be donated to the Church in return for the use of their facility.

Directions to the St. John the Evangelist Parish Center can be found on the church’s website (http://www.stjohnhopkinton.com).

“Job Search Jam Session participants will be able to acquire dozens of new LinkedIn connections. More importantly, they will share experiences from the job search with their peers, learn what has worked for others, and at the end of the day they’ll return home more informed, more confident and motivated to pursue new opportunities.”

Job Search Jam Sessions Agenda

The event will feature both seminar-like sessions and informal opportunities to network in small groups. Speakers are still being lined up. The agenda will be adapted to reflect the needs and interests of participants. There will be sessions devoted to job interviews, your elevator pitch, and the use of social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Information on specific sessions will be posted to http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com as the schedule is filled in.

from the 'failure bow' to inviting happiness (video)

Let's start the new week by stepping out of 'cringe mode' and open the gate to happiness.

Spend a little over a dozen minutes as Matt Smith tells us about the 'failure bow' and how we can celebrate failure in order to achieve happiness!



Do I see you standing with arms raised and "that dumb ass grin"?

Do I see you applauding someone who has done this?

Not yet... okay. Take it slow but take it!



This was also posted to Franklin Matters.


Thanks to +John Haydon  for sharing this

April showers

The trees are budding. The spring flowers are blooming. All is well. It has been a rough week.

spring flowers

Take some time to smell the blossoms!

morning bird songs - 4/19/13

listen to ‘morning bird songs - 4/19/13’ on Audioboo

A quiet moment

Given the rapidly developing events in the search for the Marathon bombing suspects, we can take a moment or two to reflect on the natural good life around us.

spring flowers

The residents of Watertown, Newtown, Belmont, Cambridge, Alston/Brighton are being asked to stay indoors. Businesses are being asked not to open. No vehicle traffic in or around that area.

Be safe folks!


This was also posted at Franklin Matters
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/a-quiet-moment.html

SOBCon - here I come!

Yes, I will be back in Chicago for the SOBCon conference this May. My buddy Phil Gerbyshak posted an interview with me on why I return to SOBCon each year.

Millennium Park, Chicago

Why do I return?
You can read the details here

The One Fund Boston

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino today announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, the purpose of which is to raise money to help those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during Monday’s Boston Marathon. 

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support by the business community and individuals who are united in their desire to help; The One Fund Boston will act as a central fund to receive much needed financial support,” Governor Patrick said. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”

The One Fund - Boston

According to Mayor Menino, support from the business community was immediate. “Within an hour, I had calls from business leaders and local philanthropists who, like me, were heartbroken by the impact this hideous tragedy has had on individuals, their families, and friends. And they want to do everything they can to help these people physically and psychologically in the future.” 

The cornerstone donation to The One Fund Boston is a $1 million commitment from John Hancock. “John Hancock is honored to contribute to The One Fund Boston, aiding those who were affected by this terrible event,” said Craig Bromley, President. “The Boston Marathon is about courage and resilience and community. John Hancock, which has been headquartered in Boston for more than 150 years, will continue to stand by our city, the people of Boston, our
community partners, the runners, and the Boston Athletic Association as we unite in recovery and in renewal of our commitment to the Boston Marathon.” 

Other individuals and corporations making commitments to The One Fund Boston include Jack Connors, John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, Brian Moynihan, President and CEO of Bank of America, Paul Grogan, President of The Boston Foundation, Steve Pagliuca, Managing Director of Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox, and Mike Sheehan, CEO, and Karen Kaplan, President of Hill Holliday. 

Boston law firm Goodwin Procter has volunteered to organize The One Fund Boston and has applied for 501(c)(3) status. One Fund Boston, Inc. will apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. Although the Fund cannot guarantee that the IRS will make a determination that the organization qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, if approval is received within the expected time frame, the determination will be retroactive to the date of the Fund’s formation, which is April 16, 2013. 

“We are one Boston. We are one community. As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it,” Mayor Menino said. 

To contribute to The One Fund Boston, click on onefundboston.org.

no longer business as usual

Having been in NY when the first World Trade Center bomb went off in 1993, life changed.

further away from Ground Zero on Sept 11, 2001 still changed life.

And now April 15, life changes again.

Changes, yes... goes on, very important!

spring flowers

We were not in Boston although we know many who were. All of us are well. We pray for those who are not well.

Could there be an Incredible Edible Franklin?

Pam Warhurst explains how they started:

We tried to answer this simple question: Can you find a unifying language that cuts across age and income and culture that will help people themselves find a new way of living, see spaces around them differently, think about the resources they use differently, interact differently? Can we find that language? And then, can we replicate those actions? And the answer would appear to be yes, and the language would appear to be food.

Food, ah yes. We all need to eat to live. This TED Talk describes how the community of Todmorden is working to change what they eat and how they eat. The Incredible Edible Todmorden is a story worth replicating.





We have the basics of this underway already in Franklin with the Community Garden. We just need to get more folks involved.

For more information on Todmorden, visit their webpage here
http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/

morning bird songs - Apr 12

listen to ‘morning bird songs - Apr 12’ on Audioboo

SOBCon Chicago 2013

Jane Boyd created this list using List.ly to showcase all the attendees for the upcoming SOBCon Conference in Chicago.

This is part of my personal learning network and a great annual event.

SOBCon Chicago 2013 Attendees

View more lists from Jane Boyd

what do you leave behind?

Businesses tend to open with fanfare, signs, balloons, celebrations... When they go away, they tend to go away quietly.

One local business has apparently gone away. It is spring time and instead of seeing all kinds of plants to take home for the yard and garden, the lot is empty.

what was Peter D's

Which got me to thinking about what we leave behind when we go.. Not that I plan on leaving anytime soon but that is not completely in my control anyway.

What will you leave behind?  An empty lot or???

thoughts from two Roberts

"If you concern yourself only with getting, you will never get enough. 
If you concern yourself only with giving, enough will do."

From Robert Fulghum http://robertfulghum.com/index.php/fulghumweb/entry/3204_provocations/

Little bird -

how do you fit all the morning

into your song

From Robert Brady http://pureland.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-post_9.html

Photo weekend

I did get to compose my listing of 5 songs but the write up of the five stories is taking a bit longer than I thought. Took a nice good walk on Saturday to capture some photos around Franklin. Some I have posted right away, others I'll use as needed.

I updated the cover of the Franklin Matters Facebook page with the 'spring' look. No need to see the snow any longer!   http://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters


I took some photos around the old town pool, the site of the new sculpture park
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-sculpture-park-imagine-future.html


Here are a current set of photos of the new high school
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/construction-progress-new-fhs.html


I got to cook on the grill without getting all bundled up!

spring grilling

What did you do this weekend?

Musical connections

I shared this on the Googe+ PodCamp WesternMass group this morning after finding the link via Facebook. The podcast will be one I'll likely add to my recurring drive time list.

Here is an interesting concept that would be worth exploring. Doesn't need to be done all at once. In fact, as folks do this over time would really help to keep the conversation going in so many ways. 

What is the concept? The Friday Five - started by +Tom Webster he interviews folks who tell of the five songs they have a story to tell about how it came to them or brings them special memories, etc.  

How would we do it here? We can skip the formal interview part and just share the songs (including the Spotify playlist) with the story behind the songs. The conversation around the songs we share would be interesting. we'll likely find some common songs, some common performers, and of course some new ones that while we may not have heard of them before want to explore. 

How does that sound? You can listen to Tom interview the wonderful +Tamsen Webster as she reveals her five. I have my five songs ready and should have the stories behind them later this weekend. 

Here is the link to The Friday Five with Tom Webster and Tamsen Webster
http://thefridayfive.com/blog/2013/4/4/episode-four-tamsen-webster

Bert Jacobs "takers may eat well, but givers sleep well"

"Optimism Can Take You Anywhere" was the title of the presentation and talk that Bert Jacobs gave at Dean College on Thursday evening. This was the 8th in the series by the Dean Leadership Institute. Dr. Paula Rooney thanked the Robert Kraft and the Kraft Group, last year's speaker for helping to make the connection with the Life is Good founder.

Dr Paula Rooney introduction

Bert wasn't going to talk about t-shirts. He was going to talk about how to approach life as an optimist and how that makes a difference. He touted one of the key factors in his own development as having a family dinner. "Half the world's problems would be solved if people sat down regularly to a family dinner." He father had told him he could be part of the problem or part of the solution.

He downplayed the "6:00 news" as really the "6:00 violence report." When you look around there is a whole lot of good in the world. Longevity is up. Wealth is better distributed. There is no active war at this time. Is life perfect, no. But it is not as bad as it is reported to be.

Bert Jacobs at Dean College

He touted persistence. he and his brother had five and a half years of bad ideas before they hit upon a good one. The good one being the first smiling face t-shirt who image eventually got the name "Jake." What told him that had hit on a good idea. That they had sold 48 t-shirts in an hour in Cambridge to 48 different people. They recognized they had found their market with "life is good."

They focused on finding an element of life and celebrating it. He told of his first t-shirt shop on Cape Cod. They were next to an ice cream parlor. The owner called him to order more shirts and asked if "Jake" could be eating ice cream? Sure, why not. Another idea came from a store owner in Vermont who wanted Jake riding a mountain bike. Sure, why not.

Some ideas didn't work as well as others. Oddly, they had trouble with Jake in a wheel chair. Folks were not getting the real 'life is good' message. "Takers may eat well, but givers sleep well." "Life can hurt, but play can heal."

Bert Jacobs at Dean

He told the story of how they developed their Halloween pumpkin celebrations, how they eveloved to focus on sharing their wealth and doing fund raising for kids. Life is Good Playmakers is part of the overall company. He told of their plans to expand their product lines beyond t-shirts. Hallmark is selling life is good cards. Life is good will have coffee come July. He wouldn't reveal their partner in the coffee business.  They are in talks with an auto manufacturer for a Life is good vehicle.

Bert said "authenticity builds business." "The only ones who can build a brand are your customers." Life is good does not do advertising, everything they do is by word of mouth. Satisfied customers telling their friends and spreading the word.

He closed asking the students to find their positive purpose. He said 'life is good' is spreading the power of optimism. He said, "We can't stop the waves, we need to learn to surf."


This was also posted to Franklin Matters

"We" Cycle Times: Viral This Week

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Michael R. Drew" <michael@penduluminaction.com>
Date: Apr 2, 2013 4:32 PM
Subject: "We" Cycle Times: Viral This Week

"WE" CYCLE TIMES GET STARTED CURRENT PROMOTION BLOG CONTACT US

Red Box with 2 Pink Rectangles: The Facebook Profile Pic Sweeping Across Social Media You might have noticed some of your Facebook Friends changing their profile picture over to the last couple of days to something that looks like the image above. Discover what it is and why celebrities and hundreds of thousands of people are adopting it as their Facebook profile picture… Click to Continue Reading >> Crowd-ing: "We" Strategies for Business Success   Human connection. A touch. A glance. Their power is irrefutable. These are things that every human seeks. We are hardwired biologically to reach out and be a part of something greater than ourselves, to have someone see us, really see us. You may be wondering, "I can see how this affects my personal and home life, but how does a need for connection affect my business?" But how does it not affect your business? Read on to learn more… Click to Continue Reading >> "I'm Google" - A Visual Exploration of Google Image Search Discover this online art exhibition by Dina Kelberman that takes seemingly random and mundane photos from Google Image Search and compiles them into such a way that truly conveys an awe-inspiring display of the power of community… Click to Continue Reading >> Fast Fashion - So Last Season? As the "We" cycle progresses, consumers no longer want "fast fashion" - cheap and plentiful clothing with origins that no one asked about, as was the case in the "Me" cycle. Brands are adapting to this change with the introduction of eco-friendly clothing lines. Check out how the red carpet is turning "green"…! Click to Continue Reading >> Staying In Touch With Social Culture Social culture is a trend you need to follow to stay ahead in today's fast moving world of communication. Building a community means you need to use powerful words and images to make people think differently. If you're an active message spreader, it's your duty to do your best to get your message across and communicate with the social culture of now. Discover how… Click to Continue Reading >> Dear Gorilla - I Quit! All is fair in love and photography? Well according to Thomas Hawk it isn't. He and other photographers have taken a stand against Getty Images with its "Me" Cycle ways. See how the drama unfolded… Click to Continue Reading >> Societal Values During The "Me" and "We" cycles of the Pendulum Check out these brilliant images that simply and concisely convey the prevalent social values during each cycle (100% Creative Commons so please share and use freely!) Click to Continue Reading >> Get a FREE Copy of Pendulum NETWORK WITH US 1 year coaching LIVE online trainings with Roy H. Williams Find out more

Did you like this email? Forward it to a friend :-)

If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription options, please Manage Your Subscription
Pendulum In Action, c/o Persona Marketing Corp., Suite 706, 440 - 10816 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary AB, T2J 5N8

morning sounds- Apr 3, 2913

listen to ‘morning sounds- Apr 3, 2913’ on Audioboo

Deja Brew: April Brewsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

510-B Boston Turnpike Rd. Shrewsbury MA 01545 508.842.8991

Deja Brew Brewsletter April 2013  Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my monthly brewsletter. It's greatly appreciated! I like hearing back from you all so please keep it up! Beer is an idea as much as it is a beverage. - Jack Curtain  If you'd like to forward the Brewsletter to a friend, just click on the "Forward to a Friend" button below.    My apologies for missing a couple of Brewsletters.. Time has gotten away from me.  In this issue :: Free Beer or Wine? :: What's New @ Deja Brew? :: Summer Hours - Coming Soon! :: Winefest :: Half Batch Variety Night :: Cooking with Beer! Free Beer or Wine?  You Bet! As many of you know, I'm working as a mortgage consultant for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Westborough MA. If you're looking to purchase a home or refinance, give me a call @ 508-616-1019, or drop me an email @ Ray Schavone . I'll let you know what I can do to help you move forward. If we chose to work together, you'll get a free batch of beer or wine as a closing gift.    Thanks to the folks who reached out to me regarding a refinance or purchase. It looks like we'll be giving away some closing gifts soon. WooHoo! What's New at Deja Brew??? - Keith's got a few new IPAs in process. Stop by & check them out. - IPA's have their own recipe book now! You think we do IPA's?     Summer Hours Soon! Closed Sundays Effective the end of April, we will be closed Sundays until September 15th. So if Sundays are your day, make the best of it this month. Brew early and brew often! Winefest! Wednesday April 24th 2013 @ 6:00 P.M.    White Wines!     Oh yes, in time for the warmer months. There'e nothing like a cool, crisp white wine! Moscato (NEW!), Symphony, Washington Riesling, Greenapple Riesling, Cranberry Pinot Gris, Kiwi Pear Sauvignon Blanc. How's that for a great line up?!?!?! $50 gets you 1 bottle each of 6 different types of wine, with your own label. This event fills up fast! Just give us a call to reserve your spot, 508.842.8991.    Half Batch Variety Night - Monday April 29, 2013 @ 6:PM AKA IPA, Bohemian Pilsner, DAB Dark, Light Irish Stout, Salzburg Dunkelweiss, Bubba Jugs!  A great line up of good beers as we head into Spring!     $80 gets you 6 bottles of each type of beer. Bottle price not included.  Give us a call at 508-842-8991 to get in on the action. It ought to be a fun night! Cooking with Beer Beer Braised Short Ribs - in the Crockpot Ingredients: 3                  Medium Onions - cut into wedges 3 - 3.5 lbs     bone in beef short ribs 1                  bay leaf 12 oz.           Beer - I like darker beers for cooking 2 Tbsp          Brown Sugar 2 Tbsp          Dijon Mustard 2 Tbsp          Tomato paste 2 tsp             Dried Thyme 2 tsp            Beef bullion granules 1 tsp            Salt 1/4 tsp         Pepper 3 Tbsp         All purpose flour 1/2 cup        Cold Water Place onions in a 5 qt slow cooker, add ribs & bay leaf.  In a bowl, combine the beer, brown sugar, mustard, tomato paste, thyme, bullion, salt & pepper. Stir well, pour over meat.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, high 4-5 hours until meat is tender. Remove meat and vegetables to a serving platter, keep warm. Discard bay leaf. Skim fat from cooking juices. transfer juices to a small sauce pan. Bring liquid to a boil. Combine flour & water in a bowl until smooth. Gradually stir into pan ( NO lumps!) Bring to a boil, stir until thickened. Serve with your favorite carbs and vegetables. Thanks for reading this far. I hope you'll enjoy the future Brewsletters.  Please feel free to forward this Brewsletter to your friends, just click on this link, and type in their email;  Forward to a Friend Thanks again, and we hope to be brewing with you soon. Be well, Ray Schavone and the Deja Brew Crew; Donna, Nick, Keith, Joe, Greg and Dave

Forward email Deja Brew | 508-842-8991 | 510-B Boston Turnpike Rd. | Shrewsbury | MA | 01545

Looking for a consultant on a "Drupal6-based collaborative workspace"

Sharing this email to see if someone knows of a consultant who can assist on this project.

Hello Friends, 

I'm using LinkedIn to find quality consultants to bid on a project my organization is spec'ing out. I have not contacted many of you in many years, so please don't be offended if you feel this is kind of spammy, but I thought you might know someone interested in responding to this RFI we have crafted: 

http://library.cee1.org/content/emerging-technology-assessment-catalog-tool-request-information 

I'm facilitating the project for a colleague--I have my hands full. The RFI is a tool we are using instead of an RFP or just diving in and adding this project to my workload with my one existing contract developer. 

So far, the kinds of responses I'm getting are basically: "I'm a smart developer and charge @25/hr; when can we start?" We need someone who will actually read the RFI and respond. 

If you would like to pass this on to trusted people you know--or have feedback for me--I would appreciate that very much!

Thank you!
--Dave Atkins

Here's a more specific and technical commentary from me that frames the project:

The attached Request for Information (RFI) describes our need for a tool that will allow collaborative management of information similar to a shared spreadsheet and be compatible with our Drupal6-based collaborative workspace. We are open to different approaches--whatever works most efficiently with our project--but my preference is to integrate this solution in a way that it can be used for other situations where we need to gather and manage data from multiple organizations who use our workspace.

Our workspace/extranet is a highly-customized Drupal site organized around organic groups with complex permissions. One approach could be to create a new custom content type and then assign the nodes created with this type to the appropriate organic group, so the resulting "document" would only be accessible to other group members. An alternative approach would be to develop a custom php-based application with its own database, then integrate authentication. A third path would be the completely non-integrated solution or some off-the-shelf product that automagically does it all. Because we don't have enough information to choose an architectural path, we developed this RFI. However, you may choose whatever approach you feel most expert in and propose a solution. If we receive multiple similar solutions we will followup with questions to identify the best proposal.

Some things to consider:

• The solution needs to be easy for the end users. They have their own systems containing the data to be uploaded and will not be asked to change or conform their datasets to a standard. We need to give them a one-time data mapping wizard that works for both import and update.
• We do not want to design data entry screens. Users are not going to be asked to copy and paste from the screens of their systems to another system.
• We do expect non-technical end users will perform the initial data mapping or follow a simple procedure such as export to XML, then import with this tool. We need this general approach to avoid having to write custom ETL scripts for every user. We do not have that level of access to the users: we need to give them a finished working tool, not more work.

The budget for this project is somewhat flexible. We don't expect credible solutions for $500, but we also do not view this as enterprise software development. It should be doable in the 1-2 month timeframe following an agile approach where, once engaged, you work with us to test and refine the solution.

PCWM granted permission to 110

Podcamp Western Mass #5 was held appropriately at the Kittredge Center on the campus of Holyoke Community College.

Michael Kittredge, Class of '73 gave back to the place that granted him to permission to accomplish what he did.

"HCC was there and accepted me. It gave me the important start I needed. For the first time in my life, adults not only gave me permission to follow my interests, they actually encouraged me and spurred me to seek excellence."

Kittredge Center

When folks were asked to declare how many had come to PCWM before, about half the room raised their hands. Which also was confirmed when the other half of the room raised their hands acknowledging that they were newbies! Hopefully, they were following in Kittredge's footsteps and PCWM was the event to enable them to "seek excellence!"

Who was Michael Kittredge?
For those in New England they may recognize the Yankee Candle Company. He founded it.

Christmas 1969. Seventeen-year-old Mike Kittredge, too broke to buy his mother a present, melted some crayons to make her a candle. A neighbor saw it and convinced Mike to sell the candle to her. With that small stake, he bought enough wax to make two candles - one for his mom, and another to sell. That was the birth of Yankee Candle.

Was it important to have some teenagers and students present and participate at PodCamp? Sure, it was.
Will they be as successful as Michael? Time will tell!

artfulness

The art piece hanging in the hallway provided an good setting for the session wall. The artfulness dripped down and spread!

Morriss Partee

Morriss Partee opened the event with an overview of the day and the event logistics.

brightness definitely within the room!

The nature of a podcamp or unconference is to create an overall structure within which flexibility, creativity, and serendipity can occur.

session wall

Many such conversations occurred at the session wall. Where are you going next? Oh really, that sounds good. Maybe they could do that together? Do you think they'll cover that? Do you know the speaker?

The community that is developing in and around PodCamp WesternMass I find special. There is an openness, a willingness to explore. It does help to have had the conference grow gradually. The 110 folks who participated this weekend are about the optimal size for an event like this. Enough variety and diversity. A larger group would force more structure into the logistics and take away from the spontaneity this size can facilitate.

My thanks to all the participants, fellow organizers and of course, especially to the sponsors: you came together learning, sharing and creating a great event!


Links and additional information on my session for Blogging 101 will be are posted separately
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2013/03/pcwm-blogging-101.html