9:46:43 AM: morning unconference sessions starting #wcnyc

9:55:22 AM: in session on consulting opportunities w/ non-profits & using WP as CMS #wcnyc

9:59:46 AM: American Association of Independent Music http://is.gd/4Vz4y @loudfeed #wcnyc

10:03:22 AM: RT @loudfeed: Announcing Music Label Plugin http://bit.ly/1swgas @ #WordCampNYC easy WordPress site generator for #loudfeed music content

10:05:14 AM: no impact project http://is.gd/4VzhU #wcnyc

10:12:13 AM: wordpress simple tags plugin http://is.gd/4VzpU #wcnyc

10:25:37 AM: wordpress geo mashup plugin http://is.gd/4VzIA #wcnyc

10:29:23 AM: wordpress front-end editor plugin http://is.gd/4VzQv #wcnyc

10:30:58 AM: vernal creative http://is.gd/4VzSL #wcnyc

10:31:06 AM: loudfeed http://is.gd/4VzTH #wcnyc

10:44:44 AM: second unconference session: buddypress #wcnyc

10:45:21 AM: buddypress example: buglenotes.com #wcnyc

10:47:48 AM: sabre plugin: http://is.gd/4VAki Simple Anti Bot Registration Engine #wcnyc

10:56:01 AM: Buddypress events plugin: bp-events http://is.gd/4VAAv #wcnyc

10:59:02 AM: auto group join plugin http://is.gd/4VAGd #wcnyc

11:11:47 AM: common sense: don’t use buddypress on shared hosting #wcnyc

1:14:18 PM: ready for afternoon #wcnyc sessions

1:18:09 PM: #wcnyc sponsor cacoo (user friendly online drawing tool) looks really useful http://is.gd/4VEo4

1:21:26 PM: italic smile theme http://italicsmile.com/ #wcnyc

1:36:21 PM: badge grab plugin http://is.gd/4VELS #wcnyc

1:39:16 PM: wp manage plugins http://is.gd/4VEQm #wcnyc

1:46:47 PM: conversation starter plugin http://is.gd/4VEZ5 #wcnyc

2:08:09 PM: ignite-style presentations starting. @apeatling up first, demonstrating buddypress #wcnyc

2:24:13 PM: NetBeans, IDEs & faster programming for WordPress (slides) http://is.gd/4VFPP #wcnyc

2:52:39 PM: hyperlocal journalism w/ buddypress @turkeymonkey #wcnyc

2:55:48 PM: example of hyperlocal journalism: InJersey.com #wcnyc

3:05:24 PM: i need to try out elastic theme’s drag & drop editor http://elastictheme.org/ #wcnyc

3:12:25 PM: some good tips to secure your WP install by @williamsba #wcnyc

3:15:55 PM: i’m not sure i get the point of having a 3rd party commenting system like Intense Debate instead of just using built-in WP comments #wcnyc

3:39:15 PM: I’m a ~really lazy blogger so I should probably try Press This bookmarklet #wcnyc

3:42:46 PM: when you need more than just a spell checker, use After the Deadline plugin #wcnyc

3:57:58 PM: fangirls @courtneyengle & @christinerobyn RT @jeckman: http://twitpic.com/po4t2 – Matt holding court at #wcnyc

4:27:27 PM: preview of new wordpress 2.9 features @markjaquith #wcnyc

4:30:20 PM: new features: image editing, post/page thumbnails, trash bin, comment metadata, media embeds #wcnyc

4:33:58 PM: hoping for early December release of WordPress 2.9 @markjaquith #wcnyc

4:36:36 PM: Q&A by @photomatt #wcnyc

5:11:21 PM: RT @TechLaw_Elman: #wcnyc WordPress used to be for a blog to which a site would link. Now the whole site is designed in WordPress.

5:25:09 PM: RT @aldenta: Open source is like “an Amish barn raising” (via @photomatt at #wcnyc)

5:32:58 PM: RT @ryancduff: Anil Dash of MovableTypa asking questions at #wcnyc interesting…

5:51:52 PM: RT @CourtneyEngle: the net is about our own personalization. filters more important to @photomatt than real-time. #wcnyc

7:30:04 AM: headed to WordCamp NYC #wcnyc w/ @lowercaseink

9:00:47 AM: wordcampnyc #wcnyc getting started.

9:09:02 AM: my #wcnyc nametag ripped already

9:12:09 AM: http://twitpic.com/phecz – cute swag bags #wcnyc

9:14:30 AM: excited to learn about buddypress. @LisaSabinWilson starting her session. #wcnyc

9:19:21 AM: buddypress is not ‘facebook in a box’ – fb is global community, bp is a niche community that you build @LisaSabinWilson #wcnyc

9:32:08 AM: bbpress forums come pre-installed w/ buddypress @LisaSabinWilson #wcnyc

9:39:15 AM: buddypress comes pre-installed w/ widgets that can be used site-wide @LisaSabinWilson #wcnyc

9:43:29 AM: examples of buddypress: WeEarth.com – NourishNetwork.com (foodie community) @LisaSabinWilson #wcnyc

9:53:07 AM: buddypress for dummies book coming out in feb ‘10 @LisaSabinWilson #wcnyc

9:58:24 AM: buddypress roadmap of upcoming features: http://is.gd/4URvC @apeatling #wcnyc

10:17:53 AM: Feeding your Family with WordPress Development @markjaquith #wcnyc

10:26:04 AM: RT @williamsba: Watching @markjaquith talk about WordPress consulting http://twitpic.com/phm6b #wcnyc

10:27:03 AM: find a WP consulting niche & own that niche @markjaquith #wcnyc

10:30:45 AM: don’t sell yourself short, don’t be afraid to ask for more $$ @markjaquith #wcnyc

10:37:29 AM: pick projects that excite you @markjaquith #wcnyc

10:39:21 AM: become involved w/ WP community. release free plugins &/or themes. @markjaquith #wcnyc

10:44:51 AM: improve your prospects by sharpening your buddypress, bbpress skills, then look for next new thing & get on board early. @markjaquith #wcnyc

11:14:30 PM: Complex Content Management with @PodsCMS Plugin @scottkclark #wcnyc

11:17:53 PM: i wanted to see this too but there are too many overlapping sessions. RT @alinwagnerlahmy: I missed the Intranets CMS w/ WP session. #wcnyc

11:23:29 PM: http://twitpic.com/phudq – @scottkclark starting @podscms session w/ song #wcnyc

11:26:48 PM: example of site using @podscms: ExactEvents.com @scottkclark #wcnyc

11:32:03 PM: i checked out @podscms a few months ago & have been wanting to find project to use it with. @scottkclark demonstrating how to use it. #wcnyc

11:34:45 PM: using @podscms will be more convenient than all the extensive custom field development i have done in the past. #wcnyc

11:51:43 PM: my head is exploding w/ all of the features that @podscms has & what i can build w/ it. #wcnyc

1:30:36 PM: Writing Secure Plugins session starting w/ WP lead developer @markjaquith #wcnyc

1:32:21 PM: glad to see i’m not the only female in this advanced development session. #wcnyc

1:54:00 PM: i hope slides of @markjaquith ’s session are available later. he’s going through a lot of great functions to increase security. #wcnyc

2:11:03 PM: these plugin security tips apply to themes as well. @markjaquith #wcnyc

2:17:36 PM: WP data validation (codex article) – input & output sanitation. http://is.gd/4UZaE @markjaquith #wcnyc

2:33:14 PM: Building a Better Search: Development of a WordPress Search API @justinshreve #wcnyc

2:48:58 PM: i’m definitely going to look into the WP search API. better searching has been a much needed feature. #wcnyc

2:50:51 PM: Elastic demo. @drylk #wcnyc

3:32:58 PM: elastic looks really great, but i was only interested in a short demo & it just kept going on endlessly. #wcnyc

3:33:44 PM: finally made it to the jquery session. @jimdoran #wcnyc

3:41:24 PM: jquery custom corners http://is.gd/4V1N4 @jimdoran #wcnyc

4:09:45 PM: i missed most of this jquery session & will have to check out the slides later. #wcnyc

4:21:06 PM: Advanced Theming Case Studies: P2 and Duotone. noel jackson #wcnyc

4:21:55 PM: let’s never call another theme “premium” again. #wcnyc

4:22:42 PM: if you call your theme premium, it’d better come w/ a flux capacitor #wcnyc

4:40:57 PM: live demo of P2 theme v1.1 http://is.gd/4V40F #wcnyc

5:07:08 PM: WordPress Zen: Better Approaches to WordPress Dev Environments #wcnyc

5:17:44 PM: learning how to manage wordpress installs w/ SVN. @beaulebens #wcnyc

5:19:43 PM: textmate’s find in project search looks really helpful. #wcnyc

5:21:01 PM: wordpress hooks database http://is.gd/4V5v4 @beaulebens #wcnyc

9:05:30 AM: at #cposc – another conference where i can count the amount of female attendees on one hand

9:20:53 AM: first session getting started: the business of open source licensing @ringmaster #cposc
9:29:08 AM: I blogged about: Central PA Open Source Conference 2009 http://prvt.st/f

9:33:14 AM: types of licenses: free & open vs. proprietary @ringmaster #cposc

9:41:46 AM: .@ringmaster explaining the phrase “free as in puppies” (total cost of ownership) #cposc

9:46:43 AM: total cost of ownership, factors: purchase price, service, equipment, compliance, vulnerabilities, upgrade @ringmaster #cposc

9:58:26 AM: .@ringmaster Google Web Server = web server software that Google uses for their web infrastructure (wikipedia) http://is.gd/4nIQc #cposc

10:24:13 AM: not a huge fan of drupal, maybe @pearcec will change my mind? #cposc

10:26:10 AM: wonder which app does this? RT @dmclain55: Brian, who’s giving this talk, is using his iPhone to control the slides.. neato! #cposc

10:42:24 AM: multisite feature of drupal seems useful. wonder how it compares to wpmu? @pearcec #cposc

10:52:34 AM: will have to try this out later. RT @dmclain55: Air mouse is reaally cool Win & Mac only looks like, but fun #cposc

11:06:36 AM: i guess this drupal session was not really meant for beginners #cposc

11:23:25 AM: MySQL performance tuning for non-DBAs @tom_clark #cposc

11:28:52 AM: there is no one size fits all (or even most) MySQL configuration @tom_clark #cposc

12:00:16 PM: MySQLTuner: script for MySQL optimization http://is.gd/4nP7g @tom_clark #cposc

1:11:27 PM: starting why you’ll love python @shawnmilo #cposc

1:55:07 PM: going to learn more about virtualbox #cposc

3:03:36 PM: learning about scratch from michael badger #cposc

3:24:31 PM: wish i had scratch programming in school when i was a kid. we only had logo turtles. #cposc

3:27:46 PM: michael badger demonstrating picoboard w/ scratch http://picocricket.com/ #cposc

3:46:53 PM: last session of the day: contributing to open source projects @pleia2 #cposc

3:47:58 PM: ways to contribute: programming, testing, documentation @pleia2 #cposc

3:51:30 PM: i won a door prize at #cposc i chose: official ubuntu book.

3:56:32 PM: more ways to get involved w/ open source projects: design, community (answer forum questions, local groups) @pleia2 #cposc

4:00:15 PM: @jrock2004 hope you didn’t leave #cposc early bcuz you won a door prize

4:09:03 PM: stereotype of open source contributors: hackers in their basement w/ pizza & mountain dew. LOL! @pleia2 #cposc

10:05:23 AM: in the panel discussion about content management systems #pcpgh4

10:12:48 AM: go to cmsmatrix.org for info about CMS #pcpgh4

10:16:37 AM: i’ve only ever been a user, but i hate blackboard too #pcpgh4

10:31:03 AM: wordpress might only have 5 built-in roles, but you can actually create your own custom roles & capabilities #pcpgh4

10:40:28 AM: scribefire: firefox extension to easily update your blog #pcpgh4

10:45:17 AM: go to opensourcecms.com to demo open source content management systems #pcpgh4

10:46:45 AM: difficult to move your users and info from ning to somewhere else #pcpgh4

11:05:08 AM: in panel for Promoting Music Through Social Media #pcpgh4

11:12:40 AM: most important social media sites to use: rss, facebook, twitter, youtube linkedin, digg @waltribeiro #pcpgh4

11:13:12 AM: pick a few social media sites & build authentic community @waltribeiro #pcpgh4

11:18:59 AM: build audience organically thru in real life events, shows, tweetups, etc. @waltribeiro #pcpgh4

11:20:04 AM: the money is in the archives @waltribeiro #pcpgh4

11:29:10 AM: i’m not sure that i agree with @waltribeiro about having advertising & sponsorships on a band’s site #pcpgh4

1:04:24 PM: Smarter Media: Semantics in user- generated content session starting #pcpgh4

1:08:03 PM: linkeddata.org “Linked Data is about using the Web to connect related data that wasn’t previously linked” #pcpgh4

1:28:41 PM: Freebase.com is an open database of the world’s information #pcpgh4

1:32:42 PM: semantic web tools/resources: zemanta, open calais, twine (bookmark), peer 39 (advertising), bing (search) @bueda #pcpgh4

1:51:01 PM: CommonTag.org is an open tagging format developed to make content more connected, discoverable & engaging @bueda #pcpgh4

2:01:27 PM: Keyword Research/Tools in Social Media session w/ @searchcircus #pcpgh4

2:03:58 PM: notes available at: organicsemseo.com @searchcircus #pcpgh4

3:00:03 PM: getting ready to leave #pcpgh4 & head home

9:11:00 AM: checked in, got some swag, ate part of a family-sized muffin, found @dahcheet now waiting for keynote to begin #pcpgh4

9:45:12 AM: PodCamp Pittsburgh is streaming live online via @alphalab company Vivo! Go to podcamppittsburgh.com and the click the big button! #pcpgh4

9:54:49 AM: someone referred to this as ‘geeksmas’ LOL #pcpgh4

10:03:21 AM: first session starting: “lifecasting in the new media world” #pcpgh4

10:17:03 AM: 32,000yrs of social media history: cave paintings -> cuneiform -> smoke signals -> photos -> phone -> film/radio/tv @tomguarriello #pcpgh4

10:19:33 AM: social media started by specialists, shifted to amateurs, aided by portable devices @tomguarriello #pcpgh4

10:32:36 AM: hope vid is avail later so i can watch: RT @dferrari: Learning about functional plug-ins for wordpress by @carmanavenue & @woycheck #pcpgh4

10:41:16 AM: in whatever medium you use, be: likeable, engaging, surprising, emotional, efficient, storyteller, persuasive @tomguariello #pcpgh4

10:44:15 AM: me too! RT @KathleenLD: Dear Followers: I’m sorry, but I will be tweeting up a storm this weekend, due to Podcamp Pittsburgh.

11:00:49 AM: “The Remix, The Mashup, & Understanding Creative Commons” session starting @robjdlc #pcpgh

11:08:48 AM: always enjoy when presenters incorporate music in their sessions @robjdlc #pcpgh4

11:13:14 AM: now watching an extreme mashup of audio/video: Kutiman – thruyou.com @robjdlc #pcpgh4

11:22:35 AM: different @creativecommons licenses being reviewed @robjdlc #pcpgh4

12:10:20 PM: playing w/ my yo-yo. that is not a euphemism. we got them in our #pcpgh4 swag bags

1:00:49 PM: sitting in the session on screencasting @jlknott #pcpgh4

1:09:29 PM: jing project http://is.gd/4cdbO free screencasting software @jlknott #pcpgh4

1:12:11 PM: i’m a word nerd so i love that @jlknott is using wordles instead of bland bullet points #pcpgh4

1:21:26 PM: @jlknott i want to win something! #camtasiamac #pcpgh4

2:03:12 PM: i hope this modcloth session is good because i don’t think i could easily leave if i wanted to #pcpgh4

2:59:42 PM: didn’t learn anything new from @ModCloth session, but at least i got @ICHCheezburger tote #pcpgh4

3:01:19 PM: now starting: old media vs. new media @MiaAAquino #pcpgh4

3:03:20 PM: loved the snacks from @TheGoodieTruck #pcpgh4

3:27:51 PM: moved over to “Shutting Down Your Blog” session #pcpgh4

• PodCamp Pittsburgh 4
• Central PA Open Source Conference
• Get Motivated Seminar
• WordCamp NYC (tentative confirmed!)

I’m always looking for a good concert or something fun to do so if you have any suggestions just let me know.

Crafts made from repurposed materials

A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to gather my craft supplies again to make some repurposed, handcrafted items for The HodgePodgery, a new shop in midtown Harrisburg. If you want to see what I have been working on, just stop by the shop when you are in the neighborhood, or check out Repurposability, my new tumblelog.

In keeping with this blog’s recurring technology theme, it is worth noting that I met @HodgePodgery’s co-owner, Dawn, at a Tweetup a few months ago. This is more evidence that it is really worthwhile to seek out and find your bee people.

WordPress Harrisburg

Last week a new tech group in Central PA met for the first time. The group is for WordPress enthusiasts and is organized by Ryan Duff. WordPress Harrisburg is for WordPress users of all levels, from novice to expert.

If you live in Central Pennsylvania and develop for, design for, just use, or are thinking of switching to Wordpress, we’d love to see you there. Its a great place to network with other Wordpress users, especially if you’re looking for local project partners.

The group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Attendance for the first meetup was small, but that is to be expected for any new group. ABC was a little noisy and not entirely conducive to a tech meetup, so plans are still pending for the next meetup location.

In the meantime, get in touch with Ryan if you have any questions or comments about the group. He’s also looking for a someone to design a logo for the WordPress Harrisburg site.

To help spread the word about the group, I’ve created a WordPress Harrisburg badge which you can include on your site or blog. Here is the copy and paste code:
<a href="http://wordpressharrisburg.com/"><img src="WordPress-Harrisburg-Badge-125x125.png" alt="WordPress Harrisburg"></a>

Don’t forget to save the image to your own server and update the path to the badge in the img tag.

I was considered one of the experts at my last job when it came to anything involving computers. Most of my coworkers were capable of only the basics. I was often called a genius when I unjammed the printer without having to call the IT department, or fixed a major problem by simply rebooting the computer. If I mentioned anything involving social media or social networking, I would usually get a lot of blank stares. Occasionally someone would be interested, but mostly because they thought I was just telling a fascinating sci-fi story.

Although it was sometimes flattering to be considered so cutting edge among my peers, most of the time I just laughed to myself and rolled my eyes behind their backs. Later, I started to grit my teeth in annoyance. Eventually, it was one of the main reasons that I walked out the door for good.

I mentioned to my fellow tech event attendees that I have felt like the bee girl in Blind Melon’s video for their song, “No Rain.” I’ve been doing a song and dance for a crowd that doesn’t have a clue. After getting involved with local tweetups and meetups, and regional events such as WordCamp, I think I have finally found my Bee People.

Watch the video below or Read No Rain lyrics.

5:45:01 AM: Up unusually early for a Saturday. Going out to meet up w/ @CourtneyEngle then headed down to Balto for #wordcampmidatl

8:41:41 AM: #wordcampmidatl getting started @technosailer doing intro

8:45:32 AM: we need co-working space in hbg #wordpressmidatl

8:46:17 AM: social dev camp sounds interesting #wordpressmidatl

8:51:51 AM: personal branding is about producing value #wordcampmidatl

8:54:51 AM: oops, i was using the wrong hashtag #wordcampmidatl

8:58:40 AM: keynote by anil dash – he’s originally from pa #wordcampmidatl

9:07:48 AM: liveblog working http://tr.im/lwdt twitter liveblog plugin + @cotweet tweet scheduling FTW #wordcampmidatl

9:21:39 AM: RT @technosailor: #wordcampmidatl is trending on Twitter. Score!

9:33:14 AM: @anildash keynote finished ahead of schedule, now taking questions #wordcampmidatl

9:34:48 AM: six apart plugins for wordpress http://sixapart.com/wordpress/ #wordcampmidatl

9:52:28 AM: helped out @CourtneyEngle with registration, didn’t have time to grab coffee or muffins #wordcampmidatl

10:01:11 AM: chris hopkinson giving a lightning talk #wordcampmidatl

10:08:21 AM: @technosailor speaking about making it into the big leagues #wordcampmidatl

10:09:31 AM: challenges facing bloggers: marketing, message, brand @technosailer at #wordcampmidatl

10:12:36 AM: only 10% are repeat blog visitors #wordcampmidatl

10:15:36 AM: readers don’t care about you, but what you can give them, give readers what they want #wordcampmidatl

10:17:47 AM: looks like @technosailor is being recorded #wordcampmidatl

10:34:36 AM: once you know what you’re about, then you can understand where you need to be #wordcampmidatl

10:44:22 AM: for making it into the big leagues, focus on a theme @technosailor #wordcampmidatl

11:03:04 AM: jared goralnick getting ready to speak on becoming a balanced blogger #wordcampmidatl

11:11:54 AM: need to check out marsedit2 and ecto for blogging – wysiwyg editors for mac #wordcampmidatl

11:18:59 AM: any breakout groups on plugin development? #wordcampmidatl

11:40:13 AM: @pattichan enjoying the ignite talks #wordcampmidatl

1:31:19 PM: “if you’re not interested in what i’m saying, solve a math equation” @bryanl lol #wordcampmidatl

1:35:21 PM: me too RT @jacobburke: Learning about Photoblogging from @marcbenton at #wordcampmidatl

2:04:34 PM: using twitter liveblog wordpress plugin http://tr.im/lx43 to liveblog #wordcampmidatl http://tr.im/lx4l

2:19:12 PM: @marcbenton took a photo during his presentation. #wordcampmidatl i’m in the front row. http://tr.im/lx6r

2:28:24 PM: tag team lightning talk #wordcampmidatl

2:34:26 PM: next up: extending the blog beyond the blog, dan zarrella #wordcampmidatl

2:49:37 PM: will have to go back & watch @danzarella’s presentation again. he’s going ~really fast. #wordcampmidatl

2:57:23 PM: RT @timstahmer: Interesting question: could aggregating material from social media sites be a copyright violation? #wordcampmidatl

3:26:23 PM: lee boot: art can save the world @ignitebaltimore #wordcampmidatl

3:29:27 PM: culture is the garden of behavior #wordcampmidatl

3:31:30 PM: math is language of science, art is language of culture #wordcampmidatl

3:35:07 PM: second keynote by @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:42:49 PM: over 5.2 million downloads of wordpress 2.7 @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:44:05 PM: thanks to matt thomas & @janeforshort for new WP design @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:45:52 PM: full screen editing, get rid of all of distractions and just write @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:48:43 PM: improved widget management & theme installer in wordpress 2.8 @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:50:12 PM: so far at least 3 presenters have used lolcats in their slides #wordcampmidatl

3:51:51 PM: wish there were wordpress mu and buddypress presentations today #wordcampmidatl

3:53:35 PM: buddypress – BYOTS bring your own terms of service @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:55:38 PM: great educational resources: wordpress.tv & wordcamps @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

3:56:36 PM: @markjaquith talking about targeted wordcamps like @wordcamped #wordcampmidatl

4:03:23 PM: RT @caseysoftware: #wordcampmidatl attendees can rate presentations here – http://joind.in/event/view/43

4:16:18 PM: wordpress.com is an openid provider, use to log on to other sites that support openid @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

4:24:22 PM: subpage listing plugin http://tr.im/lxxs @markjaquith #wordcampmidatl

4:25:23 PM: closing remarks by @technosailor #wordcampmidatl

4:29:20 PM: had a great day at #wordcampmidatl can’t wait for the next one

4:30:33 PM: @CourtneyEngle maybe we should have a WordCamp Central PA at some point?

8:59:21 PM: got back a while ago from #wordcampmidatl it was a long day, but a lot of fun