Great, funny 97-second video. “Are you a Republican suffering from memory Loss? Try… SUPOENAS!”
Category: Tech
community application of technology for public benefit
Facebook: the next generation
I think Facebook‘s new platform allowing developers to create applications within their system is going to push them over the top and make them THE place to be, at least for the next couple of years.
Here’s a full list of available third-party applications: http://apps.f8.facebook.com/apps
If you’ve been waiting, now’s a great time to friend me in Facebook (you don’t have to be a student to join any more).
Update: My public profile link doesn’t seem to work, end their badge won’t display. So please just look me up by hand. There aren’t many Sinreiches in there…
reCAPTCHA
From the Good Idea deartment: stop spam and digitize books in one swell foop!
reCAPTCHA improves the process of digitizing books by sending words that cannot be read by computers to the Web in the form of CAPTCHAs for humans to decipher. More specifically, each word that cannot be read correctly by OCR is placed on an image and used as a CAPTCHA.
Thanks, Corey!
Widgets for change
In honor of the launch of Change.org’s new political actions tools and of the fact that I am going the be the “project champion” for the Genocide Intervention Network next week at NetSquared, here’s a widget that brings them both together.
The Genocide Intervention Network envisions a world in which the global community is willing and able to protect civilians from genocide and mass atrocities. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide.
More on both subjects later. Right now, I have a job to do (for 3 more days)!
Why nonprofit web sites suck
Saw this on local Craig’s List today:
The Office/Membership Administrator is a member of the fundraising and communications teams and provides support to the Associate Director, Director of Development, and Director of Public Relations for all membership, communications, and outreach functions. Primary responsibilities include maintaining Raiser’s Edge donor database, coordinating large fundraising mailings, designing and updating website, and designing newsletters, publications and various printed and promotional materials, and organizing large meetings.
Qualifications: Computer proficiency especially Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office, Acrobat, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver; attention to detail; ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines; ability to work independently and in project teams; positive attitude and energy; teamwork spirit; background in public relations and communications’ strategies a plus. Minimum of 2-year degree required.
Send cover letter and resume by June 15, 2007.
So either they have enough money for a full time Director of Public Relations (who apparently doesn’t know jack about the Internet), but not for a qualified designer, or they think there is some correlation between being good at administrative work and being good at print and online design. Hmmm…
But… some of my best friends are white!
Today I moderated the session on “Is cyberspace colorblind?” at PDF. It was pretty challenging, which I think it probably should be when we get into such important and difficult topics. A certain amount of respectful conflict can be very productive. I was was frustrated but not surprised at some of the white, male “A-list” bloggers who tried to undermine us or make it about them, but I feel like we managed to keep it on track and enlightening. I really wanted to have more dialog with the audience but there was nowhere near enough time.
It was an immense honor for me to share the stage with four incredibly smart people,a nd I learned a lot from all of their comments. I’m looking forward to seeing what Cheryl, Chris, Anil, and Liza have to say about the session on their blogs. Plus we will be continuing the conversation at the PDF unconference tomorrow.
The political cluetrain
Wow. Please read (and sign) Liza Sabater‘s fabulous manifesto on People Powered Politics, based on the seminal Cluetrain Manifesto.
It starts…
Online Constituencies…
Networked political constituencies are beginning to self-organize faster than the governments and political organizations that have traditionally served them. Thanks to the web, constituencies are becoming better informed, smarter, and more demanding of qualities missing from most political organizations.…People of Earth
The sky is open to the stars. Clouds roll over us night and day. Oceans rise and fall. Whatever you may have heard, this is our world, our place to be. Whatever you’ve been told, our flags fly free. Our heart goes on forever. People of Earth, remember.
– The Cluetrain Manifesto for People Powered Politics | culturekitchen
A brave new world
Here’s a quick note to share some big news. I am leaving my job at Netcentric Campaigns, and am on the hunt for new adventures (after I take a short break to reset my brain and go to Netsquared)!
A lot of friends and colleagues have suggested that I should go back to freelance consulting, but I’m leaning more toward an organizational setting where I can be a part of a supportive and stable community. Right now, I could be convinced to do either if it was for the right opportunity.
So what would make an opportunity “right” for me? I hope to spend more time contemplating this to ensure that I land in the right place, but here’s what I know I need:
- Collaborative organizational structure supported by democratic management.
- Openness to innovation at the strategic and technological levels.
- Ability to telecommute and/or be based in central North Carolina. Frequent travel is fine, however.
- Passion for what I’m doing. There are many, many things I care deeply and get excited about including… making government more democratic, ending the war, promoting women’s rights and leadership, getting progressives and/or bloggers involved in local government, electing non-Republicans, amplifying otherwise-excluded voices… of course the list could go on and on.
I am watching NOI jobs, nonprofit tech jobs, and Craig’s List, and I have a promising job interview (!) tomorrow. But I also want to know what else might be out there in the wide world of Advocacy 2.0. There is also this little campaign nearby, should I be thinking about that?
Off to PDF
These days, folks interested in how the Internet is affecting politics have more than one conference to choose from. My pick for the very best in this increasingly crowded field is the Personal Democracy Forum. The web site and annual conference were founded by Micah Sifry and Andrew Rasiej several years ago.
My only major complaint about the conference has been that it’s too short (only one day), and that it’s overly focused on folks with famous names. Fortunately, this year PDF is also having an unConference, the perfect antidote to my concerns. I’ll be there talking about local blogging and who knows what else.
They’re also using a snazzy system that allows participants to make their own profiles, write reviews of sessions, and build networks with each other (of course). For example, here’s my profile. I’ll be moderating a very challenging, but hopefully also very mind-opening, session called “Is Cyberspace Colorblind? Addressing Race and Class Online.”
Follow the PDF2007 tag to see what emerges.
Slam dunk for Bill Richardson
Bill Richardson‘s new campaign ads (below and on YouTube, natch) are both funny and enjoyable to watch, and effective at communicating his qualifications to be President. But the best thing about them is they are authentic. You get exposed to his personal sense of humor, and feel like you are in on the joke with him.
Bonus link: Richardson wants to know what you think of the ads.