Things have been hectic on my end, but I would like to have a meeting next Wednesday, 20 October, at 6:30pm at my house. Wednesday because I have been told that Tuesday conflicts with some other activities for some people.
This time, instead of talking about pros and cons and whys of Drupal, I would like to either deal with a real issue someone has, or create an actual View, with perhaps two displays, a page and a block for instance. My intent with the group is to have actual demonstrations, actual "how-tos" and problem solving meetings. So if you have something specific you would like to solve/demo/see done, please let me know.
There is a chance that my grand daughter to be might arrive before Wednesday, if so, I will let everyone know and I will have to reschedule because I will then be in San Diego :)
Our free Wednesday night Drupal clinics are now from 6pm to 10pm. Free wi-fi, coffee, tea and help with your Drupal, WordPress and Video questions. Drop-ins are welcome.
We're still recovering from all the fun last week and plan to host this week's clinic poolside at the Ojai Digital Dojo.
Time: 7pm - 9pm PST Date: Every Wednesday Location: Varies, but usually at people's homes, pizza parlors or the Ojai Digital Dojo.
Everyone is welcome at these drop-in clinics. If you have questions about Drupal, jQuery, mySQL, PHP, Apache, GNU/Linux and web site building in general, this is a great place to get some 1-on-1 time with someone who can help you find the answers. If you're an 'expert', stop on by and help someone out.
Free water, ice, oranges, coffee and tea. Pizza, burgers, mexican food and organic market just a few blocks down the street.
Our good friends Jay and Ryanne of RyanIsHungry and ShowInABox are traveling to Thailand for a videoblogging project. They are the folks who got us started with Drupal back when Ourmedia.org was Drupal 4.6. Since then, they have been using Drupal for several projects, including Homestead.com, which is an ArrayShift distribution, which provides the basis for a 'clone' of the well-known StackOverflow Question & Answer site. They would like some help with (1) video, (2) notifications and (3) theming the site.
Always fun and motivating, they are planning to stop in Los-Angeles this week on their way eastward and so what a better excuse than to take the clinic on the road down to, where they are staying with videoblogger friends Steve & Zadi who just moved to Santa Monica. Also, West LA and Santa Monica are my old stomping grounds as a young boy and teen and so I'm always delighted to find an excuse to visit there.
So the agenda is set: arrayshift enhancements. For the moment, we are planning to meet at the Coffee Connection.
The Drupal Clinic is now every Wednesday night! Meeting locations vary from people's homes to local pizza joints. Bring your Drupal and general web-site questions. Newbies welcome. Experts are welcome to come and answer questions for others.
This week's Ventura Drupal Help Clinic will be at Papa Lennon's pizza in Meiners Oaks.
This is actually what is known as 'Meiners Oaks' area of the Ojai Valley.
Free wi-fi, coffee, tea, kitchen access if you want to brown bag it. We can also send out for Pizza. There are organic market, burgers, Mexican food, etc within a few blocks if you want to pick something up.
No presentations on Wednesdays, just a small group of folks helping each other with Drupal questions.
Aimed mainly at newbies, but open to anyone with questions or anyone willing to help others find answers to their questions.
Flickr photo licensed cc-by-nc-nd thanks to deadstar
UPDATE: we have about 4 seats open for this small workshop. Please contact Markus Sandy @ 805-798-0436, or skype msandy for reservations. This workshop is suitable for beginning level Drupal users who have some experience with using Drupal and building websites.
UPDATE 2: Local chef Brian Shae Sveniker has graciously agreed to cater this event. This means that we can offer a gourmet vegan alternative to the usual BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs, which of course we'll also have on hand. Watch for a post on his great menu. Please note the date change from the original posting.
The vloggers are having a VloggerCue, so what the heck! Let's have a DrupalQue. :)
A DrupalQue is two slices of lean Drupal learning, wrapped around a Bar-B-Que. So let's all queue up for some Drupal learning fun on Saturday, June 26th. It's lean, because each session is about one a specific aspect of Drupal.
For our first Que, we'll be giving a brief introduction to using the Views module in the morning session. The afternoon session will be about theming views.
These sessions are aimed at people who want help getting up to speed on specific topics, The first session is aimed at beginners and assumes no specific prerequisites, but you should know what Views is basically for and have a goal in mind for using it. The second session, builds off of the first and assumes a basic understanding of CSS and HTML in addition to a basic understanding of Drupal views, types, displays, settings and uses as explained in the first session. Note that we will not be covering the use of too many views plugins unless specific requests received in time to add that plugin information to the session handouts. Sessions are designed to encourage participant questions on specific uses.
Here is an outline for each session:
Morning Session - Introduction to Using Drupal Views Example views. Finding and using existing views. Creating views. View types. View displays. View and Basic settings. Page, block, feed and attachment settings. Fields. Sorting criteria. Arguments, filters and relationships. Additional display and style plugins.
Afternoon Session - Theming Views Blocks, pages, feeds and attachments. CSS styles common to various views display styles. How CSS and HTML change with view setting changes. Theming information and theme template files. Quick theming aids and tools. Brief tour: Using Skinr, panels and 960 grid-based themes.
THESE ARE SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS WITH GENERALLY NO MORE THAN 8 PARTICIPANTS. SPACE IS LIMITED.
YOU MUST HAVE A CONFIRMED RESERVATION TO ATTEND SESSIONS.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL AND CAN ATTEND BOTH WORKSHOPS.
WALK-INS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THESE WORKSHOPS (please come to one of our open Wed night events instead).
PARTICIPANTS SHOULD HAVE A WI-FI EQUIPPED LAPTOP OR NET-BOOK COMPUTER TO USE DURING WORKSHOP (we may be able to provide a limited number of workstations for participant use if prior arrangements are made).
The first session is from 10:00am - noon. Lunch/BBQ/Swim is from noon - 1pm. The afternoon session is from 1-3pm.
At the same time. there will also be a meeting of the unofficial Drupal widows and orphans group. This group has nothing to do with style sheets and intends to join in on the bar-b-que, but otherwise intends to just relax, hang around the pool, take nature walks, visit Ojai shops, swim, get a massage or partake of the treats and libations offered at the Ojai Dojo Guest House next door while session participants geek out. Dog friendly. Less so for kids.
Notes:
Swimming is at your own risk. Clothing is optional. Minors must be supervised by an adult guardian with the understanding that this is an adult oriented event with alcohol present (e.g., we might all have a beer with lunch, jump in the spa and start telling racy Drupal stories).
Smoking is allowed outside on the decks. Please do not smoke in the Dojo, house or offices. Please watch your butts :)
Please feel free to bring food and beverages, especially if you have special needs. Sharing is encouraged. Kitchen available.
Please park on the street outside the gate. Dog friendly with both open and gated areas
Please be respectful of neighboring orchards and ask before picking. There's plenty, but not all ours.
Certified massage therapists available with prior arrangement (for your partner foo! you get Drupal!)
Overnight lodging or camping available. Campers must supply their own gear or make prior arrangements.
Drupal Workgroup and Clinic Starting up in Ventura
We're starting a Drupal Study Group in Ventura. Last night was the first meeting at Chief's Pizza in Ventura.
At first, I thought it would be more convenient for folks if we tried to hold meetings closer to the main parts of town or nearer to the freeways. To my surprise, the first meeting was attended by people from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, as well as Ventura and the location did not really seem to help or matter to people.
It was a small group, but we quickly ate up the 2 hour meeting time discussing and working on solutions to specific questions that we had about our day to day use of Drupal. We pretty much just opened our laptops, moved some benches to make for better viewing and jumped in on specific questions. Here is a summary of our main discussion points.
* Installing multiple Drupal sites under OSX, using MAMP. This turned out not to be a discussion of Drupal multi-sites,but more about simple Drupal configuration issues in settings.php. Also mentioned how etc/hosts and Apache configuration files can make this easier.
* Discussion of specific theming challenges associated with the Nice Menus module. In particular, we discussed how certain CSS selectors effected menus made from <ul> and <li> elements. Also discussed related id's css classes and selectors, such as .menuparent and #block-nice_menus-1
* Turning on built in web developer tools in Safari to examine Nice Menu html and CSS.
* CSS selector weighting and matching and how it applies to Drupal theming, especially sub-menus.
* Discussed use of jQuery Cycle plugin and corresponding Views Cycle module with Views in order to create a 'slider' like one that a participant had seen on an existing site.
The participants made it clear that what they want is basic help. They feel that Drupal Camps and regional meetups are great fun, but that many of the discussions and presentations are either way over their heads or not something they can directly apply to their own Drupal sites at this time. They appreciate those events, but are also looking for something more basic and practical.
We plan to hold bi-weekly meetings of a 'clinic' nature; one where you come in and get help on specific questions and work on your own projects and exercises.
One thing I noticed is that the Pizza parlor was a nice place to meet, but not an ideal working and learning environment like the Dojo is. Wifi, no sports/TV's, more space, projector, etc all make for a nicer workspace. Also, it looks like being in central Ventura is not that big of a convenience and that Ojai is not that far out of the way for many.
So we plan to hold future work group, or clinic if you prefer, meetings in people's homes or at the Ojai Digital Dojo (which is part of our home). In the spirit of the Drupal Dojo, we will open our homes and dojos to small groups who wish to improve their Drupal skills. I've emailed one of the Drupal Dojo organizers and they are supportive of our goals. We plan to post future event notices in the Drupal Dojo group and here on the Ojai Digital Dojo blog.
Image from Drupal Dojo group at groups.drupal.org
All are welcome, but these clinics are aimed at addressing specific questions, with an emphasis on helping 'beginners'. Please leave a comment or send us an email to let us know you are coming.
For Digital Dojo located events, directions are in the sidebar (be sure you come to the 963 West El Roblar address, not the mailing address on Ojai Ave). Also, If folks are hungry, there are pizza, burgers, BBQ and several Mexican food takeout, plus an organic market within a few blocks of the Digital Dojo and people are free to come by during the 6-7pm hour to work on their own or eat pot luck. Pizza can be delivered. Kitchen facilities are available. We have filtered water, teas, coffees and various jucies and sodas. You are always welcome to squeeze all the fresh orange juice you like.
There is no cost for these workgroup meetings, although it would be nice if you chip in a few bucks towards any food or drinks if you can't contribute to pot luck.
For more information or to set up your own private digital dojo learning session, please contact Markus Sandy at 805-798-0436 or via markus.sandy@gmail.com.
We will also be announcing some Drupal learning events coming this summer. The first will be a Views intro and theming class on June 19th. Stay tuned for more info.
Super Happy Vlog House next weekend Saturday, Feb 7, 2009
Flickr slideshow of pictures from past Super Happy Vlog Houses.
What's a vlog house? It's a place where people geek out over audio & video, software, poetry, music, story-telling, television, web sites, new media and technology in general. We get together to share and learn, to have fun, to take a walk, get things done and break bread.
Our third Super Happy Vlog House is set for the weekend of February 7, 2009. Official time is from 2pm - 11pm Saturday, but folks are welcome to camp over Friday or Saturday. We have some extra rooms, beds, couches, floor space, RV parking and tent space. Rooms and camping space is limited, so please RSVP in the comments or send an email to markus dot sandy at gmail dot com.
UPDATE: out-doors campers please note that current weather forecasts are for rain Thursday, Friday and possibly into the weekend.
While the event is very free form, we do have a few activities planned. These include:
* Welcome: 2pm-2:15 - Welcome to old friends and new comers. Introductions. Orientation.
* Session: Planning for your next social media site. Saturday 2:15pm-4pm. This session is aimed at people who are starting a new Drupal project, whether it be your first or not. More than a demo of media-related modules, this is a facilitated group discussion around best practices, tools and services for building a new-media based web site or social network. Topics include: design considerations, platform features and choices, hosting services, out-sourcing, DIY, team-building, project planning, estimating resource requirements and costs. This session is intended for content creators and project managers, as well as developers. The emphasis is on project planning.
* Worldwide Videoblogging Video Conference. Saturday 3pm-5pm. Topics include: new media trends in 2009, sheer curation and public access television. Come say hello to vloggers around the world and join in on the often lively conversations with other creatives, geeks, amatures and pros.
* Media Walk in the Ventura Nature Preserve. Saturday, 4pm-6pm. Let's see if we can capture one of those famous Ojai Pink Moments. This is a easy to moderate walk. There is one small hill. The nature preserve is 1 block from the digital dojo. Bring your walking shoes and camera. Note: current weather prediction is for rain on Thurs/Fri and possibly into the weekend. So bring your all weather gear too :)
* Interview Challenge:Saturday, 4pm-6pm. Let's take the NMI Interview Challenge - see http://newmediainterchange.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/new-media-challenge-002-interview/ may be best option if it's raining to hard to go outside :) Improve your interviewing skills. Tell a story and post it to the web. Learn how to 'mic' someone with a remote Lavaliere. Use a shotgun mic. Shot the video,
* Video Sharing and Screenings - Saturday, 8pm-10pm, Share your favorite new vlogs and sites. Special premier of Andrew Davis' new Internet Archive mashup and music videos. Have you made or found something you'd like to share? Please bring your favorite urls, thumb drives or DVDs.
* Help clinic and open lab - Saturday, 2pm-11pm - Come and talk or work with others. Get and give help. Join a Q&A session. Bring your laptop, camera, recorders, etc and some friendly person will help you get where you want to go. Want to set up a blog, vlog or podcast? Need some help sweetening that audio? Want to become a better photographer? Need help with web compression? Need Drupal, WordPress or Blogger help? Youtube, Archive,org, blip,tv, Vimeo? Got something cool to show and tell? Come and hang out with us while we help each other out. Free wifi available. Play with our cameras and gadgets or show off yours. If you're new to all this, this is a great place to drop in and find out what's going on.
* Pot-luck Dinner - Saturday 6pm-8pm - Bring something if you can, but don't worry if you can't. BYOB.
* Self-Organizing Workshops and Discussions - We have several rooms and outdoor areas where people can organize around topics of interest. Whiteboards, large display monitors, LCD projector & screen, and PA equipment available for workshop use.
Please come and join us. Stay all day or just an hour. Stop by and say hi or stay the weekend. RSVP's are great for helping us plan, so leave a comment or sign up on the wiki. This is a free event. Dinner is potluck; bring something or toss a few coins in the kitty if you can. BYOB. Lots of water, coffee, tea and fresh squeezed orange juice available.
Notes: Dog friendly environment. Pool, spa and showers available for general use. Mature content and frank discussions are common and may not be suitable for all ages. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages may be available to adults.
We had a nice Drupal meetup in Santa Barbara tonight. A few of us started out at the Goleta Sushi House and then moseyed over to the Java Station, both on Hollister Ave. Attendees included chris (christefano), lee, jason, joe, felicia, joe (artlung), jim, owen (grugnog2) and myself (markus). Topics included introductions, current projects and interests, wysiwyg editing, drupal 5 vs drupal 6 and finding drupal developers. A fun time and free wi-fi were had by all :)
The Ojai Digital Dojo is a place where we hold free meet-ups and events related to social media, video blogging, podcasting, PEG access television, Drupal, WordPress and other technologies and tools that enable digital storytelling.
Click here for more information about the Ojai Digital Dojo.
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