Archive for September 2012

Building Better Communities Through Broadband

Building Better Communities Through Broadband
You’ve probably read the news – Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has announced the Chicago Broadband Challenge, encouraging citizens to get involved in helping establish city-wide online access, and you probably have one question on your minds…. Why should I bother – or care? Here’s the reason why – the Chicago Broadband Challenge is a really great... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 28, 2012 at 10:58 am • 

For Your Reading Pleasure

For Your Reading Pleasure
This past Monday, I worked (and attended) Heartland Mobile Council’s MobiU2012 Summit – there was a great deal of information provided, and I’ll be writing about one of the sessions in the next week. In that spirit, I’m going to provide some really great articles that I’ve come across on the web. These links describe... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 26, 2012 at 8:42 am • 

Website Revolution Coming in November

Website Revolution Coming in November
I read about this on a Facebook site, and received an e-mail from Mark at the Nerdery. Either way, I intended to write about this event…because it’s a revolution that everyone can join. For many non-profits and community organizations, the most basic weapon in engaging online is a website.  However, building an excellent website takes... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 24, 2012 at 3:30 am • 
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Linking Bacon Numbers and Board Members

Linking Bacon Numbers and Board Members
Two important news items relating to online networking were announced this past week – the first is that Google now allows you search for degrees of separation between any actor and Kevin Bacon. (For the record, my Bacon number is 2 – I was an extra in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro, who starred in... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 19, 2012 at 4:46 am • 

Socially Mobile: Upcoming Events of Interest

Many of us lead a very active lifestyle, and increasingly, we’re using mobile devices like iPads, smartphones, and other tech for online access. (Non-profits and social good organizations are also increasing their activity via mobile) There’s an event next week focusing on mobile tech that I’ll be participating in (and volunteering for) which I would... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 17, 2012 at 1:27 am • 

A Striking Education in Open Source Software

A Striking Education in Open Source Software
Admittedly, I’m a big fan of our local library system – I grew up making semi-regular walks down Archer Avenue to the Brighton Park branch from my grandmother’s house. I also visit my local branch when I need to do some “remote” working….and check out some books. So I was very heartened – and proud... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 14, 2012 at 3:53 am • 
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Taking Stock of THE MISSION MYTH

Taking Stock of THE MISSION MYTH
(Note: several pieces of this review were taken from a recent post I wrote for Chicago Now’s Job Stalker blog).  Like many others in Chicago, I am a “consultant” to non-profits and small businesses. Unlike many of my non-profit-oriented colleagues, I don’t take an “anything goes” approach, nor do I see an agency’s mission-driven philosophy any different... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 12, 2012 at 2:07 am • 

Meet Your Neighbor - Imagine Englewood If....

Meet Your Neighbor - Imagine Englewood If....
Sometimes – just sometimes – you end up finding a worthy treasure without really looking for it. I’m no stranger to Englewood – it’s a neighborhood that’s a short bus ride away from home, and I’ve done a bit of work with one organization as part of my freelance work with non-profits. (They’ve also been highlighted in... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 10, 2012 at 2:09 am • 

The Final Frontier: Making Data Matter Locally

The Final Frontier: Making Data Matter Locally
Sometimes – just sometimes – there are people working in web development who do it right. One of the big challenges about merging tech and social good is making open data easily accessible and readable. Very few of us (myself included) are able to create web interfaces that allow us to digest information. But much... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 7, 2012 at 7:29 am • 
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Networking Offline and Online

Networking Offline and Online
I have to admit, I’m a late bloomer when it comes to networking – thankfully, though, several people in my youth (and in middle-age) helped remind me about the power of making connections…. …but sometimes, the non-profit world sees “networking” as a synonym of “schmoozing”. Or somehow, that “online engagement” simply means “posting pictures of... Read more »
By Gordon Dymowski,
September 5, 2012 at 12:26 pm •