January 21st, 2008
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At least 100 of you think Friday is a good day for an UnConference. We heartily agree.
This week, let’s throw up on the site your thoughts, dreams, anticipations for the big day.
Email me whatcha got to: betsy.yates@gmail.com.
Keep in mind this is a family show. Usually.
January 18th, 2008
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Specifically, NEXT Friday, January 25th.
We’ll get started at around 9 a.m. at Armstrong Center on Savannah’s Southside, the rough-and-tough side of Savannah. Can you HANDLE the Southside? I think you can. And I think you can bring friends. Lots of friends. Friends with opinions and laptops. Or just opinions. Or just laptops. Whatever!
Everything is free, including Wi-fi (thanks, Armstrong Center!) so you can cattily IM your buddies throughout the day. We know what you’re doing behind those laptop lids.
Register by clicking here.
So which sessions do y’all want to attend, based on the list of conversation starters?
This is your invitation to post comments as though you’re reading this blog.
January 18th, 2008
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Here’s the list of folks who graciously agreed to kick off conversations next Friday at the UnConference…
Conversation Starters for BlogSavannah Un-Conference ‘08
5-minute intro of UnConference ’08, then Josh Hallett
Burton Sauls, bigbonton.org
9 to 10am Main Opening Discussion: “The Conversation”
Josh Hallett, hyku.com
Breakout Sessions
10 – 11 a.m.
1. Video Blogging – John Rife, findingjohn.com
2. GPS-ing – Marvin Heery, xceler8concepts.com
3. Blogging and life – Orlando Montoya, orlandomontoya.com
11 a.m. – Noon
1. Podcasting / Social Music
Phil Sellers, citytrex.com
Patrick Rogers, pressplaypublicity.com
2. Working Mommy Bloggers
April Groves, aprilgroves.com
Ginger Heidel, gummibunny.com
3. Legal Issues: Copyrights, privacy, blogging about work
Attorney Joe Steffen
4. Social Media Tools
Judson Collier, judsoncollier.com
Jeff “Huey” Huelsbeck, smackdabstudios.com
2 – 3 p.m.
1. Writing with authority to influence: bloggers tackling issues in Savannah
Scott Larson, savannahnow.com/unfiltered
2. PR/Business: case studies from 2007
Marjorie Young, Carriage Trade PR, carriagetradepr.com
Running a better product blog, Dave Couston, extraface.com
3. Social Media’s reach outside the techie community
Dr. Karen Arms, Savannahgarden.net, chathamdems.com
Sherry Heyl empoweringconcepts.net
3 – 4 p.m. – Wrap-up, recognition of local bloggers, networking
January 16th, 2008
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There are urban myths that GPS accuracy is a problem in Savannah – the Spanish Moss and all!
Well come get demystified and see why GPS devices are HOT these days. Xmas sales were GREAT on these devices – for gifts for others and as personal acquisitions – we all need to give ourselves gifts too, eh?
This BlogSavannah UnConference ‘08 session on GPSing in Savannah will be tailored to the blogging world too – how can we blog in a real-time, location aware sense. Why do people care about blogging about where they are? We’ll do photos too – what’s this thing called geocoding, how do we do it?)
Is GPSing just for tourists? Or can we locals have some fun (and make some money) using it?
Why is everybody adding maps, GPS and directions to their phones? How is this “Where am I?” thing really working? Satellites only? Why is Google doing the MyLocation thing?
Come to this breakout session to learn the answers!
BTW – GPSing is all about points on a map – who does maps these days? Who are the “players”? Come see how anybody can use maps to get added value for their own needs. Get YOUR content on these maps!
What was happening at CES 2008 anyway? Why did HP distribute a press kit with a HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion in it? Was there overkill on GPS? Are there too many GPS devices to choose from? Is the market crowded? How does the consumer make an intelligent choice? We can talk about all that too if we get bored!
Marvin Heery
xceler8concepts.com
January 14th, 2008
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I’ve learnt a lot while running web sites for 12 years–for Tootsy Tours an athlete, and a political party. But I’d never done anything webwise for my own entertainment, except share a few photos of family gatherings.
Then I had a ‘Eureka’ moment last year. The Chatham Dems web site became a blog some time ago, leading to much blood, sweat, and tears from wallowing in CSS and PHP. I realized that I had learned enough about blogging platform WordPress to be able to throw up my own blog in a nanosecond! (Well, a couple of days.) So Savannah Garden Diary was born and I unwittingly fell into the warm embrace of the gardening bloggers.
This has been a rewarding ride. I’m going to a Garden Bloggers Spring Fling in Austin in April to meet the gardens and gardeners I have come to know on the web, and I’ve been invited to lead a session at the BlogSavannah ‘08 UnConference on January 25.
My role is geezer geek. Leading a conversation on wrinkly blogs. I’m not sure this actually merits a breakout session. There are a bazillion wrinkly bloggers, and lots of us were at the UnConference last year, but it should be a load of fun!
Karen Arms
Savannahgarden.net
January 13th, 2008
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I started blogging early 2007 as a way to promote business. I met Chris Cree, connected with other bloggers, got giddy when I realized I was having lunch with Anne Hart, and I added the moniker “Blogger” to my list of “Who I Am.” It turned into far more than a business practice and melded into my lifestyle.
Crazy stuff keeps happening to me throughout this interesting reality that is the blogosphere. Not the least of which was the invitation to facilitate a session at the BlogSavannah ‘08 UnConference. See, I belong to a group of bloggers who are wildly popular and incredibly interesting - mommy bloggers who work their butts off every day to maintain a career, take care of their families and connect and engage others through their thoughts. We do it and we are good at it.
Unfortunately, because we are so busy wiping noses, butts, and whiteboards, we rarely have time to get together and collaborate new ideas. The UnConference changes that. One Friday, during daycare hours - call in sick and reschedule appointments.
Hey, if nothing else, you might get a free t-shirt.
- April Groves
aprilgroves.com/beautifulchaos
January 10th, 2008
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Kudos to the 55 folks who have registered (free of charge!) to attend BlogSavannah’s UnConference ‘08.
For the rest of you… clicky, clicky. You know who you are. Stop hedging.
Savannah Morning News has generously offered to T-shirt the backs of the first 150 people to walk through the door on the 25th. You know you want one. See you at Armstrong Center at 9!
January 9th, 2008
3 Comments
Some of you may remember me. I guess in some ways I am the one responsible for this whole blogsavannah thing. I have to be honest. I never expected a second UnCon. In fact, I never expected blogsavannah to even get any screen time across the lowcountry. But I guess there was a need. To this day I am not sure what that need may have been or what it is now. I know for me blogsavannah was a way to air the dirty laundry of Savannah, talk about the local politics, reveal the truths heard in the line at S’bucks, brag on our cultural events, complain about our lack of (fill in the blank), etc. But most of all blogsavannah was a place for me to bring together a group of unique individuals - all with unique voices - to sound off on what keeps us in this love/hate affair with Savannah. Many times I posted because I had to….or at least I felt like I had to. Many times I posted because I wanted to. I had something to say and I knew that the Lowcountry would listen. But of all that nothing meant more to me than the actual UnCon. I can still remember how I felt when I walked into my bedroom and told my wife we had seen the 100th registration. It seemed like I had done something. It wasn’t me though. I only put together a little site that played host to lots of others. The UnCon last year was a success only because people showed up. Yeah, there are things I wish were better. Yes, I was frustrated at times. But to finally put a face with some of my favorite voices….it was unbelievable. So it is with great delight and anticipation that I am now on board and ready to be at the 2nd UnCon.
I don’t have a blog anymore. I don’t feel like I have much to say. I am taking the year to live life rather than write about it. That doesn’t make my voice any less important though. I guess you can call me a vicarious blogger. I now go and do the things each of you talk about, write about and brag about it. And I couldn’t be happier.
So, having said all that, I look forward to seeing each of you on the 25th. It is going to be an awesome day with a a lot of great information. So, until then, keep speaking up and speaking out!
Drew.
Andrew Odom
drew@anotherkindofdrew.com
Skype: andrewodom
IM: dodomCHAT
January 3rd, 2008
2 Comments
It started with a spark of snark back in 2007 under Drew’s leadership with inspiration from Josh.
Then there was that whole CrowdVine incident last month. And now, look how you’ve grown!
And look at all the stuff y’all wanna talk about. We’re stoked.
Let’s blow the roof off this mother. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for BlogSavannah UnConference ‘08 here. Tell your friends. If he won’t go, ask a stranger. Just kidding. We know you have more than one friend.
Admittedly, we’re not following the letter of the law as it applies to UnConferences. But we’ve got a respectable list of conversation starters to keep it real.
Won’t you help us keep it real?
December 27th, 2007
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Mark your calendars - the BlogSavannah UnConference is back for 2008. This year we’ll be at Armstrong Atlantic State University’s new Center for Professional & Continuing Education on Friday, January 25th.
Breakout session topics include:
We’re looking for input on session topics and volunteers interested in leading them. Sign up today on our registration page. The event is FREE to the public, of course.
Watch this space for more info. We’re looking forward to seeing you on the last Friday in January.
