For this workshop the OpenSpace Pune website will be taken up and as an exercise and as a project and in the four days we will learn quick and effective ways of using free and open source software to address the needs of a network based organization like OpenSpace. Tools for networking, discussion, mass-action, advocacy and activism will be explored. Enthusiastic workshop participants will have the opportunity to continue an engagement (with a stipend and other benefits) with OpenSpace for the technology projects.
Invitation:
We have ten spots and are looking at a mix of people with a technical and non-technical background. Some expectations from both kinds of applicants are listed below:
A) Technical applicants:
* Knowledge of PHP, HTML and CSS
* Some experience with working with templating languages like Smarty
* Some awareness of Content Management Systems like Drupal and their applications in the non-profit world
B) Non-technical applicants:
* Curiosity about technology and the Internet
* Familiarity with the Internet, social-networking websites, mobiles. Ideally the applicant will have active profiles in most of the major web 2.0 platforms (youtube, facebook, orkut, twitter).
* Enthusiasm about picking up new skills and practicing them. There will be a LOT of help available.
So, if your profile either matches A or B, do apply! This workshop will attempt a good mix of geeky and non-geeky fun.
Outline:
DAY 1: Starting
* Presentation of case-studies, examples and some ideas
* Introduction to terms, terminology and technologies
* Basic skills and staring at code
DAY 2: What to do?
* Taking up the OpenSpace website
* Looking at other web-sites in a similar space
* Making a feature and development roadmap
* Talking about interfaces
* Dividing tasks and roles
DAY 3: Doing
* Working on our exercise project
DAY 4: Reaching a mile-stone and planning ahead
* Taking the work on the OpenSpace website to a milestone defined in the roadmap.
Resource Person:
The workshop will be facilitated by Prayas Abhinav. Prayas lives in Bangalore, India. He has an interest in re-vitalizing and re-imagining urban spaces. Through his work he explores how public spaces can be utilised for cultural and civic uses. Employing social networks and low-fi technologies to connect communities and resources is often one of his approaches. He has been part of efforts to seed open content movements in India and in 2007 helped launching the Creative Commons India licenses.
He has presented his projects and proposals at 48c: Public Art Ecology (08), Urban Climate Camp, ISEA (08), Urban Typhoon, Koliwada (08), Sensory Urbanism, Glasgow (08), First Monday, Chicago (06), The Paris Accord, Paris (06), Public Service Broadcasting Trust (06), Sarai (05).
Apply:
To apply email Renu Iyer at renu @ openspaceindia.org with the following information:
* Profile (A or B, if A all the relevant details)
* Brief introduction and your CV
* Interests and how the workshop can help you explore them
* Essentials (phone-number, address...)
Certificates of participation will be given to participants on successful completion of the workshop.
Candidates will be shortlisted to the workshop on a first-come-first-served-basis-only!
Address: Open Space, B-301, 2nd Floor, Kanchanjunga Bldg, Kanchan Lane, Off Law College Road, Near Krishna Dining Hall, Pune 411 004 Tel Nos: 020 25457371, 30222156
The Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS) is a social change resource centre working to strengthen civil society by researching and disseminating information and analysis on issues related to sustainable development, social justice and human rights, and building the capacity of citizens to institute social change. CCDS manages the civil society and youth outreach programme called Open Space in Pune (www.openspaceindia.org) and seven other cities, and manages InfoChange News & Features (www.infochangeindia.org), India’s leading online resource base on social justice and development issues.
http://www.openspaceindia.org/June09_events_act.html
