It's time for the mother of all #NPtech conferences, NTEN's Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in Washington, DC, this week from March 23-25. I attended for the first time in 2007, and since my employer has seen fit to send me back annually since then, #17NTC will be my 11th trip to this particular conference.Thinking back to my first time at the NTC, I remember being in a state of ecstasy and overwhelm for much of the event. So many like-minded people! So many exhibitors! So many breakout … [Read more...] about A First-Timer’s Guide to Enjoying the Nonprofit Technology Conference
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Writing and Drawing by Hand vs. Typing on a Keyboard
As I sought inspiration for this week's post, my eye went to the stuff on my desk at home. Besides my electronic stuff (PC, iPhone, iPad), I realized I have a remarkable number of items that are non-digital: journal, drawing journal, sketchpad, adult coloring books and regular notebooks. I also thought back to a phone call I had earlier this week with our Salesforce implementer during which I semi-apologized that I'm drawing screenshots for him by hand. (Additionally, I still wireframe my … [Read more...] about Writing and Drawing by Hand vs. Typing on a Keyboard
My Current List of Favorite WordPress Plugins
About This List In a previous post, I discussed how to evaluate WordPress plugins and mentioned I would post a list of my favorite plugins. Here it is. This list changes as I find new/better/different plugins, so this is current as of February 2017.Do you have a favorite WordPress plugin not on my list? Send me a tweet or email!Disclaimer: I am unable to make guarantees about plugins on this list because I am not the plugin author. Always back up your website before making changes (you … [Read more...] about My Current List of Favorite WordPress Plugins
An introvert’s advice on overcoming your fear of public speaking
Our Number One Fear Public speaking is, according to West Coast Toastmasters, the number one fear Americans have. Our fear of public speaking is apparently even greater than our fear of death!I do a lot of public speaking as part of my job. I teach maybe a dozen non-credit workshops at the Bayer Center each year, give breakout sessions at conferences, participate in panel discussions and facilitate meetings regularly. You probably think I'm some kind of extrovert that enjoys being in the … [Read more...] about An introvert’s advice on overcoming your fear of public speaking
Evaluating WordPress Plugins
Someone recently asked me this question during a WordPress clinic: "How do I know if a WordPress plugin is a good one to use?" An excellent question, though the answer is a little less straightforward than I'd prefer.WordPress is an open source community and as such, anyone who wants to create a plugin can do so. WordPress.org maintains a plugin directory but the guidelines for submission are primarily centered on licensing and keeping people from doing illegal things via plugins.One would … [Read more...] about Evaluating WordPress Plugins