[Editor's Note: I recently learned of two more free resources to learn programming (Python and Java) and have updated the list below with links to the tutorials.] There are several kinds of web developers: Front-end - people who develop the parts of a website with which the user interacts Back-end - people who develop the parts running a site behind the scenes Full-stack - people who can develop on both the front and back ends of a website I've been building websites for around 18 years … [Read more...] about Free Resources to Learn Web Development Programming Languages
Nonprofit Technology
A First-Timer’s Guide to Enjoying the Nonprofit Technology Conference
The Nonprofit Technology Network puts on an amazing annual conference called the Nonprofit Technology Conference, or NTC for short. Generally held in spring, the conference is held in various cities throughout the United States, typically alternating between east coast, west coast, and the heartland so everyone has a chance at attending at some point with easier travel. 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 … [Read more...] about A First-Timer’s Guide to Enjoying the Nonprofit Technology Conference
Recent WordPress updates & why you should always update your website ASAP
An interesting thing happened this month that I can't recall ever seeing before. WordPress released a new version of its software, and then the very next day, released another update. Version 4.9.3 fixed 34 vulnerabilities in the software. Version 4.9.4 fixed the WordPress automatic update feature that broke for many sites after 4.9.3 was installed. I thought about all the nonprofits I've ever met who fail to update WordPress regularly and decided to write this post. About automatic … [Read more...] about Recent WordPress updates & why you should always update your website ASAP
What the Tech? Awesome Tools for Managing Your Capacity Building Practice
Why the tech heck am I writing this post? Last week, I gave a breakout session at the Alliance for Nonprofit Management's 2017 Capacity Builders Conference. My co-presenter, Keith Timko (Executive Director/CEO of the Support Center) and I presented "What the Tech? Awesome Tools for Managing Your Capacity Building Practice." Designed for nonprofit consultants and capacity builders, the tools we discussed can also be useful for small business owners and start-ups. We promised to share all the … [Read more...] about What the Tech? Awesome Tools for Managing Your Capacity Building Practice
5 Things to Look for When Hiring a Technology Consultant
A sizable part of a my job at the Bayer Center was providing technology consulting services for nonprofits. However, once in a while we did an in-house project where we needed to hire an outside consultant to do some technical work, and sometimes I got to project manage it. At one point, we hired a Salesforce implementer and I got to thinking about the traits that are the highest on my list when hiring a consultant (and that I try to emulate when I do consulting): Technical chops. This is a … [Read more...] about 5 Things to Look for When Hiring a Technology Consultant