Spring is a time for new beginnings, and it’s right around the corner. So why not take some time this week to expand your professional horizons and check out a tech event that’s slightly out of your comfort zone? There are several interesting events happening this week in Washington, DC, ranging in focus from how clean technologies can help the developing world to how you can design for the semantic web to how sms technologies can be used for public health outreach. With warmer weather (hopefully) on the horizon, you better work now so you won’t feel guilty sneaking out for happy hour on the patio of your favorite watering hole when spring finally does hit the city.
Here are a few of the tech events we hope to catch this week. You can see a full listing of the week’s happenings at DC Tech Events.
Tuesday, March 17
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Going Green in the Developing World: Climate Change, Clean Tech, and Development: The new administration has made it clear that it will invest in alternative energy sources to combat climate change, but what implications will this have beyond our borders? Can investments in clean technologies lead to social and economic growth in developing countries? This discussion will examine what the greening process means and how policy, investment, and innovations can help make going green in the developing world a reality.
6:00 – 8:00 pm
“Drupal Go Bragh! ":http://yeatonpartners03-09.eventbrite.com/: The NOVA Drupal community is gathering in Teq Corner to network and talk Drupal. This event is specifically targeted to government workers and people curious about Drupal.
Wednesday, March 18
7:00 pm
Dumbing It Up: Explaining Web Site Management to Senior Leadership: In most organizations, it’s common knowledge that a compelling website is one of the keys to its success, but then why is it still hard for many web teams and initiatives to get adequate funding? The Web Mavens will take on this problem and describe strategies that can be used to get more funding for your web projects.
Thursday, March 19
12:30 – 2:00 pm
On the Digital Divide’s Frontlines: Empowering Grassroots NGOs through Mobile Technology: Mobile phone access is skyrocketing in the developing world, and so is the technology’s importance as a communications tool. In this event, Ken Banks will talk about the FrontlineSMS messaging framework, which allows organizations on the ground in developing countries to send and receive text messages between large numbers of people. Alex Ngalande will talk about how Malawi’s Saint Gabriel’s Hospital uses the tool for patient tracking, testing promotion, and HIV/AIDS support.
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Video Strategy for Advocacy: Video can be an extremely powerful medium, and many people and organizations have put it to use to bring about real change for the causes they support. How can you do the same? This talk will look at the strategies behind creating powerful videos that advocate for change.
7:00 – 9:00 pm
User Interfaces for the Semantic Web: Want to learn more about the semantic web, where’s it’s currently at, and how you can design with it in mind to improve user interfaces and design concepts? Come out to this talk led by Design for Context, a local usability design firm.
See you out this week!