Why Firefox?

Image via CrunchBase

Event: Why Firefox? at Rossmoor Computer Club

Date: Monday, June 15th at 9:30 am-11:00 am.

Venue: Rossmoor Community Center, Monroe, NJ

Abstract: Firefox is an open source web browser. I’ll be discussing the benefits of its features such as personal bookmarks and history, security & privacy, customization, productivity, search, tabs, universal access, performance, standards, and help.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_140fk96htch

Commentary and notes:

Unconference: Pres4Lib 2009

Pres4Lib logo block, designed by John LeMasney

Title: Pres4Lib

Location: Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ

Date: June 12th, 2009, 9 am-5 pm

Description: An Unconference for Library Presenters and Speakers

URL: http://pres4lib.pbworks.com/

Involvement: Designed logo, co-developed materials, helped with planning and execution. Moderated sessions on Creative Commons images and presentation structure and gave a lightning talk on using Picasa.  Got second place in a Battle Decks competition.

(Lightning Talk on Picasa)

(BattleDecks: Bring it on!)

Unconference: HigherEdCamp 2009

Image via Wikipedia

Title: HigherEdCamp Philly 2009

Location: Huntsman Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Date: June 6th, 2009

Description: Connecting communities involved with higher education technology.

URL: http://higheredcamp.ning.com/

Involvement: Led part of a discussion on free tools in higher education and demonstrated Moodle.

Graphic Design Best Practices

Image via Wikipedia

Event: Infolink presents Graphic Design Best Practices

Date: Thursday, June 4, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Venue: Clark Public Library, Clark, NJ

Abstract: In this workshop on the basics of visual design best practices, we’ll examine examples and counterexamples of great design, the basics of layout, simplified color theory, rules for fonts and legibility, images and photographs, designing stamps vs pages vs slideshows vs billboards, copyright and creative commons, and free and open source design tools (photo manipulation, illustration, layout, catalogs, and quick editors).

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_392dptxfwfp

Commentary and notes:

Collaborative Work Environments at NJLBH

Image via Wikipedia

Event: Collaborative Work Environments for NJ State Library Staff Development Day

Date: May 20th, 2009

Venue: New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped

Abstract: Technology Tools for Workplace Collaboration. In this 1 hour presentation, we will look at a wealth of technology tools for working together on projects, even though we might not be in the same room, building, or county. Videoconferencing, whiteboarding, document collaboration, and groupware will all be discussed, and applications for workers will be suggested.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_131crgw63gh

Commentary and notes:

Dean’s Advisory Committee: Social Networking

Image via CrunchBase

Event: A introduction to Social Networks for the Dean’s Advisory Committee.

Date: May 14th. 2009, 9 am

Venue: Martin Room, Westminster Choir College

Abstract: A discussion with the Dean’s Advisory Committee about how organizations such as Westminster Choir College can begin to leverage the communicative power of social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr, while avoiding pitfalls such as awkward use, spamming, or overtweeting.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_127dmpb3khq

Commentary and notes:

Many thanks for sharing this and leading an excellent discussion. – John F. Kelsey

Rider University: Using Smartboards

Event: Using Smartboards

Date: May 12th, 2009 at 9 am.

Venue: Rider University, Memorial 205

Abstract: Smartboards are new to Rider University, but a mainstay in primary schools. Teacher Education will gather to learn about what smartboards are, how they can best be used in the classroom, and become familiar with the interface, tools, and applications that make Smartboards a great device for teaching and learning.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?docid=dckfm9fw_279d4s2g5fm&hl=en

Commentary and notes:

Thank YOU, John – I learn something from you every time I get a chance to see one of your sessions. You are terrific – Heather Casey, faculty member.

Princeton Public Library: Creating Great Graphics

Image credit: Brian Kelley

Event: Creating Great Graphics (Design Best Practices Abridged)

Video of event: http://www.archive.org/details/20090505_PPLgraphics_LeMasney

Date: Tuesday May 5th, 7pm-9pm

Venue: Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ

Abstract: John LeMasney will be presenting on the basics of good graphic design with an emphasis on technology tools and resources. In the session we’ll discuss planning your project, devising your message, choosing your colors, picking your fonts, acquiring images, respecting copyright, sketching your layout, finding great resources, choosing your tools, and bringing it all together into great designs for most any purpose.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_108csjmpgfz

Commentary and notes:

Your presentation was wonderful. I especially liked the contrast between the topic slides and the demonstration slides. When you were using the topic slides you spoke directly to the audience and the information on the slides did not distract from you, the presenter. Then when you had a presentation slide up you had the audience focus on the material on the screen. The resources you provided will be a great help to me in the redesign of professional website. – Presentation attendee.

Making Exquisite Artwork with Open Source Software

Image by lemasney via Flickr

Event: Making Exquisite Artwork using Open Source Software

Date: Saturday April 25th, 2009 at 1:30 pm and Sunday April 26th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

Venue: Trenton Computer Festival, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ

Abstract: You can create beautiful illustrations, detailed drawings, professional publications, and exquisite artwork using free tools like Inkscape, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, and Scribus.  These are Free and Open Source counterparts to tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.  While they are not exact replicas of the Adobe tools, they can produce the same level of work.  Creative Commons is a way for artists to license creative work so that it can be used and shared in your own work, even for commercial purposes, without payment, as long as you follow some rules. Come learn how to free your creativity in a new way.

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_110gprttdc4

Commentary and notes:

Thank you for the excellent presentation at TCF. – Sol Libes, TCF co-founder.

Design Best Practices

Image by lemasney via Flickr

Event: Highland Regional Library Consortium presents Graphic Design Best Practices

Date: Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, 9 am – 4:30 pm

Venue: Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ

Abstract: In this workshop on the basics of visual design best practices, we’ll examine examples and counterexamples of great design, the basics of layout, simplified color theory, rules for fonts and legibility, images and photographs, designing stamps vs pages vs slideshows vs billboards, copyright and creative commons, and free and open source design tools (photo manipulation, illustration, layout, catalogs, and quick editors).

Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckfm9fw_392dptxfwfp

Commentary and notes:

An attendee writes: “I learned so much at today’s workshop.  I appreciate learning about different sources for images and photographs.  I have never taken any type of design class, so some of the concepts you introduced were completely new to me.  I plan to follow up on many of the things that you said.  I liked the way you encouraged us when stating that designs are “ideological pathways” that include function, utility and beauty.  Frankly, the workshop was inspiring!  I plan to email you with questions as I go through activating some of the ideas and concepts that you planted in my head.  I also appreciate your passion about “sharing” with the use of open source.  I never really thought about open source as a different paradigm in American culture.   In addition, to getting the day off from work, your presentation helped to make my day.”