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DCN Endorses City's Response to Google's Request for Information for Fiber Initiative

A letter from DCN president, Kimball Sargeant, supporting the City's response to Google's request for information to nominate Davis for Google's Fiber Initiative.

Act before March 26 to get "Google Fiber for Communities" to Davis

In this article: 1) Google's announcement; 2) Nominate Davis; 3) Why Google Needs Davis; 4) Local media coverage; 5) Community meeting

DCN and the School District Develop Interactive Website

DCN collaborated with the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) to develop an interactive website to help our community understand the current DJUSD budget situation.

DCN Helps Non-profits Catch Up, Keep Pace with Modern Communication

Do you work with a nonprofit organization or group in town? Do you find yourself a little behind the curve when it comes to new technology and the Internet? Would you just like to better understand the ever-evolving world of modern Web-based communication? Davis Community Network can help.

DCN board member Russ Hobby wins CENIC Outstanding Individual Achievement Award for 2009

[February 2009] CENIC is delighted to present the 2009 Outstanding Individual Achievement Award to Russ Hobby. Russ has long been active in the research and application of networking and in particular has been active in California's R&E networking efforts through various roles with CENIC.

DCN Service Enhancements

DCN recently completed a transition to an improved server platform and is rolling out enhancements to the services associated with your account. These improvements bring greater flexibility and security to DCN's core services: email and web hosting. DCN is also preparing to offer a more application-rich future to its users.

Join DCN's Facebook by May 19th to enter drawing for a grand prize

The prize includes a laptop case filled with goodies such as a $20 gift card for downtown shopping, a 8GB USB drive, a DCN t-shirt, screen mitts, and sticky pads.

New classes on social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc....)

DCN is going to offer two new classes in May. Admission is free but registration required. Space is limited and is first come first served. To register, please contact admin@dcn.org or 750-1170. Class details are as follows:

Photos from 2010 Celebrate Davis

Very glad to see many of you there! Thanks to DCN volunteers for staffing our booth -- Tsui Chang, Jim Frame, Sheila Evans, Teri Greenfield, Rob Nickerson, Kari Peterson and Kimball Sargeant

The grand prize winner is DCN's Facebook fan Amy Green Seropian

Congratulations!

Celebrate Social Media Day with Free Hands-on Session on June 30

In recognition of Social Media Day on June 30, 2010, DCN will host an informal "drop-in" session at the City Computer Lab, 600 A Street. DCN volunteers will be on hand to answer your social media questions.

DCN/IUG Social Media Class on Tue., Sept 28.

DCN, in collaboration with the Internet Users Group, will offer a class on social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter). The class is open to anyone who is interested regardless of age or level of expertise. Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m. Location: Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street.

Fall 2012 Class Schedule

Davis Community Network frequently schedules free public classes and workshops as part of its commitment to educate the public about the Internet, DCN's community applications, and DCN's services. These classes are useful for organizations and individuals. Fabulous classes ranging from Internet safety to online collaboration tools to video creation and cloud computing have been added to our core offerings. Some of the classes are offered once only while others are ongoing. Admission is free. However, space is limited. Register now!

Take the time to unsubscribe rather than label legitimate email as spam

When you report a mailing as spam, that means that not only do you not want this, but nobody else should either. This could negatively impact many others who want and need the mail.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: "District Dollars" updated with budget projections through 2015

"District Dollars" is a web-based, interactive program to help you understand the DJUSD budget situation. You will learn about how we pay for California schools, how much money the District gets and how it is spent, what are the different options for balancing the budget, and the timeline for budget decisions. This is a collaborative project of DJUSD, DCN and community volunteers.

Interesting New Class on Web Accessibility - Tue., 10/12, 6:30 p.m.

Free and open to public. Attention web developers, nonprofit administrators, business owners, interested individuals! Don't miss this interesting and informative class! What is web accessibility? How do persons with disabilities access the web (visual, auditory, motor/mobility, seizures, cognitive/intellectual)? How can your organization ensure its web content is accessible to all, and meet legal obligations? What is Section 508 and where is the Americans with Disabilities Act headed? What are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0)? What are common web development errors to avoid with regard to content and accessibility?

DCN Class - "Managing Your Brand and Keeping an Eye on the Competition"

Keeping track of what people are saying about your organization, your business, your competition, or yourself is an important aspect of PR and branding. In this class, you will learn how to use a variety of Internet and social media tools to do so. Thurs., 10/28/2010, 6:30 p.m. at the City Training Lab. Free and open to the public. Register now!

DCN Class - "Wi-Fi Router" - Tue, 10/16/2012

Want to enjoy the convenience of Wi-Fi and its many uses in your organization or at home? This class covers basic concepts of routing, and safe operation and usage of the router. Come and learn how to set up a wireless router, secure it, and do port forwarding. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required.

Thanks for nice feedback!

"With lots of gratitude to DCN -- The rumors are true! For years, I'd heard that Davis Community Network was run by incredibly nice geniuses, and it's true...." Thank you for the nice feedback from Carolee Gregg!

Email enhancements for DCN email users

As always, please contact our technical support at 530-758-0119 should you have any issues, concerns or questions about using IMAP, SSL or anything else.

Listen to Kimball Sargeant talk about DCN and technology on local KDRT radio. [Podcast]

Kimball Sargeant, DCN's immediate past president and one of the first people in town to have a web address nearly 20 years ago, talks about the network and technology on "Davisville."

Meet DCN's new officers and board member

A warm welcome to new board member Sheila Evans! Sincere congratulations to Teri Greenfield and Bill Buchanan as DCN's new President and Vice President, respectively!

Free website options come with trade-offs

Why choose to use DCN's free resources rather than other online resources, commercial or otherwise?

Fall 2011 class schedule. Register now!

DCN frequently schedules free public classes and workshops in its commitment to public education about the Internet and its community applications and services. The classes include a wide array of topics on Internet tools useful for organizations and individuals alike. Admission is free. However, space is limited. Pre-registration is required to make sure sufficient handouts are available. Register now!

DCN Class: "How to Configure Your Facebook Settings for Security and Privacy"

This class is part of DCN's Social Media Series. We will walk you through recommended privacy settings in Facebook. We will show you how to set secure levels of privacy and reduce the chance of becoming a victim of hacking, viruses, information collectors and identity thieves. The class is for current Facebook users but non-users are also welcome. Tuesday, 9/27/2011, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the City Training Lab. Free and open to the public. Register now!

Venue changed for DCN class on "Cutting the Cable" to accommodate growing demand

Due to growing demand, the class on "Cutting the Cable" scheduled for Thursday, April 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m. will meet in a bigger venue -- Davis Senior Center's Activity Room. The address is 646 A Street. Admission is free. Register today!

DCN Class - "Intro to Facebook"

This class is part of DCN's Social Media Series. It will offer an overview of Facebook for beginners, including such topics as: social networking, the pros and cons of Facebook, and how it can be used. We will also discuss privacy and security issues. As an exercise, we will help students set up accounts on Facebook. Thursday, 4/7/2011, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the City Training Lab. Admission is free. Registration is required.

DCN Class - "Video On Your Website" - Thurs, 4/25/2013

You have shot some fine video footage on your camera but how to you get it onto the web? Want to put your video on YouTube or your own website? This class will cover the steps and some of the options for getting video from your camera to a viewable video on the Internet. Need to do some editing on your video? This step will be discussed too.

DCN Class - "Social Media Series - Twitter 101"

Interested in learning about Twitter but don't know where to begin or how to use its many features? This class will provide an informative introduction and overview. Admission is free. However, space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

DCN Class - "Social Media Series - Twitter Hands-on Workshop"

This class is for beginners. Enrollment in Twitter 101 recommended but not required. Please note that access to a web-based email account (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo are fine too) will be needed if you wish to create a Twitter account during the class. Admission is free. However, space is limited. Pre-registration required.

Thanks for the excellent feedback!

"I feel confident that I could upload a video to YouTube and/or link it to my web page. Very helpful." -- on the usefulness of DCN's class, "Creating Your Own Web Video." Thank you for rating all aspects of the class as excellent in all the feedback received!

Computerworld honors our Nonprofit Internet Toolkit!

We're honored to report that the Computerworld Honors Program has named the Davis Community Network one of its 2011 Laureates.

DCN Class - "Communication Strategies for Nonprofits"

Look Before You Leap: Choosing the Best Communication Tools for Your Nonprofit. Does your nonprofit organization want to make a greater impact, involve more people or raise more money? You can if you get better at reaching out, telling your story and getting people to notice you. This is what strategic communication is all about. There are a lot of tools out there designed to help you communicate with your various target audiences. Some are traditional (like press releases and direct mail), some are new like social media (Facebook, Twitter). What tools are best for you? Tuesday, 5/1/2012, 6:30 PM at 526 B St. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required.

Celebrate Davis with DCN

DCN will have a booth at Celebrate Davis on Thursday, May 16 at the Community Park. Come visit us! Ask one of Davis’ technological experts, or see a demonstration of intercontinental video-talking, without wires or a toll charge.

Celebrate Davis with DCN, 2011 - photos and thanks

Very glad to see many of you there! Thanks to DCN volunteers for staffing our booth -- Tsui Chang, Jim Frame, Sheila Evans, Teri Greenfield, Rob Nickerson and Kimball Sargeant. Thanks to Scott Alumbaugh for the beautifully designed banner, flyers, and t-shirts.

On Davis Community Network [Video]

Former Davis Mayor and Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor talked about DCN at Celebrate Davis!

Our medal arrives from Computerworld

The Nonprofit Internet Toolkit, used by hundreds of Davis and Yolo nonprofits, was honored as a laureate in the collaboration category of the 2011 Computerworld Honors Program.

DCN Class - "Cutting the Cable, Updated" - Tues, 10/29/2013

This class will talk about the latest technology, like Google Chromecast, that allows you to watch everything from new-release movies to network shows to city-council meetings without dishing out for the dish or cable. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required.

DCN Class - "Creating a Video For Your Organization" - Tue, 10/2/2012

We will take you through the process of creating a web video for your organization. Elements include: defining your audience, soliciting ideas, drafting a script, selecting visuals and music, and choosing a style (formal? informal? testimonial?). This is not a technical class, although we will give you useful information about tools, software and editing.

DCN Class - "Online Collaboration Part II - Hands-on Workshop"

Participants in this class will learn how to use some of the popular and free tools for productive online collaboration. Enrollment in "Online Collaboration Part I" recommended but not required. Please note that access to a Google account (e.g. Gmail) will be needed. Pre-registration required.

A lively full class on "Cutting the Cable"

Thanks to Steve McMahon for an informative presentation! Thanks to the attendees for the lively participation!

DCN Class Schedule Update

Please note new dates for re-scheduled classes: Online Collaboration I - Tips and Tools for Productive Online Collaboration (Tue., Nov 1), Online Collaboration II - Hands-on Workshop (Tue., Nov 8), Email List Management with Mailman (Thurs, Nov. 10).

DCN volunteers assisted community members with web video

Davis parcel taxes explained.

Meet DCN's 2013-14 Board Officers

Congratulations to Bill Buchanan (president), Teri Greenfield (vice-president), Jim Frame (treasurer) and Steve McMahon (secretary) for having been elected by the DCN board of directors as the 2013-14 board officers!

Seeking Ideas For Future DCN Classes

We're starting to develop our Spring class schedule, and we need your help! Please take a few minutes to complete a very short survey. Let us know what Internet topics you are interested in learning about, what times are best for you, and any other suggestions you have. Our classes are free and taught by knowledgeable volunteers, and we will be in a new, larger location this Spring. We would appreciate your response by Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 5 p.m.

"Protect your privacy; put a PIN on your smartphone"

Whether you work for UC Davis or not, the advice from their campus-wide smartphone security campaign is sound for all.

How to change the visual theme of your SimpleSite (video)

This is among the topics of DCN's step-by-step video tutorials. It's easy, even if you don't know anything about cascading stylesheets (CSS). Either select a color theme from DCN's gallery or use your own custom stylesheet. Also learn how to add a graphic logo to the banner. More videos will be available online.

DCN's Steve McMahon presented "Cutting The Cable" at UCD's brown bag

Over 100 attended the presentation on March 22 organized by UC Davis's Worklife and Wellness program.

Joint meeting of City Council and Telecommunications Commission

Video streaming of the March 20, 2012 meeting is available online.

DCN Class - "Protecting Yourself Online: A Guide to Internet Safety" - Tue, 10/9/2012

Do you know what to do if you get a computer virus, or how to turn off geolocation on your smartphone? These are two of the topics we will address in this class on Internet security. Other topics include malware, phishing, scams, identity theft, antivirus and firewall software, passwords, social media privacy concerns, router settings, smartphones, and much more. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required!

DCN Class - "Digital Image Basics for Websites and Prints"

When you leave the class, you'll have a conceptual understanding of how a digital image is stored, what factors affect image size and appearance, tips for managing images and tools you can utilize to ensure your images are ready for printing and/or posting on the web. Tuesday, 4/24/2012, 6:30 PM, at 526 B Street. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required.

DCN's Steve McMahon interviewed by Capital Public Radio's Insight program

Listen to the podcast on the topic of "Cutting the Cable" broadcast on March 28th.

New! Video tutorials produced by DCN ... and more on the way.

We have recently released short step-by-step video tutorials for DCN's Nonprofit Internet Toolkit. The toolkit includes tools for SimpleSites, email list management and web calendars. Topics range from adding a Facebook box to your SimpleSite, changing your website's visual theme, embedding a video, to changing Mailman's administrative password.

An enthusiastic full class for Tim Valdepena's "Protect Yourself Online"

Thanks to the new and larger classroom, we were able to accommodate all who had registered for this free class.

Resources for digital image editing - online or offline, free or commercial

What a fabulous class on digital image basics! Instructor Nick Cheng effectively put complex concepts into readily digestible language and balanced the demonstration with fun filled hands-on. Here's the handout (slides in PDF) which includes a list of resources for digital image editing - online or offline, free or commercial. A great start to get participants ready for more exploration.

Celebrate Davis with DCN

DCN will have a booth at Celebrate Davis on Thursday, May 17, 4:30-9:00 p.m. Our theme this year will be "What's New at DCN". Come visit us and tell us what's new with you!

Celebrate Davis with DCN, 2012 - photos and thanks

Very glad to see many of you there! Thanks to DCN volunteers for staffing our booth -- Bill Buchnan, Tsui Chang, Sheila Evans, Jim Frame, Teri Greenfield and Russ Hobby.

What's New at DCN

Poster for 2012 Celebrate Davis.

DCN Class - Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) - Thurs, 9/20/2012

Offered by popular demand, this class introduces you to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which are a simple way to add style (including fonts, color, and formatting) to websites. Good CSS skills help ensure your website will be well-designed, user friendly, and appealing to visitors. This hands-on class will show you useful free software for proficient use of CSS. It will also use DCN SimpleSites as a concrete example.

DCN Class - DCN Tools Workshop - Thurs, 4/18/2013

More than 100 local nonprofits use the free services and tools provided by Davis Community Network. If you use the tools to manage a website, or will be soon, this hands-on workshop will show you how. The tools include: SimpleSites website templates, Mailman email list management, and the DCN Community Calendar. DCN will have several volunteers on hand to answer your questions and show you new techniques. Free and open to the public. Stay for the entire session or just to get your questions answered. Pre-registration required.

DCN Class - "Introduction to the Concept of Cloud Computing" - Thurs, 10/18/2012

What is the "cloud"? Do you still need a PC? This class will define cloud computing, describe the benefits and challenges, help you understand how the different aspects fit together (software applications, virtual servers, web-based applications such as Google Docs) and discuss security issues.

Useful free classes in the spring series. Register now!

As always, the courses are free, taught in town, and useful (we do this for free, so we'd be wasting our time, as well as yours, if they weren't useful). Subjects this season include how to use DCN tools, putting video online (taught by one of the people who helped bring the Internet to Davis, incidentally), and email list management, plus two classes we are particularly glad to offer. For details, see the class schedule. Register now.

DCN Class - DCN Tools For Your Organization - Tue, 4/16/2013

Discover DCN's free Web/Internet Tools for your organization. DCN can offer your nonprofit or community group a website template with a calendar and an email list service. It's local and it's free! Come and find out how you can serve your constituents better by using the DCN Tools.

DCN Class - DCN Web Calendar - Thur, 5/9/2013

This class offers instruction on use of DCN’s updated (2013) Web Calendar, a tool developed by DCN's Web Team. It will introduce new calendar facilities, and will be of use to existing users as well as new. The Web Calendar can be installed on an organization's website to help promote its events and activities and can also link to a master Community Calendar hosted on DCN's site.

DCN Class - My Account Has Been Hacked/Infected: What Do I Do Now? - Tue, 6/18/2013

Come hear three experts answer these common questions: How do I keep from getting hacked/infected? How do I clean up after? Is there any way to stay secure? The class is free. Pre-register online now.

Videos with slides now available for "My Account Has Been Hacked/Infected: What Do I Do Now?"

Three local experts answer these common questions: How do I keep from getting hacked/infected? How do I clean up after? Is there any way to stay secure?

Dodging schedule smashups

A shared community calendar, maintained by the crowd, can help keep Davis groups from competing for the same audiences on the same nights. Here’s how. By Bill Buchanan.

A fabulous class!

A big "thank you" to Steve McMahon for volunteering his expertise and time to offer a free class on "Cutting the Cable, Updated" which talks about the latest technology, like Google Chromecast, that allows one to watch everything from new-release movies to network shows to city-council meetings without dishing out for the dish or cable.

DCN Class - "Understanding Kickstarter" - Thur, 11/21/2013

People in Davis have used Kickstarter to help fund projects. Learn what it is and how it works in a free class taught by Jeff Tolentino of Davis Makerspace. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required.

More Davisites now know how "crowdfunding" works

We really appreciate Jeff Tolentino for volunteering to share his experiences working on a campaign to raise $12,000 for the Sacramento Taiko Dan using Kickstarter, a website for online fundrasing. The presentation covers useful concepts about 1) planning and development, 2) donor outreach, and 3) campaign management.

Ad-free email? You can still find it at Davis Community Network

Looking for friendly, low-cost, ad-free email service? DCN teams with Omsoft to offer secure, private “you”@dcn.org email accounts for $2 per month or $20 per year. No one at DCN or Omsoft is scanning your messages so that we can show you ads (we don’t show ads). Technical advice and services are available here in Davis. Moreover, the $20 you pay helps support the free services DCN offers local nonprofits — the websites, web tools and classes

Community-owned, ultra-fast internet for Davis. What you can do.

High-speed internet access is crucial infrastructure for a community like ours. Davis is way behind comparable communities. We can't depend on Comcast or AT&T to fix this for us. We need to do it ourselves. Here are a few useful links to get informed and involved in the community-driven efforts.

Davis City Council unanimously approved RFP (Request for Proposals)

Davis city council endorses the RFP created by DavisGig and the Broadband Advisory Task Force.

What Can You Do About Net Neutrality And Privacy? – Act Locally!

Concrete steps you can take.

"Net neutrality + building a better network for Davis," podcast of a local radio interview.

The two guests are Mac Clemmens, founder of Digital Deployment in Sacramento (and a well-regarded recipient of a UC Davis MBA) and Steve McMahon, a broadband expert and longtime board member of the Davis Community Network.

Davis Community Network is actively seeking new board members

DCN strives to have a board that represents the entire community. People with or without technical backgrounds are encouraged to join.

Thank you for all the donations at "Big Day of Giving"!

Your support means a lot! We'll announce the final tally when it is available!