So, what’s cooking?
I have been away from blogging for a while and kind of got “out of shape” (I even think my blog was removed from Technorati as inactive). I was really busy working on my A-exam papers, but now, after over 120 pages of single-spaced text, I am getting back on track. It is a particularly good timing as I am spending this summer in a place where blogging is actually considered work :)
So, what I’ve been up to? Here is a short update.
I am spending this summer at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society working in the Internet and Democracy project. Berkman is a really interesting place where seemingly unlimited (primarily intellectual) resources are combined with a really comfortable environment for people to let their inner geek/nerd out. I am an “intern” and there are about 30 of us working all over the yellow house on Everette street (and thanks to Cathrine White, we now go by Berkterns – Berkman interns). The summer is only at the beginning, but it looks promising. So, if you are in the Boston area, please feel free to touch base. I will be here until early August.
Please note that I’ve started reworking this site a little bit in terms of content, structure, and infrastructure (I really need to upgrade the platform). I am using Wordpress and I am now also looking for a new theme. The theme should be widget ready and also to have tabs. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
As to actual cooking, please check out a new initiative Veronica and I have started. It is called “Cooking Travels” and the basic idea is to explore various cultures through their food. We are looking for people who would be interested to contribute to it on a casual basis. So please let me know if you would like to take part.
In the next few days, I plan to release some of the post drafts that have been sitting there for a while. Hope at least some of the are still relevant :)
Here are a few sites that offer Wordpress themes:
1. http://topwpthemes.com/
2. http://www.templatesbrowser.com/wordpress-themes/
I have always found these theme websites the best so far and they can be modified as well to suit the needs. Do let me know if you need help in modification. Also, are you going to stick with Wordpress as your website’s platform or are you thinking about using a CMS?
And, finally, we have the Cooking blog. I remember you were thinking about it in Bangkok. Nice work. I would love to contribute with some recipes.
Truly its nice to hear form you, time is a great thing to have.
I know you like TED, and since you mentioned foods, you might like to watch this (if you didn’t already).
Thank you, guys!
I will check out the links and will ad you, Amna, to Cooking Travels.
Also, i was thinking to stick to Wordpress here, as this is primarily a blog and I don’t feel the need for a more elaborate CMS. Am I wrong?
Why did you have to write so much??
I like the cooking idea!
I had a lot to say :) How long were your answers?
I will email you about cooking.
Thanks for adding me to Cooking travels. I am posting a recipe very soon.
Dima, Wordpress is a great platform for blogs. I just ask because you wrote that you were thinking about changes in terms of infrastructure as well.
Guy and Dima, have you ever been to actual conferences of TED? I wanted to apply for fellowship 2009 but couldn’t due to some problems here.
Hi,
I didn’t know that you are at the Berkman Center, that’s so cool!
Please write more about what you are doing at the Internet and Democracy project, I would love to hear\ read more about it.
Enjoy your summer!
you might find this “project” interesting (its also from Harvard…):
http://www.ushahidi.com/
I show a nice talk about this at Howard Rheingold’s vlog:
http://vlog.rheingold.com/index.php/site/video/patrick-meier-crisis-mapping-and-ushahidi/
@Amna: I am still using an older version of Wordpress for ThinkMacro and I would like to update that – this is the infrastructure update. And no, I’ve never been to the actual TED, but I eyed the fellowship they offer. There is a deadline coming up for the Asian one (I think), you may want to check it out.
@Dori: It is indeed a cool place. I will try to blog more and regardless would love to hear how things are going on your end.
Amna and Dima,
I thought TED conferences are closed :-/ .
Good luck with the themes. Remember not to go crazy about them, what is important is the content ;-) .