We're having our first code meetup in Seattle. This is the first in what will hopefully be a monthly series on open source code development and the NewsCloud platform.

At the first session, we'll be talking about LAMP-based open source development tools and the open source Facebook Application Newsroom framework. If you're interested in learning more about Facebook application development, this will be a great introductory session.

I recommend that you have basic PHP/MySQL skills to get the most from this session.

Please RSVP so we can keep a headcount of how many people to expect.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Uptown Espresso meeting room in Belltown (corner of 4th and Wall)

LEARN MORE:
http://blog.newscloud.com/2008/04/reminder-open-s.html

Hi all, awhile ago you may remember me griping about the ineffectiveness of Facebook Groups and Pages. They are easy to set up, but they are also quite limited in functionality. These features are not conducive to community-building, engagement or organizing.

Today, I'm releasing the first beta of a new open source Facebook Newsroom CMS application framework.

See the demonstration application site at Facebook:
http://apps.facebook.com/newsdemo

Today, I'm excited to announce the Drupal Newsroom Module beta powered by NewsCloud. The Drupal Newsroom provides an excellent way to add dynamic current events and news to your Drupal-powered Web site. It's also a great way to stimulate involvement and discussion in your online member community.

The Drupal Newsroom module provides a page for your Drupal-powered Web site with news stories based on specific topic(s) from NewsCloud.com or populated by your staff or site members. The newsroom module allows your members to browse headlines, read stories, vote, comment and post new articles.

As part of the NetSquared Innovators Support Network, Social Signal will choose to work with one of the 21 featured projects on a pro bono basis, providing them with their choice of a customized community participation plan, a recommended community feature set, or complete specifications for a new custom Drupal module. But like a lot of the folks here, we got really excited about quite a few of the projects that didn't end up in the top 21, and we started thinking about how we might support their work.

I've updated the NewsCloud project proposal to be more focused on a smaller Netsquared innovation reward. It's very narrowly focused towards making the platform more easily accessible to groups.

Please read the new proposal and post your comments and feedback.

Thanks!

I've posted the initial nomination for NewsCloud's Netsquared proposal. Please take a look and leave your comments on the Wiki.

Links:

Expanding Access to the NewsCloud Open Source Media Platform

NewsCloud Web Site

NewsCloud Blog

NewsCloud Wiki (information about our open source platform, API et al.)