I recently facilitated a five-day workshop on web design. The participants were mostly priests, nuns and lay volunteers who work as media directors in their respective parishes and dioceses.
The core objective of the workshop was to teach participants how to plan, design, test, and promote websites that have the perfect balance of visual appeal and ease-of-navigation and utilize Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
I have said in my previous posts that I firmly believe that the philosophy of FOSS are compatible with the ideals of Christianity. And this is one of the things that I highlighted in my inputs. Of course, I used only Free and Open Source softwares in the workshop. And in just five days, they learned how to use, customize and appreciate Firefox, OpenOffice, Gimp, Nvu, and Joomla.
I have encouraged them to use Firefox as their main web browser. Although I added that, as web designers, they also need to use IE, Opera, and Safari just to see how their websites look in other popular browsers. When I taught them the basics of HTML, XHTML, and CSS, I introduced Nvu/Kompozer to them.
I also taught them how to use OpenOffice, not only because the suite is great for text documents, presentations and spreadsheets, but also because it can be used as an html authoring tool. Aside from word processing, you can use OpenOffice Writer to make HTML and XML documents.
I was glad that not many of the participants have used Photoshop before because it made it easy for me to teach them Gimp. In my experience, hardcore Photoshop users find it difficult to migrate to Gimp because of the latter’s user interface. But those who have not tried any image manipulation application before will find Gimp user-friendly, even intuitive.
Much of the time was spent on Joomla, my content management system of choice. I have employed Joomla to construct these websites: www.misacor.org.au, www.misacor.com/ph, www.cfamedia.org, and some others. Since all of the participants never used a CMS before, it took quite a while for me to explain all the inner workings of Joomla. But I feel that my patience paid of because at the end of the workshop the participants were able to make their own joomla-powered websites.
As facilitator, I enjoyed every second of the workshop. Sharing skills and knowledge and knowing that the participants will also share with others what they have learned from me gave me immense joy. Another reason for my joy is the fact that the participants have not only learned to construct websites, they are now also beginning to love FOSS.
wow… Father Stephen, I hope you could also give us this seminar. Or at least, is it possible for me to join one of the seminars (related with FOSS and new media) that you’ll be facilitating in the future? I really eager to participate. God bless!
Jerome, I am going to facilitate a five-day workshop on Linux and FOSS this September. I will inquire with the organizers if there is a room for you. The workshop will focus on installing and configuring the Linux operating system and using FOSS applications.
Fr. Bobby, here’s a link to a few free softwares just in case… http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,134437-page,5-c,opensource/article.html
Konjaro, thanks for the link.
sana father open sa public FOSS seminars mo. im interested to know more about it.
yey! thanks for the info father! i pray that there’s a slot for me… God bless!
father, im interest to join the seminar, may i? anong date sa september at saan?. Salamat po.
Am going to a seminar on FOSS on Sept 17, geared for companies I think. But I’d like to go to yours and can you add e-learning tools too?
Jerome, BrVince, and Jun, thanks for your interest in FOSS. The workshop will be held on 10-14 Sept 2007. To join please email mcolopez at gmail.com
hi!
Where can i contact you? We would like to invite you to have a seminar in our school. thanks!
kindly email me if you are interested.