ToDo

I started seeing a web meme pop up on del.icio.us/popular called "GTD." Then PR blogger Steve Rubel wrote up a blog post about GTD explaining that it is from David Allen's Getting Things Done productivity system.

I know next to nothing about Allen's actual system except for his work seems to really resonate with people since Rubel is reporting on its grassroots success. I think people inherently want to be productive and feel like their work gives them meaning and significance in their lives. But trusting the Wisdom of the Crowds, I'd guess that Allen is probably on to something.

Anyway, I'm still experimenting with how to be transparent and yet use this site to productively get work done. I've been writing blog posts with what I intend to accomplish each day...

Here's what I have on my plate at the beginning of today -- I'm sure it'll evolve slightly again as it did yesterday.

BLOG POSTS
* Final Cut XML & Drupal (DONE & Made additional Drupal + Final Cut Pro XML graphic)
* Background info on FCP XML post (DONE)
* Effectiveness of Posting Daily Task List (DONE)

DRUPAL TASKS
* Implement Image_Filter module in order to use a simple syntax for adding images to posts (i.e. "[image:node_id]") (Installed module, but it doesn't seem to work offhand. Look into it again later.)

Here's what I have on my plate for today.

BLOG POSTS
* Table of pictures from 13 Personal Democracy Forum interviews (DONE)
* How to do Podcast RSS enclosures in Drupal (DONE)
* Screenshots of the Drupal Folksonomy patch (Trouble Uploading Pix)
* Final Cut XML & Drupal

DRUPAL TASKS
* Figure out the Image Module -- how to name image nodes something other than the title of a blog post. (DONE)

I should try to keep track of these To Do lists in the wiki module once I get it up and running.

In the meantime, here's a braindump of what all I need to get done.

DRUPAL MODULE DEVELOPMENT

* Catalyze Drupal Media Coalition (In progress...)
* Specify custom Drupal development needs for the first phase of ECP
* Raise ~$3000 for custom module via fundable.org & Drupal Media Coaltion Network.
* Call about potential J-Lab Batten Award eligibility. (Doesn't appear that I'm eligible since this is for finished sites)

In order to catalyze the First Phase of Development in the Echo Chamber Project Roadmap, I need to align myself with other grassroots media activists using Drupal as well as interested Drupal developers.

Based on the conversations I've had at recent conferences, I think that there is enough overlap between a lot of various citizen journalist and collaborative media efforts that a "Drupal Media Coalition" could help advance the interests of a broad range of projects and the larger Drupal community as a whole.

I initiated a working group at the CivicSpace user's summit in NYC for Drupal developers and site maintainers who were interested in forming some sort of coalition. I actually didn't have a chance to formally introduce this idea to everyone during the working lunch as I had intended because a number of interesting side conversations had evolved -- including one I was having with Brady Jarvis of code0range.net and Aaron Pava of CivicActions.

Since I do have limited knowledge of the Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP -- LAMP combination. I've been reaching out more to some of the Drupal developers that I've met at SXSW Interactive, Activist Technology gathering, Personal Democracy Forum and CivicSpace User's Summit.

Brady Jarvis (aka grohk) runs a site called code0range.net. I came across his site because he catalyzed the development of the node moderation Drupal module, which I'm interested in helping him expand for my site and other media-related sites that need some sort of self-moderation mechanism.

I'm still debugging a number of Drupal issues.

* I have to run MySQL scripts in order to get some modules to work. (CAN DO THIS NOW)
* I have to get the database module up and running to run the scripts (Waiting for Feedback from Moshe -- Update here.)
* I can't access the modules administration page when I put the database dba folder in the modules directory. (Update here.)
* Update the website footer with Creative Commons and other contact info
* I'd like to try out some different themes, but PHPtemplate doesn't seem to be working at all with the site

This site has finally been converted over to Drupal.
Thanks to Moshe Weitzman for all of his administrative help with the conversion.
I'll be updating the design theme soon, and I'm still learning the ropes on Drupal.
I still need to figure out how to upload pictures, update some of the old links and fix the broken tables.
I'm on the road, and in the process of proof reading more interview transcripts. I intend to post more sometime next week.
I'm glad to have the permanent URLs now, and I'm pushing forward with specifying what I need to manifest the

I wrote down a list of useful ideas and concepts that were mentioned at the Harvard Blogging & Journalism Conference today.

I would like to implement as many of the following ideas as I can:

Transparency Issues

* Write a FAQ
* Start using Correction Marks for incorrect information
* Link to Biographical information & Resume
* Publish mission statement, linking policy, e-mail policy, corrections policy, and a set of ethical principles.
* Disclose any and all conflicts of interest

I have returned from my three-week holiday hiatus and travel to Indianapolis (family) and San Francisco (friends). I'm starting to reply to e-mails and get back into full gear.

I had a number of meetings of the break to receive feedback on my business plan, and one of the items on the To Do List is to try to integrate all of the feedback into the next version of the business plan.

Another priority on the list is to continue searching for a producer and other advisors for the project.

I had a chance to read through some of the 25 completed transcripts that I have received, and I've started brainstorming how to piece everything together. Another upcoming challenge is to condense the essence of the project into a four to five-minute trailer.