Davis Community Network will host a series of free classes on social media applications, as well as training for the use of DCN’s own online tools, this spring.

The Social Media Series begins March 29 and training classes for DCN tools will start on May 5. All classes run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the city of Davis Computer Lab, Sixth and A streets. Register online at http://www2.dcn.org/dcn/classes/signup or contact [email protected]

Classes include:

* Tuesday, March 29, Learning How to Configure Your Facebook Settings for Security and Privacy: This class covers recommended privacy settings in Facebook and shows participants how to set more 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.

* Thursday, April 7, Intro to Facebook: This class will offer an overview of Facebook for beginners, including social networking, the pros and cons of Facebook, and how it can be used. Privacy and security issues also will be discussed. Students will set up accounts on Facebook (note: you must have an email address to set up an account). There’s a hands-on component and Wi-Fi is available in the lab. Students may bring their own laptops if they wish.

* Tuesday, April 12, Creating Your Own Web Video: You’ve shot some fine video footage on your camera but you don’t know 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.

* Thursday, April 21, Cutting the Cable: Learn how to drop cable or satellite television service and get your video from the web. Participants will learn how to watch everything from new-release movies to network shows to City Council meetings without paying for the dish or cable.

* Thursday, April 28, 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.

* Tuesday, May 3, Twitter Hands-on Workshop: This class is for beginners; enrollment in Twitter 101 recommended but not required. Access to a web-based email account will be needed if you wish to create a Twitter account during the class. Wi-Fi is available in the lab; participants may bring their own laptops if they wish.

* Thursday, May 5, Website Creation Using SimpleSites 2.0: DCN’s Webteam, led by Steve McMahon, developed SimpleSites version 2, a web tool that provides the power of a modern, interactive website in a ready-to-install template. SimpleSites, recognized for its ease of use and value to nonprofits, earned a National Grassroots Techie Award. In this class, learn to build a website using SimpleSites. No previous web authoring experience necessary. Examples can be seen at http://groups.dcn.org.

* Thursday, May 12, Special Website Tools in SimpleSites 2.0: This class will focus on features and tools not covered in the SimpleSites 2.0 class. Learn how to use SimpleSite tools to integrate seamlessly with social networking tools, create slide shows, web forms, manage data, add blogs, maps, videos, RSS, a Mailman subscription form, etc. Knowledge of SimpleSites 2.0 is preferred but not required.

* Tuesday, May 24, Communication Strategies for Nonprofits: 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. A lot of tools are 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?

* Thursday, May 26, Email List Management With Mailman: A Mailman List is an effective way for an organization to communicate with any size group — boards of directors, project committees, memberships, supporters or other constituents. Learn how to manage all your email lists with Mailman.

* Tuesday, May 31, Web Calendar: This class offers instruction on use of the Web Calendar, a tool also developed by DCN’s Webteam. The Web Calendar can be installed on an organization’s website to help promote its events and activities and also can link to a master Community Calendar hosted on DCN’s site. This Community Calendar can be viewed at http://events.dcn.org.

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