Oxford

For the first time in the history of OneWebDay, also Oxford joins the celebrations. On September 22, we invite all fellow Oxfordians to attend two events: a hands-on session on how (and why) to start a blog and a photo exhibition portraying Iranian bloggers.

Tutorial on "How (and Why) to Start a Blog?"
This tutorial is for anyone in Oxford who wants to start a blog – or is at least thinking about it. Community organizers, activists, local politicians, businesspeople, schoolchildren, students, and other curious citizens are invited to get together for an afternoon and explore what it takes to engage in online conversations via blogs. Conducted by experts from the Oxford Internet Institute, the tutorial is not designed to be a boring lecture, but a hands-on session that helps participants get started with their own blogs. The goal is to take the basic technical hurdles and reflect on important questions like developing a focus, finding a voice, or reaching an audience. Of course, also concerns about privacy and security will be addressed.

The session is scheduled for 4-6pm on Monday, September 22, 2008. Space is limited, so please sign up in advance. Just e-mail Alejandro Ribo-Labastida at aribo[AT]oii.ox.ac.uk and your place will be confirmed.

Photo Exhibition on Iranian Bloggers
In addition to the tutorial, we will showcase the work of two young Iranian artists, Arash Ashoorinia and Amir M. Javadi. The exhibition draws on the artists’ current project “Accessomania” and portrays Iranian bloggers, who struggle with censorship and Internet filtering in their country. Arash Ashoorinia is a leading photo blogger whose blog, Kosoof, won the Reporters without Borders prize in the "Best of the Blogs" competition of the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Amir M. Javadi studied medicine and graphic design in Tehran and works as a graphic designer and photographer, whose work has been featured in places like the Tehran Modern Arts Gallery or the 10th Photography Biennale in Iran.

The exhibition will open at noon with a brief introduction and last until 4pm. Students and Internet experts will be available to discuss the exhibition and answer questions around global Internet filtering and censorship.

Location
Both events are free and will be hosted by the Oxford Internet Institute, 1 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3JS, which can be found here (enter the blue door).

Questions?
The local organizing team: Mahmood Enayat, Tobias Escher, Alejandro Ribo-Labastida, Sara Tindall, Malte Ziewitz. We would like to thank the Oxford Internet Institute for its generous support.

Check out our press release. If you would like to participate, help out, or have any questions about the events, don't hesitate to contact Malte Ziewitz at malte[DOT]ziewitz[AT]oii.ox.ac.uk. Everyone is welcome!

Missed it?
Have a look at the photos on Flickr and Picasa, or listen to live coverage by BBC Radio Oxford. People blogged here and here. A webcast of the blogging tutorial will be up soon - mail us if you would like to be notified.