Lets get digital – Silly Season

While I bemoan the rise of selfie sticks instead of self-reflection, mass media churnalism, and click bait like Lorde instead of substance…’tis the season to be silly.‘Tis the season to remember why we got digital in the first place. To capture what we are doing and share it, to yarn around the digital BBQ, or just watch what everyone else is doing.  To make our lives easier and have fun!

Here are a few of my favourite things to get digital with over summer

Connect – You are never too old, or too young, to learn a new trick at SeniorNetWarkworth.org.nz

Capture – Even if you own a fancy camera you’re more likely have your phone when dolphins visit. Check out apps to improve your photos. Pro tools for smartphones include Snapseed, VSCO Cam and FiLMiC Pro.

Curate – Make looping videos with Vine.co, pull together your summer stories with Storify.com, and scrapbook your ideas on Pinterest.

Share – Give it a go if you are not already on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Medium, YouTube, Vimeo. Check your privacy settings or be prepared to be public.

Stay safe – Learn about scams, Ashley Madison email hacks, and keeping your kids safe on netsafe.org.nz

What the # was trending in 2015

Here are some topics we covered this year. See the Let’s Get Digital column from 2015 for more.
See what others are saying on twitter.com/search via these hashtags.

#Hyperlocal – Small communities are so hot (or is that cool?) right now!

#Placemaking – A buzzword for locals doing things for themselves

#Open – As big deals like #TPPA go on behind closed doors, the focus on an #OpenGov is growing.

#GovHack – It’s hacking but not as you know it. Thousands of people around the world take open government data and make it useful. See what NZ did at #GovHackNZ

#IOT – Do you realise how many of your things are connected to the internet? The Internet of Things should make our lives easier but are we protecting our privacy?
What we love

We love that at Local Matters, you have been reading and commenting on our stories and videos online, sharing them and having conversations on social media. Watch this space at localmatters.co.nz for more treats next year!