It's not just coffee - it's OpenCoffee!

      1 min read      Ireland · Technology      Professional · Technology

I made my way to Limerick yesterday for the biweekly geek gathering that is OpenCoffee Limerick. OpenCoffee is a worldwide movement that encourages entrepreneurs, tech people and investors to gather in an informal manner for networking. There are a couple of vibrant groups here in Ireland, in Limerick and Cork. I’ve been following some of the online discussions resulting from these gatherings, but hadn’t made the effort to attend in person.

links for 2007-07-11

      1 min read      Technology

[Tasty Data Goodies - Swivel](http://www.swivel.com/) Upload data and create your own graphs, or view graphs created by others. (tags: [data](http://del.icio.us/ddeery/data) [statistics](http://del.icio.us/ddeery/statistics) [graphs](http://del.icio.us/ddeery/graphs) [visualization](http://del.icio.us/ddeery/visualization)) [mkmap.com: create and explore maps!](http://mkmap.com/) Create your own maps. This site got it's start as a Dublin bus map put together by a Dublin City University grad student. Great example of what's possible with the Google Maps API. (tags: [maps](http://del.icio.us/ddeery/maps)) [Iconize Me!](http://www.iconizeme.com/index.html) Get your own caricature in electronic form for only $50.

Comments are Open!

      1 min read      Housekeeping

Okay, so it’s taken me long enough. But I’ve now activated comments on this blog. See the little link down below there, “Share Your Thoughts”? Click that and you can enter your very own comments on my web site. I’m going to try to keep it as loose and open as I can for the moment without being overwhelmed by spammers. So, let’s hear it! And hey, try to keep it clean huh?

Head 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out!

      1 min read      Ireland · Photography

After nearly a year driving on Ireland’s roads, we’ve learned that you have to pay close attention all the time because you never know what you might see. It’s not at all unusual to see herds of various types of animals being herded down the middle of the road between fields. So, you plan extra time for any trip, and stop and wait when you have to. This past weekend Kathleen had a meeting in Portlaoise, so early Saturday morning we headed up the road.

Department of Rural Affairs

      2 min read      National/International Politics · Rural Issues

A couple of weeks ago Senator Hillary Clinton addressed the National Rural Assembly via a video link-up. This gathering of 400-people, part of the Kellogg Foundation’s Rural People, Rural Policy initiative, was an effort to highlight the issues facing rural areas, and to broaden the discussion beyond agriculture policy, which has generally been the focus of rural policy efforts. To that end, during the Q&A session following her talk, Senator Clinton was asked by one participant if she, as President, would consider changing the name and mission of the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Rural Affairs.

Building Startups - the Discussion Continues

      5 min read      Ireland      Professional · Technology · CommunityDevelopment

I wrote a few days ago about a blog post by Conor O’Neill suggesting a method of encouraging startups. Conor touched off quite an online discussion among various bloggers here in Ireland. Check the links below to catch up on the discussion, then I’ve got a few more thoughts to share.* Conor’s original post * My original response * Further responses from: * Joe Drumgoole * Bernie Goldbach * Damien Mulley * Alan O’Rourke * David Copithorne *

Defining a Nation

      1 min read      National/International Politics

Following his July 4th celebration, author Scott Berkun posted an interesting question on his blog (for my American readers) - when was the last time you read the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution? I’ll confess to being a bit of a geek, so honestly it hasn’t been that long for me, just a few months. If it’s been a while, you should click the links below and go read them, if for no other reason than they’re beautiful pieces of writing.

How Do We Create Startups?

      1 min read      Ireland · Technology      Professional · Technology

Conor O’Neill of Argolon has a great post on his blog discussing a method of jump-starting tech startup companies in Ireland. I think his ideas are right on the money, and relatively easy to put into action anywhere. The idea centers around creating a summer “hothouse” to help college students get rolling with ideas for new products. To his list of ideas, I would add just a couple of suggestions:

Salvation's Just a Ferris Wheel Ride Away

      1 min read      Ireland · Photography

![Salvation's Just a Ferris Wheel Ride Away](http://www.dennisdeery.com/images/salvation.jpg) Tramore Beach - 9:45PM

Dancing Data

      2 min read      National/International Politics · Technology

Anyone who’s spent any time watching CSPAN lately knows that public policy debates in the U.S. often center on dramatic stories. Opposing sides compete to see who can bring the most tearful witnesses to the table, who can show the most heart-wrenching photos, or who can present the most dramatic anger. That’s a natural tactic. Policy discussions, like most debates, are a sales job, and good salesmen are those who are able to make emotional connections.