1. Localist in List of Finalists for Best App Creator

    We’re nominated in two categories Baltimore Business Journal’s Biz Buzz Awards: App Creator and Mobile Web!

    We’re very humbled by the recognition. Check out the full press release here.

  2. November Features, Functionality and Fixes

    Every month, we announce the major Localist Platform features, functionality and fixes that have been deployed recently. Here’s what was launched in November:

    • Added JSON output to our API in preparation for Localist API 2.0.
    • Added ability to force event type/group/department assignment on incoming event feeds
    • Added support for time zones to the iCal feed importer.
    • Added support for platform-specific privacy setting default values.
    • Added near/within geographical criteria to API.
    • Optimized all platform UI images for better performance.
    • Optimized photo cropper algorithm.
    • Widgets are now location-aware! Event results can be dynamically sorted based on proximity to the user.
    • Cleaned up user settings when user is logged in via single sign-on.
    • Event listings can now show their associated type and department below the title. Check Cornell’s calendar for an example.
    • Completely redesigned admin newsletter interface for more intuitive content curation.
    • Changed event attendee list to show an accurate count, even if users mark their attendance as private.

  3. Localist mimics social networking sites →

    This is back from August; Towson University’s paper wrote a story about the launch of Localist at their institution. It gives a great sense of why Towson decided to go with Localist and what they prioritized as an organization.

    A select quote from Matt Sikorski, Towson’s SGA President:

    “I truly believe this could be a game changer in terms of advertising for student groups and on-campus departments, as well as for students who are just looking for something to do,” he said. “There haven’t been resources like this website where you can customize your profile and follow events that fall under a certain category or a certain venue on campus. No more looking around at 900 different types of advertising, this can just be your one-stop hub.”

  4. University of the Pacific's Calendar Launches →

    The University of the Pacific just launched a major site-wide redesign; Localist went along for the ride!

    Pacific is making excellent use of our widgets, including several custom widget layouts (check the “Calendar of Events” tab).

  5. Localist Takes Off at the University of Rhode Island →

    The University of Rhode Island has officially launched their new calendar, powered by Localist, naturally.

    The school is making great use of our widget capabilities, putting Localist widgets at every major access point on their main website.

  6. October Features, Functionality and Fixes

    Every month, we announce the major Localist Platform features, functionality and fixes that have been deployed recently. Here’s what was launched in October:

    • Added event taxonomy filters to school homepage by default.
    • Added SILK support for mobile layouts.
    • Added movie listing feature on Localist for Media platform.
    • Added additional field support in CSV template.
    • Added ability to enable custom fields on the public event submission form.
    • Added ability to sort order of custom fields.
    • Fixed an issue where some pages weren’t displaying properly in IE9.
    • Switched to Facebook’s new JavaScript API.
    • Tightened Eventbrite “event pull” integration.
    • Beefed up the CSV importer to handle more format types, resulting in less manual massaging of data.
    • Changed name of “First Load” to “Waterfall.” Explanation here.

  7. Localist Launches at the University of Delaware

    The University of Delaware just announced the official launch of their new calendar, powered by Localist. They’re calling it @UD!

    Check out their formal announcement here.

    The team over at Delaware even made a great video outlining how their users should enter an event into Localist. It can’t get any easier.

  8. Localist Loves Clemson

    We’re happy to announce a new partnership with Clemson University! We’ve also been granted sole source approval in South Carolina. If you’re an SC school and you want to know more about Localist, there are now officially zero reasons not to.

  9. Thoughts on EDUCAUSE 2011 - Wednesday

    If I had to sum up the excitement at EDUCAUSE this year, I’d use one word: Cloud. Almost every vendor in the exhibit hall is featuring a product that operates partly, or wholly, in the cloud.

    I attended a session outlining how an institution could develop a business case for using cloud services over developing in-house. The pros were clear:

    • Actually improve service levels, as SaaS is designed to scale
    • Predictable cost models, by avoiding periodic technology overhauls. Cloud software is a moving target that improves over time at the same ongoing cost.
    • Scalability is now a reality for smaller institutions trying to become bigger players.
    • No more requirement for in-house support staff, which can be cost prohibitive.
    • Communicating outside the institution is much easier.

    The main challenges raised could be easily addressed upfront in a legal agreement.

    • Undetermined backup scenario.
    • Overseeing policy compliance.
    • Privacy challenges.
    • “Consumerization” - i.e. not all technology decisions are made in IT anymore.

    Joe Weinman’s blog on the 10 Laws of Cloudonomics sheds more light on the overall cloud landscape and how it fits with all types of industries.

    My questions for you, the institution:

    Q: In the SaaS realm, how important is the ability to change the ‘packaged’ product? Do you change your workflow to adopt what the product deems appropriate, or do you insist on working with the vendor to change things?

    Q: We’ve heard that cloud software reduces costs, saves time, allows for a scalable infrastructure. It sounds like a no-brainer. if you’re not using any cloud software, what fundamental factors are still holding you back?

    Q: What key indicators do you look at for determining adoption from a training/marketing perspective? Meaning, a piece of software could be perfect for your institution, but the strategy for informing students/staff might be lacking. Do you track that?

    I’d love to hear your thoughts.

    - Myke Nahorniak

  10. Attending EDUCAUSE? We’ll be there!

    Come say hi! We’ll be roaming the halls chatting about software-as-a-service, cloud computing, social media and how it can all be leveraged at educational institutions.

    More information about EDUCAUSE.