Are you planning to publish the next Daily Beast or Techcrunch? Do you need to develop social networking sites such as magazines, newspapers, journals, trade publications, broadcast, wire service or membership publications? The task can be daunting, especially for anyone just sticking their toes into "social publishing" waters.

Unlike a simple blog, a social publishing platform requires a comprehensive skill set that goes far beyond a stock Drupal installation:

• Dynamic front page theming with multi-column listings of news articles
  
• Expanded search capability with recommended reading and related articles
  
• Good search engine optimization with Web 2.0 and semantic web capabilities
  
• Advertising and sponsorship
  
• A fast learning curve for in-house and guest reporters and editors
  
• Good presentation and management of articles and photographs.
  

Drupal's OpenPublish(OP) can be an excellent starting point. Update: (Due to snow and ice in Washington, Jeff and Frank will be unable to attend tonight's meeting. We will try to reschedule them for next month) This month our special guests Jeff Walpole and Frank Febbraro -- partners at Washington, DC based Phase2 Technology and creators of OpenPublish -- will be on hand to show us how OP is helping a myriad of publishing-based websites and share details on the newest OP release, v1.7. Phase2 Technology has received recognition as one of the lead development firms for the high profile launch of Whitehouse.gov.

ADUG member and author Kent Lester will give a demo and share his personal experience with OP including:

• Installation requirements and procedures
  
• The key features of OpenPublish
  
• Techniques to expand and upgrade the standard OpenPublish installation
  
• Extended Q&A period
  

AGENDA
6:30 pm - Networking
7:00 pm - ADUG Business and Introductions
7:10 pm - Presentation
8:15 - 8:30 pm - Q&A

RSVP
This promises to be one of our most exciting and informative meet-ups. Please RSVP as soon as possible on our Meetup.com page [http://bit.ly/Drupal-.... Due to facility constraints,attendance will be capped at 50! ADUG meetups are a great chance to network with like-minded peers and learn more about how Drupal is being leveraged - everyone from beginners to advanced users are encouraged to attend.

FOLLOW
Twitter: @DrupalAtlanta
LinkedIn: Search Groups for "Atlanta Drupal Users Group"

REFRESHMENTS
This month we'll have pizza and beverages sponsored by Mediacurrent.

OUR LOCATION HOST
Thanks again to our location host and premier IT staffing and solutions provider, MATRIX Resources Inc.

The MATRIX conference room is located in the South Terraces. Directions: Park in any unmarked space and take the garage elevator to the second floor; follow the arrows until you reach the South Terraces atrium. From there take the elevator or stairs behind the elevators to the 2nd floor. - Suite 250. [http://www.matrixreso...]

ADUG SPONSORS
Seeking sponsorship opportunities? Contact Mal Richards.