After spending the past few years working on using online tools to promote communities and events around Pittsburgh, we’ve become convinced that the online and social media world is the future of community development and promotion. On Digital Placemaking we’ll explore that idea by writing how-to’s on using new tools and services, profiles of organizations doing innovative things, articles furthering the ideas behind Digital Placemaking, responses to news articles related to the local online world, and probably much more.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

What’s up with that?

We have a theory, and we’re going to spend the next few months putting it to the test. Our theory is this: social media is the future of local online content.

The reason is that when it comes down to it, social media is just a digital version of word-of-mouth, and word-of-mouth is what has been driving community since…ever. Taking word-of-mouth online makes it easier to spread to the word farther and wider, making it even more powerful and useful.

But one issue with word-of-mouth, even online versions of it, is that it’s very disorganized. Just because nearly everyone has an individual social media presence doesn’t mean that all of the people in one community or area are connected to each other. In fact, now it’s much easier to keep up with acquaintances we met briefly years ago in different cities than it is to keep up with people down the street from us.

That’s not really beneficial to building local community, which is really the goal of any locally focused website. So, we’re trying out some new features and we’ll see how they go:

• #OnlyinPgh Twitter Stream: On the left side of the front page is a stream and twitter chat of the #onlyinpgh hashtag (for more info on hashtags, head here). Use it to share your OnlyinPgh moments, events, news, articles…whatever it is that you think is “only in Pittsburgh.”
• Facebook Wall Feed: On the right side of the front page is a feed of the OnlyinPgh Facebook Page. Post your events, pictures, links on it to share with others in Pittsburgh.
• Pinterest Photo Page: We changed our photo page to run on Pinterest! The page contains a feed of our most recent pins for your enjoyment, or you can head directly to our Pinterest page to see all the goodies. Have a photo you’d like to share? If you’re on Pinterest, mention us (@onlyinpgh) and we’ll repin. If not, post it to our Facebook page and we’ll pin it for you!

That’s it! As always, feel free to use the Feedback tab to tell us what you think!

(Photo taken in Shadyside by jmobley)

Submitted by Jaime.

Submitted by Snakeguy:

Next time you’re at Market Square take a moment and see how many different reflections you can catch off the PPG buildings.

Photo submitted by @pennsy15104.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Do you live, work or play in Oakland? Signup for the private beta of Scenable, the app for local communities, which is launching in Oakland soon!

So, without further ado:

• Monday (4/2): 4th ANNUAL AUGUST WILSON MONOLOGUE COMPETITON. Let’s make sure Pittsburgh wins this national competition!
• Tuesday (4/3): A N R live at Shadow Lounge. Post-apocalyptic Pop.
• Wednesday (4/4): Foxy Shazam at Mr. Smalls Theatre. I’m a sucker for anything with the word Shazam in it
• Thursday (4/5): Heart Attack, A Fashion Show at The Altar Bar. Pittsburgh busting onto the Fashion Scene!
• Friday (4/6): 1,2,3 (FREE SHOW!). Friday night live music for free. No joke.

Looking for more things to do? You can always check out the Happenings Map and you can sign up for our Happenings Email with OnlyinPgh-Approved weekend events!  Have something you think we should feature? Drop us an email!

Photo submitted by Sarah. Taken at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.

Photo submitted by Jaime:

Nothing More American than Baseball!

Congratulations, Ken! You won TWO tickets to Future Tenant’s 10^th Birthday Bash ($50 value), an OnlyinPgh Swag Pack AND one of the new Scenable t-shirts when they’re printed in early April!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a photo and everyone who voted!

Photo submitted by @pennsy15104

Don’t forget — voting for the Pittsburgh Entryway contest ends TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!