Sociocracy requires healthy communication to work
Sociocracy is an effective method of self governance, but it requires open and robust communication in order to work properly.
By
David
on October 11, 2023
Get occasional updates on our projects, events, and more:
6 Tips for Writing RFPs that Build Amazing Partnerships
We’re writing this guide as a tech partner who has engaged in successful collaborations with many organizations that began with an RFP process.
By
Ethan
Ralph
Mckenzie
Jonathan
David.a
on November 15, 2022
Important Changes to Google Analytics Happening Now
Everything you need to know about Google's major Analytics Update
Introducing CoLab-Kube, our alternative for hosted cloud servers
CoLab has been incrementally improving our DevOps systems for our clients for over a year by creating an accessible and more affordable dedicated server and computational cluster.
By
Jonathan
on March 9, 2022
Join Us For a Moz Fest 2021 Workshop: How Data Trusts Can Build Digital Equity
Benetech, Inclusive Design Research Centre and CoLab are hosting a workshop on how data trusts can build collective power and equity. March 11th | Virtual | 12 pm EST
By
Ralph
on March 9, 2021
You Can Amplify Black Voices! Join BlockPower!
You can amplify black voices! Join BlockPower!
As more and more of us are working from home, CoLab wants to help you stay secure on the web with simple suggestions to keep your personal and private data secure.
By
Ian
on July 6, 2020
Identifying and acting on code smells is an essential skill in collaborative software development as they often signify a problem in the system. Learn about what these signals are in the context of collaboration and how to avoid smelly shared work.
By
Ethan
on June 29, 2020
Committed to doing the work to root out racism
At CoLab we are committed to doing the work to root out racism in our own lives and to support each other on this path.
Remote Hosting: a start-to-finish guide on running smooth, meaningful virtual meetings
Are you getting the most out of your time in virtual meetings? Over the past few weeks, we’ve been pleased to support folks through their smooth transition to virtual collaboration, decision making and togetherness. Here are the six tips to running smooth virtual meetings we found ourselves sharing most often.
By
Stephanie
on May 11, 2020
Drupal 9 is coming this summer, and we’ve got your back!
Drupal 9 is coming this summer. We have an established process for Drupal migrations, including users, documents, images, nodes, workflows, roles, permissions, and redirects. We’re ready to help.
By
Stephanie
on April 16, 2020
One CoLabr reports on how he organizes his day when working from home.
By
Vu
on April 3, 2020
Food Rescue Alliance positive news
Food for the People - Boulder Food Rescue and Food Rescue Alliance crisis response
By
Mckenzie
on March 26, 2020
Building a Solidarity Economy, Together.
How to tell one story internationally
New site launch, design job, and hacking in Hong Kong!
By
Danny
on September 28, 2018
Get $10,000 for your co-op, and a new Up&Go!
Let’s scale co-ops in all industries
By
Danny
on August 3, 2018
A gathering about bringing democracy to work.
By
Danny
on April 30, 2018
What Do We Think about Culture, Politics, and Cryptocurrency?
By
Doug
on March 20, 2018
Get inspired by CoLab’s Rylan Peery at TEDx Big Sky
Discover the journey which led to the creation of our co-op.
By
Doug
on March 14, 2018
#InternationalWomensDay: Build the Co-op, Run the World
A few new moves towards equality in CoLab.
By
Mckenzie
on March 8, 2018
After the #platformcoop afterparty is… another party!
RSVP for the People's Open Forum on Tech, Co-ops, & more
By
Danny
on January 16, 2018
On finding the light in the dark through the struggles of the year past.
By
Danny
on December 22, 2017
Vermont Law School’s Drupal 8 Revamp: Using Region View Mode
A deep dive into our latest Drupal 8 upgrade for Vermont Law School and the Region View mode.
By
Jeff
on December 14, 2017
Party with Us at Platform Coop 2017
Let’s turn the best #platformcoop ideas into action.
By
Danny
on November 9, 2017
Conversations on Art and Activism
How can insitutions work with communities who are fighting systemic economic and social oppressions?
By
Rylan
on October 30, 2017
Running a Business Fueled by Purpose, Grounded in Action
Changing the world through sharing and collaboration, one business at a time.
By
Rylan
on October 16, 2017
Beautiful, eco-friendly furniture is finally here.
By
Gabrielle
on October 13, 2017
CoLab Unveils Vermont Law School’s New Drupal 8 Rebuild
A speedier build for a bigger impact.
By
Margy
on October 12, 2017
Life on the Road: Technomadism and Distributed Working
Catching eclipses, visiting canyons and exploring the US with his family. Learn how Jeff Amaral makes the most of working at CoLab.
By
Doug
on October 2, 2017
Site Launched: Say Hello to thenextsystem.org
Meet the newly redesigned The Next System, a bold, beautiful, and accessible website for extensive writing on the global economy.
By
Ralph
on September 21, 2017
The Future of Community Collaboration
How can decentralized communities collaborate better? The VTArtWorks initiative might just be the solution.
Making it Minimal: CALS and CoLab
CALS approached CoLab with a need to upgrade one of the primary themes used for the front-end display of departmental information.
Our Work: New Drupal Modules and Redesigned Publishing for Christian Century
A new publishing platform for the online magazine Christian Century.
By
Jeremy
on July 24, 2017
Investing in cryptocurrencies is fun, but let’s not forget what we are doing: building the economic systems of the future.
App Launched: Think Gig Economy With Workers in Charge
This week we launched Up & Go, a web application that connects consumers with local, sustainable, worker-owned cooperatives offering top-quality services at guaranteed fair wages.
Today, workers around the world join in solidarity with the long lineage of labor organizers and brave laborers who have fought hard for the many freedoms we enjoy today.
Installing Solr 5 for Drupal Apachesolr on OS X with Homebrew
First in a series of technical posts at CoLab!
By
Jeremy
on March 17, 2017
Transnational Cooperativism in a Digital Age
What benefits can a coop model of international collaboration provide in a digital age?
Building just, local economies
CoLab has been working with partners on an exciting new project that we're happy to share with you: the NYC-based Coopify app!
By
Ralph
on November 18, 2016
Helping the International Co-operative Alliance Build the Next Global Economy
By
Ralph
on November 9, 2016
A Meditation for (US) Election Day
A collaborative meditation / prayer / poem for election day.
By
Ralph
on November 8, 2016
Call To Action Buttons Are So 2015
We at CoLab like to find the best solutions for everyday problems.. And when it comes to call to action buttons, we just think they could be better. “Click here to try our product!” you get told every time you land on a page. “Please, pay attention to me!” they seem to say. Oh boy. Is this really the only way to get people to try something out?
By
Gabrielle
on July 14, 2016
CoLabrs Up Close: Amandeep Singh Sapra
Another in our series featuring our team, what draws them to CoLab and how they spend time outside of work
By
Ralph
on July 14, 2016
Project Management: Four of the Best Ways to Do Project Estimates
CoLab's Gabrielle Anctil looks at the problems of project estimation and explores some possible solutions.
By
Gabrielle
on June 14, 2016
Seventh Generation Homepage Features #ComeClean Campaign
We recently had the privilege of working with the rad team at Seventh Generation to help them launch their #ComeClean campaign.
By
Ralph
on May 5, 2016
CoLabrs Up Close: David Brooks
Second in a new series featuring our team and how they spend time outside of work.
By
Ralph
on April 28, 2016
CoLabrs Up Close: Colleen Skemp
A new series featuring our team and how they spend time outside of work.
By
Ralph
on April 10, 2016
Just Launched: New Cornell University Food and Brand Lab Drupal Site
They needed a robust online platform, capable of effectively translating a variety of multimedia content to a diverse audience, which CoLab delivered.
By
Ralph
on March 1, 2016
Reflections on our mission for a brighter future and the work of Dr Martin Luther King.
By
Rylan
on February 15, 2016
CoLab Named To Support Historic Camp Sagamore With Mobile Experience
Camp Sagamore in the Adirondaks has been awarded a grant to work with leading experts. CoLab is called on for mobile applications.
By
Ralph
on January 29, 2016
With CoLab Made Software REFM Finds Long-term Partner
CoLab's partner REFM announces software license agreement with Realtors Property Resource® .
By
Ralph
on January 28, 2016
How to Start Flowing with Flow-based Programming
Shining light on what FBP is and what benefits it offers, plus a simple ToDo app to tie it all together.
By
David
on August 29, 2015
A Practical Technical Project Checklist (For Non-Technical People)
Tackle your technical project's unknowns (and unknown unknowns) with this handy checklist.
By
Jenn
on August 10, 2015
Supreme Court ruled in favor of love today.
By
Ralph
on June 26, 2015
Site Launched: Seventh Generation Optimization
We got Seventh Generation ready for Google's mobile update and optimized their site to be easy to administer and perform faster.
By
Ralph
on June 18, 2015
Appreciating our cooperative culture in which mindful practices are fostered
By
Ralph
on June 12, 2015
App Launched: GlassApp (New Art Museum, Too)
Celebrating GlassApp and the Contemporary Art + Design Wing at the Corning Museum of Glass.
By
Ralph
on March 24, 2015
Talking Collaboration with Mikael
We talk to Mikael about Moodboard, Unsplash, and the ongoing challenge of building trust in an organization.
By
Jenn
on March 9, 2015
Karen Talks About Harnessing Flexbox On Smashing Magazine
One of our favorite front-end developers dives deep into CSS3 Flexible Box, sharing solutions to various common use cases for modern web apps.
By
Ralph
on March 3, 2015
Site Launched: Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association provides a home for anyone with a desire to connect with their personal spiritual path. As of last week, they also have a new website.
By
Jenn
on March 2, 2015
Does this look like a Squarespace?
Lessons on getting started using the developer mode, template-driven JSON, and CSS preprocessors on Squarespace.
By
Jenn
on February 26, 2015
Our second project with Mama Hope, a non-profit organization focused on building self-sufficient communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
By
Jenn
on February 26, 2015
Talking Collaboration with Joshua
We talk to Joshua about transparency, the challenges of running a co-working space, and leadership dynamics in decentralized organizations.
By
Jenn
on February 2, 2015
Talking Collaboration with Bill
We talk to Bill about queen bees, team diversity, and techniques for ensuring an inclusive collaborative culture.
By
Jenn
on December 21, 2014
We put it off. We focused on client projects. We did a refresh. We weren't satisfied. Here's how we went ahead with a full redesign of our site, and how we finally got it done.
5 Tips for Ecommerce Split Testing
Last week, CoLab’s content and SEO expert, Jess Spate, co-hosted a webinar with Jirafe's CEO Amit Shahon on ecommerce customer acquisition.
By
Jenn
on November 24, 2014
The Signs Are All Around Us: Would We Notice Them in Neon?
CoLabr Brian Toomey attended the largest climate march in history on September 21, 2014. He was one of 400,000 people who gathered in New York City, unleashing a unified cry to protect our planet. Did it make a difference?
By
Colleen
on November 19, 2014
Join Jirafe and CoLab for Commerce Strategy
Join Jirafe and Colab on November 18th at 11 AM EST to learn how you can turn your online store into an irresistible shopping destination.
By
Ralph
on November 17, 2014
Embracing Where You're At: 10 Ways CoLab Gets It Right
A business has a life of its own. Like a child it must be fostered toward continuous growth and improvement. Those who shape it need to maintain an awareness of strengths to be encouraged and weaknesses to attend to. But, careful! It is surprisingly easy to fall into the trap of focusing heavily on weaknesses while forgetting to celebrate successes.
By
Colleen
on October 24, 2014
There is a ripple effect. When one person gains a firmer footing in their life’s purpose, the uplifting effect echoes through whatever they are a part of, including a company.
By
Colleen
on September 29, 2014
CoLab is proud to announce the launch of the newly redesigned Pivot Works website.
By
Ralph
on September 25, 2014
Labor Day High Fives to Global Cooperatives (including self-five)
This Labor Day, CoLab is celebrating the burgeoning cooperative economy and our place in it. We are proud to be included in Shareable’s article highlighting worker-owned cooperatives who are redefining the cooperative movement!
By
Ralph
on September 1, 2014
Take Notice of Oddly Shaped Objects
CoLab has launched a new version of James Huang’s website featuring his one-of-a-kind sculptural masterpieces.
By
Ralph
on August 18, 2014
Updates: Performing Sites for Performing Arts
We are pleased to be serving the arts in our recent work with HowlRound, a Center for the Theater Commons at Emerson College.
By
Ralph
on June 27, 2014
Though we are not officially participating in the official National Day of Civic Hacking, we are marching forward in a kindred spirit of improving lives and serving others with our 1st ever CoLab Hackathon.
By
Ralph
on May 31, 2014
Site Launched! California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
CPMCRI is creating impact through important scientific research in the fight against global medical challenges like breast cancer and age-related diseases. They are part of the large non-profit health care organization Sutter Health.
By
Ralph
on May 23, 2014
We're on the front page of Hacker News
Hacker News prides itself on curating deeply interesting stuff, supported by thoughtful, civil online conversation. Proud to see the cooperative business model getting some love on their home page.
By
Ralph
on April 23, 2014
This passage was written a short time ago during CoLab’s strategic planning session for 2014 (we call them summits). A longer form, collaboratively written piece is in draft, but we felt eager to share this moment in potent realization with you, transparently.
By
Ralph
on March 11, 2014
On Culture, Values and Greatness
As the promise and potential of a new year begins to take shape, it is a natural time for reflections on why we do what we do and in addition, the values we seek to uphold at CoLab and with the projects we collaborate on.
By
Ralph
on January 10, 2014
Web App Shipped! Valuate 1.0 Starts Up
If you are one of our dedicated few CoLab blog readers, then you know that we have been hard at work for the past year readying the Valuate Web App for this very moment: the launch of Valuate 1.0 into the world!
By
Ralph
on November 15, 2013
Social Enterprise Re-Launched: Rice Field is Deep on Substance, Fresh with Style
After a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign this past Spring, Rice Field Collective has launched their freshly redesigned storytelling e-commerce shop. This launch marks another leap forward in their ascent as a modern, eco-friendly and socially conscious knitwear brand. The site features the ability to showcase not only the beautiful hand-knit products but also the makers, designers, and other collaborators who all play a role in the story of each product.
By
Ralph
on November 14, 2013
Partnership Gets it Done; Stop The Pity Goes Live
A second site launched this week, StopThePity.org, bringing together a great CoLab team. The project came to us by way of ReAllocate.org and we jumped at the chance to fulfill the giveback opportunity. The site was nearing completion when we got it, but needed a strong team to close it out and give it some needed mobile optimization love.
By
Ralph
on October 28, 2013
Site Launched: Wordpress & Shopify Integration in Breathtaking Beauty
If you are looking to be inspired, look no further. Artist Si Scott’s new redesigned portfolio plus online shop and the artwork it holds are truely stunning.
By
Ralph
on October 2, 2013
App Launch: REFM Enters Closed Beta
A massive and exciting project we have been working on this year came out from behind the curtain this week. Entrepreneur, partner and collaborator Bruce Kirsch has launched Valuate by REFM, a next-generation commercial real estate financial analysis and property marketing software platform.
By
Ralph
on September 27, 2013
Nothing says Summer like 'Guerrilla Commando'
It’s summer and as much as we like to design, code, and create ... we also like to play. ralph cutler doing 80’s flavor better than B-Fine.
By
Ralph
on July 19, 2013
Toe Dipping in the Future, Google Glass Successes and Failures
One of our developers, Peter, arrived this morning fresh from the future (Google's idea of it at least). Having just acquired a pair of Google Glass, Peter wasted no time breaking the seal and digging into experimentation.
By
Ralph
on June 10, 2013
It's starting to sink in. Sustainability in business isn't simply an economic issue or an environmental issue. Sustainability is a people issue!
By
Ralph
on May 17, 2013
Wearing Pajamas To Work Isn't New, But The Sleepy Jones Site Is
Recently, our friends at Hugo + Marie returned to us with a new collaboration project to build a custom ecommerce solution for a new clothing label.
By
Ralph
on April 18, 2013
A Good Story Of Living With Less
Seems like every time I click on the NYT these days, I'm inspired or at least reassured that momentum is shifting, people are waking up and choosing a path with less greed, ego and blind consumption involved.
By
Ralph
on March 12, 2013
Relax, You’ll Be More Productive
I wish we could collectively learn to pause more often — to stop for a minute, to breathe, rest and recharge together. You know, like the '5 min stretch breaks' they announce over the PA at the supermarket for employees, but where we actually all do it together, all the time, and we do it joyfully.
By
Rylan
on March 11, 2013
Are you looking for work in a positive collaborative environment where cooperation and heart-centered actions take precedence? Are you inspired to participate in a progressive economy business? Would you like to be able to work flexible hours and from any location?
By
Ralph
on March 3, 2013
Just Launched: Website of Sacred Beats & Bass
Dub Kirtan All-Stars new site is live and chock full of sonic and social sharing goodness. It’s the latest of CoLab’s prono projects supporting music and art.
By
Ralph
on February 28, 2013
Just Launched: Shiny New Finlo Solar Website
Finlo Solar’s new site is up, powered by sunshine and collaboration.
By
Ralph
on February 8, 2013
We have a term at CoLab for the helpful little things we discover in our interactions with technology, business and life in general. We call each one a 'top tip.' Just the smallest piece of intelligence can make us excited, giddy even, when we find that it eases the modern challenges of completing a task, managing something or just helps things run smoothly.
By
Ralph
on January 25, 2013
Think that the collaborative economy will never take shape?
With openness comes innovation. This is core to our value system at CoLab. It's why we work with a host of partners across our project portfolio and generally why we choose to collaborate over compete at every opportunity. While this philosophy is clearly a shot across the bow of the old consumer capitalist paradigm believing that success only comes at the expense of others; it is not without supporters from some of the old economic guard.
By
Ralph
on December 13, 2012
Warning, You Might Adopt a Great Habit After Reading
At CoLab we work a lot on giving. Giving is fundamental to our culture and our mission. At our best, we personally ask ourselves everyday: Who did I give to? What did I give? At minimum, we regularly ask CoLab as a business: When was our last pro bono design? What percentage of new contracts can we donate?
By
Ralph
on December 6, 2012
CoLab For Storied: Helping Meaningful Stories Live Forever
Forever is a strong word, and yeah, perhaps a tad exaggerated. Though the stories you can create, store and share on the CoLab supported Storied app can live on a lot longer than those faded, torn photographs our Mothers have stuck in a shoe box collecting dust in the closet. Or are they under the bed? One thing that definitely does not live forever is a Kickstarter campaign. Thankfully, with the help of more than 150 backers, we reached our goal of $35,000 within the 30 day timed challenge. This will be a major boost towards the final execution of the product before launching publicly.
By
Ralph
on October 25, 2012
This week we celebrated in honor of our visiting West Coast member Yaniv and his lovely newlywed partner Sara, with a little mid week soirée.. It was also an opportunity to share the work of artist Joshua Sperling, who has helped deck out the CoLab Hive Coworking space in recent months. Lastly, it was also an excuse to give out Free Hugs to some peers, lovers, collaborators and supporters of cooperative economy, as Tuesdays can get be pretty hectic.
By
Ralph
on August 2, 2012
Good design doesn’t just look good. It needs to perform, convert, inspire, and possess a purpose. It is often innovative but can also just get the job done with simple elegance. Below is are the principles of good design, set forth by Dieter Rams.
By
Ralph
on June 15, 2012
CoLab hearts children. We should know. We only have like a bazillion of them amongst our members and collaborators. So what better way to spend a Saturday than putting our creative talents to good use?
By
Ralph
on May 22, 2012
Social Enterprise in New York Gets a Boost
A new bill recently signed into law by NY State Governor will enable corporations to legally structure themselves as Benefit Corporations or B-Corps. B-Corps are for-profit entities that have a specific social mission.
By
Ralph
on April 27, 2012
A New Website For A Folk Artist Dear To Our Heart
Through the community that is blossoming from our co-work space in Ithaca (CoLab Hive), we connected with a tremendously talented opera turned folk singer name Anna Coogan.
By
Ralph
on February 22, 2012
It feels so damn good, to serve organizations like Prison Radio. On January 30th Mumia Abu-Jamal hugged his wife for the first time in nearly thirty years. Incredible. Hearing of this news, truly warmed our hearts and reminded us once again, why we do all this technology and design for our clients and partners.
By
Ralph
on February 2, 2012
Site Launch! HANDLE Care Helping Kids
HANDLE©Care needed an outside the box web site design to match their innovative approach to help children who are working through perplexing behavior, language delays, organizational problems, and psychological disorders. Starting fresh with little to no online presence, we agreed that the site also needed to stand out from the typical style of other sites in their industry.
By
Ralph
on January 20, 2012
We often ask ourselves, how can we help? How can we do more to contribute to community development, sustainable energy or the alleviation of suffering? Finding answers is getting a lot easier.
By
Ralph
on January 12, 2012
Modern Web Approach To Ancient Yoga Studies
The Yoga Studies Institute (YSI) is a school that teaches how to achieve the ultimate goal of yoga: a life of love, wisdom, authenticity, fulfillment and purpose. It teaches yoga as a lifestyle in a modern sense. Helping to connect the ultimate or enlightened self with your everyday self.
By
Ralph
on December 13, 2011
30 years ago, Mumia Abu-Jamal's life turned upside down. A police officer in Philadelphia was shot and killed. Mumia was charged, then convicted and sentenced to death for the murder. Since his conviction, serious doubts have been raised over the legitimacy of the evidence.
By
Ralph
on December 10, 2011
The artistry and integrity of Sam Walls Beasley’s work is uncanny, she is a masterful seamstress. We are thrilled to have developed her website with our in-house CMS.
By
Ralph
on October 20, 2011
Ode to Wine (and Ecommerce Winery Websites, of course)
Wine, a transformative liquid of love, celebration and ceremony. Winemaking, a craft dating back to the Neolithic Age. Ecommerce winery websites, a growing part of the CoLab portfolio.
By
Ralph
on October 13, 2011
The Case for Technology Worker Coops from a Former Freelancer
Some of our esteemed tech co-workers have proposed a discussion of the value of tech coops at SXSW in 2012 which got me thinking about just this question.
By
Rylan
on September 19, 2011
The only constant, is change, and a big change has come for our partner, collaborator and friend Elijah Woolery.
By
Ralph
on September 1, 2011
A Special Congratulations to TechSpring Winner Alissa Johnson!
Collaboration being the very heart and soul of our company. CoLab is proud to be participating in the innovative TechSpring program with the Unreasonable Institute and Singlebrook Technology.
By
Ralph
on August 3, 2011
New Website For Good, Launched: Tea Gallerie!
There is a new tea boutique on the block. Tea Gallerie is officially online and on the rise.
By
Ralph
on June 15, 2011
New Website For Good, Launched: Lotus Yoga!
We are excited to announce the launch of Lotus Yoga's new website.
By
Ralph
on May 19, 2011
Building a Sustainable, Mission-Driven Company
When we founded the CoLab Cooperative in January of this year, we were putting legal structure to a mission to serve the earth and its inhabitants via a cooperative business entity building Internet technology.
By
Rylan
on April 12, 2011