Refresh Cleveland is a group devoted to members of the Northeast Ohio community that are passionate about technology and the web. Some people have asked what they should write about on this site. Here’s a topic to start y’all off: what are you passionate about? What aspect of the web, and technology as a whole, interests you and drives you to learn more?

For me, it’s the idea of communication and the constant learning process that is an integral part of technology. I’m a designer–I sometimes jokingly say that I “make things look pretty,” but for me it’s about more than just creating designs that are pleasing to the eye. It’s about communicating visually and allowing the visual aspects of a design to help others understand an idea.

It’s also about mastering a craft, which is tricky and frustrating, but also rewarding. Every time I “get” a new concept, I feel a sense of triumph. Even so I know that I’m never finished learning, because the face of the web is constantly changing. It morphs into something new every month and every year.

Working with the web is a constant adventure. It involves discovery, mastery and the occasional conquest. It may not be mountain climbing, but it can be just as exhilarating when you finally figure out a concept that’s been itching at that little corner of your brain just beyond comprehension. That’s what drives me and makes me continue in this field.

What drives you?

After a few weeks of fiddling with the design and vacillating between the various forum applications out there on the world wild web, Refresh Cleveland is quite live. We are, for now, going with Google Groups for our discussion forum. They have one of the best forums “out of the box,” and the other forums out there, quite frankly, all have their pitfalls and perks.

Please feel free to sign up for the discussion group and also register on this site to post news and announcements. Refresh Cleveland is intended to be a place for web heads in Cleveland to come together and network as well as learn about new concepts and techniques in our respective fields. If you’re interested in participating in a local community of designers, developers, storytellers and other web-based creatives, sign up and introduce yourself. The adventure is just beginning.

Wondering what it’s all about? Refresh Cleveland is a brand new organization dedicated to fostering conversation and learning in the local web community. Refresh Cleveland is about changing the way we look at the web, whether you’re a designer, developer, writer or student. How? By starting discussions, by providing a way to contact each other, and by finding common interests in the local community.

Joining Refresh Cleveland is easy: just register on this website in order to contribute posts, join the email list, or email admin@refreshcleveland.org. Want to keep up with Refresh Cleveland events? Subscribe to our RSS feed to get site updates and news.