Today we are releasing our first video tutorial to demonstrate Omeka’s basic functions. We plan to release them on Fridays, since we know many of you work on Omeka projects over the weekend.

In our efforts to make using Omeka as easy as possible we now offer tutorials in print, so to speak, and in video, and provide everyone a place to play in the Sandbox.

This week’s screencast demonstrates how to install Omeka on your server, which was originally recorded for THATPodcast.

The list of available design themes increased by one today and “Dark” is now available for downloading. “Dark” is an abstracted and modified version of the forthcoming Art@Mason website, built with Omeka, that is particularly good for displaying images.

As the summer progresses, the theme directory will continue to grow. We also encourage anyone developing their own Omeka theme to share it with the community.

Are you interested in playing with Omeka before downloading and installing your own copy? If you are, please visit our new Sandbox. Here you may test the functionality of an Omeka installation by adding and editing items, creating collections, building exhibits, and changing settings. Unlike a copy that you download, you cannot upload files, install plugins, or change the CSS. But, we think the Sandbox still gives you a good idea of what Omeka can do.

To access the administrative panel, go to:http://omeka.org/sandbox/demo/admin. At the login screen, enter “demo” as the username and “sandbox” as the password (do not include quotation marks).

Play all that you want, because we will reload the original database and its settings at the end of the day.