Dunbar Explorer Network

Why did I create DEN?

I created Dunbar Explorer Network, or DEN for short, because I wanted a place where culture, entertainment and meaningful leisure come together.

I imagined a digital centre you could return to whenever you like: at home, while travelling, during a wait, or whenever you have a little free time and want to fill it with something worthwhile.

DEN brings together several different paths, all leading towards worthwhile experiences, ideas, stories and discoveries.

DEN is not a startup company or an investment scheme. It is not possible to join as an investor: support does not provide ownership, decision-making rights or a financial return.

I created DEN's foundations with a substantial amount of my own money because I wanted to build a digital space that provides value, builds community and genuinely serves people's interests. I believe there is an exceptional need for a place like this.

I want DEN to be sustained by community support. That is precisely why there will be no advertising or paid placements: its content and decisions can be shaped by the community's real needs rather than commercial interests. Operating, securing, maintaining and developing the servers, website and apps involves substantial ongoing costs. Covering them over the long term requires the community to come together and offer its support.

Culture and meaningful leisure

Culture and relaxation in one place

On DEN, you can listen to music, watch videos, read articles and magazine contributions, and discover books.

Books in DEN Library can be read traditionally or listened to using the read-aloud feature. This can be particularly useful while travelling, during a long wait or when you would rather listen to a story.

Music and video playback can also be controlled using Bluetooth headphones, speakers or other compatible devices connected to your phone. DEN can accompany you in the car, on a train, during a walk or while relaxing at home.

My aim is to help us find genuinely worthwhile content whenever we use a screen, rather than spend more time in front of one.

Help planning time together

DEN Compass

I created DEN Compass to make organising family and shared activities easier.

The Budapest guide brings together many venues and current activities across all 23 districts. Search by venue or activity name, or narrow the results using several filters.

Open DEN Compass

You can choose:

activity category
district
child's age group
indoor or outdoor venue
free or paid activities
a suitable date
and accessibility

Compass also shows a weather forecast to help you decide between outdoor and indoor activities.

When you find the right place, open directions with a single tap. The destination is passed to Google Maps so you can plan the journey from your starting point.

DEN Compass has a simple aim: less time searching and more time sharing experiences.

Creators and content makers

Making room for creators

I also created DEN to help creators and content makers who do valuable work but do not always reach their audience.

I want to offer writers, musicians, filmmakers and other creators a chance to introduce themselves and apply to contribute.

It matters to me that work appearing on DEN offers real value, respects copyright and speaks honestly to people.

I want to connect creators and their work with people looking for those particular stories, songs or ideas.

A place that keeps growing

DEN moves forward with you.

DEN is a continually developing website and app. New books, music, videos, articles, activities and creators may be added.

I hope it will become a welcoming digital centre on a human scale: somewhere to pause, and perhaps leave with a new thought, a story, a song or a plan for an experience to share.

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