Google for Non-Profits

Google for Non-profits provides a round up of Google’s relevant and useful free tools, all in one handy place to help organisations get started easily.

The site lists everything from docs, calendars, web analytics, groups to YouTube. They’ve categorised the free tools list into two areas, ‘Save time and money’; and ‘Find and engage supporters’.

Excerpt from the Google for Non-profits webpage:

You want to change the world. We want to help.
Learn how to use free Google tools to promote your work, raise money, and operate more efficiently.

How will this help organisations?

Each application tool link takes you to a section which shows you what the tool is and how to use it with easy to understand tutorials. As well as the guides on how to use the tools there are useful innovative examples of how the applications can be used in a nonprofit organisation with real case studies in the ‘Get inspired’ sections. There is also a ‘Quick ideas’ section too, which can give groups some instant ideas in ways these applications could be used, as well as a handy ‘Question and Answers’ page for each tool, which covers many of the common questions that organisations raise when investigating new ways of using technology to acheive their aims and way they work.

An excellent one-stop-shop resource to help organisations to learn more and gain the knowledge and confidence that is sometimes needed to have a go with using these tools for the first time.
See more at Google for Non-profits.

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Twitter in plain english from Common Craft

Common Craft who produce the most fabulous fun bite size mini videos on social networking tools in plain english have released another in their growing series. The latest one is all about Twitter which explains how Twitter can be used in just 2.5 minutes. Check it out at www.commoncraft.com/twitter.

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Visualising information for advocacy: An introduction to information design

I’d highly recommend reading a copy of the new booklet from Tactical Tech which is also available as a pdf download. Visualizing Information for Advocacy: An Introduction to Information Design is a useful guide aimed at helping organisations strengthen campaigns and projects through communicating vital information with greater impact.

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Web Office 101

London region ICT champ, Miles Maier has created a great visual round up of some of the best web office tools on his blog. He ran a session called ‘Web Office 101′ at the recent Circuit Rider Conference, and shares a wide range of links to web-based office tools which allow you to create, collaborate and share documents through your web browser. Check out the article weboffice 101.

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Article on making videos more accessible on blogs

Problogger guest writer Stephen Hopson helps to champion accessibility in making video posts accessible to the deaf community with a step by step guide to adding subtitles to a video post. Check out the insightful article and the interesting reader comments and conversation at Problogger - How to Make Your Video Posts More Accessible.
If interested in making all your media more inclusive to all, there are lots of useful resources and guides on

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Photo Dropper plugin - finds Flickr Creative Commons images within Wordpress

The new handy Photo Dropper plugin for Wordpress could save time when searching for images to brighten up blogs and websites. This plugin finds Creative Commons licensed images from Flickr for use within your blog.

Excerpt from the Photo Dropper website:

“When it comes to finding great quality images, you basically have 3 options: stealing, buying, or using Creative Commons-licensed photos.”
“With the Photo Dropper plugin, you can now search millions of Flickr photos and add them to your Wordpress posts with just 1 click, all without leaving your Wordpress dashboard. Attribution links are automatically added underneath the images to comply with the Creative Commons license rules. It’s the easiest way to add photos to your blog.”

The Photo Dropper blog also links to the great post by Skelliewag, A Complete Guide to Finding and Using Incredible Flickr Images which highlights the importance of checking the Creative Commons license on the original Flickr source page before posting any external images on your site. On Skelliewag’s post it lists all the types of licensing and what it means as an easy reference guide when using photo’s from Flickr on your site.

Back in January, I wrote another Flickr related post Get the Picture, on how nonprofit organisations can use online photosharing for a variety of uses, along with a collection of useful links to other excellent articles and resources.

To find out more about Photo Dropper and download the plugin, visit the site at www.photodropper.com.

I look forward to testing this plugin out.

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40 web based online tools for design

The Design Vitality site has a useful list of 40 helpful free web based tools to help you design anything from logo’s, create and edit webpages, includes collaborative online tools, and image editing and more. See the full list at Design Vitalitys’ 40 excellent web based tools.

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Politics 2.0 co.uk

Over on the NTEN website there is a great round up of how politicians here in the UK are using social media to reach new audiences. Check out the article at NTEN on politics 2.0 co.uk.

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Search engine optimisation for novice nonprofits

Deborah Elizabeth Finn, who blogs at Technology for the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector, has written a great article which I’d highly recommend organisations with websites to take a look at.

Her introduction to the article -

“This article is designed to introduce nonprofit professionals to the basics of search engine optimization, which is also known as SEO. The tactics involved range from the simple to the sophisticated, but no special technical expertise is needed to formulate an SEO strategy.

As a nonprofit professional, you are already an expert in your organization’s mission and programs. Moreover, you probably have already given thought to outreach, marketing, or public awareness for your nonprofit. Now you can bring your expertise and ideas to bear on your organization’s web strategy. This is not rocket science.”

The article is written in an easy to understand, non technical manner. Readers will learn ways which will not only increase those all important rankings but the tips given will also improve their website too.
Read the full article at - Search engine optimization for nervous nonprofit novices!

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Women Who Tech - a TeleSummit for Women in Technology

Any woman with a telephone who works in technology at a non-profit, a political campaign or is interested in technology is invited to participate in this free, live event on March 31, 2008 from 11 am to 6.15 pm EST. (We’re five hours behind here in the UK, so equates to to 6 am - 1.15 pm GMT!)

Women Who Tech: A TeleSummit for Women in Technology in the non-profit and political world aims to bring together the most talented and renowned women breaking new ground in technology.
The telesummit aims to create a supportive network for the vibrant and thriving community of women in technology professions by giving them an open platform to share their talents, experiences and insights via virtual workshops and panel discussions. See their website at www.womenwhotech.com for further information on how to participate, join their mailing list or Facebook group, follow on Twitter.

Eight of the twelve panels have now been announced and has a fabulous line up with some of the top women in technology and organisations taking part.

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