ICT Development Services July 2008 Newsletter
The content of this newsletter was last edited on 8th August 2008
Welcome to the July issue of the NCVO ICT Development
Services (ICTDS) newsletter – the hands on issue.
You may have seen that in June the modern computer celebrated its
60th birthday, so
with our favourite piece of kit’s birthday in mind, this newsletter features technology in action,
people and organisations that are making the most of ICT.
We hope you have a lovely summer and we’ll be back in September.
Contents
Case studies and examples
- Lasa got their web 2.0 hands dirty when they left behind their usual office software for two weeks and experimented with a range of free online tools. Find out how the experiment went and what it could mean for you at www.icthub.org.uk/caseStudies/WebOffice.html.
- Connecting Dorset is an innovative project, which aims to bring broadband to rural communities through local councils and village halls. Find out how the project came about at www.icthub.org.uk/caseStudies/ConnectingDorset.html.
- BTEG (Black Training and Enterprise Group), PATH National and ROTA (Race on the Agenda) addressed their individual need for ICT support by sharing the resource of a full time ICT worker. Find out how they went about it and what benefits it has brought them at www.icthub.org.uk/caseStudies/BTEG_ROTA_PATH.html.
-
Film It! is an organisation that aims to educate, engage and enthuse "hard to
reach" young people through the creative arts. Find out how they worked with an ICT volunteer
to resolve issues they were having with their email and the positive impact it had on their
organisation
www.it4communities.org.uk/it4c/home/casestudies/filmit.html.
Keeping informed
… PARTICIPATE
Silver Surfer of the Year Award 2008
The hunt is on for the next Silver Surfer of the Year with the deadline for applications
extended until 31st July. To find out more and make your application go to
www.digitalunite.net/ssd/?page=ssy.
Are you setting up or running a community group or not for profit organisation?
The City Centre for Charity Effectiveness Trust is trialling an innovative on-line
knowledge sharing website on how to run voluntary / non profit organisations. They are
looking for volunteers to try out the website, especially people from small organisations who are
not very confident about using the internet. Not only will you get to see some cutting edge
technology in action and shape the new website but also share your experiences of setting up a not
for profit group and learn from others who are doing the same. To find out more email
Sonja.weirauch.1@city.ac.uk.
… FUNDING
Using the internet for fundraising
South East regional ICT champion Mark Walker has pulled together some really useful web based
funding resources. Read more on Mark’s blog
http://scipmark.blogspot.com/2008/06/fundraising-and-internet.html.
… NEW MEDIA
Youth services making use of web 2.0
If you're working in youth services and want to explore the use of web 2.0 (also called new
media) technology then an online space has been set up just for you. Tim Davies was looking
for a dedicated space for all the conversations around work with young people and web 2.0 and on
finding that no such site existed, went about developing his own at
http://ukyouthonline.ning.com. The site is
currently hosting an online discussion in the run up to an un-conference on the subject in
September. If you work with young people then why not join in. There’s
more about web
2.0 on the ICTDS website.
Digital Makeover charity selected
South Yorkshire Funding and Advice Bureau (SYFAB), has been selected by CTT and NetSquared to
undergo a digital makeover, a project that will showcase the potential transformational effect of
emerging internet based web 2.0 technologies for non-profit organisations. The project will
be blogged along the way and you can find out more on the website
www.netsquared.org/blog/simonfairway/digital_makeover_launch.
… SOFTWARE
Web based database for infrastructure organisations launched
On 10th July, Voluntary Action Sheffield will be launching VC-Connect - as featured in
the recent
ICT Hub shared systems
report - an online, customisable database for infrastructure organisations. There is more
info on the system and launch event at
www.vcconnect.org.uk.
Still scratching your head about open source?
On the recent launch of open source internet browser Firefox 3.0, 8million downloads were
made in the first 24 hours
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7462900.stm.
If you’re still not sure if open source is for you and want to find out more then
take a look at the
Knowledgebase articles on the subject.
RNIB launch new tool to help you view your computer screen
The RNIB has launched the Surf Right Toolbar, a new tool for use with Internet
Explorer, designed to make adjusting viewing options easier. Many of the functions that the
toolbar offers are already available on your computer and the toolbar serves to bring them all
together in one place, making it easier and quicker to adjust your settings. Read more at
www.rnib.org.uk/wacblog/news/rnib-surf-right-toolbar-beta-version-available/.
… AND FINALLY
What’s happening in your region?
Keep up to date with the latest ICT news in your region (including events and funding
opportunities) by subscribing to the blog of your regional ICT champion. A full list of the
champions can be found at
www.navca.org.uk/services/ictsupport/
and you can find out how to subscribe to a blog at
www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/whatisrss.
Looking for a new ICT job in the sector?
Don’t forget that the ICT Development Services website has a jobs board for the latest ICT
jobs in the voluntary and community sector. You can also find out how to submit your
vacancies for free
www.icthub.org.uk/Jobs_Board.
Why not search for other voluntary sector jobs at
www.ncvo-jobshop.org.uk.
News
-
Resources available from Microsoft and NCVO event
Materials from the Microsoft and NCVO event on 10th June are now available to download on the ICTDS website www.icthub.org.uk/events/resources.html. All presentations, handouts, contacts and links mentioned on the day are there and we want to thank everyone who attended and made it such a success.
Events and training
… UPCOMING
Collaborative Working Conference 2008
NCVO's third annual Collaborative Working Conference will take place on Wednesday
22 October 2008 in London. The event will present cutting edge thinking and offer an opportunity to
contribute to the development of the collaborative working agenda, attend a series of stimulating
workshops and exchange ideas and experience with peers. More details will appear on the ICTDS
website as they are announced.
Promote your ICT event for FREE
If you are running an ICT event then don’t forget that you can post it for FREE on
the ICT Development Services website
www.icthub.org.uk/events.
Offers and services
Discounted ICT software and hardware
Whatever your ICT requirements, NCVO member organisations can save money on a range of
market-leading products and licensing options through our recommended suppliers, Phoenix Software,
Pugh Computers and Datek Solutions. NCVO members can also benefit from a wide range of
discounted telecom services provided by Class Telecommunications, NCVO’s approved telecoms service
provider for over 10 years.
For more information on all the discounted products and services available visit our website
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/discounts.
Products and services for the voluntary and community sector
If you need to find a reliable supplier for software, hardware, a web designer or
an ICT consultant etc, visit the ICT Suppliers Directory -
www.suppliersdirectory.org.uk. The directory,
produced by Lasa, offers a comprehensive, easy to search national listing of trusted suppliers to
the voluntary sector.
ICT Hub publications
You can still get hold of the ICT Hub publications both as downloads and hard copies at
www.icthub.org.uk/publications.