ICT Development Services May 2008 Newsletter

The content of this newsletter was last edited on 8th August 2008

Welcome to the NCVO ICT Development Services newsletter - the telephony issue.  This month we look at plain speaking and using the telephone, two much neglected elements of ICT.

Contents

• Articles
• Learning and support
• Knowledgebase resources
• Offers – access volunteers, bursaries and discounts

Articles

The Role of Voice in Communications - it’s good to talk so why not cut out the email and get back to plain speaking?

Telephony in your Voluntary Organisation - how could you use telephony better for you, your colleagues and clients

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Learning and support

Foresight Report: How ICT is Shaping the Future Design and Delivery of Public Services
Drawing on case-studies from high profile organisations and current thinking and debate from ICT experts; the report looks at emerging trends in the ways organisations are run and public services delivered through the innovative use of new technology.  It includes the role of digital TV and video to provide remote support; open exchange for partners and stakeholders to collaborate effectively online; greater accessibility to information and the use of call centres and online self-help tools.  Download the PDF for free or order online.

Help with Web 2.0
Tapping into the potential of Web 2.0 can feel quite daunting and overwhelming at first.  The Media Trust have produced a new 'How to ...' guide focusing on the voluntary sector, to share with you some instructions, advice and success stories to get you blogging, podcasting and twittering.  Download your copy of the new media guide online.

Making Better Use of Telephony
The Telephone Helplines Association have published the Good Telephony Guide, an excellent guide to using telephony in voluntary organisations.  Download the telephony PDF for free.

21 Inspiring Mashups for Social Change - or how to get two sources of data and one piece of technology to help change the world.  Don’t worry about the jargon, just check out the difference you can make with a few web tools http://blog.techsoup.org/node/351.

Knowing what you need to know - Techsoup offer a review of 15 ways to use software to improve your knowledge management www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page5908.cfm.  

Keeping your team connected - How do you keep in touch when people are all over the place.  Techsoup have eight ideas to make the difference www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page4824.cfm.

Building and Engaging Your Online Community - A short series of videos following up from the recent UK Circuit Riders conference to help you progress with online community engagement.  Tools, ideas and an opportunity to ask for feedback. http://sc.blogs.com/onlinecommunity/

Ideas for e-campaigning - Advocacy Online have published a guide with ideas and case studies on e-campaigning.  Short and punchy and well worth a quick read. http://advocacyonline.net/cms/cmsloader?bYxPYy&view=281,21,2804,0,-html

Vital Information, Greater Impact - Visualising Information for Advocacy - An Introduction to Information Design aims to help you strengthen your campaigns and projects through communicating vital information with greater impact. A hefty download (almost 7MB) is available from http://tacticaltech.org/infodesign.

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Resources from ICT Knowledgebase

• A Guide To Microsoft Licensing
  A guide to Microsoft Licensing options for voluntary and community organisations.
• Mac OS X Server In Mixed Environments
  Macintosh OS X server is a powerful, multifunction server that can work well in environments of mixed Mac and Windows desktops.
• Working With Voluntary And Community Organisations (VCOs) - Guidance For Telecoms Suppliers
  How telecoms suppliers can work more effectively with voluntary and community organisations (VCOs).
• The Asus EeePC: The Miracle Mini Laptop
  This Article takes a closer look at the much-vaunted Asus EeePC, examining its features, functions and day-to-day usability.
• Funding The Costs Of Telephony
  Guidance For Commissioners and Funders  on funding the true costs of telephone systems.
• See www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk for more articles.

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Offers

Realise your big IT Project with a team of volunteers
iT4Communities is working with corporate employee volunteering schemes to get more IT professionals to help charities in need.  Perhaps you're thinking of creating a web cafe for your community group or maybe you are moving your IT equipment.  You could be developing a database to link in with your website or perhaps researching how to set up social networking.  Whatever your project, if a team could assist then iT4C can help make it happen.  Please talk to one of the team on 020 7796 2144, email info@it4communities.org.uk  or simply request a volunteer on our website.

Discounted Products and Services
NCVO has negotiated a range of discounts and preferential arrangements on a wide range of key products and services. These include savings on software, hardware and telephony. To find out what discounts are available on IT equipment and how you can benefit, visit the NCVO website.

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