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Online Communities and Collaboration
Section editor
APC
Introduction
Successful collaboration, whether online or in person, depends on good team dynamics. The facilitator plays a key role, and careful planning is necessary.
Internet-based group collaboration tools range from simple e-mail to sophisticated multimedia environments. When deciding what tools to use, remember that everyone in the group must be able to easily access the collaboration environment, especially team members in developing countries. Often it is better to start with a simple technology like e-mail, and put more effort into team-building, planning and facilitation.
Whether the goal is an online meeting or the creation of a global network, the resources collected here will help groups: choose the appropriate collaboration tools, develop facilitation techniques, and plan a strategy for successfully working together online.
"Your goal is to shape the space to meet your needs."
Maureen James & Liz Rykert, Working Together Online.
'You Who?' - Trust in Web 2.0
Developed by: webcredible
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"As Web 2.0 emerges and becomes more widespread, issues of how to trust websites are evolving. No longer is it enough for people to trust the content you put on your site - they also need to trust user-generated content. Find out how trust on the web is changing and what you need to do to improve the trustworthiness of your site."
Dhttp://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resourc
es/web-credibility/web20-trust.shtml
9 ways to make your blog more inclusive
Developed by: Problogger
Type of resource: Blog
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Darren Rowse offers nine tips for making your blog more inclusive and accessible to your communities.
Dhttp://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/09/13/9-wa
ys-to-make-your-blog-more-inclusive/
An Introduction to Screencasting
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"A screencast is a movie that captures the display from a computer screen along with someone talking about what’s being shown. This might take the form of a formal narrated Powerpoint presentation, a software demo, or an informal walk-through of a particular concept." Learn more about screencasting, how to use it and what tools are available from this article by Beth Kanter.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/training/pa
ge6885.cfm
Building Electronic Communities and Networks
Developed by: IMARK
Type of resource: E-learning web site (CD version available)
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The module covers the approaches, methods, and tools used to build electronic communities, and covers the various steps and procedures for developing and facilitating electronic communities. The total curriculum consists of 29 lessons, ranging from approximately 15 to 90 minutes duration, grouped into five units, for a total of about 16 to 22 hours of self-paced instruction.
Dhttp://www.imarkgroup.org/moduledescrC_en.asp
How to Build a User Community
Developed by: Creating Passionate Users
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Most user communities take a typical path - the newbies ask questions, and a select group of more advanced users answer them." This article will help you find ways of getting beginners and intermediate members to engage more fully with the community.
Dhttp://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_us
ers/2006/12/how_to_build_a_.html
Nonprofits Share Their Wiki Success Stories
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Case studies
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Two mini case studies of nonprofits which have developed wikis with active communities of users.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding
/page6031.cfm
Online Facilitation Listserver
Developed by: Online Facilitation
Type of resource: Listserver
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The onlinefacilitation listserver is a space for discussion about the skills, techniques and issues around online facilitation in a variety of internet online environments and virtual communities.
Dhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/onlinefacilitation/
Should you move office to the web?
Developed by: The Guardian
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Online office apps are cheaper, and you can work anywhere there's a web connection. But if none of them can really compete with the functionality of Microsoft's Office, isn't it a case of better the devil you know? Nick Clayton finds out."
Dhttp://technology.guardian.co.uk/businesssense/sto
ry/0,,1956250,00.html
Your next phone: new IM tools with VoIP
Developed by: Cnet
Type of resource: web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Cnet takes a look at the most popular services for voice over internet protocol and instant messenger, comparing features and offering Cnet reviews on each system. The article can give a useful overview to different VOIP options for those new to internet telephony.
Dhttp://reviews.cnet.com/4520-9237_7-6243313-1.html
Tools for Citizen Journalism
Developed by: SourceWatch
Type of resource: wiki
Target audience: General, Information intermediaries
Cost: Free access
SourceWatch has developed this wiki (open for all to build upon) with a listing of tools and reviews for citizen journalists or anyone else interested in on line publishing. It includes blogging, audio, video, photo and on line content management tools and tips, as well as handbooks on blogging and legal issues associated with on line publishing, such as defamation, privacy, and intellectual property.
Dhttp://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tools_f
or_citizen_journalism
Editor's choice: Instant Messaging: Step-by-Step
Developed by: BigBlueBall.com
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
A step-by-step guide to getting started with instant messaging.
Dhttp://www.bigblueball.com/im/step-1.php
An Introduction to Chat and Instant Messengers
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Brief introduction to chat and instant messaging by Susan Tenby
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/articlepage.cfm?Arti
cleId=122&topicid=5
Instant Messaging Tools and Technology: A Mini-Guide
Developed by: Kolabora
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Instant messaging is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text messages. Instant messaging differs from traditional e-mail in the fact that communications can be sent and received instantly." Robin Good looks at the basics of instant messaging and reviews some of the most popular IM tools.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/news/2006/09/28/instant_me
ssaging_tools_and_technology.htm
"Blog" is short for "web log", and is an easy-to-use "online diary" tool which can help to build community around a specific theme. A Technical Guide to Anonymous Blogging: Security measures for hiding your identity online
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Ethan Zuckerman looks at the potential risks of blogging and at some security measures for hiding your identity online.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/pa
ge6042.cfm
An Introduction to Weblogs
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Looks at "What is a weblog?", "What Does a Blog Do?" "Examples of Informational Blogs", "Why Should My Organization Use a Weblog?" and "What Software Do I Need to Start a Blog?".
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/articlepage.cfm?Arti
cleId=439&cg=searchterms&sg=blog
Blogging!
Developed by: Austin Free-Net
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Simple introduction to blogs and where to find easy-to-use blog hosts.
Dhttp://www.austinfree.net/curricula/blogging_curri
culum.html
Blogs and Community – launching a new paradigm for online community?
Developed by: The Knowledge Tree
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Online community has been an important part of the Internet, mainly forming around email lists, bulletin boards and forums. In recent years, the ascendancy of blogs has introduced a new platform for communities." Nancy White' looks at emerging patterns of blog based communities and questions for their strategic application.
Dhttp://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/edition-11-edito
rial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new
-paradigm-for-online-community/
Code of Good Practice: Blogging
Developed by: Paul Caplan
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Paul Caplan provides some good practice guidance for creating and using blogs.
Dhttp://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/blogginggood
practice
Getting Started with Blogging Software
Developed by: Idealware/TechSoup
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Whether showcasing your work, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your nonprofit, highlighting the people you serve, or advocating a particular point of view, a blog can be a powerful -- and influential -- communication and public-relations tool for your organization." This report looks at the key considerations in choosing blogging software and reviews some of the options available.
Dhttp://www.communit.info/index.php?option=com_cont
ent&task=view&id=779&Itemid=60
Learning 2.0: 23 things
Developed by: Learning 2.0
Type of resource: Tutorial
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
A discovery learning program designed to explore new technologies.
You will find 23 Things small exercises that you can do on the web to explore and expand your knowledge of the Internet and Web 2.0.
Dhttp://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com
Of Blogs and Bloggers
Developed by: Learn the Net
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Short introduction to blogging, with links to directories of blogs and free blog hosts.
Dhttp://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/82blog.htm
Top ten tips for blogging and podcasting
Developed by: Paul Caplan
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Blogging and podcasting are useful ways voluntary organisations can interact with their audiences. This article provides tips for success."
Dhttp://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/bloggingandp
odcastingtips
Using content to create connections among people
Developed by: Shawn Callahan, Anecdote
Type of resource: pdf
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Shawn Callahan at Anecdote offers this white paper on using blogs as an inexpensive,relatively easy solution for strengthening communication in communities of practice. While geared to a sales environment, the illustrative example can be easily expanded to other scenarios with technician community members, such as local ISPs or groups of community telecentres. Callahan proposes blogging as a way to improve and increase knowledge sharing, going beyond basic databases and private advice in email exchanges.
Dhttp://www.anecdote.com.au/papers/ConnectingPeople
withContent.pdf
Utilizing Web Blogs for Project Efficiency
Developed by: Michael Angeles
Type of resource: website and pdf presentation
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This presentation, from a corporate perspective, offers practical advice for launching and using web blogs in project information management and collaboration.
Dhttp://urlgreyhot.com/personal/publications/utiliz
ing_weblogs_for_project_efficiency
Wikis described in plain english
Developed by: CommonCraft
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Wikis. What they are, where they come from, why they exist, how they function and how can they be useful for normal human beings like you and me. If you are into building online communities where stakeholders care and nurture a common goal, consider this required reading.
Dhttp://www.commoncraft.com/archives/000644.html
Exploring the World of Wikis: Collaborative Web sites organize information, encourage participation
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Part of the next generation of interactive Web applications, wikis are collaborative Web sites that allow authorized users — or in some cases, anyone with an Internet connection — to rapidly and easily change the content of pages, as well as view a history of changes that others have made." This article by Brian Satterfield looks at what wikis are, how you can set one up, and how it might help your organization.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding
/page4563.cfm?CFID=21896656&CFTOKEN=58759156
Wiki part I: Progressive communications, wiki style
Developed by: Association for Progressive Communications
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General, Information intermediaries
Cost: Free access
Collaborative work can normally be documented with the help of a drawing board or some tape recorder in the corner of a room. At the Association for Progressive Communications, people’s collective space is not a room. Instead they work from home, some in small offices, others in affiliated organisations, all over the world. But what is a wiki anyway? How does it differ from other online tools APC uses? How can it support the way we work at APC? This first out of two pieces looks at these questions by rooting the answers in APC’s global working dynamics.
Dhttp://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=5038
198
I see what you're saying
Developed by: Sydney Morning Herald
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Skype is a hugely popular program that allows you to make free phone calls to other Skype users anywhere and low-cost calls to anyone with a landline or mobile phone. It manages this amazing feat by routing calls over the internet, using a technique called voice over internet protocol (VOIP)." Helen Bradley walks you through the basics of installing and using Skype.
Dhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/tips/i-see-what-youre-s
aying/2007/02/04/1170523951304.html
Overview of Internet Telephony
Developed by: International Engineering Consortium
Type of resource: pdf
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This tutorial, offered by the International Engineering Consortium, offers clearly written information on the history, standards, infrastructure, barriers and future of internet telephony. It also includes detailed graphics, a glossary and a quiz. You have to go through an extensive registration process to receive this free tutorial.
Dhttp://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/acrobat/int_te
le.pdf
Skype
Developed by: Skype
Type of resource: Software
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Skype is a free internet telephony tool, featuring instant messenger services as well as voice over internet communication between computers. While there are many different voice over internet protocol tools available, Skype is one of the few that offers encrypted communication and installation packages for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
Dhttp://www.skype.com/
Efficient Management of Multilingual Electronic Conferences
Developed by: Daniel Pimienta, Catherine Dhaussy
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article, published in Upgrade, looks at the "Efficient Management of Multilingual Electronic Conferences" (EMEC) methodology, which harnesses e-mail discussion lists, web pages, machine translation and human facilitation for the management of online conferences.
Dhttp://www.upgrade-cepis.org/issues/2002/1/up3-1Pi
mienta.pdf
Benchmarks for Building Extranets and Online Communities
Developed by: Benton Foundation
Type of resource: MS Word document
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"This set of benchmarks is designed to help organizations effectively implement online communities—whether a community of grantees or a community of volunteers or some other collection of constituents."
Dhttp://www.benton.org/publibrary/capacity/extranet
_benchmarks.doc
Enhancing Internal Communications with Blogs, Wikis, and More
Developed by: Nick Finck, Mary Hodder, and Biz Stone
Type of resource: website and presentation
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
In addition to offering an overview of wikis and blogs, this presentation provides interesting and creative examples of their use for knowledge sharing and growth, in civil society organisations as well as private enterprise.
Dhttp://www.nickfinck.com/presentations/bbs2005/
Group collaboration
Developed by: Terena
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Very basic overview of online collaboration from the Terena Guide to Network Resource Tools.
Dhttp://www.terena.nl/library/gnrt/group/collab.htm
l
Innovative Use Of Internet-Based Collaboration Tools And Methods In An Institutional Context
Developed by: Andrew Lachkovics, Thomas Metz, Elizabeth Goldberg, Krishna Allluri, Paul Quek
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article lays out how to encourage members of an institution to work collaboratively using a wiki. It first argues why wikis are suitable for collaboration, citing them as a process-oriented rather than product oriented tool. The paper is enriched by the collaborative effort of two organisations, the Commonwealth of Learning and the IPGRI, working across continents, the document outlines installation, configuration, and use of the wiki, as well as how to achieve steady contribution and the institutional changes necessary to fully adopt wikis as a collaborative tool.
Dhttp://www.col.org/pcf3/Papers/PDFs/Lachkovics_eta
l_Alluri.pdf
Our Office 2.0 experiment
Developed by: Thinkvitamin
Type of resource: Web case study
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This case study describes how one small organization attempted - with mixed success - to move from proprietary desktop-based software to web-based and open source solutions.
Dhttp://www.thinkvitamin.com/features/webapps/our-o
ffice-2-0-experiment
So, You Want to Host an Online Conference
Developed by: Cathy Boak and Jean Blackburn
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Guide for project managers from Canada's Office of Learning Technologies. Topics covered include system considerations, software selection, conference site features and design, planning, promotion, administration and support and post-conference considerations.
Dhttp://olt-bta.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/resources/ConfGdNod
e_e.pdf
Tag - You’re Delicious!
Developed by: Andy Carvin
Type of resource: Blog entry
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Bookmarking with your Web browser has its limitations. For one thing, you’re saving your bookmarks only on your computer. If you’re using a desktop PC in your classroom, that means you can’t bring your bookmark collection with you when you go home or elsewhere; it also means you can’t share your favorite bookmarks with your colleagues very easily." This piece by Andy Carvin offers an excellent introduction to sharing bookmarks using del.icio.us.
Dhttp://www.pbs.org/teachersource/learning.now/2006
/05/tag_youre_delicious.html
Thirteen Tips for Effective Tagging: How to mark sites so you and others can find them
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"How many times have you dug fruitlessly through the links you've saved in your browser's Favorites folder, struggling to remember how you categorized that site you wanted to remember? Or how often have you been unable to locate information you needed - simply because you didn't know what search word to use?" This TechSoup article offers tips for effective "tagging".
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/articles/webbuilding
/printpage4519.cfm
Web Presentation Tools And Technologies: A Mini-Guide
Developed by: Robin Good
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Web presentation tools and technologies provide the means to deliver any PowerPoint-based or similar type of visual presentation to an Internet-connected audience, no matter where participants are connecting from. Most web presentation technologies, do away with requiring end users to have an installed copy of Microsoft PowerPoint and increasingly offer not just the ability to digitally distribute such presentations but also of creating them." Robin Good explores the options.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/news/2007/01/25/web_presen
tation_tools_and_technologies.htm
Benchmarks for Building Online Communities
Developed by: Benton Foundation
Type of resource: MS Word file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
With support from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Benton has developed guidelines to help foundations and non-profits plan, build and sustain online communities.
Dhttp://www.benton.org/publibrary/capacity/extranet
_benchmarks.doc
Brainstorming Across Borders
Developed by: Chrysalis International
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Basic tips on "how to stimulate creative thinking from afar".
Dhttp://www.chrysalisinternational.com/communique_0
62904.htm
Co-Browsing Tools And Technology: A Mini-Guide
Developed by: Robin Good
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Co-browsing is the ability to co-navigate the web with other people at-a-distance." Robin Good looks at the basics and compares some co-browsing tools.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/news/2007/03/22/cobrowsing
_tools_and_technology_a.htm
Collaborative Writing Tools And Technology: A Mini-Guide
Developed by: Kolabora
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Collaborative writing tools are those technologies that facilitate the editing and reviewing of a text document by multiple individuals either in real-time or asynchronously. Online, web-based collaborative writing tools offer great flexibility and usefulness in learning groups and educational settings as they provide an easy mean to generate text exercises, research reports and other writing assignments in a full collaborative fashion." Robin Good looks at the key features of collaborative writing tools, and compares some of the tools available.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/news/2007/03/01/collaborat
ive_writing_tools_and_technology.htm
Everything You Need to Know About Web 2.0
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Web 2.0 is a category of new Internet tools and technologies created around the idea that the people who consume media, access the Internet, and use the Web shouldn't passively absorb what's available; rather, they should be active contributors, helping customize media and technology for their own purposes, as well as those of their communities. These new tools include, but are by no means limited to, blogs, social networking applications, RSS, social networking tools, and wikis. On this page, you'll find articles on a variety of Web 2.0 tools and technologies."
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/toolkits/web2/
Face to face or remote: Weighing the pros and cons
Developed by: Chrysalis International
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Basic questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to have your meeting face-to-face or online.
Dhttp://www.chrysalisinternational.com/communique_0
32304.htm
Gender for Journalists
Developed by: Commonwealth Press Union / Trish Williams
Type of resource: web site
Target audience: General, Women
Cost: Free access
This on line toolkit developed by Trish Williams for the Commonwealth Press Union is a good resource for any journalist or communicator, and one to keep in mind if your organisation hosts an interactive news site. It offers an overview of basic gender issues and sexist terms, statistics, and further gender resources. Williams, a media consultant, developed the tool because journalists play such an important role in forming society opinion. The toolkit includes brief exercises to help journalists reflect on their own stereotypes, alternatives to sexist terminology, and underlines the responsibility of media regarding gender issues.
Dhttp://www.cpu.org.uk/cpu-toolkits/gender_reportin
g/index.html
Kolabora
Developed by: Robin Good's Master New Media
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Excellent source of news and resources on online collaboration tools.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/
Power from the People: Assessing the New Online Participatory Tools for Your Organization
Developed by: idealware
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
'New online participatory tools like blogs, YouTube, and MySpace can be powerful and valuable – if they mesh with your goals. Colin Delany walks through the benefits and costs of common participatory tools and suggests which are likely to be useful for you."
Dhttp://www.idealware.org/articles/participatory_to
ols.php
Screen Sharing Tools and Technology: A Mini-Guide
Developed by: Kolabora
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Screensharing tools enable you to share the contents of your screen with one or more remote users. This article explains what screensharing is, looks at typical features of screensharing applications, and reviews some of the most popular screensharing tools.
Dhttp://www.kolabora.com/news/2006/10/05/screen_sha
ring_tools_and_technology.htm
The Power of the Social Web for African Civil Society
Developed by: Kabissa
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This brief Kabissa article offers an overview of the promises and pitfalls of the "social web" or Web 2.0.
Dhttp://www.kabissa.org/mimi/web-2.0.html
Virtual collaboration: if you can't work side by side
Developed by: Dave Pollard
Type of resource: Blog entry
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This brief blog entry offers a table comparing the strengths and weaknesses of different online tools for collaboration.
Dhttp://blogs.salon.com/0002007/2005/03/18.html#a10
83
Web Office Tools
Developed by: ICT Hub Knowledgebase
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Online tools have the potential to enable organisations to more easily exploit ICT and better achieve their organisational goals. This two part article reports on a two week experiment by Miles Maier to see how suitable online tools are for everyday tasks like email, calendar, documents and spreadsheets, and whether they could even replace desktop applications like Microsoft Outlook and Office".
Dhttp://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/webofficetoo
ls
What is social media?
Developed by: Spannerworks
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The term "social media" refers to a generation of online tools which promote participation, openness, conversation, community and connectedness. This guide from Spannerworks introduces the concept of social media and looks at how tools such as RSS, wikis, blogs and podcasting work.
Dhttp://www.spannerworks.com/fileadmin/uploads/eBoo
ks/What_is_Social_Media.pdf
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