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Strategic Internet Use
Section editor
Ann Tothill, APC
AATothill@apc.org
Introduction
To use the Internet "strategically" simply means to get what you or your organization needs from the many possibilities offered by the latest online software and tools.
The list of resources below includes articles and case studies on using the Internet for activism, guidance on using specific tools, and resources to help you plan your organization's use of the Internet.
A Nonprofit's Introduction to Google's Online Mapping Tools
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: article on website
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article discusses how to use Google Maps and Google Earth for outreach and advocacy, and shows how to select an online mapping project that meets your needs and fits within your budget. It also provides a detailed overview of a range of Google mapping technologies that can help your organization put its cause (literally) on the map.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/pa
ge11657.cfm
A Sourcebook on Access and Applications: Models of Use and Case Studies
Developed by: Learn Link: Digital Tools for Development
Type of resource: website with PDFs
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This site hosts a series of chapters on access and how access issues are being addressed from a variety of contexts and situations. The sourcebook presents an overview of different access issues such as at community learning centers, for organisational development, e-commerce and education. Each chapter is accompanied by case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Dhttp://learnlink.aed.org/Publications/Sourcebook/h
ome.htm
An Introduction to Activism on the Internet
Developed by: John Emerson
Type of resource: website
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
A brief introduction to a few different techniques of electronic advocacy using email, the Web, and other “new media” to bring about social change. Any campaign determining its strategy should analyze its goals and consider the best way to influence, facilitate, create, or seize power. Electronic campaigning techniques may work best when supplementing offline tactics... or may be entirely unsuitable given a campaign’s intended audience, targets, timing, or resources. As with other campaigning tactics, strategies that work in
one context will not necessarily work in another.
Dhttp://www.backspace.com/action/all.php
Campaigning – I Count
Developed by: Dr Simon Davey
Type of resource: Case study
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"This article describes how the Stop Climate Chaos coalition used the Internet to launch a successful campaign".
Dhttp://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/campaigning
Electronic Networking and Publishing in Internet for Environmental NGOs in SEE Region
Developed by: Bluelink
Type of resource: document
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This manual, in easy-to-read English and with plenty of screen shots, offers tips and incentive for electronic networking among environmental activists. It includes orientation around mailing lists, netiquette, online campaigns, and strategic content sharing. Developed by Bluelink for South-Eastern European environmental organisations, the manual encourages content sharing using Action Apps, an open source content management system. Detailed instructions on how to use Action Apps as a writer and editor, and publish feeds from multiple sources, are provided in the manual.
Dhttp://www.see-environment.info/manual1.doc
Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents
Developed by: Reporters Without Borders
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Reporters Without Borders developed this handbook (in English, French, Chinese, Arabic and Persian), to support citizen journalism in repressive environments where media is frequently censored. The manual orients internet users on how to set up blogs and publicize them, while preserving personal anonymity as part of ensuring personal safety and online security. It also examines how to establish credibility, promoting ethical and journalistic principles. The guide looks at specific situations to offer appropriate methods, with tips from expert bloggers and journalists. Available in English and French.
Dhttp://www.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/Bloggers_Handbook2.pdf?
PHPSESSID=fca8e410a50a510fa48ab40d385e8985
Message-in-a-Box
Developed by: Tactical Technology Collective
Type of resource: Web site with How-To Guides, Case studies, tools, etc.
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
"Message in-a-box" is a set of strategic guides to using communications tools for social change, together with a suite of open source tools to get you making your own media. The toolkit is designed for small and medium-sized NGOs, advocates, and citizen journalists to help them create and distribute content for their advocacy efforts while exploring the constantly evolving world of campaigning and communications.
Dhttp://www.messageinabox.tacticaltech.org
Mobiles-in-a-Box
Developed by: Tactical Technology Collective
Type of resource: Web site with How-To Guides, Case studies, tools, etc.
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
Mobiles in-a-box is a collection of tools, tactics, how-to guides and case studies designed to help advocacy and activist organisations use mobile technology in their work. Mobiles in-a-box is designed to inspire, to present possibilities for the use of mobile telephony in your work and to introduce you to some tools which may help you. After reading the material in this toolkit you can expect to be able to design and implement a mobile advocacy strategy for your organisation.
Dhttp://www.mobiles.tacticaltech.org
Tech-Savvy Communications: A Toolkit for Nonprofits
Developed by: NPower
Type of resource: Online toolkit
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"This toolkit provides an overview of effective message development for nonprofits, and offers a survey of tech-savvy communications channels such as RSS feeds, blogs and podcasts."
Dhttp://www.npowerseattle.org/education/resources/c
ommunications.htm
Building civil society portals: Reflections by practitioners
Developed by: APC / Karel Novotny
Type of resource: Word document
Target audience: General, Women
Cost: Free access
This paper compiles perspectives of civil society portal experiences and offers insights into design, news aggregation, keeping portals dynamic, tips for sustainability and what it means to build a community of users. The study details challenges and tips coming from practical experience.
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/english/c
s_portals.pdf
15 Ways to Use Software to Improve Your Organization’s Knowledge Management
Developed by: Idealware
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"You may have seen signs that knowledge isn't flowing easily through your nonprofit: Staff can't find documents, or research things that others already know, and decisions are made without full information. " Laura Quinn looks at some of the ways in which software can help you - even if it doesn't solve all your problems!
Dhttp://www.idealware.org/articles/software_for_km.
php
Editor's choice: Knowledge Sharing Toolkit
Developed by: Bellanet, Mark Faul, Kemly Camacho
Type of resource: Word Document
Target audience: Trainers
Cost: Free access
This (draft) kit contains tools that are designed to make it easier to benefit from the collective experience, knowledge and expertise of your peers, co-workers and partners. The knowledge sharing techniques described in this toolkit are a selection of KS tools that are simple, quick, and proven to be effective methods for providing and promoting open, transparent discussion on topics, issues, activities and projects, and can be effectively used as training/facilitation techniques for workshops.
Download
D
KM4Dev
Developed by: Bellanet
Type of resource: Web site and discussion list
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"KM for Development (KM4Dev) is a community of international development practitioners who are interested in knowledge management and knowledge sharing issues and approaches."
Dhttp://www.km4dev.org/
SurveyMonkey
Developed by: SurveyMonkey
Type of resource: Online software
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
SurveyMonkey enables anyone to create surveys online quickly and easily. A basic subscription is free, but limits you to 10 questions and 100 responses per survey; a fee-paying subscription offers advanced options.
Dhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/
Use Online Surveys to Get the Feedback You Need
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Online surveys can help you gather information and feedback to assist with project design and monitoring and evaluation. In this TechSoup article Yann Toledano looks at features to consider when choosing an online tool and steps to conducting an effective online survey.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/pa
ge5048.cfm?cg=searchterms&sg=questionnaires
Zoomerang
Developed by: Zoomerang
Type of resource: Online software
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Zoomerang is a tool for developing online questionnaires. A free version permits 100 or fewer respondents and 30 or fewer questions. Various fee-paying options are also available, including special rates for educators and non-profits.
Dhttp://www.zoomerang.com/
Editor's choice: Strategic Tech Toolkit
Developed by: Summit Collaborative and Strategic Tech
Type of resource: Website and PDFs.
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
These materials, developed by Summit Collaborative and Strategic Tech trainers, provide simple resources and background material such as fact sheets, sample agendas, surveys, check lists and assessment tools for technology planning. The toolkit covers all facets of technology planning - from building a technology team, understanding staff attitudes towards technology, working with a board of directors, to actually developing and then implementing the plan. Session outlines spell out the steps in collaborative technology planning, and instruct how the different resources can be employed in the overall process.
Dhttp://www.summitcollaborative.com/cwpm.html
Bandwidth Management and Optimisation
Developed by: INASP
Type of resource: Website with PDFs and other downloadable documents
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Briefing packs, workshop materials and information resources — Information briefing packs are available from INASP to support institutions working in the areas of bandwidth management and optimisation (BMO). A handbook “How to accelerate your Internet: A Practical Guide to Bandwidth Management and Optimization using Open Source Software” is also available (although only in English). These materials have been designed to target specific stakeholders and staff within universities and research institutions.
Dhttp://www.inasp.info/file/449/bandwidth-managemen
t-and-optimisation-briefing-packs-workshop-materia
ls-and-information-resources.html
Community Technology Plan: Broadband Internet Access
Developed by: First Nations Technology Council
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
A clearly written manual to facilitate decision-making and implementation of broadband networks in local communities, specifically in this case, Aboriginal communities in Canada. Easy to read, the manual explains common technical terms and characteristics of broadband connectivity. It guides readers through community technology assessment and also in the development of a basic business plan, as well as a sample business plan. It examines tower placement and tower construction possibilities, especially with rural communities in mind. The manual considers local community broadband as a business opportunity, either as an asset to community income or for individuals in the community. It provides checklists and a glossary and was developed by the First Nations Technology Council.
Dhttp://www.fntc.info/files/documents/TechnologyPla
nV1March292005.pdf
On the Road to a Gigabit Broadband: Are we there yet? A Self-Assessment Guide for Communities
Developed by: CENIC, Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, and CALIFA, consortium of California Libraries
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This guide allows communities to assess their level of current access and readiness for broadband, and helps envision what a fully connected community might mean for shared decision-making and community-building in the future. The tool first helps assess network infrastructure and then examines each community sector one-by-one, such as schools, libraries, government offices, hospitals and clinics, or community-based organisations. The highlight of the guide are its "Stages", established for each sector, which provide benchmarks in a variety of aspects: which places might be networked, what types of services and applications might a particular sector provide given a higher level of connectivity, their leadership role. The tool can be used in small presentations or for a townhall strategizing session, and includes tips for a community access workshop.
Dhttp://www.cenic.org/guide/pdfs/guide.pdf
Strategic Technology Planning Toolkit
Developed by: Ungana-afrika
Type of resource: PDF Document
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Ungana-Afrika have been providing strategic technology planning services to the development community in Southern Africa for nearly three years. The processes have been refined through experience, and are presented here in their current form to assist other technology support providers to implement technology planning in their own context
Dhttp://www.ungana-afrika.org/resources/techplannin
g/
Tech Atlas for Non Profits
Developed by: Tech Atlas
Type of resource: Website
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This online tool takes you through Tech Atlas' technology planning process: Envision, Inventory, Assess and Act through the use of online forms. You must register to use the tool and have access to the on-line space, which you personalise by answering a series of questionnaires on your organisations' mission, vision, inventory, staff needs, etc. All of your inputs are maintained in project summaries and work plans online. There are options for downloading or emailing information during the different stages of the process. The staff needs assessment is an interesting tool, which allows you to assess staff computer skill and software knowledge. While there is no fee associated with the "basic" package, there is if you wish to register for the "enhanced" package which includes customised project recommendations.
Dhttp://techatlas.org/tools/
Technology Inventory Worksheet
Developed by: CompuMentor
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
As organisations grow their adquistion of technology may be ad hoc, with different people being responsible for different pieces of hardware, and basic anti-virus and file maintenance done by the individual operator rather than according to an organisational policy. Security measures will vary depending on each user as well. Easy access to such information can be further complicated by staff turnover. This series of simple worksheets by CompuMentor help inventory all hardware and software in an organisation, as well as service contracts, server providers, warranties, and security and maintenance processes.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/worksheets/techplan/
page2015.cfm
Toolkit: NGO Technology Planning
Developed by: SANGONeT
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"This article is aimed at non-technical NGO managers and administrators that may suddenly find themselves having to take charge of setting up and looking after the information technology infrastructure of their organisations."
Dhttp://sangonet.org.za/portal/index.php?option=com
_content&task=view&id=6498
"How to Set Up and Operate a Successful Computer Refurbishment Centre in Africa: A Planning and Management Guide"
Developed by: Bridges.org
Type of resource: document
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This guide is the result of a study undertaken by bridges.org in early 2004, which examined the methods and strategies of the computer refurbishment industry, focusing on Africa. It describes the steps involved in opening a computer refurbishment centre in Africa and managing it into productivity. The full report is available in pdf format.
Dhttp://www.bridges.org/refurb/Refurb_Centre_Guide_
bridges.org.pdf
e-Strategy Guide for your nonprofit organisation
Developed by: Australian Government
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This web site, developed by the Australian government's Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts aims to "help your organisation create its own useful presence on the web and make the most of ICT (information and communications technology)." Sections including "Getting more from the internet", "Creative web use", and "Online security". While some of the references are Australia-specific, the web site will be of value to non-profits more widely.
Dhttp://www.e-strategyguide.gov.au/
eRider Starter Kit
Developed by: Teresa Crawford and Tactical Technology Collective
Type of resource: PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
eRiding, a concept of travelling technology consultants for the non profit sector, is a way for civil society organisations to receive strategic technical support in a sustainable manner, and rooted in organisational goals. This Starter Kit outlines the eRider philosophy and helps potential eRiders through the five-step process of needs assessment, strategy development, training, implementation, and evaluation - key phases so that an eRider consultation does not leave an organisation without the necessary staff and technology capacity when he or she moves on to a new site (although the eRider model allows for long-term support as well). eRiders may come from a specific skill orientation (ie: online campaigning, information specialists, or F/LOSS advocates) or with technology solutions for issue-based work (ie: health, gender, education). The guide contains recommendations for every phase of the eRider process, including tips on how to manage an entire team deployed in a country, all based on experiences from the global eRiding community. The appendix features several sample surveys, evaluation forms, contracts, and needs assessments.
Dhttp://www.eriders.net/docs/resource/366_eRider_st
arter_kit_V.1_3006_web.pdf
Smart Chart
Developed by: Spitfire Strategies
Type of resource: Interactive online tool and PDF versions
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The Smart Chart is aimed at helping NGOs assess strategic decisions in starting the communications planning process, evaluating communications campaigns already in progress, and reviewing efforts already completed. Available as an interactive online tool and a PDF download.
Dhttp://www.smartchart.org/
The Net for Journalists
Developed by: UNESCO
Type of resource: Downloadable PDF
Target audience: General, Information intermediaries
Cost: Free access
A practical guide to the internet for journalists in developing countries. The main focus is on effective and advanced searching using Google and other search engines; text, audio and video searches; translation and conversion tips; as well as suggestions to ensure the quality of sources.
Dhttp://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/file_download.php/5
733565b43a86e9408818f66ef2742b3net_for_journalists
.pdf
Web 2.0 can benefit the world's poor
Developed by: SciDev.Net
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"The term 'Web 2.0' captures the transition of the worldwide web from flat websites offering static information to a new computing platform independent of earlier shackles...As the variety and capabilities of these websites grow, they create unpredicted opportunities — some of which can benefit unprivileged users in the developing world." Waleed al-Shobakky and Jack Imsdahl explore some of the possibilities.
Dhttp://www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/web-20-
can-benefit-the-worlds-poor.cfm
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