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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
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
How To: Organise on Facebook Securely
Developed by: Movements.org
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
Facebook is a potent tool for organising people around events or issues, but to use it most effectively you should make sure that you're taking steps to minimize the chances of people seeing your communications who you do not want to see them. This guide offers steps for doing so. Follow it to organize more safely, but know that even if you do everything pointed out here, you should still be cautious and skeptical when you're organizing online and take your online interactions offline as soon as it is possible (and safe) to do so!
Dhttp://www.movements.org/how-to/entry/organize-on-
facebook-securely/
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
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
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/
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
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
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/
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/
Training Kit on Participatory Spatial Information Management and Communication
Developed by: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU (CTA), & International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Type of resource: Training modules
Target audience: General, Trainers, Information intermediaries
Cost: Free access
This Training Kit is can be tailored to meet your needs for training on Participatory Spatial Information Management and Communication.
The Training Kit contains 15 Modules which cover the entire spectrum of good developmental practice – from mobilising communities to developing a communication strategy based on the outcome of participatory mapping activities. The Modules touch on topics such as the fundamentals of training, ethics and community groundwork and processes as well as the more technical low-, mid- and high-tech participatory mapping methods. The Training Kit culminates in a Module on networking, communication and advocacy – the pillars upon which maps become effective media and negotiation tools.
DMore....
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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