Jun 23 2009
London ICT Bulletin – June 2009
london ict e bulletin
The London ICT e-bulletin is aimed at smaller voluntary and community organisations, managers, circuit riders and accidental techies. It will keep you up to date with the latest news for circuit riding, ICT events and training, ICT accessibility and more.
To receive a copy by email of our free monthly London e-bulletin, just go to the Lasa sign-up page and enter your details.
ict news
Money Discontinued
Microsoft will discontinue its accounting software, Microsoft Money, at the end of June. Product support is planned to continue through to January 2011. Source: cnet.com
Minimum 2Mb broadband for all?
Published yesterday, Lord Carter’s Digital Britain report gives more details about how the government aims to provide universal access to a minimum 2Mb broadband connection.
An estimated 2.75m homes, about 11% of UK households, today have no access to a connection at this speed. The report says 1.5m households might get access to next-generation broadband as a result of the commitment.
The report also looks at dealing with online piracy, the BBC licence fee and funding for Channel 4. Download the summary or the full report.
Discuss this issue over on Lasa’s ICT Cafe forum.
Free laptops from Tesco
Tesco gives away free laptops and netbooks as part of a “build your own” mobile broadband offer.
Tesco customers can choose from over 30 laptops or netbooks bundled with mobile broadband packages from various mobile networks. Top deals include a Dell Studio XPS 16 with a 24-month 3 mobile broadband package at £29.36 a month, which saves consumers £464 off the retail price, Tesco said. Source: Computerweekly.com
Trust in cloud computing
Bruce Schneier, BT’s Chief Security Technology Officer, says that whilst cloud computing may represent the future of computing, users still need to be careful about who is looking after their data. Source: The Guardian
Related Knowledgebase articles:
events & training
23-24 June: CiviCRM training camp @ Miller Technology, London WC1X – a two day in-depth workshop focusing on integrating the CiviCRM open source constituent relationship management tool with Joomla, Drupal and other CMS website platforms. Cost £400. Book now.
25 June: CiviCRM Usergroup meetup @ Miller Technology, London WC1X - an all-day event including an introduction to CiviCRM, installations and surgeries. Cost £200. Book now.
25 June: Collaborate|2009 @ Dunchurch Park Hotel nr Rugby, Warwicks – this ruralnet|uk Collaboration Convention will showcase innovative ways of developing partnerships and case studies. Costs £55 ex VAT. Book your place
25 June: Building an Effective Email List – a webinar run by Idealware (18:00 – 19:30 BST) This session will discuss a wide variety of tools and techniques from direct mail to social media and viral marketing list building efforts. Cost $40. Book now.
30 June: London’s BAME Third Sector: Managing the Economic Downturn – a free one day conference organised by ROTA to explore recommendations from MiNet’s research into how London’s BAME VCS is adapting to the changing economic environment. More information.
07 July: Writing for email bulletins and the web – one day LVSC CASCADE network event. Costs £50-£110 depending on number of staff. More information.
11 July: Connected Generation unConference @ DIUS Kingsgate House, London SW1E 6SW – if your work involves young people, then understanding and engaging with social media and online technologies is a must. Book your free place now.
24 September: Data Protection and Communications for the Voluntary Sector @ NCVO, London N1 – Find out how to ensure your organisations’ communications are lawful. Prices from £95, more information and booking.
Event/training organisers – if you are planning an event please send us brief details so we can include it in the e-Bulletin by emailing ictbulletin@lasa.org.uk
funding
Grassroots Grants of £250 – £5,000
Cash-strapped local groups can apply for grants of between £250 – £5,000, thanks to Grassroots Grants.
Example projects could be to help with the costs of IT equipment or venue hire. Find out more: from your local Community Foundation
Digital Media Fund
From July, the Media Trust will launch a £900,000 fund to help develop multi-media projects for groups working with deprived and isolated people. Source: VA Manchester
Modernisation Fund Grants Programme: Online application now open for £1,000 bursaries
From 1 June to 17 July, frontline organisations with an annual turnover of between £150,000 and £750,000 can apply online for a £1,000 bursary from Capacitybuilders. Successful applicants could use their bursaries to buy in ICT advice to explore back office collaboration, using ICT to reduce costs and make their organisation more resilient.
Apply now and attend regional workshops
or contact Capacitybuilders or the London ICT Champion for more information.
Related Knowledgebase articles:
- Writing a Winning Grant Proposal
- Fundraising and the Internet
- Funding for ICT
- Download: How to Cost and Fund ICT (PDF 1.2MB)
- How to use ICT to do more with less
resources
ICT Champions – ICT Answers in a Box
The 9 Regional ICT Champions have produced a set of ICT Answers in a Box which answers 50 of the most frequently asked questions about ICT. Order your free ”ICT Answers in a Box” online.
Silver Surfer’s TV
Videos from Silver Surfer’s Day are now up on Youtube. We recommend Felicia’s video, which shows how computing has broadened her horizons.
Not online, not included research report
New research from the CCP (Communications Consumer Panel) has found that broadband internet’s impact on service delivery is making it essential for everyone.
Download the CCP report (PDF 5.76Mb)
NCVO Future Focus 3: How will we use new technologies in five years’ time?
This pocket guide explores the effects these changes might have on your organisation and suggests ways you can use this information to help make strategic choices and plan ahead for an even more successful future.
Price: Free PDF download or hard copies cost £2.50 or £1.75 for NCVO members
Legal: British Standard on data protection published
The first British Standard on the management of personal data has been published on 2 June. The Standard has been developed to establish best practice and aid compliance with data protection law. Source out-law.com
Related Knowledgebase articles:
practical tips
Each month we look at some practical tips and techniques to help you get the most out of using ICT.
Improving communications
NCVO has put together seven quick tips to help improve your direct mail communications, whether it’s recruiting members, sponsors or event delegates.
Green ICT – 5 quick and easy steps
- Energy saving: save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint by turning computers off at nights and weekends at the socket.
- Eco purchasing: check out EU Energy Star ratings for IT equipment and Greenpeace rankings
- Upgrade: consider upgrading older computers with more RAM or a new hard drive before buying new
- Waste and disposal: if you must dispose of old equipment check the ICT Knowledgebase for advice on how to do this within the WEEE guidelines
- Recycle: find a local company to recycle your waste paper (and other recyclables)
Why not share your Green ICT tips over on Lasa’s ICT Cafe discussion forum?
Related Knowledgebase articles:
tools & applications
OffiSync
OffiSync is a plug-in for Microsoft Office 2003/2007 that integrates Office with Google Docs. You can open documents, spreadsheets and presentations already saved in Google Docs, edit them in Office and save the files in Google Docs. While you can manage the collaborators in Office, you can’t collaborate in real-time and your changes will overwrite the changes made by your collaborators.
Comparing collaboration tools
Idealware has just published an overview of the various collaboration tools available for informal conversations and presentations through information sharing to supporting full-blown collaborative projects.
Adobe Presentations
Adobe is moving into the online office arena with the launch of Acrobat.com Presentations, a new free online service which allows people to create presentations to share with others online. Your web browser will need Adobe’s free Flash 10 player installed to make it work. Go to Adobe Labs
Panasonic digital phone
This easy to use DECT (digitally enhanced cordless telephone) is ideal if you wear digital hearing aids because you can use the cordless handset without any interference or feedback. See RNID.
Related Knowledgebase articles:
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