London Regional ICT Champion

This is a transcript from Lasa’s Hour of Technology Service via Twitter on 26^th January 2011.  The event was held to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the ICT Knowledgebase, Lasa’s technology advice website.

Below you can find questions and answers on topics such as WordPress themes, confidential live web chat products, broadband coverage, databases, data protection, low cost web hosts, training options for Office 2007 and starting points for charities wanting to develop smart phone apps.

LasaICT: We’re now open for questions. Big thanks to our experts @fossbox @thirdsectorit @Suefidler @jasoncsking @ITsorted @LasaICT: #kbis10

Question 1:

Marysakho: WordPress child themes, any good? #kbis10

suefidler: not a WP expert.. but know a man who is, will get you an answer ASAP #kbis10

jasoncsking: WordPress child themes – depends entirely on how well made the child and parent are. For example Genesis Framework’s good @marysakho #kbis10

LasaICT: @marysakho for those who don’t know what a child theme is take a look here http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes #kbis10

marysakho @jasoncsking: @marysakho Thanks Jason. Do you know of more good implementations of child themes plz? Do you use them? #kbis10

jasoncsking: Child themes can be used many ways, for example to create a high contrast, large print, different version of a website @marysakho #kbis10

jasoncsking: Yes. For example on www.wire.org.au the normal / large / high contrast links take you to child themes @marysakho #kbis10

jasoncsking: Also, you can make adjustments to your usual theme without having to change its code – put changes in child theme instead @marysakho #kbis10

marysakho @jasoncsking @marysakho Would you say this is easier than changing the parent? #kbis10

suefidler: @marysakho: Annette @upkeep Yes. Daunting at first, but can be worked out using web guidance. stick to ones easily customised. #kbis10

jasoncsking: I sometimes set up a child theme to avoid making mistakes with the parent theme. Or to test and show changes to client. @marysakho #kbis10

jenpinlondon @jasoncsking @marysakho is default 2010 theme good as parent or better use framework eg thematic? #kbis10

jasoncsking: Mary, why did you ask about child theme? Is there a specific thing you’re trying to do? Could you give an example? @marysakho #kbis10

marysakho @jasoncsking: I have 8 student volunteers designing site in WP and am thinking of asking them to use child theme #kbis10

marysakho @jasoncsking: In the past they have found modifying themes hard and time consuming #kbis10

jasoncsking: That definitely makes sense to me – less risk of harm! @marysakho #kbis10

jasoncsking: Plus the child theme only contains the minimum of files and the css can be short, so it’s easier to tackle @marysakho @jasoncsking: #kbis10

jenpinlondon @jasoncsking @marysakho: I am tutor for Marys students. Also difficult to support when all themes different #kbis10

jasoncsking: Need WordPress video tutorials? Seen http://www.wordpress.tv ? @jenpinlondon #kbis10

jenpinlondon @jasoncsking @jenpinlondon:  Thanks. Will check out. Already recommended. Will pass to students #kbis10

marysakho @jenpinlondon @jasoncsking: So can use same parent theme for all projects students can use own child theme to reflect client needs? #kbis10

jasoncsking: Yes, maybe give them FTP access to just their own child theme’s folder and install a theme switcher plugin. @marysakho @jenpinlondon #kbis10

marysakho: Thanks Jason @jasoncsking  #kbis10

jenpinlondon @jasoncsking @marysakho @jenpinlondon: Sorry not quite clear about plugin. Have developed child without.Only need if all same host? #kbis10

jasoncsking: Theme switcher plugin lets each visitor choose a different theme, so volunteers won’t have to see same one @marysakho @jenpinlondon #kbis10

thirdsectorit @jasoncsking:  What do you think are best / most adaptable WordPress themes? Free or under £30? #kbis10

jasoncsking: I avoid free themes except default 2010 theme. StudioPress, Organic and WPMUDev are good. Maybe Striking theme? @thirdsectorit  #kbis10

LasaICT @marysakho we have in the past used Atahulpa http://bit.ly/dF6mBj – very cusomizable #kbis10

jenpinlondon @LasaICT: @marysakho We’re thinking of either 2010 or thematic as parent. 2010 seems less complex? #kbis10

jasoncsking: Atahulpa theme is good, was updated recently (couple of weeks ago) and has some up-to-date WordPress features #kbis10

jasoncsking: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/theme-switcher/ plugin still works ok, even though not updated in ages. @marysakho @jenpinlondon #kbis10

jenpinlondon @jasoncsking @marysakho @jenpinlondon: thanks Jason. very helpful. #kbis10

Question 2:

umsa10 Advice Centre want 2 offer confidential “Live Chat” to students i.e.”Talk 2 an adviser now on line. Any suggestions plz #kbis10

LasaICT: @umsa have a look at http://bit.ly/fpuPnw as a starting point though extra care should be taken re security for free tools #kbis10

Question 3:

MalTwit: Trying to improve broadband coverage of building, tried boosters and booster wiring boxes do I need extra line in? HELP! #kbis10

Thirdsectorit: @MalTwit Boosters always a hassle, if you can run cat5 to diff locations try “Access points”, check amazon and/or Tomato firmware #kbis10

suefidler: @MalTwit might be worth getting somebody in to test lines and packet speeds to see if there is a bottle neck. #kbis10

suefidler: @MalTwit if not then almost certainly need more bandwidth with higher spec line or more lines. #kbis10

LasaICT: @maltwit possibly suggest additional WAPs wired to the broadband router – contact network supplier see http://bit.ly/ePOmvN – #kbis10

LasaICT: @maltwit further answer to your broadband question by @thirdsectorit  on the forum http://bit.ly/eFBz4Y #kbis10

Question 4:

LasaICT: @itsorted question from @hackneycvs event: youth group with 200 client records in excel needs recs for lo cost dbase. suggestions? #kbis10

Thirdsectorit: @hackneycvs My recommendation is Salesforce.com, 10 free licenses, easy to modify and easy to learn. #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs checkout #salesforce. 10 free licences for NFPs and v easy to customise.. but free hosting, backup, security. #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs big user group in London, lots of help and experience.. 2500+ charity users. #kbis10

itsorted @hackneycvs Excel expert may help – or db’s: chk http://bit.ly/ezoTRk for excellent lists #kbis10

thirdsectorit  @hackneycvs following Sue’s suggestion of London Salesforce NfP Usergroup: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&;gid=1823460 #kbis10

itsorted @hackneycvs What features? Event management? I assume mailout but post, email, SMS? #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs anything you want. has baic contact, membership, events etc already in there and you can easily add/amend to suit #kbis10

suefidler: @itsorted does mailing lists, merges etc. is good for update and membership emails but wouldnt use it for “marketing” mailings. #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs apps directory with 100′s of apps, many free or low cost for NFPs, may be SMS in there. If not can API to SMS system #kbis10

itsorted @hackneycvs http://bit.ly/fS2umA (ours), http://bit.ly/ehxPuq, Salesforce. +chk costs: data transfer, training, set up, config #kbis10

Question 5:

Paulmorriss: Where can I got a good, free source of advice on specific questions about data protection. I’ve absorbed principles. #kbis10

LasaICT: @paulmorriss see Knowledgebase http://bit.ly/gU2lha and Paul Ticher’s book DP for Voluntary Orgs http://bit.ly/7ZCQ03 #kbis10

Question 6:

LasaICT: another from @hackneycvs event: suggestions for low cost UK web hosts? best place to compare hosts? #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs there are loads, some v low cost no support (no people!) others slightly more but loads of help. I prefer later. #kbis10

suefidler: @hackneycvs try NCVO suppliers list, UK fundraising suppliers maybe. Or dM/email me for the one I use #kbis10

LasaICT: @Suefidler: @hackneycvs Also take a look at Lasa Suppliers Directory http://bit.ly/ePOmvN #kbis10

LasaICT: @suefidler: – thanks for the advice on web hosts, we’ll pass on the info #kbis10

thirdsectorit  @hackneycvs Consider hosted solutions. Cons: Less control. Pros: less administration/upkeep. WordPress.com, Google Sites, etc. #kbis10

Question 7:

Marysakho: Does anyone here know of good sites offering online training/ tutorials for Office 2007? #kbis10

LasaICT: @marysakho re: online training for Office 2007. Not used them but start with http://bit.ly/hIE89Z and http://bit.ly/gpB3vy #kbis10

Question 8:

Damienclarkson: Starting points on how charities go about developing smart phone app’s to engage with supporters? #kbis10

suefidler: @damienclarkson  really critical is to have “the idea” – what will actually be useful. technology is easier to develop than purpose! #kbis10

suefidler: @damienclarkson  once you have a useful idea then find the agency.. loads around. can get you names offline. #kbis10

suefidler: @damienclarkson  like all bandwagons though, really need to have a “why” and an objective before you start #kbis10

Thank you and acknowledgements:

LasaICT: 11am thanks for playing everybody – we’re now closed for qs. huge thanks to @fossbox @jasoncking @suefidler @thirdsectorit @itsorted #kbis10

LasaICT: thanks again everyone, keep the feedback coming if you’d like us to make this a regular event #kbis10

suefidler: can  we do it again? if we do a regular spot it will build over time. #kbis10

thirdsectorit: Agreed – this was great. I’m up for a regular schedule, and think the audience will really build over time. #kbis10

Jasoncsking: Happy to do that again. Maybe have a theme each time? #kbis10

Marysakho: Yes, let’s.@jasoncsking #kbis10

Itsorted: Thanks Miles/LASA and all for making that happen and testing a new idea! #kbis10