In issue 158:

Debunking the Cloud – Morgan Killick takes issue with some commonly-held opinions and claims for using cloud computing – Computanews referees…

Fog lifts @cloud conference – we report back on the Lasa European Not-For-Proft Technology Conference held on September

Tips 158 – A selection of the best cloud-based services as suggsted by Conference delegates

Technology handbook launch – after a long wait our Technology Handbook is now here

New regular columnists – we welcome Adam Clamp, Paula Graham and Paul Ticher who write on green technology, free and open source software and data protection

Relaunching a website – rightsnet gets a makeover and introduces new areas of social welfare law

Windows 7 licensing – the UKRiders get to grips with the licensing and hardware issues involved in upgrading to Microsoft’s latest operating system

The Social Network – Computanews goes to the movies

London ICT E-Bulletin August 2010

The latest news on non-profit technology, events and training, funding, resources, tips and tools.  It’s free and we can send it direct to your inbox when you sign up here.

Computanews 157:

Going virtual – online meetings: in the second of a two-part article, we look the tools and the hardware and software requirements to run them.

Digital mentors: Devon based social enterprise COSMIC is bringing ICT support and training to local organisations through an innovative new programme

Development workers and technology: Why development workers need ICT knowledge

I Can Hear Music: IBM’s Lotus Symphony office suite gets a makeover

Georgia on my mind: NTEN’s Non-Profit Technology Conference: Three days of sessions, presentations, socialising – and Bohemian Rhapsody…

AIMS – Free at last: Why Lasa decided to make a version of its case management database free

Ubuntu Lucid Lynx for non-profits: the new features of the latest open source operating system under the microscope

Book review: Global Action Plan’s Green ICT Handbook.

Download the latest issue of wholesome goodness that is Computanews for free

In issue 156:

• Let’s go virtual – online meeting – new web based technologies are making virtual meetings a less expensive alternative to physical meetings. In this first of a two-part article we look at what the tools do and the different formats.
• How important is social media media to small VCS organisations? – the editors look at the evolution of the online presence and urge caution before taking the plunge into the murky waters of social media.
• Tips 156 – Webinars – 13 steps for plannning and running a successful webinar.
• Carbon savings through re-location – Ethical IT looks at how server virtualisation helped the Malaria Consortium..
• Raising the dead – PC recovery tools and procedures for Circuit Riders – members of the UKRiders list tell us about their working processes and the tools they use for resurrecting problem PCs.
• Reviews – Idealware’s Field Guide to Software and OpenMute’s Social by Social books are scrutinised.

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Recent archived issues of Computanews can now be downloaded – visit the Computanews home page.

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Computanews welcomes contributions from readers – whether it’s an observation on an article or a longer piece. If you would be interested in contributing drop an email to computanews@lasa.org.uk

Computanews ICT Guides
The Lasa Computanews Guides offer practical guidance on specific ICT issues and help answer common queries. Guides are available as a FREE PDF download.  Guides currently available are:

• ICT Security
• Managing ICT
• Data Protection
• Project Management
• Circuit Riders

Download from the Lasa Computanews Guides webpage


lasa security guide cover

Download the ICT Security Guide (2MB PDF)

Aimed at voluntary sector staff with responsibility for managing and securing ICT systems, the 34 page guide looks at:

• Assessing the risks and policies needed

• How computer security is affected by people and the environment in which it used and

• How to secure those all-important assets.

As ICT security is a vast subject, the Guide is split into easily digestible sections, written in plain language and complemented with a rating system so as to be appropriate whatever the size or complexity of your organisation’s ICT systems.

computanews 154 cover

In issue 154:

• Lucky 7 – has Windows 7 got your number? Microsoft’s latest operating system is compared with Ubuntu and Mac alternatives. We also compare accessibility features.

• Support for free - using student volunteers and volunteering best practice.

• Tips 154 ICT security - 12 tips to help you stay safe.

• Mobile and wireless technology - the differences explained and help with moving from cabled to wireless network installations.

• ICT news and events - get your up to-the-minute round up of ICT news and events from the voluntary and community sector.

computanews 153 cover

Lasa’s quarterly Computanews magazine is now out and available as a free download.  In the latest wholesome issue #153:

• ICT news and events: Get your up to the minute round up of ICT news and events from the voluntary and community sector.
• Weebly vs WordPress – Tom Green and Mark Walker look at two popular web site tools
• Riding The Slump – Ian Runeckles reports back on this years Circuit Rider Conference in June
• Tips 153 – Effective email marketing
• Here Comes Everybody – Clay Shirky’s book reviewed
• Supporting your ICT – how many people can a support worker support?

Download the latest issue of computanews free (PDF 1.6MB)

If you’d like to receive Computanews or other Lasa publications via email, please head over to Lasa’s sign up page and subscribe there.

Computanews 152

The latest issue of Lasa’s Computanews magazine is now available for download (PDF 1.6mb).

In this issue:

• Lasa’s Ian Runeckles reports on buying a bulk email tool
• Twitter for non-profits
• Report from sounddelivery’s SMEX09 conference
• ICT news and events listing
• Web services – tales of the unexpected or read the small print
• Update on Lasa’s Circuit Rider conference and circuit rider development project

Computanews #150

Computanews started life in January 1984 as a Greater London Council funded newsletter, and twenty four years and 150 issues later it’s still going strong, and is now available as a free PDF only download (1.1MB)

In this special anniversary edition of Computanews we’ll be:

• Celebrating 150 issues of Computanews;
• Looking at how you can apply tools for campaigning, advocacy and the office to your mobile phone;
• Taking a quick look at web based drawing tools;
• Morgan Killick of ESP Projects Ltd reviews the Asus EeePC
• Michelle Hazelton of the Ethical Property Company looks at simple steps for Greener IT
• Lasa update us on their London circuit rider development project and new scheme to provide ICT advice to applicants to several London funders.

The next issue will be out in December 2008.