Applied Technologies: The Promise of New Tools to Help Nonprofits Meet Their Missions
www.npower.org
Course Objectives
Introduce a variety of technologies
Consider the possible role of new technologies in your organization’s work
Learn and be inspired by success stories of other nonprofits using technologies in creative, powerful ways
Presentation Overview
1. Wireless Local Area Networks2. PDAs3. Geographic Information Systems4. Open Source Software
For each, discuss: What IS it? “Common sightings” or AKAs of the tool Benefits/Drawbacks Things to Consider Nonprofit applications of the tool
Emerging vs. Applied
• These tools are ready use• There are nonprofits using them today• They may require new skills among your staff• They may require the acquisition of new
hardware or software• They all have the potential to save money and
enhance the impact of your mission
The “So-What” behind each technology is what’s important!
Wireless Local Area Networks
Wi-Fi Network: What Is It?
Local Area Networking, minus the Ethernet cables!
Uses radio signals instead of copper wires to connect computers to each other in a LAN
AKA: Wireless LAN, WLAN, Wi-Fi, 802.11x
Wi-Fi Network: What is it?
Internet
Wireless Access Point($100-$300)
PCs with Wireless Cards($30-$60)
Wi-Fi enabled
PDA
Wireless LAN Ethernet LAN(Optional)
Modem
Laptop with wireless interface
card
Devices That Use Wi-Fi
Laptops With PCMCIA Wireless Cards
With Integrated Wireless
PDAs & Communicators
Desktop Computers With PCI Wireless Card Added
Where do we see Wireless Local Networking being used?
Wi-Fi Networks: Common Sightings
Hotspots: Airports, Hotels, Coffee shops, metropolitan areas
Corporate/college campusesOffice environments
Benefits of Setting Up Wireless LANs
Potential cost-savings May help avoid retrofitting costs Can be made as secure as you need Convenience & portability Easy to add new machines
• Easy to reconfigure existing machines• You own the whole network, and can configure it
however you like.
Benefits to Public Wi-Fi Access
Remote connectivity to the web Ability to get real-time data or information
anywhere you find a hotspot Convenience & mobility Increase productivity of workers that travel or
spend a lot of time off-site
Drawbacks of Wi-Fi
Limited distance range; signal not always available
Costly if current networks exist
Interference
Must pay good attention to security!
Wi-Fi Nonprofit Applications
NPower Summit team’s portable WLAN
Museum in historical building able to network!
Internet Access for residents/clients (Hot Spots)
Personal Digital Assistants
PDA’s
PDA = Personal Digital Assistant
AKA: Palms, Handheld, Palmtop
Do you have a handheld/PDA with you today?
What do you use it for?
PDA: What Is It?
• Small mobile device that provides computing and info storage/retrieval
• Runs on replaceable or built in & rechargeable batteries
• Designed for touch-screen input
• Started as electronic rolodex – evolved into multi-functional tool…a mini computer!
PDA: What Is It?
Low End:More computing power than original handhelds & costs under $100
• 8MB memory: Holds years of appointments, hundreds of contacts
• Infrared & USB ports for beaming, syncing
High end: Do-it-all device for $400-$600
• Wi-fi capable; Bluetooth• High-res color screen• 64MB+ memory; fast
processor• Hardware expansion slots• Built-in camera, MP3
player, phone
PDA: Common Sightings
Devices (hardware) Hewlett Packard, Toshiba, Blackberry, Palm One*,
Sony, Sharp, etc.
Operating Systems (software) Palm, Windows CE/Mobile, Blackberry, Symbian,
Linux
*Recent merger of Palm and Handspring
PDA: Benefits
• Great data entry & survey tools• Easy to use, training easier than laptop use• Flexible, adaptable • Easily portable!• Work with existing database or processes• Less invasive for client intake or field work
PDAs: Drawbacks
• Like a laptop or a TV, your PDA breaks when you drop it.
• More easily lost or stolen
• Battery life can be limited
• “Syncing” can cause headaches sometimes
PDA: Nonprofit Applications
City Scan Pathways
Youth Places
Geographic Information Systems
GIS: What is it?
Geographic Information systems are tools used for mapping and analyzing things that exist and
events that happen.
• GIS can enhance how you deliver services• Report on your efforts• Raise awareness and funds • Adjust the way you do your valuable work by providing new perspectives
What can GIS do?
•Combines information about places & people
•Analyize multiple data sets•Produces Sophisticated Maps•Provides New Data that Reveal Geographic Relationships
GIS can help you tell a powerful story! (A picture really is worth 1,000 words)
GIS: Common Sightings
• New Yahoo!Maps overlays• MS MapPoint• County or State efforts• At colleges or universities
GIS: Benefits
• Define where you work and who you serve (i.e. turf Maps)
• Evaluate who lives or works in your target area
• Enhance analytical credibility of reports, media efforts or publications
• Analyze disparate data to understand hidden relationships or discover correlations
• Report accomplishments to constituents & funders
GIS: Drawbacks
• More sophisticated systems are complex and expensive
• Assumes you have access to accurate data• Requires staff training to use and report using
GIS
Nonprofit examples of GIS Use
www.Scorecard.org
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Audience member map 1
Office locations withunderlying• Roads• City/county margins• Basic geology
Audience member map 2
Office locations withunderlying• Roads• City/county margins• Basic geology• Average income
GIS and Oklahoma
http://data.geocomm.com
Search on OK to find free maps and/or data sets
Some National Links
www.geographynetwork.com
http://socds.huduser.org/index.html
Some National Links
http://stats.bls.gov/data/home.htm
Open Source Software
Open Source: What is it?
“The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.”
From OpenSource.org
Open Source: Common Sightings
Many types available:
• Operating systems LINUX server & desktop, RedHat, Lindows
• Applications OpenOffice, MySQL
• Specific Tools Apache, Mozilla’s Firefox
Open Source: Benefits & Drawbacks
Benefits: Licensing is less of a burden Typically Freely Distributed Usually requires less horsepower Can be customized (with enough expertise)
Drawbacks: Usually requires greater technical expertise to manage,
and sometimes to use
Open Source Resources
http://www.google.com – Search and Learn
http://www.linux.org
http://www.opensource.org – OSI (the Open Source Initiative)
http://sourceforge.net – great Open Source forum for developers, and a good place to find tools, etc…
Other emerging/applied technologies
What other cool technologies, gadgets or gizmos have you been hearing about?
How can they help nonprofits?
What can you apply?
Where do you see opportunities for new technologies to transform the way you meet your mission?
Which technology do you want to learn more about?
Which nonprofit example was most exciting?