NGO-in-a-box Base Edition (BaseBox) OpenHubs Conference Alabel, Sarangani pi@womenshub.net

What is NGO-in-a-box ? It is a series of toolkits designed to meet the specialised technology needs of non-profits. Each toolkit contains a selection of Free and Open Source Software and associated guides and tutorials.

Current editions Security Edition - information and communication security tools for human rights activists and journalists Audio/Video Edition - a host of tools for creating and distributing audio and video content Open Publishing Edition - a compilation of tools and materials for online and offline publishing Mobile Phones Edition - a handbook and tool set for using mobile phones and telephony Citizen Journalism Toolkit - a participatory media toolkit for audio making and online and offline publishing

Reason for being To demystify the use of technology for NGOs and activists, cutting down on the overwhelming choices NGOs face when trying to decide which software tools to use for which purposes. When using Free and Open Source Software these problems are amplified, often sending NGOs into un- tested and unfamiliar ground.

What is the Base Edition of NGO-in-a-box? It is a collection of essential tools for running a small-to-medium sized NGO. You can use this toolkit to set up and coordinate your office, organise and manage projects, collaborate online and support your campaigns. The Box contains a set of peer- reviewed FOSS tools, with associated guides and tutorials, which provides users the technical foundations to build upon.

BaseBox (off-line edition) is targeted at users who have limited internet access. 3-CD box set comprising a printed booklet and CD with the contents of this website along with the profiled tools and related documentation and tutorials available for download is a copy of the Ubuntu GNU/Linux operating system and a copy of the SME Server

Tools inside BaseBox Office Suites and Word Processing Finance and Fundraising Project Management and Collaboration Volunteer and Staff Management Web Browsers and Email Instant Messaging and Telephony Website Creation and Management Basic Systems Administration

Practical advantages to using FOSS Cost effectiveness Legality issues Increased stability Changing licensing conditions No technology lock-in Increased organisational flexibility Enhanced cooperative culture Extending life span of hardware and reducing waste Ability to attract high-level skills at low cost

Strategic value for NGOs and progressive social movements Mission driven FOSS technology adoption processes help NGO staff better understand the value technology brings to development practice.

The predominant FOSS technology support approach to promote autonomy among users inevitably raises the technical capabilities of people working in and with progressive NGOs and social movements. The range of FOSS choices and the fact that tools are customisable demands a solid engagement by NGOs and social movements around their technology needs, and leads to more informed technology decision-making.

What it's not for (a.k.a. limitations, disclaimers or don't blame me if your system crashes) lousy documentation and steep learning curve for non-techies FOSS can often be a hard-sell BaseBox makes good FOSS resource more accessible, but it does not guarantee that users will automatically welcome migration.

base.ngoinabox.org