IT & Internet

This How-to Guide contains information and links to help you effectively use Information Technology and the Internet in a community setting.

Contents include: advice on purchasing hardware and software, tools to help choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and information on designing and creating websites.

This guide will link you to up-to-date information that helps make the most of being connected.

Where to start

Just learning to look at web pages, read email and use your computer?
Start with Getting started and Effective searching.

Thinking about putting your information on the web? Start with Creating a website. Also consult This is new! and Tips for Terrific Sites.

The Digital Strategy Hot Topic has a lot of information about IT and Internet, so it's worth visiting that section too.

If you're part of a community group starting to think about setting up a website then be sure to visit the Webguide: Connect your community: A guide for community groups, iwi groups, and not-for-profit organisations. It has a lot of advice.

About the editor

Karaitiana Taiuru has been an advisor to the United Nations, NZ government, several international and national boards as well as many community groups. Karaitiana is the CEO of an Internet Company specialising in Social Media and is a long time community advocate and author of many free publications regarding ICT.

Please help

We value your input into this guide. Email news, links or other information to: ittoolkit@community.net.nz.

News   (Go to full list of 8 items)

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Publications / Resources   (Go to full list of 23 items)

  • 100 Ideas to Help Engage your Community Online

    Australian company Bang the Table has come up with 100 ideas/thoughts/suggestions to help people and organisations engage their communities online.
    Date updated: 18 August 2010
  • Getting the most from Skype

    Skype is a free communication tool that allows you to make discounted phone calls and SMS, talk via voice/video or text over the Internet. It is also a storage place for your contacts and a powerful Instant messenger tool that can replace MSN, Yahoo Chat and other Instant Messenger tools.
    Date updated: 15 June 2010
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

    Being able to create a website for your organisation or having someone build it for you is only the first step to having a presence on the web. The next step is being found by optimising your web presence to be found by search engines. This is called “Search Engine Optimisation” or “SEO”
    Date updated: 12 April 2010

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Templates   (Go to full list of 7 items)

  • Free PowerPoint Templates

    Need a template that is going to impress your boss and colleagues? Investintech offers 12 free templates that you can download and use to create inspiring presentations.
    Date updated: 25 August 2010
  • Internet Safety sample documents

    To help staff and other people involved in your organisation use the Internet safely Netsafe, New Zealand's Internet Safety Group, have developed a series of templates on safe Internet use.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009
  • WordPress templates

    A large variety of free WordPress themes available in this WordPress Themes directory.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009

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Email Lists   (Go to full list of 4 items)

  • "By The Cup" by Techsoup (USA)

    "By the Cup" is the weekly e-newsletter from TechSoup, the leading provider of technology products and know-how for non-profits.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009
  • Microsoft Excell Tips

    A website and email list of all the Microsoft Excel tips and assistance you could imagine.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009
  • Microsoft Word Tips

    A website and email list of all the Microsoft Word tips and assistance you could imagine.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009

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Case Studies   (Go to full list of 5 items)

  • Using the internet: case studies from nonprofit organisations

    These selected case studies on Community ICT transformation look at how different types of nonprofits and communities are using the internet.
    Date updated: 27 May 2009
  • ICT (IT & Internet) Case Studies

    The Case Studies area of CommunityNet Aotearoa has a section that focuses on community Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects, what worked, what didn't and what's next.
    Date updated: 26 May 2009
  • Wordpress helps the Monarch Butterfly

    The Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust finds WordPress the easiest of the CMS options to make improvements and changes to. It is a real learning process, but once you're into it, and using it, it's really easy. You actually get hooked!
    Date updated: 19 September 2008

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Websites   (Go to full list of 22 items)

  • A Newbie’s Getting Started Guide to Linux

    In this free ebook you’ll be introduced to the basics of the Linux operating systems. Get to know what it is all about, and familiarize yourself with the practical side. Basically, if you’re a complete Linux newbie and looking for a ...
    Date added: 17 November 2009
  • AccEase - Accessibility information and services

    AccEase focus on accessibility of websites, intranets and documentation. Their team, which includes people with disabilities, do accessibility assessments, consultancy and training and workshops. ...
    Date added: 30 May 2005
  • Guide to the iPhone

    Read about the basic user interface and a ton of incredible iPhone features you would’ve otherwise missed. The manual gives detailed explanations of how to perform both the very simple and the most tedious tasks. ...
    Date added: 17 November 2009

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