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 9 items)

  • E-engage Your Community Conference in April

    A conference about the web for voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, hosted by Volunteering Canterbury.
    Date added: 1 February 2010
  • goo.gl URL shortener for Google

    Google announced their own URL shortener http://goo.gl/ for Google blogs and products.
    Date added: 14 January 2010
  • New security for Gmail users

    Google recently announced that their email will now use security (https) as a default, thus making your Gmail more secure than other web mail.
    Date added: 14 January 2010

Full List

Publications / Resources   (Go to full list of 18 items)

  • Google Apps

    Google Apps is a large collection of free software that you do not need to download or install onto your computer. It is available at no cost to you via a web browser.
    Date updated: 20 November 2009
  • Windows 7

    Microsoft Windows 7 is the latest Windows operating system for the PC and is much more stable than its predecessor Windows Vista. It also has a lot more intuitive features for those users who are accustomed to Windows XP and its previous versions. Microsoft received feedback from over 8 million users during its design phase of Windows 7.
    Date updated: 20 November 2009
  • Backing up your data

    Many organisations do not understand the need for backing up their data regardless of the fact that in a matter of seconds, hundreds of hours of labour, intellectual property and other valuable information can disappear forever when a hard drive crashes, a natural disaster occurs, there's a theft, a minor accident of a spilt cup of coffee, a power surge or a virus that destroys your data.
    Date updated: 20 November 2009

Full List

Templates   (Go to full list of 6 items)

  • 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
  • Microsoft Office templates

    A site fully packed with Office templates for all of the Office suite offered by Microsoft.
    Date updated: 11 November 2009

Full List

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

Full List

Case Studies   (Go to full list of 6 items)

  • Communities Online booklet

    Case studies by the Dept. of Internal Affair's Local Government and Community Branch (formerly the Community Development Group) of tangata whenua and community organisations using information and communications technology (ICT).
    Date updated: 19 November 2005
  • 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

Full List

Websites   (Go to full list of 18 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

Full List