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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 helpful 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 22 items)

  • Norton Online Family Report Identifies Issues of “Cyberbaiting” and Over-Spending

    The latest edition of the Norton Online Family Report sheds new light on the realities and risks of growing up in the digital age. This year’s report identifies the new issue of “cyberbaiting,” a growing phenomenon where kids taunt their teachers, then capture the distressed reactions via mobile phone videos. In addition, the report reveals a surprisingly high number of kids taking liberties with their parents’ credit cards for shopping online.
    Date added: 21 November 2011
  • Google+ adds pages for organisations

    This week Google launched pages for Google+ to give organisations a presence on the latest social network. Previously, only individuals were allowed on the platform.
    Date added: 11 November 2011
  • New online channel helps Hastings residents speak to Council

    My Voice My Choice is a new online channel by the Hastings District Council that makes it easier and more convenient for residents to have their say on decisions made in their community.
    Date added: 21 October 2011

Full List

Publications / Resources   (Go to full list of 26 items)

  • Email campaigns and group email

    Email campaigns are known by several different names including listserv, email subscription list, email list, e-newsletter and email distribution list. The important difference between an email campaign and an email discussion list is that a campaign is only one-way communication from the list owner, as opposed to an email discussion list where emails can be sent by the group’s subscribers to the group.
    Date updated: 8 June 2011
  • Getting your community and hapū online

    'Honoa te hapori me te hapū ki te ipurangi - Getting your community and hapū online' is a new resource for iwi, hapū and communities wanting to connect with their people, their country and the world by becoming more digitally literate.
    Date updated: 30 March 2011
  • Microsoft Mail Live

    Over the past decade many organisations will have become reliant on using Microsoft Outlook Express, the free email program that was bundled by default with Microsoft Windows. However, Microsoft no longer offer Outlook Express as a free download or bundled with the latest versions of Windows. Instead, Microsoft offer an alternative email program called Microsoft Mail Live, which is very similar to Outlook Express but has many more advanced and useful features.
    Date updated: 18 March 2011

Full List

Templates   (Go to full list of 5 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
  • Microsoft Office templates

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

    A collection of thousands of free website templates available for download, including Flash, dhtml, xhtml etc.
    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 5 items)

  • Creating Volunteering Canterbury's website

    Creating a Volunteering Canterbury website has brought many benefits, and due to skilled input and enthusiasm, little stress.
    Date updated: 24 January 2011
  • 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 25 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