Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

APRIL 3, 2009

The thing that is prompting this post is the little storm about the security metric that we used to try and get a handle on the security of the 4 different systems we reviewed. You might think that comparing four different open source packages that, in essence, do pretty the same thing (in a broad sense) would be a cakc walk.

Drupal 150

Drupal Comment Report Open Source 150

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

Today I’m going to delve into Salesforce-based CMS systems – systems build as applications on top of the Force.com platform. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with this one, and more to come, I’m sure – like any open source project, there is a lot that could be done to make it more usable.

Drupal 150

Drupal Open Source Integration Application 150

NTEN

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Idealware recently released an update to their "A Consumers Guide to Low Cost Nonprofit Content Management Systems," which you can download for free here. It includes a summary comparison matrix for a quick reference, detailed product reviews, plus a directory of consultants that can help nonprofits select and/or implement solutions.

Review 72

Review Guide Comparison Open Source 72

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

APRIL 12, 2011

I was perusing Social Source Commons (something I don’t do nearly often enough,) and catching up on the SSC blog , and I thought it might be worth sharing with this audience what tools I use for basic consulting workflow. If you want to look at my Social Source Commons toolbox, it’s here. It works for multiple projects.

Tools 175

Tools gMail Consultant Doc 175

Tech Soup

APRIL 29, 2013

This index aims to go beyond economic measurement to also measure access to food, shelter, education, health care, economic opportunity, and environmental stability in conjunction, and in comparison, with GDP. She describes the CrisisCommons network of individuals and system for sharing open data to respond in times of crisis.

Map 57

Map Trend Data Open Source 57

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

APRIL 3, 2009

The thing that is prompting this post is the little storm about the security metric that we used to try and get a handle on the security of the 4 different systems we reviewed. You might think that comparing four different open source packages that, in essence, do pretty the same thing (in a broad sense) would be a cakc walk.

Drupal 100

Drupal Comment Report Metrics 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

JULY 9, 2007

July 9, 2007 So I talk a lot about both open source software, and the preciousness of one’s own data. I tout the benefits of open source software. I used to have this great system where I used the Mac Addressbook, which would nicely sync with my cell phone. Open source projects do get better.

Open Source 100

Open Source Ubuntu Chad Open 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

APRIL 4, 2011

Content Management Systems are an essential part of the communications function of nonprofit organizations. There are a myriad of options, open source options are among the most popular, possibly the most popular. And there are open source options that can do much of the same work for much less money.

Open Source 185

Open Source Open Sharepoint Drupal 185

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

OCTOBER 11, 2010

I had come to chafe at the closed-ness of the whole system, but somehow the ease of use in comparison to the alternatives was addictive for a long time. It does feel a bit weird to use Windows sometimes, considering my years as an open source advocate.

Ubuntu 135

Ubuntu Alternative Comparison Phone 135

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MAY 18, 2007

Microsoft this week has started saber-rattling against Linux and other open source projects, by suggesting that they infringe on 235 patents that they hold. Just threatening to sue, threatening to get license fees (which, for some open source projects would be a major problem) is enough to make people doubt the future of open source.

Open Source 100

Open Source Open Software Technorati 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

NOVEMBER 26, 2006

Using Red Hat, as I often do sometimes, feels like doing battle in comparison. Ubuntu seems to be becoming the linux distro of choice for a lot of people, and so far, it’s my favorite. Ubuntu took the best that Debian had to offer, and left the weaknesses behind, I think. Anyway, I think it’s worth checking out. Be Helpful.

Ubuntu 100

Ubuntu Open Open Source Technorati 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

JANUARY 19, 2007

And, it’s still clear that CRM/Fundraising software is where the money and resources are going in nonprofit software development. Freelance Switch Gavin’s Digital Diner Idealware Jon Stahl’s Journal Lifehacker LinuxChix – Be Polite. Be Helpful.

Open Source 100

Open Source Convio Nonprofit Hype 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

JANUARY 19, 2007

And, it’s still clear that CRM/Fundraising software is where the money and resources are going in nonprofit software development. Freelance Switch Gavin’s Digital Diner Idealware Jon Stahl’s Journal Lifehacker LinuxChix – Be Polite. Be Helpful.

Open Source 100

Open Source Convio Nonprofit Hype 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

OCTOBER 15, 2007

Create and foster developer and user communities in the same way that Salesforce and open source communities do. Speaking of communities … Open up beyond your “partners&# – Really getting involved in writing apps for either platform requires that people become official partners of the companies. Be Helpful.

Open 100

Open Platform Kintera API 100

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

People are open sourcing their metrics, and building taxonomy. The group, in collaboration with other impact investors and intermediaries, has developed a set of standards (taxonomy) that would facilitate comparisons of financial, operational, and impact data. In order to compare job creation projects “job” must be defined.

Taxonomy 61

Taxonomy Metrics San Francisco Ghana 61

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

SEPTEMBER 24, 2006

There are some interesting comparison’s out there – see Notmyself, Phil Crissman , and Jeff Croft for a good review of Ma.gnolia’s open API. Home About Me Subscribe Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology Thoughtful and sometimes snarky perspectives on nonprofit technology Web 2.0 Be Helpful.

Bookmarking 100

Bookmarking Web Social API 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

to care a whole lot about how many hits they got in comparison to similar (or different) organizations. And in your case, as the head of a nonprofit open source organization, I think you’re going to find that not publishing site statistics will cause you more grief than you think. That dog won’t hunt. Be Helpful.

Stats 100

Stats Web Statistics NTEN 100

Neon CRM

DECEMBER 19, 2023

One system might be affordable but a nightmare to use, while another is a bit outside your budget but comes with the perfect templates and a seamless user experience. To that end, the system sports a ton of nonprofit-specific features to help you and your organization maximize your online footprint.

Websites 52

Websites Template Plugin Beginner 52

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

As the author of a custom CMS (it did have the advantage that it was released as open source, but it never caught on, so it still counts as custom) I know what it is like to put my heart and soul (and time) into a CMS, and want my clients to get what they want. Best and easiest out of box *content management* system out there.

Drupal 100

Drupal Module Open Source WordPress 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

AUGUST 6, 2007

If nonprofits want to have a good fundraising platform that they can know won’t be bought and swallowed and changed so that they’ll have to shell out more, it’s time to invest money and effort in an open source platform. We have power and options in using open source solutions. We will fill the void.

Open Source 100

Open Source Blackbaud Time Fundraising 100

Tech Soup

MAY 17, 2011

Even if you never need to code a single line of your site, arming yourself with an understanding of how HTML, CSS, and content management systems (CMSs) are used to build webpages can help you every step of the way. Week 4: Content Management Systems. Week 2: HTML, CSS, and Beyond. How Websites Work.

Websites 50

Websites Open Source Library Drupal 50

Tech Soup

MAY 24, 2011

Even if you never need to code a single line of your site, arming yourself with an understanding of how HTML, CSS, and content management systems (CMSs) are used to build webpages can help you every step of the way. Week 4: Content Management Systems. Week 2: HTML, CSS, and Beyond. How Websites Work.

Websites 48

Websites Open Source Library Analytics 48

Tech Soup

MARCH 24, 2014

Mikey O'Connor of ICANN provided one of the pithiest warnings: "The Internet will be used as the most effective force of mind control the planet has ever seen, leaving the Madison Avenue revolution as a piddling, small thing by comparison." " Facebook, Solar Drones, and Cheap Internet. The Big Picture.

News 44

News Technology Africa Nonprofit 44

Bloomerang

APRIL 16, 2024

Software support can be a major help when first getting up and running with a new system. Request demos from your top options and invite team members to join so they can understand how each system works. CiviCRM – Best open-source nonprofit event management software Overview: CiviCRM offers an open-source CRM for nonprofits.

Software 79

Software Management Registration Nonprofit 79

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

FEBRUARY 13, 2007

Again, shows me the power of open content and open source thinking. In many smaller organizations, where there are not enough resources for a high-end knowledge management system, people end up using their browser favorites or forward links to one another via email. Some of my thinking has definitely evolved.

Screencast 50

Screencast Instruction Instructional Tag 50

Saleforce Nonprofit

AUGUST 4, 2022

Climate change puts pressure on every aspect of our society, putting philanthropic efforts towards other causes at risk, yet funding remains sparse in comparison. It can feel like this even if you have a great filing system and can draw from past efforts, because each application requires something a little bit different.

Grant 66

Grant Content Impact Module 66