Wireless Connectivity

Providing Internet Access to Affordable Housing Residents

arktedc — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:18:00 GMT

Hello TS Community! We are a Florida based non profit affordable housing developer (CHDO) who would like to provide low cost or free internet access to our residents. We would sincerely appreciate any ideas that you guys may have!! Thanks

New Cell phone

glamontagne — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:17:06 GMT

I have finally jumped on the wireless web/cell phone bandwagon. I live in an area that doesn't offer 3g with my current carrier, but I have found the web to work pretty good. Better than dial up, but slower than DSL. I got the LG Bliss with the touch screen qwerty keyboard instead of a slide out keypad. I have found it to be pretty accurate even for someone with large hands. Does anyone else have any phones similar to this? How is the battery life for you?

mobile netbooks for human service agency

pleasantpittsfield — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:56:48 GMT

Hi,

My agency is talking about getting netbooks for our staff who go out on site visits (we are an organization that assists people with mental/developmental disabilities in finding work, plus other community supports.) Apparently some other larger human service org's are having their staff use these to enter info on sites/on the road. We use an online client database. I believe the database is plenty secure, but have questions about the security issues that arise with the use of mobile netbooks by human service providers. Does anyone have experience with this?

thanks,

Elaine

Cell Card Doesn't Allow Access to Website

WestArkRSVP — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:36:21 GMT

We send our volunteers out with laptops, printers and Internet access cards to help seniors. For some reason we can not get www.Medicare.gov to open on several of the laptops. These are new HP laptops with excellent storage and speed. We can access other Internet sites on these laptops - google, yahoo, Social Security - but not medicare.gov. We checked all the simple stuff - the medicare.gov site is not blocked, it isn't too large. Any thoughts? This has us stumped. Using the the same Internet phone card we can access Medicare.gov on one of four Dell laptops.

WIMAX Solutions for Digital Signage and E-TV Question

gtwyh — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Has anyone implemented a WIMAX solution for education using digital signage and E-TV?

Cisco’s DMS solutions appear to only work on WIFI and not WIMAX.

We are looking at broadcasting using the WIMAX 4G spectrum for Educational purposes.

Thank you

ONLINE EVENT: Watch the webinar recording

kamig — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:10:12 GMT

In case you weren't able to attend the webinar yesterday, here are some links you'll want to check out. The archive page has information about the presenters and useful links, many of which were discussed during the webinar: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=sg4uifwment2. Or go directly to the recording: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/playback/Playback.do?id=wwqns333.

View all the previous TechSoup Talks webinars here: www.techsoup.org/go/webinars.

TechSoup Talks Webinar: Using Mobile Technologies for Outreach and Education

kamig — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:44 GMT

You keep hearing how mobile phones are a great way to reach a large audience of people, but how can your nonprofit or library use this technology, and where do you start? In this webinar Kami Griffiths will interview Adam Shyevitch, Teen Initiative Director at Boston After School & Beyond, who will share information about how their organization is using mobile technology for their outreach efforts. We will also hear from Michael Sabat, of Mobile Commons, a company that develops web-based applications to launch interactive mobile campaigns including text messaging, voice calls, and web-based components.

Learn from their experiences, ask questions, and leave with some ideas for how your nonprofit or library can utilize mobile technologies for outreach and education. This webinar is for people who are beginning to explore using mobile technology and have questions on how to get started.

The webinar is Thursday, July 16 at 10 a.m. Pacific (11 a.m. Mountain, 12 p.m. Central and 1 p.m. Eastern). Space is limited, register today!

Return here after the webinar for a post event discussion!

Webinar Tues. 6/23: How Nonprofits Can Successfully Use Mobile Technology and Social Media

MeganKeane — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:45:13 GMT

Just heard about this interesting webinar for nonprofits from DIOSA Communications that I thought would be of interest to many of you:

This Webinar begins with an introduction to how nonprofit organization can successfully use mobile technology for advocacy, activism and fundraising. The Webinar will cover texting, mobile websites, smart phone Apps, and pay particular attention to how nonprofit can use this cutting edge technology to recruit new donors and engage and inspire mobile activists.

The Webinar will go in to detail about how to get started, how to create a .mobi website for as little as $7 a year, what vendors and services are available to nonprofits, how to accept donations via cellphones and how much it will cost, and most importantly, how to integrate mobile campaigns with social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. The Webinar will also discuss best practices and showcase nonprofit organizations that are excelling in their use of mobile technology.

The webinar will be given by Heather Mansfield (bio), creator of the Nonprofit Organizations MySpace, the Nonprofit Organizations Facebook Page, the Nonprofit Organizations YouTube Channel, the Nonprofit Organizations Twitter profile, and the nonprofit community manager for Change.org.

You can sign up here and find out more upcoming nonprofit technology events here.

Working with Limited Internet Access

elliotharmon — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:48:27 GMT

Today on the TechSoup Blog, we discussed tips for working with a slow or limited Internet connection.

What's your secret to keeping your bandwidth usage down?

Cheers,
Elliot

The Extraordinaries - Instant Volunteering...

donc — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:11:14 GMT

[ link to article ]
In an age of instant everything here's a new take on volunteering - via the mobile phone. A group in the US calling itself "The Extraordinaries" has developed what they describe as a new approach to volunteering...

ONLINE EVENT: Following up on the Webinar -- Getting out the Vote and Data

KatrinV — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:31:18 GMT

Reaching out to Young Voters and Data on Efficacy of Text Messaging as a Get-out-the-Vote Tool:

http://www.completecampaigns.com/article.asp?articleid=118

Study on the 2006 data: (2008 should be out sometime soon) Text out the Vote: mobileactive.org/txt-out-vote-text-messag

See also the New Voter Project: http://www.newvotersproject.org/research/text-messaging

Vote Loatino: http://mobileactive.org/node/8758

DATA:

GMSA Market Data -- GSMA is the global association of the wireless operators: http://www.gsmworld.com/newsroom/market-data/index.htm

ITU: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/, see also their new Development Index that has a ton of useful data: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/idi/2009/index.html

The iPhone does not Drive 50% of US Mobile Web Traffic: http://wapreview.com/blog/?p=3383

M:Metrics data -- lots of useful data there, but here is a recent one on the mobile web: http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2752

Will post more in the next few hours as well -- keep your questions coming!

ONLINE EVENT: Texting to a website/forum etc to promote library or non-profit.

tpomero — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:13:31 GMT

I would like for library patrons to text "Why I love my library" to a website that records and posts their answers so that we can use it to show the city how much the citixens need the library...this being a budget cut year for everyone.

Is there an open source or social networking hack around for this? Does such a thing exist where many people can texts posts to a single site without having to go through a registration process online?

Calling mobile innovators out there!

MeganKeane — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:07:00 GMT

NetSquared just launched the USAID Development 2.0 Challenge. This contest challenges folks to come up with the best mobile innovation for development work. TechSoup blog has further contest details.

What innovative mobile projects for social change do you know about? What potentials do you see for mobile especially in development efforts? Let us know here.

ONLINE EVENT: Video-Capable Handheld Device? World University and School

scottmacleod — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:45:51 GMT

What can't we record and stream video on handhelds (like having skype on on our cell phones)? Bandwidth? Hardware? Software? Does such a device exist?

Like One Laptop per Child, how might we design and produce one, with needed bandwidth, for the developing world, especially? World University and School - http://worlduniversity.wikia.com - may be a rationale for developing this. With this technology and World University and School, illiterate people could record instruction through their video-capable handhelds, and post it to WUaS wiki through youtube, for example.

Regards,

Scott

http:/scottmacleod.com

ONLINE EVENT: Mobile Wrap Up

benrigby — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:30:02 GMT

Thanks for all the action yesterday around mobile tech & social change. Lots of interesting topics discussed. Great examples from Katrin - if you haven't already, check out MobileActive.org - it's where I go to keep up with what's happening in mobile activism.

It seems like the most common question of the day was: how do I get started?

If I were me and I had a reasonable amount of $ in the bank, I would hire a vendor like mcommons.com right off the bat. Note that I do not work for them or get anything at all by recommending them. I just think they're a good shop and they've got the easiest path to getting started.

Ok, now, if I were really me and had no money in the bank, I would hack together a solution for prototype testing purposes using my cell phone and a laptop. See the article I wrote here on how to do this: http://mobileactive.org/wiki/Desktop_SMS_Campaign_Tools. I'd use this solution to do lots of testing and quick iterations until I figured out what worked.

The other thing I'd be thinking about (especially in the US, England, and Australia) is how to get on the iPhone - assuming that there was a strategic direction there that makes sense. Or at least, I'd start thinking about it. Or maybe just buy an iPhone manual and read it at night. Something to get the juices going in that direction... because it's like the Web in 1995... we're just starting to see URLs on billboards and it's all novel. But in a few years we'll be thinking... 'how did I live without a suite of smartphone apps.'

ONLINE EVENT: Mobile challenges

MeganKeane — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:29:12 GMT

TechSoup's NetSquared project is having its annual conference May 26-27, 2009. This year's conference will specifically focus on a Mobile Challenge. We’d love your participation--you can find out more details here. And, please do send anyone who might want to learn more about sponsorship our way by writing to bizdev@techsoupglobal.org. There are some cool projects that have already been submitted. Anyone already involved with one?

ONLINE EVENT: Mobile Tech and Advocacy and Engagement -- Welcome

KatrinV — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:13:35 GMT

As we are getting ready for the next webinar on Mobile Technology for Advocacy and Activism, I wanted to quickly introduce myself and give you a sense of what you can expect.

I run MobileActive.org, a global community of people who are using mobile technology for social change. I have written, researched, consulted on, and implemented campaigns using mobiles for social change. A few resources that might be useful in this regard - including case studies, resource guides, and strategy considerations are listed here on the MobileActive.org wiki.

And here is what we will be focusing on in our discussion:

* How can mobiles be used in advocacy, activism and engagement?

* What do we know about what works and what doesn't?

* How do I get started as an organization?

* What vendors and tools are our there?

* How about raising money, recruiting and managing volunteers, and mobilizing members?

Well have an hour to explore some of these questions to get you started.

What questions do you have that you would like to see answered here or during the webinar? What stories can you tell of successful use of mobiles in a campaign or to engage people?

ONLINE EVENT: live streaming into Second Life and other digital venues.

richardhroth — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:19:31 GMT

I have been trying to get set up to stream live video and audio from open air farmers markets into second life.

VEODIA seems to have once had live streaming offered free as a demo, but inquires about this to them have gone unanswered. With a free account with them I am able to record live - then stream right away, but nothing direct. Anyone have any suggestions.

The idea is to have weekly neighborhood forums, such as farmers markets, where low-income low-tech folks gather, have a voice, and see that voice reflected back to them nearly instantaneously in the digital world as together we collaborate on solve issues of community and personal health, access to healthy food, nutrition, and exercise.

ONLINE EVENT: How to keep users engaged with the cause?

MeganKeane — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:55:17 GMT

This is an issue that comes up with online social media sites, but also something I wonder about for mobile. How do you keep users engaged with your organization/cause after that first call to action? For example, you can ask a user to text a message out or donate to a campaign, but how do you keep users engaged in the cause afterwards and translate that mobile action into real-world action towards your mission?

Best,

Megan

ONLINE EVENT: Know of any smartphone/iPhone apps for mobile advocacy?

BeckyW — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:46:51 GMT

This question came up during our webinar on mobile advocacy and activism earlier today.

Where can someone find iPhone and other smartphone apps for mobile advocacy?

Share resources about the applications you have used or heard of for smartphones to reach supporters for campaigns through mobile/texting technologies.

ONLINE EVENT: Open-source apps for recording text messages?

BeckyW — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:39:50 GMT

From the webinar on using mobile technologies for advocacy and activism earlier today, one participant asked?

Are there open source apps for recording and posting texts. How do you get a short phone number assigned that people can text into?

Anyone know of any applications to record text messages received by users? Also, how DOES an organization go about getting those short numbers assigned, rather than texting to an actual phone number??

Happening Here!: Online Forums Event and Webinar: Mobile Technology for Advocacy and Activism, Thurs. March 26th

MeganKeane — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:38:12 GMT

Hi everyone--

TechSoup has a free online event coming up next week, right here in the forums! The official announcement is below; please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested.

Look forward to seeing you there,

Megan

************

It’s time to whip out those planners because TechSoup is hosting another free online forums event and webinar on Thursday March 26^th: Mobile Technology for Advocacy and Activism.

Explore how to use mobile technology -- voice, SMS, applications, and the mobile web -- for activism and engagement. Learn about avant-garde mobile campaigns and the applications and vendors that might be of interest to your organization.

Take part in the live webinar, from 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M. Pacific. This free webinar will fill up, so register today.

Following the webinar, TechSoup will host a free, day-long online event, where you can post additional questions to the mobile activism experts in the TechSoup Community forums: http://www.techsoup.org/go/mobile. The forums event is asynchronous (not live) and no registration is required, just show up and post!

Hosts Katrin Verclas, co-founder of MobileActive.org and, Ben Rigby, co-founder of award-winning web design firm Akimbo Design, will share their expertise in the fields of social activism and mobile technology. This event is valuable for both those seeking an introduction to mobile activism and those looking to make specific decisions on apps and vendors.

Jump into the conversation at TechSoup’s Wireless Connectivity Forum: http://www.techsoup.org/go/mobile, where we’ll discuss such topics as:

Are mobile campaigns an effective way to fundraise?
How do you get started using mobile for your organization?
Cell phones as a tool for instant cause mobilization
Global data on cell phone use and prevalence
The types of organizations have already demonstrated success using mobile technology

Stop by and join the discussion anytime during this asynchronous (not live) event: http://www.techsoup.org/go/mobile and ask the experts your mobile questions!

Have any questions about the event? Please email: community@techsoup.org

About TechSoup.org

TechSoup.org is a trusted technology resource that offers a variety of information and services for the nonprofit sector. In addition to accessing articles and worksheets, social benefit organizations can connect with a lively online community of peers for hands-on help, or receive product donations from major vendors through its product philanthropy service. This popular program has enabled organizations to save over $1.2 billion in IT expenses as of September 2008.

Providing Public WIFI. Any Issues?

Gunpowder — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:16:51 GMT

We are a rural nature park.

Now that DSL is FINALLY available here in copper land we are looking to advance into the realm of providing public WIFI.

We thought we would get ahead of the curve and provide wifi access in our parkiing, picnic, and astronomy observing area for those who want to take off work and go do some remote work at the park. I have experience with this as I have had to go to wifi hotspots to transfer large files that dial-up doesn't support. I still have dial-up at the moment as the particulars of finally getting DSL are decided on. One nice benefit is that when a phone rings in these public areas it isn't for me! Therefore I generally get more work done.

We also are a popular observing site for astronomy and our users would like access so they can do imporived public programs, check the weather, check out that remote telescope, etc.

As we travel down this road and get set up our committee was considering any legal ramifications that may exist.

Anyone find a provider that charges more if you are providing free access? We are going with Verizon.

Anyone ever get request for activity files from the FBI, local police?You have to expect this happens from time to time.

Any issues we are missing?

We also plan to harvest e-mails and basic information for our database. This info will be required in order to get access to the wifi. We thought it would be a great way to develop our mailing list.

Anyone doing this?

Free SMS blasts to update online community?

franklen — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:55:03 GMT

Hi all, my search has turned up nothing so far. I want to find an SMS service that can alert people to when we have posted new content on our website, just like an RSS feed, but to a mobile phone. Preferably free as we're a start-up. Any leads? Thanks ~frank

Frank Raymond Cetera
Board Treasurer and Co-Founder
The Alchemical Nursery Project, Syracuse NY
www.AlchemicalNursery.org

Anyone using iPod Touch with Outlook 2003?

cboron — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Hi there,

I'm contemplating dumping my old Palm Pilot Zire 71 for an iPod Touch. I like the idea of having Internet access, my music files and work-related items all on one device, especially when I'm on the road.

However, our office operates on MS Outlook 2003, and I want to know if I'll be able to sync my Touch with my Outlook calendar, contacts and tasks. I've read on a few forums where people have successfully synced their Touch with Outlook, but I thought I would check in with the experts here, too!

I guess an alternative would be to access all of these items via MS Outlook Remote Access on the Internet.

Thanks for your help!
Carrie