Free IT resources for all
The Third Sector Hub Effective IT workstream aims to help support those individuals who are “IT Supporters” for organisations within the Third Sector. Many resources – information, support and software – are free and vital for those providing IT support. Read on…
Resources that Third Sector IT Supporters need to know about…
START HERE: NCVO have a simple but comprehensive guide to resources here.
Websites you should bookmark
The ICT Hub from NCVO at www.icthub.org.uk
for free guides & publications
The ICT Knowledgebase at www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk
for more information than you can handle!
The website for the national ICT Champions at www.ictchampions.org.uk
and the website for the ICT Champion for the Yorkshire & the Humber at www.yhictchampion.org.uk
(interesting to see where these ICT champions have come from – read this)
Ability Net at www.abilitynet.org.uk
helping TSOs tackle accessibility issues through IT
Get IT volunteers to help you via IT4Communities at www.it4communities.org.uk
Free Software
OpenSource is the obvious money saving choice for cash-strapped TSOs. The vast range of software available gives you great alternatives to common software solutions – sometimes they are better than the paid equivalent or at least good enough.
Use www.osalt.com to look up appropiate OpenSource alternatives.
Obvious ones…
OpenOffice to replace Microsoft Office
Firefox or Google Chrome to replace Internet Explorer
Linux (or here) to replace Windows
Discounted Software
Charity Technology Exchange (CTX) at www.ctx.org.uk is your route to huge discounts on popular software (such as Microsoft products) if you are a charity.
Local support & resources
Virtual Riders is at www.virtualriders.net
ESP Projects offers webdesign for the sector at www.espprojects.co.uk
There are more resources out there. We’ll be adding more here in due course, but if you know about resources you think other IT supporters should be aware of, why not add a Comment below or start a discussion going in the forums here.