This toolkit is based upon the July 2006 CTN Workshop on how to leverage Web 2.0 tools, presented by:

• Holly Ross of NTEN
• Malcolm Marshal of StreetSoldiers
• John Lorance of CompuMentor
• Ryan Hodson and Jay Dedman authors of the Secrets of Video Bogging and FreeVlog

BLOGGING

A blog is simply, the most easily publishable web page. In other words, a Blog, is simply a web page that can be created using only a web browser by non-technical users. This dramatically increases access to web publishing to a wider audience. Holly shared stories about the following organizations leveraging blogs.

Non-profits leveraging blogs include:

• MobileActive - a global network of activists and campaigners using mobile phones for civic action and engagement.
• The Organic City : Storytelling in Oakland, California.
• Today I Cried : A nonprofit IT managers blog.
  

* You can find additional example of community organizations using blogs at NetSquared.org and WorldChanging.org

Tools that are freely available to use to create blogs include:

• Blogger
• BlogSpot
• LiveJournal
• TypePad

Tools you can use to see what people are saying in the "blogosphere":

• Technorati - Search and get reports on trends found in blogs.
• Google Blog Search - Search blogs using Google's and Blogers search engine.

PODCASTING

Malcolm Marshal of Street Soldiers discussed podcasting and its power to connect communities. He also shared his experience of posting an online radio show, using the example of a radio show that discussed the challenges faced by inner city communities.

Classes:

• Bay Area Video Coalition's Podcast 101

Tools:

• Podcast.net - A directory of Podcasts.
• Odeo - Create your own podcasts simply using your web browser and computer microphone.

VIDEO BLOGGING

Ryan Hodson and Jay Dedman authors of Secrets of Video Blogging and FreeVlog led an informative discussion about Video Blogging. They emphasized that when nonprofits use blogs, podcasts, and video blogs to tell their stories, “They are giving access to communities that others don't see.”

Tools:

• FreeVlog - Use this site to become and expert video blogger.
• Blip.tv- Create, upload, and share your video blogs online. By using Blip.tv you can leverage their hosting and bandwidth, providing organizations significant capability and savings for free.
• EyeSpot - Don't have a video editing tool? No problem, edit and mix your media online using this innovative website.
• JumpCut - Easy, Free online video editing.  Upload your video, use your web browser to edit.
  

SOCIAL BOOKMARKING

Social bookmarking tools allow individuals and organizations share links to website information. Think of them as public bookmarks. By sharing your bookmarks or favorites you can see what others who have bookmarked the same thing have also viewed, making these tools a very serendipitous way to do research.

Tools:

Delicious - The most popular tool for sharing bookmarks with your friends and colleagues.

MAPPING

John Lorance of CompuMentor demonstrated some clever use of mapping tools including one example from the Natural Resources Defense Council which used Google Earth + Flash to create a dramatic fundraising/promotional piece.

Tools:

• Community Walk - Map your community using this easy to use tool that you can invite others to participate with you.
• Searching using Google Maps - By submitting locations such as "94117 community center" you can easily identify resources in your area which may have been hidden from view.
• Palatial - This community mapping tool has an element of social networking built into it.

READ/WRITE BROWSING

The workshop finished with a presentation of how to use the first read/write web browser which provides easy and seamless tools for blogging (including spell checking), viewing and posting photos, and using social bookmarks.

Tools:

• Flock - The first read/write web browser making blogging and participating on the Internet easy and fun.