Visit infolineinc.org/connect/updates.htm to go to our updates page!
Please route to the appropriate persons ...
In this issue:
May 13, 2004
GAR Foundation Supports Project Connect
TechSoup Announces New, Practically Free Software
Verizon Tuition Assistance Program
Our Secrets for Better Computing
Most computer problems are not really computer problems ... they junk problems! Too much garbage in the processors, both inside and out!
Project Connect will now do computer clean-up's. For $75 per computer, we will:
- Open the computer case and clean out the dust.
- Clean the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
- Run a preventative maintenance (see PC tip at right).
You can bring us the computers or, for an additional $75, we can come to your office. For more information about this service, or to suggest other services, call us at 330-315-1335 or send an e-mail to .
Thank You, GAR Foundation!!
Where would you go if you didn't have the resources of Project Connect? Who would tell you about getting Microsoft Office for $25? Where would you learn how to create forms and databases and websites? Who would answer your technical support questions if you didn't have a hotline number to call?
Thankfully, you won't have to find out because of the strong support Project Connect receives from the GAR Foundation. In 2004, GAR's funding will enable Project Connect to strengthen the program’s infrastructure, develop a business and sustainability plan, and keep service fees affordable for nonprofits.
Project Connect is always looking for success stories to show our funders that it does impact the way nonprofits are able to use technology to fulfill their mission. If you have an example of how Project Connect has helped, or if you would like to suggest ways it could help in the future, send an e-mail to .
Free Technology Service Guides!
NPower is pleased to announce the Technology Guides for Nonprofit Leaders, a series of papers highlighting technology innovation. Supported through a grant from SBC Excelerator, these guides identify innovative uses of technology in direct service delivery and explore the associated tools, solutions and resources that are available to nonprofits.
There are four guides available for free download on the NPower website. Although the guides are sector specific, there are lessons and tools in each guide that may be interesting and applicable to nonprofit leaders from other sectors. The sectors covered by the guides are:
- Arts and Culture
- Health and Human Services
- Education Services
- Community Development
To print your copies, visit NPower's website at www.npower.org/.
Software So Inexpensive, You Can't Pass It Up!
TechSoup Stock's new Symantec Desktop Donation Program includes a wide selection of their latest desktop products.
Anti-virus titles include: Norton Antivirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, and Norton SystemWorks. Two other popular Symantec products are also now available: PCAnywhere for remotely accessing computers, and WinFaxPro for sending and receiving faxes from your desktop. These products are available in a variety of quantities for administrative fees ranging between $15 and $280, thanks to a generous donation from Symantec. The retail cost for these product and license pack sets is typically between $250 and $8,000.
For more information about these and other great deals for nonprofits, visit www.techsoup.org/stock.
Foundation Center Offers Grantwriting Training
The Foundation Center (Cleveland)
May 19-20, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Would your fundraising efforts benefit from some new tools, ready-to-use strategies, and practical how-to advice? Learn from the experts at the Foundation Center in Cleveland!
Proposal Writing Seminar
Whatever your skill level — from novice fundraiser to nonprofit executive — you'll build, strengthen, and polish your proposal writing skills at this popular, full-day seminar. Explore the latest proposal writing techniques with professionals who have built their careers on writing successful proposals. This course has been approved for continuing education credit / .6 CEU by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Continuing Education Review Board.
Proposal Budgeting Workshop
For more information, contact the Foundation Center at 216-861-1934 or visit their website at http://fdncenter.org/cleveland.
Role of the CEO/Executive Director in Fundraising
Presented by Rev. Curtis Thomas, former CEO of Haven of Rest
Association of Fundraising Professionals
June 14, 12:00, Guy's Party Center
CEO's are charged with providing a mission for an organization. With that vision comes leadership in fundraising. The role of the CEO is traditionally to communicate to donors that the organization deserves their support and to solicit leadership and major gift prospects. With this charge also comes the challenge of leading a development staff team, including members of the board. Come and hear our experienced speaker discuss the CEO's role in fundraising—from developing the plan to soliciting the gifts to closing the deal through recognition.
Reservations are required - $11 Members. $20 Non-Members. For more information, visit AFP's new website at www.afpncoh.org and select the link to the May newsletter.
Are you getting the best deals for your technology dollar?
Don't buy anything technology-related until you've visited these three websites first!! They offer significant discounts for nonprofits with Microsoft, Dell, CDW, Adobe, and more!
PC TIP:
Spring Clean Your Machine
Is your computer taking forever to open an application? Do you experience frequent crashes when performing routine tasks? Even if things seem to be going along well, take a little time to give your PC a spring cleaning. Remember the Four D's of Preventative Maintenance (PM):
- Download updates
- Delete temp files
- Disk cleanup
- Defragment
- Download updates: Go to Start/Windows Update and search for updates. Install what is suggested. Do only one at a time and follow the directions. Go to the virus software and update the definitions. Run that. If you run Spybot, look for updated files.
- Delete temporary files: Go to Start/Find/Files or Folders… and find all files named *.tmp in the c: drive. Press [CTRL +A] to select all of them and then push the [Delete] key. Then, open Internet Explorer. Click on the menu Tools/Internet Options. Click on the Delete Files button under the section called Temporary Internet files. Be sure to also check the box to delete all offline content. Empty your Recycle Bin.
- Disk cleanup: Go to Start/Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ Disk Cleanup … Make sure C: drive is selected and click [OK]. The computer will calculate…be patient! Check off all files to delete. Click [OK].
-
Defragment: Go to Start/Programs/ Accessories/ System Tools/ Disk Defragmenter … Make sure C: drive is selected and click [OK]. This will eliminate all those ugly spaces on your hard disk and put your files together in a logical order so that your computer will run faster and better. Defrag monthly even if the system does not recommend it. Never stop a defrag in the middle! The computer might be in the middle of moving a file and it could become corrupt.
The Four D's should be run monthly to keep your computer running smoothly. Set yourself a recurring appointment in Outlook to do a PM on your system.
You should also install a spyware removal tool, such as Spybot. Every time you surf the Internet, websites load all sorts of files on your computer - often without your knowledge. Some files are harmless, and just use up system resources, but others can damage your system and files, or collect sensitive information such as your credit card numbers and send it back to the spyware creator. Spybot finds and removes all of those nasty files and can "immunize" your computer against those files during future surfing.
Spybot should be installed on all computers and run periodically. Go to http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=mirrors and select one of the mirrors (doesn't matter which one, I usually pick the US). Save the file to the desktop. After it has downloaded, run it and install it. Before you check for errors, make sure you check for updates first. After you fix all the problems, be sure to immunize the computer. Periodically, you will need to update and run Spybot to search for new files. Add it to your monthly checklist and protect yourself from resource-hogging spyware.
A clean computer is a happy computer, so remember your monthly maintenance check!
Verizon Revises Tuition Assistance Program ... Get it While You Can!
Verizon is continuing to offer one eTraining grant per year to nonprofit organizations interested in technology training.
To apply for this tuition assistance, visit infolineinc.org/connect/verizon.htm. If you have any questions, please call us at 330-315-1335 or e-mail .
Quickies ... for those with no time to waste!
We're starting something new in 2004: Quickies!! Unlike the regular half-day sessions, these one-to two-hour Quickies are down-and-dirty, learn-the-ropes-then-get-out-of-here-and-do-it-yourself courses.
Quickie courses are $20 for Project Connect Members, $35 for non-members. Watch the training calendar for new sessions! https://infolineinc.org/connect/training.htm
Register for Upcoming Classes
Attend by applying to the Verizon Foundation:
infolineinc.org/connect/verizon.htm
Register for upcoming classes as soon as possible. Call 330-315-1335 or e-mail . Cost is $40 per person for staff and volunteers of member organizations;$60 per person for staff and volunteers of non-member organizations.
Don't know whether your organization is a member? Visit our members page to find out: Project Connect Members
Not a member? Join Project Connect today and save! Visit infolineinc.org/connect.htm for more info.
 |
Word 3: Forms & Advanced Tools 05/19/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Word 4: Graphics & Brochures 05/26/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Word 5: Newsletters 06/02/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
PowerPoint 1: Slideshow Basics 05/27/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
PowerPoint 2: Graphics & Animation 06/03/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Excel 1: Spreadsheet Basics 06/16/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Excel 2: Formulas 06/23/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Excel 3: Advanced Tools 06/30/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
Intro to Access: Data Entry & Other Basics 05/18/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
|
The Database Developers Series 05/25/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon 06/01/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon 06/08/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon 06/15/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon 06/22/04 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
Visit infolineinc.org/connect/training.htm to see our latest training schedule. Or call us at 330-315-1335 and we'll fax you a copy.
As always, we are interested in hearing from you to learn how we can best meet your technology and connectivity needs. Give us a call at 330-315-1335 or e-mail us at .
Enjoy!
Be sure to include your fax number!
Want to see previous newsletters? Go to infolineinc.org/connect/updates.htm
To subscribe to this list, send an e-mail to with the word subscribe in the subject line. To unsubscribe from this list, send an e-mail to with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.