Idealware seminars are designed to give you the tactical advice you need to make software decisions. They include all the candid advice and product comparisons of the reports and articles on which they are based, but offer plenty of extra guidance and insights straight from the author.

Each is just $40, and all you need is an internet connection and a phone line to participate.

Choosing eNewsletter Software
THIS THURS!  November 29th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

How do you effectively setup, send, and track hundreds or thousands of emails? We discuss desirable features and some of the reliable and affordable tools most commonly used for mass emailing, such as EmailNow, ConstantContact, NPOGroups, CampaignMonitor, Emma, Topica, and more. Read more or register >

Creating the Constiuent-Centric Nonprofit: Nonprofit CRM

Thurs, December 6th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

If you're storing data about your constituents in many different places, it's costing you in time, lost revenue and decreased impact. Paul Hagen will talk through the practical steps, processes, and software that can help you to get a better handle on managing and building your relationship with each constituent. Read more or register >

Comparing Open Source CMSs: Joomla, Drupal, and Plone

Thurs, December 13th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST

How do you choose a donor database that will support successful fundraising? The software is only half the story. Fundraising technology strategist Robert Weiner will walk through ten common mistakes that can prevent you from selecting the right database and managing it effectively. Read more or register >

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Want all the information for half the price?  Check out our recordings of previous seminars>

We're thrilled to announce Idealware's very first live event!

In partnership with Aspiration, we will host Managing Nonprofit Technology Projects – a collaborative event to allow practitioners to compare processes, software, successes, and lessons learned – in New York City on Jan 10th-11th. Read more>

Here are some of the best posts and resources from the Idealware blog last month.

Ask Idealware:  Integrating with Raiser's Edge (Idealware)
Steve Birnbaum of Jacobsen Consulting Applications weighs in on some factors to consider as you think about integrating Raiser's Edge with other applications.

MySpace.com: A Place for Donors (Frogloop)
A nice, data-based look at what's happening with nonprofits and fundraising on MySpace

Social Networks, Walled Gardens, and Decision Trees (Small Dots)
This post lays out some of the thought process around deciding to invest in social networking tools

The Dilemma of Database Budgeting (Idealware)
A group of nonprofit database consultants discuss some of the key considerations nonprofits use in budgeting for a constituent database.

Risk Management in Securing Data (Idealware)
Some thoughts on manging the risk of data breaches and security violations

The Cuneiform Code: Knowledge Management (Gavin's Digital Diner)
A (two part) overview of Knowledge Mgt principles, and a case study of how one organization has implemented them using MS Sharepoint

The Wacky World of Grants Management (Idealware)
An overview of the software packages that are available to help grantmakers track their grant review and administration processes.

Web CMS Requirements Survey Results (UC Davis)
The results of an informal survey of universities on what CMSs they're using, including license, implementation, and staff costs

Tools for Online Data Visualization (Center for American Progress)
A great list of online data visualization tools (maps, timelines, charts, etc), with links to examples of them in action, from the Center for American Progress' Annie Schutte. There's not a lot of context in the list, but it's a really fun browse.

Top Five Ways to Raise Money for an Independent Project (Social Actions)
Summary of online tools that you can use to do distributed fundraising campaigns for projects that aren't nonprofits

Software for Sharing Powerpoint Slides (ForumOne Influence)
Nice look at online tools, especially SlideShare, that allow you to post your PowerPoint slides for easy viewing (and listening) without a presenter.

Happy Birthday to Us (Idealware)
Idealware turns two years old!  We highlight some of the milestones and statistics from the past year