A Few Good Web Hosting Providers
We asked seven nonprofit internet specialists to share some of the Web hosting providers that have worked well for them, and some tips for hosting everything from a basic website to a powerhouse web application. Fully verified and updated in June 2008! Read more >

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.

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

Getting Started with Online Donations
Thursday, July 3rd, 1:00 - 2:30 EST
Do you want to help your organization take donations online, but aren't sure how? This session will tell you what you need to know in order to choose a tool and get started. We'll touch on some of the strategic aspects of online donations, but our focus will be on the tactical: What online donation tools a re available? How do they work? How do you know which one is right for your organization? We'll close by looking more closely at some of the specific tools that are available, such as Network for Good, PayPay, Click & Pledge, eTapestry, MemberClicks, AuctionPay, and more.

How to Build or Edit a Website without Technical Skills
(Introduction to Content Management Systems)

Thursday, July 10th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST.
If you need a way to update your website, but you're not sure where to start, this is the session for you. We'll we talk about what content management systems are, and look at various affordable options for updating your website text and images, including using What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get software like DreamWeaver and Contribute, website-in-a-box tools like Homesite, blog tools like WordPress, open source tools like Joomla and Drupal, and more.

Getting Your Software Systems to Speak to Each Other
(Understanding Data Integration)

Thursday, July 24th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST.

Are you wondering what it would take to allow your software packages to share data? In this session, we'll talk through the high level options and key considerations, and then dive into some of the technical terms and concepts that will help you understand what would be involved in programming an automatic connection between software packages. We'll discuss possibilities in integrating the software you already have, and what features you should look when choosing new software to prevent integration woes.

View more information and more seminars >

Looking for practical guidance about nonprofit marketing? The Getting Attention eNewsletter features useful tips, in-depth articles and case studies on nonprofit marketing twice-monthly, at no charge. Subscribe at http://www.nancyschwartz.com/getting_attention.html

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

Should VerticalResponse Be the Default Mass Emailing Tool for Nonprofits? (Idealware)
Now that VerticalResponse offers 10,000 emails a month for free to nonprofits, Laura Quinn takes a look at whether it's the obvious choice for small nonprofits.

2008 CMS Satisfaction Survey (NTEN)
A report for NTEN summarizing the results of an informal investigating what content management systems nonprofits are using, and how happy with them they are.

Blackbaud Acquires Kintera (Idealware)
Two of the largest company focusing on nonprofit software have merged: Blackbaud, the maker of software like Raisers Edge and Financial Edge, has acquired Kintera, which provides a high-end online integrated tool

Open Source CRMs: How Do They Stack Up?(NTEN)
Great article from Michelle Murrain comparing open source Constituent Relationship Management systems like SugarCRM, CiviCRM, Organizer's Collaborative, and MPower

The Utility of CRM (Gokubi.com)
Thoughtful, high level look at the purpose and advantages of a Constituent Relationship Management system.

The Wired Wealthy: Using the Internet to Connect with Your Middle and Major Donors(Convio)
Very useful research report talking about how "the wired wealthy" hope to interact with organizations online.

Donation page optimization boosts Amnesty fundraising (DonorDigital)
Useful, research based look at how some small tweaks to Amnesty's fundraising landing page effected donations.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet: TechSoup Talks Twitter (TechSoup)
TechSoup's online event about Twitter (a social media tool that allows you - or anyone - to send short posts to a group of friends via web or phone) resulted in some good information about whether and how to use the tool. Not familiar with Twitter? Marnie Webb provides a great overview of resources.

The CIA's Use of Wikis (Enterprise 2.0 Conference)
From the Enterprise 2.0 conference, an intriguing case study showing how the CIA is using a wiki to create an internal "Intellipedia"

Routing around potholes in the DAM road(CMS Watch)
Useful look at the current gaps and challenges in the Digital Asset Management Space.

A Guide to Successful Website Communication(Spin Project)
This isn't new, but it's new to me. It's a very useful guide to getting started with websites, including a look at the different types of website you might want.

Ask Idealware: Solutions for Tagging and Archiving a Discussion List (Idealware)
Nancy White offers some suggestions on ways to integrate an email discussion list with methods to tag and archive the information shared.