Jon,
Not sure I can make the meeting tomorrow. I have a conflict with another
appointment, but I will try. Roxanne
Jonathan Falk wrote:
> HELPNET NEWS
> MARCH 2002
>
> ********NEXT HELPNET MEETING********
>
> WHEN: 12:00 - 1:00, Thursday, March 21 (Bring Your Lunch)
> WHERE: Peace and Justice Center, 170 Park St., Bangor
> AGENDA: Demo of Organizer Database Software (see below),
> Discussion of Application Service Providers (ASP's), anything else
> attendees want to talk about
>
> ********************************
> IN THIS ISSUE:
> **ODB - A NEW, NEARLY-FREE DATABASE PROGRAM FOR MANAGING MAILING
> LISTS, CONTRIBUTION RECORDS, AND ORGANIZING CAMPAIGNS
> **CONDUCTING ON-LINE DISCUSSIONS - THE FUNDY FORUM EXAMPLE
>
> ********************************
>
> ODB (ORGANIZERS' DATABASE) - A NEW, NEARLY-FREE DATABASE PROGRAM
>
> We had a couple of messages on this list recently about ODB, a new program
> that is being released by the Cambridge, Mass.-based Organizers
> Collective. ODB is a simple, yet flexible database program specifically
> designed for grassroots groups. It makes it easy to track contacts, create
> labels and reports, record contributions, etc. Since the program was
> written with advocacy in mind, there are predefined fields for House and
> Senate District, Ward, Precinct, etc. There are also customizable fields
> for activities, interests, constituencies, contribution sources.
>
> Form what I've seen so far, I'm quite impressed with the program. Compared
> with eBase (www.ebase.org), which we've also discussed on this list, ODB is
> simpler and less powerful. But it is also much easier to understand and
> use - I was able to install it and plunge right in within a few
> minutes. I have installed it on my own computer to play with it, and have
> tried to put it on one other person's machine. When I did that, we ran into
> problems printing from the program,with Windows reporting a conflict
> between ODB and the printer driver. I don't know yet whether this is
> problem with that particular machine or with ODB. I have no problems
> printing from ODB on my own network.
>
> The program is a small download (1.45 Mb) from
> <http://organizenow.net/odb.html>. The current version is a late Beta
> (v0.8.8), but it seems pretty polished. The program is shareware -- if you
> want to keep it after a 45-day trial period, they ask that you join the
> Organizers Collective. Annual membership fees are listed as $30/year for
> individuals and volunteer-based organizations, $50/year for groups with 0-1
> staff, and $100/yr for larger groups. Starting with version 0.9, they plan
> to distribute ODB as open-source software. I don't know whether this will
> affect these fees.
>
> I can demo (play show-and-tell with) the program at the March Helpnet meeting.
>
> CONDUCTING ON-LINE DISCUSSIONS - THE FUNDY FORUM EXAMPLE
>
> Most of us have some experience with E-mail lists, or listservs. The
> technology has advanced to the point where it is really very easy to set up
> a discussion list, and there are ASP's (like Topica) which will host a list
> of up to 1,000 names for free. The harder part of the job is creating a
> useful discussion. We've all been on lists that either had nothing
> happening, or deluged us with messages, some of them long-winded and off-topic.
>
> The Fundy Forum's "Timed Discussions"
> (<http://www.fundyforum.com/tdlistserver.html>) are a nice approach to the
> problem of conducting a focused on-line discussion. The Fundy Forum, has a
> regular, on-going listserver. In addition to this, several times a year
> they set up special "Timed Discussions" on specific topics. The most
> recent one dealt with the subject of wharves in the Bay of Fundy.
>
> Each timed discussion is a separate list, to which interested people must
> subscribe. The discussion has a group of people who agree to be
> presenters/moderators. After making initial presentations on the topic,
> participants and moderators conduct a discussion for a limited time - a few
> weeks - then the list is shut down. The list messages are archived on the
> Fundy Forum Web site and are available to the public - you can check them
> out.
>
> I think this is an approach that many Helpnet members might consider. It
> allows an on-line discussion and education process to take place, without
> overwhelming either the resources of the sponsoring organization, or the
> E-mail Inboxes of the participants.
>
> Jon
>
> Jonathan Falk
> Pine Tree Folk School
> RR 2, Box 7162
> Carmel, ME 04419
> (207)848-2433
> <http://www.ptfolkschool.org>
>
>
>
> **Folkschool-list archives are at:
> <http://www.mint.net/folkschool/helpnet/archives.htm>
> Sponsored by Pine Tree Folk School
>
**Folkschool-list archives are at:
<http://www.mint.net/folkschool/helpnet/archives.htm>
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