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What is it? Most simply, cloud computing refers to hosted services and work done using the internet. You can read more about it in this connec+ipedia article.
Many nonprofits, especially the small, scrappy ones are no stranger to cloud computing tools. A great example of some really basic, widely-used used applications that rely on the cloud is the service available for free or reduced cost to nonprofits and schools through Google. Have you seen their Google for Nonprofits page?
Besides offering grants for free Adwords, a way to accept online donations and assistance creating a nonprofit Youtube channel, Google offers nonprofits hosted email, calendar, document and website assistance. This can be a great option for those who aren't quite tech-adventurous enough to go for a completely open source solution.
Common Craft, a fantastic how-to video production company in Seattle was commissioned by Google to explain Google docs best here:
Like most of us at Meyer Memorial Trust, I volunteer for several small nonprofits in Oregon, and we rely heavily on being able to share documents, spreadsheets and presentations very easily, and with very little training needed. Some of my favorite Google tools are:
The basics: Gmail, Calendars & iGoogle
all are integrated and very powerful- set up an account: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
Tasks (with connection to gmail, calendar, and iGoogle)
Lets you create multiple task lists, assign due dates and access in multiple places
read about it: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/manage-your-tasks-with-google.html
Google Books
Read public domain books in full, soon to have in-copyright, but out-of print books, and links to find most books at any library or for purchase. Also has really cool scans of old magaiznes. You can also download entire books to your smartphone. http://books.google.com/books
Formulate Pro
Hosted at Google Code, this open source software lets Mac users edit PDFs with text and drawing.
http://code.google.com/p/formulatepro/
Voice
The nonprofit uses for this service could be immense! Voice allows you to forward the number to multiple lines, translates your voice-mails into written messages, and so much more.
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
Wave
Extremely cool new communication tool with project management and online meeting capabilities. They say that Wave is what email would look like if it was based on today's needs rather than letter writing from 20 years ago.
http://wave.google.com/wave/
(voice and wave are by invite only right now)
We'd love to hear how your organization is using the cloud, what your favorite tools are and what you think!
