The document describes various online tools and methods that can be used to engage communities, share information, and collaborate on projects. These include setting up newsletters, maps, dashboards, wikis, blogs, forums, photo sharing, video sharing, mobile messaging, social networking, virtual worlds, and more. The goal is to provide regular updates and encourage participation through online collaboration and media.

1. Online dashboard (RSS)
Email newsletter Online maps
Create a personal or community
Publish online maps and other information hub by pulling in RSS
Provide regular updates through
ways of showing localised content feeds from blogs and other
online newsletters delivered by
information to help improve access sites. Updates automatically.
email to peoples’ Inbox.
to services and resources. E.g. http://www.netvibes.com/
1 2 1
Wiki Google tools Project blog
Use a free service that provides Sign up for free Google tools that The project or organisation sets up
easily-edited web pages where offer e-mail, calendars, a blog to keep people informed,
many authors can contribute and collaborative word processing, and and start conversations. Only
amend: like a mini Wikipedia. other productivity tools. project staff can create content,
E.g. http://www.wikispaces.com/ E.g. www.google.com/accounts others comment.
E.g. www.wordpress.com
1
1 1
Community networks Community Information
Photo sharing
Create your own public networking Screens
forum for the community with a Encourage people to upload and
system like Ning. Community Set up information screens or tag photos from across the
contributes content about shops, electronic notice boards in central community for public sharing.
restaurants, how to garden or how places in the community to display See http://flickr.com.
to navigate the area etc. news, video and adverts relevant to
See http://www.ning.com the community.
2 3 1

2. Online project Neighbourhood reporters
collaboration Collaborative research
Create a site or web forum for local
Encourage use of free online
Manage messages, files and tasks news, information, comment, with a
systems to research your topic and
for your project by using specialist strong emphasis on campaigning
share web bookmarks for all
collaboration systems for your from a core group of community
collaborators.
team. reporters.
E.g. http://delicious.com/
E.g. http://www.huddle.net/
2 2 1
Free calls, web
conferencing Digi-bus Record a video clip
Encourage use of free software Fit out a bus with PCs & audio Make a video recording of the work
such as Skype or ooVoo giving visual equipment. Staff with media your community does or the issues
people free calls, teleconferencing coach who can support media it faces and load onto a video
and video over the Internet. projects on location in schools, sharing websites such as YouTube.
See http://skype.com libraries, community venues etc. See http://www.youtube.com
3 2
1
Online voting & petitions Mobile messaging Twitter
Facilitate discussion and voting on Create text messaging system so Encourage use of the free short-
issues - campaign for propositions people can request information or message Twitter service to build
and take decisions collectively. services via SMS or sign up to connections, start conversations,
See http://act.ly/ or receive alerts to their mobile phone. share news and ideas.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ See http://twitter.com
2 2 1

3. Video cameras and
equipment Print on demand service Social Networking sites
Buy or loan audio and video Help people design and print Create spaces on social network
equipment so people can create custom materials, flyers and sites that already exist where you
and share media content. Stream newsletters, for distribution to know your audience gather such as
live video with Qik (http://qik.com/) people not online Myspace, Bebo or Facebook
2 2 2
Tell Stories Search engine
Virtual Worlds
optimization
Set-up a virtual world for the Get members of the community to
project or campaign in Second record short audio podcasts which Refine your content and technology
Life tell the story of their campaign or to show up more prominently in
See http://secondlife.com/ their community search engines
2
1
3 2
Online PR
Viral marketing Social media advertising
Persuade bloggers, community
Build content and services that Pay for advertising on MySpace, managers and influential people
people love and encourage them Facebook, blogs or other online to write about your project
to tell others community sites
1 1 1