Strategic Technology Strategic Technology Planning Planning

1

Pat SineOffice of Educational Technology

College of Human Resources, Education & Public PolicyUniversity of Delaware

Technology strategic planningPurchasing hardware and softwareSecurityNetworking Your presence on the web

TopicsTopics

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.March 2008

Your presence on the webOnline communications tools

Strategic TechnologyStrategic TechnologyPlanningPlanning

Elements of Strategic Elements of Strategic PlanningPlanning


Keep focus on the goals of the organization

Use the plan as an ongoing map – not a task to be completed

Pointers for Strategic Pointers for Strategic PlanningPlanning


If you don’t know…get an expert

Question all experts!

TCO – Total Cost of Ownership

70 / 30 rule

◦ 30% -> initial purchase of hardware software and

BudgetingBudgeting


◦ 30% -> initial purchase of hardware, software and peripherals

◦ 70% ->technical support, repairs, training and upgrades

2

Tech Soup www.techsoup.org

Tech Atlas –

Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources


Tech Atlas –Online Tech Plan Development Tooltechatlas.org/tools/default.asp

Decision makers across the organization

Clients to be served

Staff and volunteers who will use the

StakeholdersStakeholders


Staff and volunteers who will use the technology

So… decide on your general software needs first.

BitsBytes

Kilo 103

Mega 106

Giga 109

Tera 1012


Peta 1015

3

Basic Hardware DecisionsBasic Hardware Decisions

What kind of machine?

Windows or Macintosh?

D kt l t t bl t?


Desktop, laptop, tablet?

Desktop and laptop?

• Processor type and speed• Measured in GHz• Dual, Quad and 8 Core

• Windows (1.8 to 2.4)



• Intel Core Duo Series• AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core

• Mac (1.8 to 2.2)• Intel Core 2 Duo processor

Memory – RAMMeasured in MB or GBPreferably 1- 2 GB



(some specs say 512, but weighit against later update costs)

Hard drive size◦Measured in GB◦ 150 GB and up



150 GB and up◦More in a desktop (price limitations)◦More to store multimedia

Optical Drives◦DVD ROM & CD R/W (the old way)◦ CDRW/DVD Combo (2006)



CDRW/DVD Combo (2006)◦ CD writer / DVD◦ CD/DVD writer

Connectivity◦Modem – 56 Kbps (but for how long)◦Network card – 1Gbps



◦Wireless adapter – 802.11b/g◦ heading for 802.11n

4

Things you don’t need to think about, much.Monitors – DVI capable Mouse and keyboardVideo cards

Other Hardware DecisionsOther Hardware Decisions


Video cardsSound cardsModems Ethernet (network) connectivityWireless access in a notebook

What else?

◦ Backup devices and data transportCD-R, CD-RW, DVD +/-RWTape

Even More Hardware DecisionsEven More Hardware Decisions


TapeThumb drive (pen, USB, flash, jump)Direct Attached Storage (e.g., Drobo)

◦ Printers, scanners, digital cameras

The biggest mistake to avoid…

Waiting just one more week for the prices to


Waiting just one more week for the prices to drop and the technology to stabilize.

What about recycled computers?www.techsoup.org/recycle/index.cfm

l f h

One More One More HardwareHardware DecisionDecision


TCO – Total Cost of Ownership

5

CompatibilityCapabilityStabilityScalability

Software CharacteristicsSoftware Characteristics


Ease of UseLongevity and Support

Commercial or purchased

Free◦ Open Source

Shareware

Software CategoriesSoftware Categories


◦ Shareware◦ Freeware◦ Public Domain

What’s Available For FreeWhat’s Available For Free

Office Suite OpenOffice

Web Browsers

Internet ExplorerMozilla Firefox


E-mail clients

Outlook ExpressMozilla Thunderbird

Non-profitDatabases

E-baseEtapestry

Look for software at download.com or tucows.com

What’s Available For Free OnlineWhat’s Available For Free Online

Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation

Google Docs

E il G il Y h M il


E-mail Gmail or Yahoo Mail

Donated and Discount Products for Nonprofits

◦ TechSoup Stock

Purchasing SoftwarePurchasing Software


TechSoup Stock◦ www.techsoup.org/stock

Google Apps

◦ Free for Nonprofits◦ www.google.com/a

Using Online AppsUsing Online Apps


6

Virus and Spyware Protection!◦ AVG Antivirus free.grisoft.com

◦ Windows Defenderwww.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

◦ TechSoup: Virus Protection Resource Page

What Else?What Else?


Firewall ◦ Built-in Windows Firewall◦ Your wireless or network router

Capabilities◦ Next step after spreadsheets for organizing data◦ Can grow with the organization

ebase and eTapestry

Databases: Powerful, Somewhat Databases: Powerful, Somewhat more daunting, but Pricelessmore daunting, but Priceless


p y◦ Specifically for non-profits to conduct business

How will you train all your staff to use technology to improve productivity?

How will you reward those who do excel and encourage those who shy away?

Tech Skills ConsiderationsTech Skills Considerations


and encourage those who shy away?

As your operations become more computer-based, what will you do about technophobes?

Technology Literacy Benchmarks for Nonprofit Organizations(2002)

www benton org/publibrary/stratcom/techlit pdf

Tech Skills ConsiderationsTech Skills Considerations


www.benton.org/publibrary/stratcom/techlit.pdf

◦ Guidelines for assessing how the organization is managing technology and staff

7

Infectious◦ Viruses

A program or piece of code that is designed to replicate itself and spread from file to file, usually attaching itself to applications. Replicates itself via the network or email.

◦ Worms

Categories of Categories of MalwareMalware


A program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network without user intervention and usually performs malicious actions.

Source: Jeff MacArthur, commandNpodcast, October 12, 2007

Concealment◦ Trojan Horses

A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application.

RootKits



◦ RootKitsmodifies operating system

◦ Backdoors

For Profit

◦ SpywareSend info back to someone who uses it for commercial profit or redirects to a profit site

B



◦ Botnets

◦ Key Loggers

◦ Dialers

Virus and Malware scanner, along with antivirus/malware software

OS updates

Only download from trusted sites or the program creator’s site

Think twice about installing software

DefensesDefenses


Think twice about installing software

Use a firewall

Use wireless access controls – WEP and WPA

No unnecessary rights (ie., no extra administrators)Vista UAC Apple’s password protection for software installs

8

Hacking and CrackingVirusesWormsTrojan Horses

Invasions: the enemy outsideInvasions: the enemy outside


HoaxesPhishing and pharming

Insecure passwords

Posted passwords

Poor back up practices

User Practices: the enemy insideUser Practices: the enemy inside


p p

Internet firewall non-use

Lack of virus software updates

Lack of OS and other software updates

Connecting To The InternetConnecting To The Internet

Dial-up 56Kbps

DSL Generally 1-3 Mbps (distance-dependent, asymmetrical)

FiOS 5-30 Mbps (“fiber to the home”)


FiOS 5-30 Mbps ( fiber to the home )

Cable Generally 384 Kbps (upload) - 6 Mbps (asymmetrical, shared)

T1 1.5Mbps (symmetrical, dedicated)

Broa

dban

d

9

Types Of Local Area NetworksTypes Of Local Area Networks

Peer-to-Peer◦ Local◦ Virtual

Client Server


Client-Server

Router

PeerPeer--toto--peer Networkingpeer Networking


Source: Techsoup.org,www.techsoup.org/articlepage.cfm?ArticleID=210&topicid=3

ClientClient--server Networkingserver Networking

RouterRouter


Source: Techsoup.org,www.techsoup.org/articlepage.cfm?ArticleID=210&topicid=3

AuthenticationE-mailApplicationsFile and Print ServersS i

Why A Server?Why A Server?


SecurityBackups

Why not on the Internet?

4 or fewer ► Peer-to-Peer - maybe20 or more ► Client/Server

In between ► determine byB i ti

When A Server?When A Server?


◦ Business practice◦ Availability of network support staff

10

InternetLAN – Local Area Network◦ Single site network

VPN – Virtual Private Network

Reaching Further on the NetworkReaching Further on the Network


◦ Network that uses public wires to allow access to a network (usually a LAN)

General information – puts you on the mapDisseminate special materials more efficiently “Any time” connections


Create a library of materialsInvolve new people less intrusively

Space from your connection providerLocal serverVendorsWeb Hosting

Where to PublishWhere to Publish


You must have a domain name for your organization

Criteria for a Web Hosting Service

◦ FindMyHosting: Web Host Guidewww.findmyhosting.com/webhosting-guide.htm

◦ How to Choose a Web Host by Christopher

Where to PublishWhere to Publish


Hengwww.thesitewizard.com/archive/findhost.shtml

FindMyHosting◦ www.findmyhosting.com/

11

Publications – writing & organizing

Graphics arts

Technical

Skills Needed for a Great SiteSkills Needed for a Great Site


Technical

Brochure - static

Magazine – regular updates

Di t M il A l ti d t b hi


Direct Mail Appeal – tied to membership or outreach database

Community – closer to a portal

Source: The Stages of Site Development, Rick Christ

Center for Democracy &Technologywww.cdt.org/

Creative Mentoringwww.creativementoring.org/index.shtml

NPO Web Site SamplesNPO Web Site Samples


OceanHealth.orgoceanhealth.org/

Web logsWeblogsBlogs

Nonprofit Blog Exchangenonprofitblogexchange.blogspot.com/

BloggingBlogging


p g g g p /

A Nonprofit's Guide to the Blogospherewww.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/page5509.cfm?cg=searchterms&sg=blogging

1. To report back from an event or conference 2. To involve staff and take advantage of their knowledge 3. To involve volunteers and document their work 4. To provide resources and information to constituents 5. To provide resources and information from constituents


6. To give constituents a place to voice their opinion 7. To give constituents support 8. To create the media coverage constituents want 9. To give constituents the power and tools to create change 10. To reach potential donors

Source:Netsquared.org,http://www.netsquared.org/blog/britt-bravo/10-ways-nonprofits-can-use-blogs

12

EmailListservsBlogs

Asynchronous Asynchronous CommunicationCommunication


Wikis

NetiquetteManagement and storageClarityLists managed through an Address book

EE--mailmail


Lists managed through an Address book

“Chatty”Charity Channel Forums

charitychannel.com/forums/index.asp

E-zines or newsletters

ListservsListservs


Do-it-yourself◦ Yahoo! Groups◦Google Groups

ChatroomsInstant MessagingVideo conferencingSkype

Synchronous CommunicationSynchronous Communication


Skype

AOL Instant MessengerAOL Instant Messenger


13

SkypeSkype


Great Sources of Great Sources of Additional HelpAdditional Help

TechSoupwww.techsoup.org


p g

NetSquaredwww.netsquared.org

www.udel.edu/sine/nonprof

Materials for this presentation can Materials for this presentation can be found atbe found at

Documents

Strategic Technology Strategic Technology Planning Planning