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==Nonprofits with Public Computers Toolkit==
Does your organization have computers available to the public? Do you lack the technical expertise to keep them 100-percent operational? You’re not alone. While thousands of nonprofits are serving their communities by either offering classes or making computers available for casual use, most don’t have a dedicated IT person to perform the necessary maintenance public computers need.

=Tips and Public Lab Management=
//These articles offer tips to keep your systems running smoothly, applications to ensure kids are safe on public computers, and software to help make your job easier.//
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page7130.cfm|Five Timesaving Tips for Computer Lab Managers]]
Strategies for reducing maintenance hassles on public machines.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page7097.cfm|Content-Filtering Tools: An FAQ for Nonprofits]]
Advice to help you choose software or hardware for your computer lab.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page7091.cfm|Understanding Content Filtering: An FAQ for Nonprofits ]]
Answers to a handful of frequently asked questions about content filtering solutions.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page6684.cfm|Cloning: A Fast, Easy Way to Set Up Multiple Computers]]
Learn how you can automatically set up the same software configuration on dozens of computers.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/hardware/page6006.cfm|Five Steps to Extend Your Computer’s Life]]
We'll show you optimum protection and maintenance practices for keeping your computer healthy.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page5203.cfm|Securing Your Computers for a Public Computing Environment]]
A comprehensive primer on how to secure your lab and workstations.

=Case Studies=
//Learn how organizations around the globe are using public computers to reach out to the community, teach adults and children new skills, and make a difference.//
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page5190.cfm|Caminos Learning Center]]
A San Francisco-based nonprofit teaches immigrant and low-income Latina women computer literacy.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page5666.cfm|One Economy: Bringing the Net to Those Who Need It]]
Nonprofit provides Web access, content, and training to low-income communities.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page6067.cfm|Teens Work to End Digital Divide in Jamaican Schools]]
Teens For Technology brings computer labs to the country's schools.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/ctc/page5073.cfm|Uddami Project: Giving Hope to Disadvantaged Youth in India]]
India's UCTC provides locals with free computer training, access to a better job, and a better life.

=Discounted Software=
//[[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/default.asp?cg=header&sg=stock|TechSoup Stock]]// //offers discounted software to qualified nonprofits and non-governmental organizations. Only qualified organizations are eligible for TechSoup software donations and eligibility varies among each vendor. Please review the requirements for each vendor prior to placing your order.//
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Adobe&Page=1|Adobe]]
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Bytes%20of%20Learning&Page=1|Bytes of Learning]]
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&category%5Fname=Desktop%20Publishing%20MS&Page=1&Cat1=Microsoft&CatCount=1|Microsoft Encarta, Publisher, Student]]
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&category%5Fname=Office%20Tools%20MS&Page=2|Microsoft Office]]
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&category%5Fname=Servers%20MS&Page=6|Microsoft Windows XP and Vista upgrades]]
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Symantec&Page=1|Symantec]]

If your organization does not qualify for TechSoup Stock products, the following online vendors offer competitive prices: [[http://www.pcconnection.com/|PC Connection]], [[http://www.cdw.com/|CDW]], and [[http://www.amazon.com/|Amazon]].

=Free Software=
//Free software can make a world of difference to a cash-strapped organization. Some of the following downloads are only free for home and personal use, but check the vendor’s site for nonprofit and educational pricing.//

* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=170|Ad-aware]] - Tool that finds and removes adware and spyware from your computer. Free version for personal use. Academic and nonprofit discount available.
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=211|CCleaner]] - System-optimization tool that removes unused and temporary files from your system, allowing Windows to run faster and more efficiently.
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=257|Dan’s Guardian]]- Open-source Web content filter runs on Linux and Mac operating systems.
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=258|K9 Protection]] - Content filtering software designed for easy set up.
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=9&downloadid=105|OpenOffice]]- Multi-platform, multilingual office suite is compatible with all other major office suites.
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=248|SteadyState]]- Locks down public computers and protects them from unintended changes and unwanted installations of software.
** Check out TechSoup's [[Steadystate01|interview]] with the SteadyState Team
* [[http://www.techsoup.org/products/downdetails.cfm?downloadcat=7&downloadid=171|Spybot Search and Destroy]] - Tool that removes adware, malware, and checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders.

=Participate in the TechSoup Forums=
//TechSoup's Community is a place to share and learn more about technology. Here, you can ask questions and get answers from an enthusiastic team of technology and nonprofit experts.//

[[http://www.techsoup.org/fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=forums.showSingleForum&forum=2012&cid=117&|Accessible Technology & Public Computing Forum]]
This forum is dedicated to discussing the importance of access to technology, how technology can help people with disabilities and members of low income communities.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=forums.showSingleForum&forum=2029&cid=117|Virus and Security Forum]]
Discuss ways to keep your computer secure and virus-free.
[[http://www.techsoup.org/fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=forums.showSingleForum&forum=2019&cid=117&|Volunteers & Technology]]
Learn about working with technology volunteers and how the Internet connects volunteers with the organizations that need them.

=Addtional Resources=
//The following organizations offer advice, articles, and resources for organizations with public computers.//
[[http://www.americaconnects.net/|America Connects Consortium]]
ACC supports community technology centers nationwide to improve programs, support community development, and improve adult literacy and achievement in education.
[[http://www.ctcnet.org/|CTCnet]]
A national network of organizations united in their commitment to strengthen the social, economic, educational, and cultural life of their communities through technology.
[[http://neighborhoodnetworks.org/|HUD Neighborhood Networks]]
From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this expansive site provides a variety of information, including resources for starting your own community nonprofit.
[[http://www.npower.org/index1.htm|NPower]]
A national network of local nonprofit organizations that provide unbiased, affordable, and appropriate technology assistance to other organizations.
[[http://www.one-economy.com/|One Economy]]
A multi-national nonprofit organization that brings broadband to the homes of low-income people and provides a multilingual Web portal called [[http://www.thebeehive.%20org/|The Beehive]].
[[http://webjunction.org/do/Home|Web Junction]]
Geared toward libraries, this site offers advice, forums, and articles.