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Getting Started with Blogging Software

It took me a little while to review it, but Idealware has done another great job with their latest report on Getting Started with Blogging Software. They leave off Manila, which is the blogging platform that in many ways started it all and which is certainly still one of the most powerful for a network of blogs. But other than that omission (and the fact that I can't find a way to get the whole thing as a PDF, which made it harder to review), the report covers all the important platforms and more importantly, in their How to Choose section, they give you the right questions to ask yourself about your blogging needs. Fabulous work! Posted: 7/21/06; 12:17:33 PM #

The CIVICUS Civil Society Index

The CIVICUS Civil Society Index is a fantastic project that has stimulated some good thinking and some even better action around the world. It attempts to assess the state of civil society in a country through four measurements: (1) Structure: What is the internal make-up of civil society? How large, vibrant and representative is civil society in terms of individuals and organisations? (2) Environment: What is the political, socio-economic, cultural and legal environment in which civil society exists? Are these factors enabling or disabling to civil society? (3) Values: Does civil society practise and promote positive social values? (4) Impact: What is the impact of civil society? Is it effective in resolving social, economic, and political problems, and in serving the common good? Posted: 7/21/06; 12:12:32 PM #

Why It's a Bad Idea to Send Microsoft Word Documents

I've been known to joke that the virus with the biggest economic impact was the Microsoft Word document. Just think about it. I only recently came across Tristan Miller's very sober analysis of Why It's a Bad Idea to Send Microsoft Word Documents. He provides plenty of great alternatives, of course. These are his reasons: (1) Microsoft Word documents cannot always be read by other word processors. (2) Documents produced with one version of Microsoft Word cannot always be read by other versions of Microsoft Word. (3) Microsoft Word documents are not guaranteed to look and print the same way on every computer and printer. (4) Microsoft Word documents are extremely large compared to other file formats. (5) Sending Microsoft Word files can violate your privacy. (6) Microsoft Word files are a security hazard. Posted: 7/21/06; 12:08:38 PM #