1. NGO-in-a-box
Base Edition (BaseBox)
OpenHubs Conference
Alabel, Sarangani
pi@womenshub.net

2. What is NGO-in-a-box ?
It is a series of toolkits designed to
meet the specialised technology needs
of non-profits. Each toolkit contains a
selection of Free and Open Source
Software and associated guides and
tutorials.

3. Current editions
Security Edition - information and communication

security tools for human rights activists and
journalists
 Audio/Video Edition - a host of tools for creating
and distributing audio and video content
 Open Publishing Edition - a compilation of tools
and materials for online and offline publishing
 Mobile Phones Edition - a handbook and tool set
for using mobile phones and telephony
 Citizen Journalism Toolkit - a participatory media
toolkit for audio making and online and offline
publishing

4. Reason for being
To ‘demystify’ the use of technology
for NGOs and activists, cutting down
on the overwhelming choices NGOs
face when trying to decide which
software tools to use for which
purposes. When using Free and Open
Source Software these problems are
amplified, often sending NGOs into un-
tested and unfamiliar ground.

5. What is the Base Edition
of NGO-in-a-box?
It is a collection of essential tools for
running a small-to-medium sized NGO. You
can use this toolkit to set up and coordinate
your office, organise and manage projects,
collaborate online and support your
campaigns. The Box contains a set of peer-
reviewed FOSS tools, with associated guides
and tutorials, which provides users the
technical foundations to build upon.

6.  BaseBox (off-line edition) is targeted
at users who have limited internet
access.
 3-CD box set comprising a printed
booklet and CD with the contents of
this website along with the profiled
tools and related documentation and
tutorials
 available for download is a copy of
the Ubuntu GNU/Linux operating
system and a copy of the SME Server

7. Tools inside BaseBox
 Office Suites and Word Processing
 Finance and Fundraising
 Project Management and Collaboration
 Volunteer and Staff Management
 Web Browsers and Email
 Instant Messaging and Telephony
 Website Creation and Management
 Basic Systems Administration

8. Practical advantages to using
FOSS
 Cost effectiveness
 Legality issues
 Increased stability
 Changing licensing conditions
 No technology lock-in
 Increased organisational flexibility
 Enhanced cooperative culture
 Extending life span of hardware and
reducing waste
 Ability to attract high-level skills at low cost

9. Strategic value for NGOs and
progressive social movements
 Mission driven FOSS technology
adoption processes help NGO staff
better understand the value
technology brings to development
practice.

10.  The predominant FOSS technology support
approach to promote autonomy among users
inevitably raises the technical capabilities
of people working in and with progressive
NGOs and social movements.
 The range of FOSS choices and the fact that
tools are customisable demands a solid
engagement by NGOs and social movements
around their technology needs, and leads to
more informed technology decision-making.

11. What it's not for
(a.k.a. limitations, disclaimers or don't
blame me if your system crashes)
 lousy documentation and steep
learning curve for non-techies
 FOSS can often be a hard-sell
 BaseBox makes good FOSS resource
more accessible, but it does not
guarantee that users will
automatically welcome migration.

12. base.ngoinabox.org