A guide to free resources available to NGOs and businesses to use computers and the Internet

There is a wealth of free resources available for individuals, NGOs, and businesses to use computers and the Internet. The problem is finding out about them. This document provides a brief introduction to some of the most important resources, including where to get free or low cost computers, where to get free email accounts, how to develop and host your website for free, and where to get free software.

Individuals and organisations frequently contact bridges.org to learn about using computers and the Internet, but many cannot afford retail prices and few know about the range of information technology (IT) and services that are available at little or no cost. Even when people do know that free resources exist, they often have trouble finding them. So bridges.org developed this guide to help people find resources for free IT. We have made the guide publicly available because we believe that while not every organisation needs its own website (or computers), everyone should have the ability to choose for themselves.

This guide is not about illegal or black market software. We want to connect people with the large variety legitimate, legal, free software, hardware and IT services that are available. Some services and computer resources are free because they are donated. Other things are offered for free as a marketing strategy when the money is made on advertising, or support and services.

The guide is also not intended to be comprehensive, but rather serves as a first stop to get people started. Nonetheless, we welcome your suggestions and additions. Please email comments to freeIT. Thank you for your time, and we hope that you find this useful!

Where to find:

• Donated computers
• Low cost computers
• Technology-savy volunteers
• Online technology-savy volunteers
• Free web development and hosting
• Free web hosting and email
• Free software (word processors, graphics tools,etc.)

Note: some of the resources will only be available to NGOs or organisations in developing countries; these are noted in the text.

Where to find: donated computers

Many corporations are willing to donate their used computers to NGOs and schools. The problem is connecting corporate donors with needy organisations, and ensuring that the computers are functional. The best route for an organisation to find donated computers is to contact local companies, especially large IT companies that frequently buy new computers. However, there are a few international programmes which provide donated computers and may setup complete computer labs. For example:

• Computer Aid International is the world's largest not-for-profit supplier of refurbished Pentium PCs for not-for-profit organisations in developing countries. Contact Tony Roberts, Executive Director, at +44 (0)20 7281 0091 by phone, or by mail
• WorldComputerExchange have offices in Boston, New Haven, San Francisco, Stockholm, Sydney and Washington, and representatives in Bangkok, Geneva, Johannesburg, Newark, New York, Seattle, Syracuse, Tokyo and Tulsa. Contact Timothy Anderson, WCE President, at (781) 925-3078, by mail

There are additional resources directed at developing world schools. For example, the World Links programme and partners have established over 800 schools labs, and provided training. Email for more information.

There are also regional programmes such as Share The Technology in the US. Please search the Internet for programmes in your country.

Where to find: low cost computers

Most organisations do not need new state-of-the-art computers to peform daily tasks such as accessing the Internet, typing documents, and keeping records. Refurbished used computers are a low cost alternative. However, you should always be careful to check that any particular computer will run the software you require. Other important considerations are what software is included with the computer, and whether the computer comes with a warranty and technical support plan.

Yahoo maintains a list of companies that sell used computers. However, this list is US-focused. For other countries, please check the phone book or search the Internet. In South Africa, where bridges.org's head office is located, a major computer refurbisher is FreeCom.

Where to find: technology-savvy volunteers

Does your organisation lack the in-house skills to setup and use computers? There are a variety of small-scale volunteer programmes to help NGOs and others setup computers and learn how to use them, and then accomplish other tasks such as setting up a website.

One of the best known programmes is Geekcorps, which helps "people in communities around the world to gain access to information technology and to build businesses on the web". They are currently active in Lebanon, Bulgaria, Armenia, Ghana, and Mongolia.

• Global Technology Corps
• Net Corps
• United Nations Information Technology Service
• United Nations Volunteers
• Volunteers in Technical Assistance

However, international programmes are not the only option. Often, there are local technology professionals who are ready and willing to help NGOs and small businesses. Ask around at local computer companies. Look in the phone book or ask around for local "computer societies", or "technology user groups". The international Internet Society has chapters around the world, which are a good place to start. Potential volunteers are available in most countries, the trick is having the persistence to find them.

Where to find: online technology-savvy volunteers

In addition to in-person volunteers, volunteers can sometimes help your organisation over the Internet. For example, Netaid connects thousands of technology-skilled volunteers with organisations that need their services. However, unlike Geekcorps, the volunteers do their work over the Internet, and do not travel to the organisation. Volunteers can perform translations, website development, research, and more.

Where to find: free web development and hosting

Does your organisation want a website? In addition to the general volunteer groups listed above (which will all help you to setup a website), there are a few programmes especially devoted to websites. For example, InterConnection provides no-cost and low-cost professional websites, Internet hosting and technical expertise to non-profits in developing countries. We support non-profits that work in the areas of environmental preservation, human rights and local economic development."

Where to find: free web hosting and email

There are many many sites out there that provide free web hosting, often with online tools to help you develop your site yourself. Dmoz (a web index like Yahoo), lists sites. In fact, there are so many free web hosting groups, that there are also websites devoted to ranking these free groups -- for example, see free webhosting awards from NetTop20.

Here are a few recommendations:

• Kabissa: For NGOs only; also has free mailing lists and other features.
• Geocities: Probably the best advertisement supported site; Geocities has many other features including online tools to develop your website.
• Catalog: Puts advertisements on your site.
• Tripod: Puts advertisements on your site.
• Angelfire: Puts advertisements on your site.

Where to find: free email accounts (only)

There are also many services that provide free email accounts. There are even sites that rate the free email services (see free email providers guide). However, almost all email providers only supply web-based access: which means you must be connected to the Internet to read, send, and receive mail. This can be quite expensive. Alternatively, look for "POP"-based email accounts, which allow you to download email to your computer, read it and compose an answer while you are not connected to the Internet, and then send the message when you are ready.

• For a list of services, see this list of free e-mail providers at dmoz
• For a site that that rates free email services, see the free e-mail providers guide.
• For free email with POP access, one option is: Yahoo! Mail
• For free web-based email (SA Based), one option is: Mighty Mail

Where to find: free mailing lists

Do you want to setup an email list or discussion group? Again, there are a wealth of resources. Most of them put a small advertisement at the bottom of your messages, in order to support the service.

For African NGOs, see Kabissa.

Two other services to check out are: Topica and Yahoo! Groups.

Where to find: computer training materials

If you have the time and energy, you do not need to spend money to go to a computer training course for yourself or your staff. Instead, read one of the many free tutorials available on the Internet.

Bridges.org has partially developed our own free training materials, which combine computer literacy with the underlying social and policy issues of technology. The bridges.org techguide is available here. As part of the techguide, bridges.org compiled links to dozens of online tutorials, which are available here.

One source of free training materials stands out above the rest in terms of quality and depth of coverage: ITrain Online. ITrain is a joint project of Association for Progressive Communications, Bellanet, International Institute for Communication and Development, International Institute for Sustainable Development, International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications, and Oneworld Network.

Where to find: free software

This topic is covered on a separate webpage.

Disclaimer: bridges.org does not advocate any particular service, organisation, or software application. The items listed here are only examples, and we hope that you find them useful. However, bridges.org is not liable if you run into problems.