Subscribe to my blog, Like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter to know when this web site is updated, new resources are launched, etc. "If the users can't use it, it doesn't work "If it doesn't work, the users can't use it" This is my technology philosophy. My advice regarding computer and Internet use is focused on mission-based organizations (nonprofits, non-governmental organizations or NGOs, public sector organizations, civil society organizations, etc.), including those working in and for developing countries. It is given in as much non-technical terminology as possible, and is focused more on the human-side of technology use, rather than the tech itself. Employees and volunteers at mission-based organizations have to stretch existing resources a long, long way, and they may not have the resources to hire a full-time tech manager or even a short-term consultant, let alone purchase specialized database software or send employees to computer training. My tech-related advice is made with those organizations with extremely limited resources primarily in mind. And that means that some readers may find the information too basic. But based on the emails I regularly receive and my own first-hand experience working with nonprofit organizations, this basic tech-related information fills in a lot of gaps left by various software manuals and workshops -- I provide basic information that tech writers must think most people already understand. This advice also comes from the author's point of view that the best designers of these databases are the users -- the people, often non-techies, who input and manipulate the data regularly as part of their jobs. That means development directors and office assistants should direct the design, rather than IT professionals and senior managers. This advice comes from the many years I have spent using computers and the Internet and, in particular, from creating and/or managing databases that track people and their activities, be it what tickets they buy, how much they've contributed to an organization in time or money, ways they have volunteered, or if they've received the latest brochure. This advice is further enhanced by continued suggestions posted to various online discussion groups. With all that said: success in using technology tools is driven by user attitude. Users who want to reach out, to make people feel informed and involved, who are committed to quality and timeliness, and who are ready to try something even at the risk of making a mistake are the people who flourish using technology. People who hate change, don't like sharing information freely and continually, and don' like involving others in their work are those that struggle with technology. What's your attitude?

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