“Growing the potential of information and communication technology for Rotorua communities”
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ROTORUA ICT PANUI
ISSUE 35
October 2009
To download a printer-friendly version of this month’s newsletter in Acrobat Reader format click here.
Rotorua ICT Trust meeting
The next meeting of the Rotorua ICT Trust is Thursday 25th February 2010, 5:30pm to 6:30pm at The Business Hub, 1209 Hinemaru St. Anyone with an interest in growing the potential of computers and the Internet for Rotorua communities is welcome to come along, listen and offer suggestions.
e-Engage Your Community Conference 2009
Community groups that missed out on the 2008 series of e-Engage Your Community conferences now have the opportunity to attend a further event in Wellington. The conference will be on 12 and 13 November at Wellington's Massey University campus. It will introduce a variety of interactive website tools of use to community organisations, as well as intensive half-day workshops on a range of topics to help organisations embrace the web more effectively. Conference costs for Day 1 range from $100 to $150 per person, and workshop costs on Day 2 range from $125 to $175 per person per workshop.
More information: http://www.eyc.org.nz
Rotorua Seniornet Update
A reminder that anybody over the age of 55 can gain more computer skills by joining Rotorua Seniornet. The volunteer tutors at Seniornet's small weekly classes can teach how to browse the Internet, improve your use of e-mails, do travel bookings on-line and help with hobbies such as genealogy and photography. Monthly meetings are also held at the Regency Park Village, where around 50 computer enthusiasts learn about the latest innovations and advances in modern technology and listen to talks and tips on relevant subjects. If you or anyone you know is interested, then phone the Secretary at 0-7-345 7607, or check out the website below.
More information: http://www.rotoruaseniornet.gen.nz
Rotorua eDay 2009 – A Great Success
eDay 2009 was held on Saturday 12th September. Nationally, more than 16,430 cars dropped off 83,536 items, totalling 976 tonnes of e-waste that was diverted from landfills. Rotorua's contribution was 25 tonnes from a well-organised event at the former Challenge Service Station on Te Ngae Road. Depending on availability, the venue for the 2010 event may need to be changed. Evaluation reports from the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Rotorua eDay events are available online at www.rotict.orconhosting.net.nz (click on 'Research Reports').
More information: http://www.eday.org.nz
Websites of interest
From time to time, the Rotorua ICT Trust profiles websites of interest to social services and community groups. Check out these updates:
http://www.webhealth.co.nz – Webhealth's latest addition is a new function that allows you to rapidly create and print your own personalised health and social services directory for free. You select only the services you want, and print only the number of copies you need. You can even add your own logo to brand the directory, send it as an attachment or save it to disk. The information is constantly updated for all regions covered by Webhealth's service. Organisations and individuals can list their services for free, so if a service is not in the Webhealth database it can be easily added before printing a directory.
http://www.donatenz.com – DonateNZ enables you to donate goods, time or discounts to deserving organisations in the community using a match maker service (a bit like online dating). Recipient membership is absolutely free and available to schools, early childhood centres and not-for-profit organisations.
http://www.givealittle.co.nz – GiveALittle is another New Zealand online giving platform. It can be used for making donations to organisations and causes, and to support community groups' fundraising and increase their profile.
http://www.techsoup.net.nz – TechSoup New Zealand provides low cost software and hardware from companies such as Microsoft. Only charities and community groups are eligible to apply. The program aims to assist New Zealand's community and voluntary groups to build their ICT capacity.
http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/transit/#mdy – Google Transit – Something a little bit different! Plan a trip virtually anywhere in the world using public transportation. This websites aims to help save the planet by making public transport information freely available from anywhere. One of the latest additions to the website is Wellington City.
Health.nz domain names introduced
The Ministry of Health has introduced a new second level internet domain, health.nz, for the exclusive use of the health sector. Names ending in .health.nz will be available to DHBs; the clinics and surgeries of registered practitioners; ambulance services; government health agencies; and registration authorities. Organisations using this domain for their websites and/or e-mail addresses will be more easily recognisable as a health-related business.
More information: http://www.moh.govt.nz/healthdomain
Ultra-fast broadband getting closer
A flurry of recent news and announcements is heralding a roll-out of fibre-optic networks throughout New Zealand over the coming 5-10 years. This will greatly increase Internet speeds, enabling new technologies such as high-resolution video conferencing, and may also eventually lead to price reductions for Internet communications. Commencing in the near future, the Government's $300 million Rural Broadband Initiative will seek to deliver fast broadband to rural communities. Also starting shortly, the national Fibre to the Home initiative will see a $1.5 billion investment based around a regional approach and public-private partnerships. Around the country, key stakeholders are forming partnerships to roll out regional fibre cables and link them to marae, farms and homes. In recent news, broadband customers in the rural south island town of Ashburton and surrounding areas will soon get speeds of up to 1Gbit/s being delivered to their farms, as power co-operative Electricity Ashburton launches its fibre network in the coming weeks.
More information:
http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/ContentTopicSummary____41997.aspx
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/government-finalises-15b-fibre-home-proposal-110944
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