Vermont Nonprofit CommunIT

Gmail puts the last nail in the Outlook coffin

I just got a new IBM Thinkpad T42 for work and spent most of yesterday transferring files, configuring the UI and installing applications (by the way, I used FileHippo for 95% of the downloads I needed).  When I got to installing MS Office, I realized I didn't need to install the RAM eating Outlook-Monster; I haven't used it for months and I see no reason of ever going back.

Back in the day, I used to sing the high praises of Outlook 2003 along with a hand-full of excellent plug-ins that extended its functionality (Newsgator, Lookout, Salesforce.com).

However, last week I discovered what may be the proverbial final nail in desktop email client solution coffin. Google has added the ability to send email from ones Gmail account with any working email alias.  In other words, I can send email from my Gmail account and it looks like its coming from my sonny@craftemergency.org or one of my other email addresses.  Now all my email accounts get forwarded to Gmail, and I can reply with the associated email address.

And for those of you out there who absolutely need a desktop client or simply can't handle your email/data being hosted somewhere other than in house, or you just want a backup of your email, I highly recommend using Mozilla Thunderbird to access Gmail via the Gmail POP download utility.

Walking on Sunshine

Little known personal fact about me: Every morning (not most mornings, EVERY morning) I wake up with some 70's or 80's pop tune in my head. My sick and twisted subconscious is not responding well to this last week's unfathomable catastrophe in the south by playing over and over again the one hit wonder Katrina and the Waves'  tune "Walking on Sunshine." I take no responsibility for the poor taste of my subconscious.

Disaster response and recovery is very new to me in my professional life. Working at CERF has given me a much different perspective on and surprising visceral responses to these events. No doubt my response derives from the amazing outpouring of both financial and "what can I do" support we've been receiving, coupled with stories trickling in from artists, galleries and friends that have been affected by Katrina.

Organizationally, we are now faced with the challenge--and opportunity--to create connections between those in need and those that want to help. We have been working conceptually on a website for our constituents to connect and exchange information and resources, but we are no where close to being there. However, the thinking around it has helped to quickly facilitate the creation of a very simple blog/forum-esque Disaster Relief Response message board on CERF's website. Although it wasn't a turn-key creation, Drupal CMS made it possible in a relatively short time frame. Check it out, let us know what you think.