Recently, folks in the Affinity Groups, our online community platform, discussed recommendations for simple web design and asset management tools -- certainly stuff that could be useful to any nonprofit technology organization. Participants in the DC area 501 Tech Club had a candid discussion about applications that can help create quick and easy websites. Solutions that were mentioned:

• Installing the wide range of full featured content management systems (CMS) in order to automate a lot of work associated with creating and maintaing a website
• Microsoft's Office Live, which is easy to use yet only fully supported on Internet Explorer
• The open source Wild Apricot, Square Space, and Site Kreator toolsets, which are supported on a wide range of platforms and browsers
• Possible free website creation tools provided by one's domain hosts
• A recent article by Idealware that may be worth checking out for more recommendations

Another information-filled discussion on the DC area 501 Tech club centered around asset management tools. Recommendations tossed around were:

• Spiceworks, which autodiscovers assets that are connected to your organization's network
• Any of the inventory apps on Salesforce's App Exchange
• FileMaker DB and Apple's Remote Desktop used in conjunction with HP's WebJetAdmin (for printers) to collect networked assets
• FileWave's Asset Trustee software

NTEN's Affinity Groups are an incredible resource, with over 100 active groups and nearly 5,000 users. Sign up for free in order to view more useful and interesting discussions.