Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing/HOA Communication Software?

[Catya Belfer-Shevett (catya]

Hi Coy,

Here's what we (Mosaic Commons in Massachusetts) use for the things you 
list below:

1: A website based on the drupal content management system 
(http://www.mosaic-commons.org) that includes web pages, member login 
and a substantial member's area, bios, member directory, faq, uploaded 
documents, etc.  (we don't keep info about pets but could keep it there 
if we did)

2: Calendar: we could use the one build into the website, which is what 
we did until recently, but we just switched to displaying the google 
calendar on the website (http://www.mosaic-commons.org/calendar) 
instead.  There's a second google calendar with member's only stuff like 
birthdays, that you can only see when you are logged in.

3: Photos: we could use the photos app built into the website, but we're 
using gallery and linking to it from the website instead 
(http://photos.mosaic-commons.org) (wow we need some new pictures! :)

4: Polls: right now we're using a custom-built thing, but i like 
http://www.surveymonkey.com for polls.

5: Email lists and archives: one of our members runs a mailman server 
that has all of the community email lists. 
(http://www.mosaic-commons.org/online)

        - catya

PS, I build and host websites for people, and I discount my rates for 
cohousing groups.  http://www.catya.org/website


Tegaroni wrote:
> Hi All,
>  
> Does anyone know of a good software package or service that handles most of a community's electronic communication needs? 
>  
> Currently we are patching together many different pieces such as YahooGroups, Gmail Calendars, hand edited website pages, etc. But I am hoping to find a single system with most of the following features. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
>  
> * Log-In: Each resident will have a personal log-in name and password.
> * BIO: Each resident will maintain their personal information such as house 
> number, phone numbers, email address, photo, etc.
> * Member Directory: A way to view a directory of all residents and their information. 
> * FAQ: A way to view community information pages
> * Announcements: A way for a resident to send email announcements to all other 
> residents or a subgroup of residents. Replies would be sent to the sender 
> instead of everyone. Also, one could send an email announcement to the system 
> from their email account.
> * Calendars: A way for a resident to add/edit/delete events. The system would 
> then automatically send an email to all residents to inform them of the event 
> or a change to the event. It would also send out an email reminder the day 
> before.
> * Archives: A way for a resident to view or upload documents
> * Photos: A way for a resident to view or upload photos. 
> * Groups: A way for a resident to join a "Group". These "Groups" would become email subgroups so a calendar event such as a Board meeting would be sent only to the "Board" subgroup. "Groups" could also be used for meals, committees, contact lists, etc.
> * Classifieds: A way for a resident to view, add or edit a classified ad.
> * Pets: A way for a resident to view, add or edit information about 
> neighborhood pets.
> * Polling: A way to allow a resident to view a proposal and cast their vote.
>  
> Thanks in advance,
> Coy
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--
                           ____
Catya Belfer-Shevett    ____\  /     Cohousing in MA?
catya [at] cohousing.org     \  / \/   www.mosaic-commons.org
www.catya.org            \/          Ready Fall 2008!