What is Community Tools software?

Community Tools (CT) is web-based software for managing activities and communication within location-based communities. Community can be a neighborhood, apartment association, football team, local hunting league, neighborhood watch, etc.

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Geotagged information

Since CT aims to improve location-based communication, we emphasize on tying information with geographic data — events, news, announcements, institutions, etc. are displayed both in text form as well as on map.

Who uses CT?

Currently, the beta-version of the software is being used by about a dozen local communities in Tallinn, Estonia (Uue Maailma Selts, Vanalinna Selts, Kadrioru Selts and others) and a few interest-based communities (Estonian Association of Logistics, Network of NGOs in Tallinn, Estonian Society of Handicraft Teachers). These sites are all in Estonian, to get a real experience, you might want to check out the Demo site.

What Tools are provided?

Currently, the following Tools are ready for use: creating groups, member management, articles (news), ideas, problems, events, galleries, map, forum, comments, e-mail alerts and RSS feeds.

Next task in the list is to create a Big Map which gives an overview of geotagged data that people have shared. For example, if communities in Finland, Estonia and Romania have mapped ugly garbage piles that need to be removed, it’s possible to display it all on one map (RSS) to get a better overview and see the Big Picture. Or to see the Local Picture. This can be done with any kind of geotagged information, be it events, potholes in roads, the spread of wild animals or anything else.

Another cool app we have in mind is Stuffarium which is kind of online library of things owned by community members, which they would happily lend out to others – be it construction tools or rare arthouse movie DVDs.

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Technical platform

Technically, CT is built as modules on Drupal 6 content management system which is becoming more and more popular throughout the world.

What makes CT stand out from other social media platforms and group work services like Facebook, Ning, Orkut, Google Docs?

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It is location-based

In CT, you can view news, events, forum posts, photos, documents, and other things on a map. Since CT is made primarily for location-based communities, the map is central in our approach.

It is aimed at communities

CT is not a generic communication platform. We have carefully developed our Tools considering the specific needs of local communities. Our knowledge of community activities is based on the experience of one of the most active local community in Estonia, the New World Society (Uus Maailm).

It is an open source software and an online service

Most social media platforms are only available as an online service. CT, on the other hand, is an open source software. Everyone can install it on their own server and adjust to their needs. We can also help you with server installation, if needed.

CT helps you build your own website

As CT is based on content management system Drupal, you can use it to build your website with your own design, layout, and domain. You also have a wide range of Drupal designs and functional modules to choose from.

With CT, you’re the owner of your data

All data and internal communication that you save in CT database belongs to you – it doesn’t serve the needs of any corporation.

CT is advertisement-free

CT platform will never display annoying promotional banners to you or your guests.