AIP has launched an initiative to develop essential software tools and 'how to' manuals for grassroots publishers.

The Newspaper-in-a-Box (NiB) initiative is designed as a three-year flagship AIP project funded by the Netherlands Institute of Southern Africa (NiZA) and managed by veteran media consultant Raymond Joseph.

NiB will attempt to improve the competitiveness of community-based media by replicating the kinds of sophisticated proprietary software and management systems used by 'big media' publishers.

Once AIP has developed Free Open Source Software (FOSS) versions of the tools, it will supply them to grassroots publishers free of charge. The software and other tools will be accompanied by a series of ‘how to’ manuals teaching publishers the tricks of the trade.

Joseph has already begun surveying existing software and business tools, and is currently evaluating the most pressing needs amongst smaller publishers. He is also drawing on the systems showcased in AIP's 2005 Innovative Media Awards, and has begun shortlisting possible FOSS tools for development.

The automated advertising booking and billing system developed by Limpopo's Zoutnet group of rural newspapers is one of the short listed tools being considered for possible development. The system will manage the entire advertising booking processes, from calculating quotes for ad reps, through to booking adverts onto specific pages, and then issuing tax compliant invoices.

Other tools currently under evaluation include an FTP facility to help grassroots publishers safely transmit large advertising files and other content over the internet, as well as an automated payroll system especially developed for managing advertising reps and freelance journalists who earn commission-based salaries.

Rhodes University's automated editorial production system, NIKA, is also being evaluated along with a European distribution management and billing system that could take much of the headache out of tracking newspaper sales and invoicing vendors.

Programmes selected for inclusion in NiB must be able to help small publishers cuts costs and streamline their operations while also improving the accuracy and professionalism of their ‘back office’ systems. The improvements will, AIP hopes, help small publishers stave off growing competition from ‘big media’ competitors who often used expensive proprietary management tools to beat poorer publications.

NiZA is funding the first phase of the project, and hopes that many of the solutions will be applicable to publishers not just in South Africa, but also elsewhere in the region.

 * AIP's project manager on NiB, Raymond Joseph, is an award-winning journalist, media consultant, and trainer who has worked throughout southern Africa. Specialising in grassroots journalism and start-ups of small publications, he has most recently helped restructure the newsdesk at the Cape Argus, and previously helped set up editorial systems at the trail-blazing Daily Voice tabloid in Cape Town. He has also edited his own community-based newspaper, in the Eastern Cape, currently serves on the board of Big Issue magazine, and serves on the boards of various industry bodies.