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Interacting with the Akvo website / system

Akvo seems to be web-based. What if local access to internet is limited?

Akvo is internet based, but in order to be useful, partners don't need to have internet access all the time. As long as partner organisations have access to internet occasionally, such as in an internet cafe, they can use the Akvo tools. Project information can be entered in PDF forms, which can be filled in off-line, and be send to Akvo through email at a convenient time.

We are working on mobile phone-based tools that will allow people to do reporting and other types of interactions with the Akvo system. In the future, some of the tools may be made available off-line as well.

Can I include links to external web sites within Akvo?

Yes you can. Links can be embedded in the project pages, and one can link to external pages in the Akvopedia pages.

Can I upload batches of projects at one time?

Not at the moment. Projects need to be entered one by one.

Can I access my data directly through an Application Programme Interface (API)?

A beta test of the Akvo RSR API has been released. The API can publish information about projects and updates using either XML or JSON. Before writing applications using the Akvo RSR API, please read the Code of Conduct.

Does Akvo host files and video?

At the moment, no. We plan to host files in the future. For video, there are already good places on the web that host video, such as YouTube, blip.tv, and Vimeo. Videos from these sites can be embedded in Akvo project pages. Akvo hosts files on blip.tv, which can be found at akvo.tv.

Are projects deleted on Akvo after they are completed?

No. In the interest of transparency and continued learning, projects on Akvo are never removed.

How do I get a widget?

On each project page, there is a page tool called ‘Get widget’, which allows you to create the HTML embedding code for the widget, which you can then put in your own website. You can customize the colour and which projects you want to show. Standard widgets are free, advanced widgets are only available for Akvo partners, who pay a small fee for the Akvo RSR services.

How many people from my organization can use Akvo?

You can have as many user accounts as you want on the Akvo system. Fees are charged per project, not per user.

How can I access the Akvo system? Do I need to install software?

You can simply access the Akvo website with a standard web browser. There, you can log in to the Akvo tools, such as the Marketplace and RSR. You don't need to install any software.

Will Akvo pool my data with that of other organizations? Who owns the information in the Akvo system?

All the information on Akvopedia is published under an open source license, and reuse is permitted according to the terms in that license.

The information in the Akvo RSR and the Akvo Marketplace is owned by the originators, which are the Field Partner and Support partner. Any reuse of project information such as project descriptions, background descriptions, photos and movies, is subject to the permission of the originator of the material. Akvo will use the data from the projects in an aggregate form, such as the average duration of projects, average cost per person for water and sanitation systems, etc. We might pass that data on in an open format so others can use it as well.

You can find detailed terms of use here.

Can I keep some of my project data private on Akvo?

At the moment, no. All the information is accessible to all. As we have received several requests to change this, we are reviewing the need for a private section.

Do I need to acknowledge Akvo in any formal way when I use the Akvo system?

If you reuse information from Akvopedia on your website or in a different form, you should reference the source of the material to Akvo, and link to the appropriate license page. If you use a widget, there is an Akvo link on the widget automatically. If anyone wants to copy information from projects, such as text, photos or video, they should ask permission to the Field partner and/or Support partner, as they are the owner of the information.