TechSoup Blog blogs

If You Build It, Will They Come?

Megan Keane — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:27:43 -0400

TechSoup's online event: Online Activism: Social Media Tools for Social Change this Wed. sparked all sorts of discussions about how to use social networking tools effectively for your organization's goals. Hosts Heather Mansfield and Carie Lewis offered their experience and expertise on best practices for using a variety of different social networking sites from Change.org to MySpace to Facebook.

Best Practices for Web Form Design

Robert Weiner — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:46:36 -0400

This coming Monday, May 19 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., East Bay Innovation Group will present a talk on Best Practices for Web Form Design in Emeryville, California.

From eBig's Web site:

Mobile Phones and NGOs

Kevin Lo — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:23:51 -0400

The International Herald Tribune recently reported on the study "Wireless Technology for Social Change: Trends in NGO Mobile Use," conducted by the U.N. and Vodafone foundations.

While cynics may argue that the Vodafone group has a keen interest in seeing mobile phone usage increase in developing countries, the study offers many inspiring stories of how activists and development experts in the field are using mobile technologies in innovative ways.

Be Vigilant about Disaster-Related Emails

Kevin Lo — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:54:15 -0400

In the wake of the horrible tragedies in Myanmar and China, millions of dollars worth of donations can be expected from generous people all over the world to help those desperately in need. Unfortunately, we can also count on unscrupulous criminals taking advantage of the situation to defraud individuals. Just like after the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, we can expect phishing and spam to make the rounds very soon.

Quick Tip: Choose Energy Star

Anna Jaeger — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:12:45 -0400

Next time you're in the market for a new computer, look for one with the Energy Star logo (pictured below). Energy Star computers consume 15 to 25 percent less energy than standard new computers, according to the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

Fee Hike for .Org Domain Names

Kevin Lo — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:49:07 -0400

First stamps, now domain names: Ars Technica is reporting that .org domain registrants may see their fees increase this November, from $6.15 to $6.75 per domain.

If you are registered with a larger registrar, or have a multi-year contract you may not see this cost passed along to you. But if your domain is registered with a smaller registrar or is about to expire, you may want to renew before the rate hike takes into effect.

Remote Backup: Pros and Cons

Kevin Lo — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:43:56 -0400

TechRepublic's Tim Malone recently wrote about the emerging field of online data backup and its advantages and disadvantages.

For smaller nonprofits with little or no dedicated IT help, online backups can be a valuable service, especially in cases where the hardware, training, and maintenance required for an on-site backup might deter you from doing any sort of backup.

If you have on-site servers and a lot of data that needs to be backed up, however, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons before switching from an on-site to an off-site solution.

Mark Your Calendars: May 14th Free TechSoup Online Event

Megan Keane — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:34:27 -0400

TechSoup’s free day-long online event is coming up this Wed. May 14th: Online Activism: Social Media Tools for Social Change in the TechSoup online forums.

Using Your Computer's Power-Management Features

Anna Jaeger — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:47:32 -0400

Whether you are using a Mac or PC, a laptop or a desktop, your computer has power-management features that can help you save money, reduce your impact on the environment, and extend the life of your hardware.

Last week, we advocated shutting (or powering) down your computer if you weren't planning on using it for a period of two or more hours. This week, we'll introduce you to your computer's energy-saving features, which you can use even if you're only stepping away from your computer for as little as 15 to 20 minutes.

Reduce Your Computer's Power Consumption in Minutes

Anna Jaeger — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:51:22 -0400

Reducing your computer's power consumption can be a surprisingly easy way to save money, do a little something for the planet, and extend your equipment's life.

There are three ways to manage the power consumption of your computer: