TechSoup Blog blogs

Facial Recognition PC Power Management

Anna Jaeger — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:44:28 -0700

Here is some info about another piece of software for Windows XP and Vista machines that can help you manage the power use of your computers: Power Saving Software Checks to Make Sure You're at Your Computer

It actually uses the computer's webcam to detect if there is a face in front of the computer. If not, it puts the computer to sleep. This would be especially useful for those times when someone has walked away for a while or is listening to a podcast or other audio and not interacting with the computer.

The software is currently available in the United Kingdom and I have asked them to send me a copy so we can try it out. I hope to report back on it soon.

Webinar Recap: Introduction to Social Media and Fundraising

Becky Wiegand — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:12:58 -0700

Thanks to everyone who participated in this morning's TechSoup Talks webinar! You can now view the slide presentation, the list of resources, and listen to the recording by clicking here: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=iqy4hh8ybtxm

John Haydon and Chris Garrett gave a terrific presentation, outlining how to get started using social media and how to fundraise with your supporters in these new tools. They gave some great tips, useful models and examples of nonprofits that have successfully raised money for their causes, and some sage advice about how to jump right in.

Some of my favorite highlights were:

Craigslist Nonprofit Bootcamp: Presentations Available!

Becky Wiegand — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:34:56 -0700

If you weren't in the Bay Area on June 20, or wished you could've cloned yourself to attend multiple session at the same time, never fear. You can see presentations from anywhere, anytime online.

The Craigslist Foundation's annual Nonprofit Bootcamp was a fantastc one-day conference, chalk full of workshops on topics ranging from marketing advice (PPT 10.1MB) to advanced ideas about the future of technology (PPT 1.7MB) for nonprofits, which featured our very own co-CEO, Marnie Webb. Many of the slideshows presented at the event are already available to be viewed on their site. Downloadable podcasts will be available for most sessions soon (we'll update you when they become available but in the meantime, check out the podcasts from previous years!)

Aside from Marnie's presentation, TechSoup was there with bells on as a sponsor and exhibitor. I was there along with my colleagues Elliot Harmon, Ricci Powers, and Barbara Shaughnessy. We really enjoyed the opportunity to get to talk to throngs of people from established nonprofits around the country, start-up organizations, and future nonprofit hopefuls.

TechSoup Japan and Kenya Launch!

Becky Wiegand — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:15:56 -0700

June marked the launch of two new international TechSoup partners: Japan and Kenya, bringing the total count of TechSoup Global Network partners to 24 (not including the original U.S. TechSoup).

TechSoup's Partner NGO in Japan is the Tokyo-based Japan NPO Center, which hosted a successful launch event at the Tokyo International Forum. Present were 48 representatives from Japanese nonprofit organizations, as well as representatives from Symantec Japan, Microsoft Japan, and Adobe Japan.

TechSoup Kenya is a collaborative effort by SANGONeT/NGO Pulse and Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN). The TechSoup Kenya donation program provides nonprofit organizations in Kenya with software for very low fees in conjunction with ICT donor partners, as well as by supporting NGOs to make the most of their ICT purchases and infrastructure.

Congratulations to all, and welcome to TechSoup Japan and TechSoup Kenya!

Check out this sweet pic of many representatives from our global partner organizations which participated in a recent Partner Summit here in San Francisco. Good people, good times.

Facebook Causes: Not a Cash Cow (Yet)

Robert Weiner — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:50:44 -0700

The recent analysis of giving through Facebook Causes by The Washington Post was not encouraging. It found that only a fraction of the 179,000 nonprofits that signed up for the Causes application have brought in even $1000, and only two have brought in over $100,000. A recent survey published by NTEN, Common Knowledge, and ThePort had a similar conclusion: Only 39 percent of respondents said they've raised money on Facebook. 29 percent said they had raised $500 or less there during the previous year, and only 1.2 percent said they had raised over $10,000. Things haven't improved much since Care2 published their 2007 analysis, The Long, Long Tail of Facebook Causes.

But maybe we're rushing to judgment. It took years for email to become a viable fundraising channel.

Optimize Your Web Pages

Robert Weiner — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:28:53 -0700

Do you know about Google's Website Optimizer? It's a free tool that allows you to test how different versions of the same web page perform. The Chronicle of Philanthropy published a brief article (subscription required) describing how the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program used Website Optimizer to determine which of three versions of a web page was most effective in persuading people to sign up for information. Arcadia Campaigns' Matt Howes, writing on Care2's Frogloop blog, described the testing process:

To use [Google Optimizer], you create a web page and variations of that page that you'd like to test (for example, you might want to test if people respond better to a picture of a polar bear or a happy child on your donation page). You then set up an "experiment" on Google Optimizer where you tell it what the test pages are and what the conversion page is (such as the "thank you" page if you're testing your donation process).

If this sounds intriguing, check out the detailed instructions posted on the Wild Apricot blog and read Matt Howes' description of some of the pitfalls you might encounter (such as testing 41 shades of blue) and tips on how to avoid them.

Go forth and test!

Have E-Waste? Consider Best Buy

Jim Lynch — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:19:01 -0700

In June of 2008, we posted information about US consumer electronics retailer, Best Buy, starting a pilot program to collect discarded consumer electronic devices at some of their locations in the United States.

As of February 2009, stores in all 50 states now offer this ecycling program, which is now called Greener Together. This is a great voluntary program for the United States' largest consumer electronics retailer because it takes most discarded electronic devices at no cost, with one exception which I'll explain below. There is no legal obligation for the company to do this nationally, and it's simply a very convenient for most people to have one place where they can take any used electronic items they don't want any more. Kudos to Best Buy for taking their pilot program nationwide.

One quibble I have with the program is that doesn't seem to address or promote electronics reuse except for "gently used"equipment that applies to their Tech Trade-In program. By contrast the Dell/Goodwill Reconnect partnership offers a similar service, provides donation tax credits, and does have reuse built in to it. The downside is that the Reconnect program hasn't rolled out to all Goodwill stores in the U.S. yet.

Best Buy's Greener Together program has a $10 charge for accepting TVs 32 inches and under, computer monitors, and laptops, however, in exchange they give you a $10 Best Buy gift card. You can bring in up to two items a day, per household. They accept most unwanted electronic devices no matter where they were purchased.

Flickr Adds Twitter Integration

Elliot Harmon — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:44:19 -0700

Ian at roots.lab reports that Flickr has just added a "post to Twitter" feature. If you use either or both of these tools to keep followers up to date on the work you're doing in the field, the new feature is great news. It's already gained a lot of traction in the past week.

Recycle that Old TV

Anna Jaeger — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:40:47 -0700

Do you need to get rid of that old TV in your office storage room because of the digital conversion? Be sure to e-cycle it to help keep valuable materials and toxics out of landfills. If you buy a new TV (or converter box), look for an energy efficient model with the Energy Star label.

Don't know where to recycle your old TV? Many of the manufacturers will accept their televisions at no cost. Look up the manufacturer website to find locations or go to the EPA website where several are listed. You can also consider your local electronics store like, Best Buy, but they might charge small fee.

Adobe Show Your Impact Feature: Project Kindle

Anna Jaeger — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:10:34 -0700

Last month, TechSoup and Adobe announced the winners of the Show Your Impact Design Contest. We thought the innovative work created by the winners and runners-up was so inspirational, that they should be shared more broadly and could perhaps give other nonprofits and libraries fresh ideas for your creative works. You can see the first featured group in this earlier post.

This week, we are featuring the winner of the Social Change category in print and photo: Project Kindle's Book, I Know: Kids from Camp Kindle Share Their Stories of Living with HIV/AIDS.

Project Kindle's mission is to improve the quality of life for kids who are dealing with HIV/AIDS and other life-altering struggles. One of the hardest things for kids with HIV or AIDS to deal with is the stigma they face from society. Project Kindle knew that if they wanted to help improve the lives of the kids, they would have to find a way to combat that stigma. They decided to create a book and a video that is provided cost-free to hundreds of schools across the country.

"We gave the kids a forum to tell their stories, show off their writings, display their artwork, and let their peers in classrooms around America know that even though they had HIV, they were no different than any other kid," said their submission essay.

Their book is available in electronic form, which is not only a fun user experience, but it is environmentally friendly as well.