TechSoup Blog

As of June 30, Windows XP is no longer available through normal channels, though Microsoft has made exceptions for certain PC manufacturers. A new page at the Microsoft Web site addresses several questions and concerns about the future of Windows XP and provides information for users interested in upgrading to Windows Vista.
 
Many people have been wondering what the news means for organizations that rely on TechSoup Stock for Microsoft products. The short answer is that Windows XP donations are still available.

Our pals over at NTEN are asking for your help (yes, YOU, nonprofit technologist, consultant, or accidental techie!) They've embarked upon an as-yet named project to create a toolkit of ideas, strategies, and general know-how about nonprofits using Web 2.0 and social media technologies.

Nonprofit tech guru, Beth Kanter, is helping lead the project and has posed some great questions on both her own blog as well as on the project's wiki. Check it out. Share your stories. Contribute.

If you are in the Bay Area and want to learn more about Web analytics (measuring and reporting site traffic and techniques for building an audience), this event is probably for you. Check out the details below and then head to Mountain View for a session full of information on how to harness Web data to better reach your audience and constituents. Here's more about the event:

What: The Silicon Valley American Marketing Association (SVAMA) presents: Actionable Web Analytics
When: July 3rd, 7:45 — 9:00 AM (breakfast provided)
Where: Google — Building B43, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA

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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published a high level report on the state of malware and how it is affecting, and will affect, the Internet economy. Aimed mainly at policy-makers, the report is also good primer on malware and Internet security for non-technical readers.

Most people don’t think of them as office equipment, but almost certainly the one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in your office is your refrigerator.

According to the US Department of Energy, refrigerators are one of the most expensive home or office appliances to operate. The average refrigerator uses 1,000 to 1,500 kilowatt hours per year at a cost of over $100 per year.

You may not want to spend any more time on your computer than you have to, but the following online seminars will make it worth your while. The following is listing of some upcoming online seminars offered specifically for nonprofits in July. If you offer online seminars and would like to be included on this list, contact ols@techsoup.org for more information.

Mission Critical: Databases/Constituent Relationship Management, hosted by NTEN
Wednesday, July 2 • 11:00 a.m. PST

If you haven't already watched this video on YouTube, I recommend you do if you're a nonprofit manager considering how to create one for your orgnaization.

Not only does it have a nice message about saving the world one girl at a time, but as a former nonprofit manager trying to come up with sticky viral campaigns, I think this video does a great job. And the part I like best about it, is that the message is clear and simple.

If you're in the market for new grants management software, or want to see how your current package stacks up to others out there, check out two reports recently released by Idealware.org. According to the description on their site:

The Consumers Guide to Grants Management Software

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Convio, a popular online advocacy toolset used by many nonprofit advocacy groups, recently announced that they will be releasing a donor database code-named Akido, on the SalesForce.com platform. This will be a separate product from their online Constituent Relationship Management suite — you don't have to be a Convio CRM client to use the database. They also say it's not simply a new template for SalesForce, but a product built from the ground up.

For those of you at organization's grappling with a jump into social networking sites like Facebook, our pals over at the Wild Apricot blog have some helpful primers on how to maximize your presence. This time around, they've got a great "how-to" on setting up a nonprofit page on Facebook.

How does that differ from having a Group on Facebook? Well, they've got the answers. And, if this is your first foray into the wild and wiley world of Facebook, they've got a beginner's guide for nonprofits and some specifics on Facebook applications that can sassy-up your page too. Check it out!