UPDATE 8/31: TechSoup is back! Thanks everyone for your patience and support as we got things up and running again.

TechSoup Staff

Periodically we here at TechSoup like to share what we're reading. The latest blog gem that I've added to my feed reader is Cause Global, a blog which covers social media for social change and the people involved in using technology tools to make the world a better place.

It's almost that time again. Yes, that fourth Wednesday of the month where TechSoup hosts the monthly San Francisco Online Community Report MeetUp.

Just like Twitter asks, "What are you doing?", we'll be asking you the same at our August MeetUp in a communal discussion on all things online community-related. Let us know what projects you're working on, share your favorite Web apps, and get advice on common community challenges. This will be an open forum to discuss the topics that are on your mind. Even if you're new to online community and curious what it's all about, this informal gathering is a great place to find out what's happening in the world of online community. 

We hope you'll join us for some lively discussion, refreshments and drinks, and time to network with other online community professionals and enthusiasts.

Event Details:

When: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM

We had a great webinar and online event

You may notice when you're reading an article on TechSoup that the "Discuss This" link is missing. Don't worry, this is an intentional change by TechSoup. All of the "Discuss This" links will be removed from the site by Thurs. Aug. 21st.

Your next question is probably, "why?" Well, the why is good news!

Mark your calendars for TechSoup's free online event and webinar on Thursday, August 14.

Making the Most of Your Google Grants donation of In-Kind Advertising

Did you know that Google gives grants in the form of in-kind advertising? Have you heard of Google Grants but don't know how to get one? Then don't miss TechSoup's free event where you will learn about Google Grants and how your nonprofit can receive up to $10,000 to use towards a donation of Google AdWords, Google's in-kind advertising program.

Take part in the live webinar, Thursday, August 14 from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. PDT. We'll follow-up the webinar with a free, all-day, asynchronous (not live) online event, where you can ask any further questions that pertain to your organization’s specific concerns in the TechSoup Community forums.

TechSoup's NetSquared project is in the process of developing curriculum to help nonprofits use social media effectively. But before we go about creating the curriculum, we need to know what you need to know! We put together a brief survey that should only  take about 5 minutes to complete. So share your thoughts with us — it'll really help us help organizations best use social Web tools towards achieving their missions. Click here to take the survey.

Avatars representing survivors, caregivers, their families and the millions of passionate supporters engaged in fighting cancer worldwide will take center stage virtually, July 19-20, when the American Cancer Society conducts its fourth annual Relay For Life® event in the Second Life virtual world.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet--that is the question posed by Michaela G. Hackner in TechSoup's online event: TechSoup Talks Twitter. Michaela, along with Marshall Kirkpatrick, hosted the free, all-day, asynchronous online event in the TechSoup Emerging Technologies forum. The forums event followed up TechSoup's webinar the day before and dove deeper into the uses of Twitter and the benefits and value that Twitter has to offer individuals and nonprofits alike.

TechSoup's Sarah Washburn captured a picture of her busy computer screen during the webinar (and posted it to Flickr, of course), while I did some "live tweeting" (live updates to the TechSoup Twitter account) during the webinar and periodically during the forums event. You can see all the event-related Tweets with the #tstweet tag here.

We talked about the ways that Twitter can be used to market your organization and discussed what mix of personal and professional updates you should have to effectively engage (and keep) a group of followers. Some attendees bemoaned the recent persistent downtime with Twitter and wondered whether other similar applications will capture Twitter's user base. We also chatted about using Twitter via mobile phones and how nonprofits have been using Twitter for international development and activism efforts.

Mark your calendars for two free TechSoup Twitter events: TechSoup Talks Twitter: Webinar June 9 and Online Event June 10 .