Three ways to be a hero.

The Second Life Event April 26th will celebrate the launch of:

• Windows Server 2008
• Visual Studio 2008
• SQL Server 2008

Are there tech resources you're having trouble finding? Technology challenges you're facing? Support you'd like when using TechSoup?

If you subscribe to TechSoup's weekly By the Cup newsletter and work for a 501(c)3 organization or public library, enter our monthly drawing for an hour of tech time by phone with a TechSoup employee, during which you can find resources to help your organization improve its technology infrastructure.

Sign up here to enter your organization.

Take control of your nonprofit’s technology! Attend a TechSoup Technology Roundtable and discuss what technology your nonprofit needs, what resources are available for purchasing software and hardware, and where you can find consultants and volunteers to assist in the installation and maintenance. Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss your technology challenges with your peers and have your questions answered by an IT professional.

Nonprofits interested in social networking and technology fundamentals will want to look into two new Webinars from NTEN:

Friends for a Cause: Campaigns in Social Networks

January 16, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PST; $25 for NTEN members, $50 for non-members

One of my TechSoup coworkers recently participated in the first-ever "Tenderloin Tech Day," a half-day workshop for anyone in the neighborhood with a tech problem.

Check out this CNET video where residents and techies grapple with hard-drive issues, broken laptops, and Internet lessons.

The event was sponsored by Saint Anthony's Foundation, San Francisco Network Ministries, and Tech Connect.

How do you keep track of the tech issues that need attention in your organization? Many small organizations and businesses have found all manner of ad-hoc ways to make a "help desk" for themselves.

There are a lot of duties that fall onto a nonprofit employee's plate and unfortunately, printer repair is often one of them. Fortunately, there are many online resources that can help you out of color printing "jam," so to speak.

Mark Frauenfelder, founder of the ultra-popular blog Boingboing, has written a book called Rule the Web, which offers tips for fast and secure browsing, rebuilding your homepage, and finding online news.