As mentioned last week, our Customer Service Representatives are working their tails off to dig out from a huge backlog of donation requests following the launch of Windows 7 last month. In order to help do that, they will not be taking calls today so they can go through the mountain of email requests and hopefully decrease the wait time for everyone in the coming weeks. So, even though they won't be answering phones today, they'll be plowing through your emails all day long.

From our good friends at Idealware:

Are you on staff at a nonprofit? Are you using any social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, video sites, blogs) - or even just starting to experiment with it? If so, please take our Social Media survey today: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=l3Z9bXmCorZ_2fQzAYlvrOkw_3d_3d

Idealware has embarked on an intense, year-long social media research initiative which will ultimately result in a Social Media Decision Making Guide for Nonprofits.

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Check out this short interview Kim Hart of The Hill conducted with TechSoup CEO Marnie Webb. Marnie's been in Washington this week talking about how best to leverage the new broadband stimulus grants on behalf of underserved populations.

... Webb admits she is naive to the ways of Washington. As she meets with non-governmental organizations and agency officials, she has to stress that she is not looking for financial help. TechSoup did not apply for any money in the first round of stimulus grants. She's thought of talking to the staff of her district's representative, who happens to be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but she knows she'll have a hard time getting an audience.

"I have to say, 'No really, I'm not asking for money - this is not a sneaky way of asking for more funds,'" she said over coffee this morning.

Webb says she essentially wants to offer TechSoup's services to help stretch the $7 billion in stimulus grant money as far as it will go.

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This is part two of a two-part series about virtualization. In the first post, we attempted to explain what virtualization is and why you should care about it. Here, we explain more about server virtualization and share our own positive experience with it.

Server Virtualization

If your organization has multiple server computers that supply your computer system with email, Internet, print services, databases, data back-ups, password authentications, a place to store documents, and more, then server virtualization is something that can save your organization money and energy. Virtualization software can cut server power consumption by up to 80%.

Server virtualization is software that allows you to optimize a single server computer so that it is able to do the work of multiple servers. Did you know that most servers are only utilized between 10 and 15%?

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Enter our contest! Read this post, take two simple actions, and complete a quick survey!

This is the final post in a four-part series. Part 1 of this series listed the five actions we recommend that you take to reduce the power use of your computer. Part 2 and Part 3 explained in more detail how you could easily complete four cost-saving actions. This post explains the fifth and final action in this campaign — how you can multiply the positive impact you have had on the environment by getting others involved.

Softchoice found that 93% of PCs are still running Windows XP, which did not default to having power management turned on.

In Can Windows 7 make PCs Green? Todd Bishop writes, "With hundreds of millions of PCs draining batteries and tapping into power outlets around the world, even a small tweak in Microsoft Windows can influence global energy consumption."

With numbers like these, it is imperative that we convince as many people as possible to reduce their IT power use.

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Whether you're a regular TechSoup user or haven't heard of us til now, we've got a free webinar coming up that will likely show you something new about how you can get more out of the variety of (free) services we offer to nonprofits and libraries.

Learn How TechSoup Can Help Your Organization

Join TechSoup.org content creators, community leaders, and customer service support on November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pacific for a tour of how your organization can use all that TechSoup has to offer to improve your technology and help reach your mission. TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working toward a time when every nonprofit and social benefit organization will have the technology resources and knowledge they need to operate at their full potential.

We'll walk you through the process of registering and requesting donated and discounted products from more than 35 donor partners like Microsoft and Adobe. We'll also take you on a virtual tour of other resources in TechSoup's tech arsenal including;

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TechRepublic, an IT resource of the publisher ZDNet, has a good summary of the security features of Windows 7 which are especially pertinent to system administrators.

While some features like BitLocker, a drive and volume encryption mechanism, and DirectAccess, a VPN-like remote access implementation, are available in the Enterprise edition only, Windows 7 generally adds more security measures than Vista in a less obtrusive manner. Although operating system security is no substitute for vigilance and user training, it's an important componet and defense against present and emerging threats.

TechSoup is a nonprofit that partners with corporations to distribute software and hardware donations to nonprofits and libraries. You may already know about our donation programs that can save nonprofits and libraries approximately 90% on Microsoft products and Symantec's Norton Antivirus donations but did you know we offer a typing program, discount on Flickr, and more? Attend this free webinar at 11 a.m. Pacific on Wednesday, October 28 and learn about TechSoup for Libraries and how we can help you offer more to your patrons and staff while saving money.

In case you've missed all the hub-bub in the mainstream media, all the tech junkies blogging their reviews of it, and the cutesy commercials touting the greatness of Windows 7, today is the day Microsoft's new operating system officially launched.

If your organization is an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public library listed in the IMLS database, you may be eligible to request donated Windows 7 Enterprise or or Professional versions through TechSoup or to upgrade at no additional cost from your XP or Vista operating systems if you still have valid software assurance.

Check out the details of Microsoft's donation program and see a variety of reviews, articles, and resources to help you decide whether it's time to upgrade and whether Win 7 is the system you'd want to use. If you've already requested a Microsoft donation through TechSoup this year, you may be able to receive a special extra donation in order to request Windows 7 between now and January 31, 2010.

If you have questions about whether or not it's time for you to upgrade, how to request a donation, or want to share your opinions and thoughts on Windows 7, feel free to join the active discussion in our Software Forum.

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As a follow-up to our earlier post on The Wall Street Journal's recent review of Windows 7, we'd also like to offer the following links to other relevant and interesting articles and reviews. You might be want to check them out if you're weighing whether or not to switch when it becomes available on October 22: