October, 2009

As many may know, Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system became available last week worldwide and through TechSoup's Microsoft Donation Program. Our customer service representatives have been plowing through the donation requests, helping nonprofits and libraries register and place their requests, and answering questions about whether to upgrade and how to do it. They're working as hard as they can to meet the demand and overflow of queries, so please be patient if you've called or emailed since they have a lengthy queue (even with additional staff support). Our community forums have also experienced a flurry of discussion on the operating system and lots of questions are being answered there.

To help bring some of the more frequently asked questions to the forefront (and hopefully answer some of your lingering questions), we've compiled this short list of Q&A to help you navigate.

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 more about TechSoup for Libraries and how we can help you offer more to your patrons and staff while saving money.

You may have heard about TechSoup's Digital Storytelling Online Event that's been going on all month. Well, tonight we're rolling out the red carpet for the finale where we'll be announcing the big winners! We received more than 100 submissions from nonprofits and libraries around the country (and world) who've shared their digital stories in video, photo, and GoldMail formats for the Digital Storytelling Challenge! These stories are being carefully reviewed by our esteemed panel of expert judges.

If you're in the Bay Area, join us at 7 p.m. Pacific at the TechSoup headquarters (525 Brannan Street, Third Floor) in San Francisco for the mixed reality awards screening party. If you're not in the Bay Area, you still join us by viewing the event in Second Life and follow the action on Twitter (hashtag: #tsdigs).

Whether you're a challenge participant or just interested in seeing the power of stories to help social benefit organizations convey their messages, don't miss this opportunity to mix and mingle with nonprofit colleagues, show your support, and see the winners! Our winners will be receiving some of these cool prizes. See you on the red carpet!

The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information regarding their computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and how they function as public access technology centers in their communities.

Submit your digital story during TechSoup Global's Digital Storytelling Challenge open now through October 16th.

Tell us your library's story in a 5-panel image story on Flickr or a 60 second YouTube video or GoldMail audio-visual message. You'll be in the running to win one of our many fabulous prizes including a FlipVideo camera, Adobe software, mp3 players and more!

Full disclosure: I'm a nonprofit gal. My background and work as a professional and volunteer has always been with nonprofits and for the social service community. It's part of why I love working for TechSoup. I was a TechSoup user at three small nonprofits prior to joining the team and by being part of it, I get to hold a teeny piece of helping other nonprofits around the country and world which are doing great work for their communities.