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I found this article to be interesting. In the past few elections we have seen the use of social media soar. I think this is a great opportunity for an average person to be able to get the opportunity to ask questions that are meaningful to the general public. Prior to YouTube and Facebook it would seem nearly impossible for a question that we have to be answered by the President of the United States in a live news conference. Technology makes this possible.

My subject of discussion on posterous this week was about Grand Rapids trying to pass a millage for the Rapid this May. Improved public transit has proven to spur economic growth in "dying" cities (or areas of cities). Better transportation means better employment, incentives to build businesses, and saving money on gas!

I think Egypt may have been a trend setter in Africa. It seems that many dictatorship regimes are getting nervous when it comes to an uprising from the grassroots. I think it is fair to say that the internet, especially social media, is playing a huge role in the peoples ability to overthrow their governments. Technology has become such an important part of the culture in the world that something that previously required wars and months of planning can happen so quickly nearly overnight. Perhaps it is this very idea that leads Libya's government to make the decision that this article explains.

Although this article talks about business and government, it nonetheless provides very useful information in regards to the use of technology in the government. If the public information that is being taken by the government and seemingly used very little can prove to have benefits to society when used in an efficient and accessible way. These benefits can affect an individual, a business, or a non-profit in numerous ways.

No matter how amazing your website looks, it won't produce results unless you have a solid content strategy. A content strategy is nothing more than a plan for how you'll create a conversation around your cause.

If your nonprofit conducts advocacy campaigns, maybe you've had a difficult time understanding how those efforts might align with your fundraising efforts.

Is there an art to getting ReTweeted on Twitter? Dan Zarrella says yes and has been studying the "Science of ReTweeting" for the past nine months. Zarrella analyzed five million tweets and 40 million retweets and compared the two, noting the time of day they were tweeted and ReTweeted, which words and url shorteners were used most often, and more. Check out the results of Zarrella's study below.

One very revealing panel (in a web-streamed Advocacy Live event in March) included Eric Jones, the top technology person for Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who provided tips and advice about ways that online organizers might boost their campaigns' impact on members of Congress and their staffers. Recorded  video event posted by Blackbaud on this webpage.

Illinois company helps Hope Community Church with training in technology and social media networking as well as other various skills necessary for NPOs.

This can come in handy for in anyone who uses social media sites frequently.