Middle schoolers in Orange County decided to create an app for android where the proceeds would go to the Youth For Technology Fund. Youth for Technology gives and trains less fortunate youth in places like Africa and in the U.S. The game is called circuit crawler and they are working on improving the game and creating more levels.

Technology has been dramatically improving relief efforts in places like Haiti. For example, "crowd sourcing" can be used to get information on any medical emergencies and to track trapped victims and then it can be used to create an online map that can be used by relief workers. Volunteers have been using GPS on their phones to help them through unfamiliar areas.

A nonprofit organization in Pittsford has been given a grant from the Ronald McDonald House to buy 2 ipads. They are going to use these ipads to help kids who are developmentally challenged learn. They are going to focus on helping children whose motor and verbal skills make it hard for them to use other learning technologies. An ipad is portable and has numerous learning programs on it.

Google has a new "Google for Nonprofits" program that offers discounted and free tools, apps and other resources. They even have the opportunity to get grants for up to $10,000 a month in advertising through using Google Adwords. They have created online resouces like educational videos and case studies to help nonprofits.

This article discusses the new and different ways people now get their information about things that are happening in the news. It is all about using social media to do this. Cities, towns and counties are taking advantage of these social media websites and it is helping them reach out to more people. People are already on these websites daily, so it is more convenient. It helps to engage the citizens. These new social media tools have also helped lower many costs.

National Unplugging day is where people put away their phones, computers and any kind of social networking devices for one day. The day was very successful and people liked it because it helped them reconnect with each other because it forced them to communicate one on one. Ironically, they are going to develop an app to get the word out about National Unplugging Day.

Government officials have now started using facebook and twitter accounts. It helps people feel more connected and allows them to communicate outside the typical 8-4:30pm, M-F. An issue that arises is it can be an exhausting job for anyone, because it's 24/7. Once the newness of the accounts wear off, they might not be updated as much.