PA311-2011

Key security issues still need to be addressed as IT is integrated into the nation's electricity infrastructure, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). date: article e-published on January 17, 2011 by the News Staff of Government Technology.

As governments push to adopt sustainable practices, one holy grail is creating working environments that achieve net-zero energy consumption. That's the idea behind a newly opened office building at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo. Known as the Research Support Facility (RSF), the structure is designed to create as much energy as it consumes, making it one of the world's most energy-efficient buildings.

The Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University publishers a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal on philanthropy. Link is to a free trial of an online edition of the journal.

The GVSU "Johnson Center for Philanthropy" has a posterous account one can subscribe to follow.

Shows how much we depend upon tehnology on a global level

For what it's worth, I always find snippets like this in the news to be interesting because everyone thinks the same thing: What are they talking about? A dozen tech execs attended a private dinner hosted by President Obama in California. With Zuckerberg to his right and Jobs to his left, one can't help but wonder what was discussed. Being a poli sci major, I feel the Obama administration certainly needs the Silicon Valley tech giants to help get re-elected in 2012. Nonetheless, i guess investment in Silicon Valley is obviously worth a dinner with the President.

Simply fill in the provided online form, then click "Generate the URL", and Google's free tool does it automatically, in the correct format, for you. You don't have to be up on all of the technical background details behind doing this, just use this handy tool.

This article was good at showing the different ways blogging can inflict cost. You can choose the method which matches your flexibility to pay. $12000 annually will still be more than some can afford to pay. Carrying a full-time employee to manage the blog is the bulk of the cost so some may consider adding this as a responsibility to someone capable in the organization in the interim.

If a nonprofit dabbles in web design this is more specific to design choice for the web creator but it was worth the inquiry for myself. Drupal has been proven to better the better choice for a larger organization that wants more features. Wordpress has held an advantage for the smaller startups for ease of use. There is a convergence between the two that is occurring but Drupal still maintains a lead. The problem with the more complex applications in a site is that it will require more maintenance which a very small nonprofit or company would seek to avoid. I generally consider it very difficult to maintain a mobile web solution and keep a good selection of applications running without some expert support. The old standard of a simple website appears to be waning quickly. The choice now appears to be how much work you want to pay your website manager to do rather than determining if you need one.

I like this article because it has applications to things like oil pipelines. Whenever I hear of a leak in a pipeline I wonder why technology fails to automate a relatively quick solution. If there is a proper array of monitoring devices responses can and should be automated to provide a rapid response beyond a simple call for help...

Facebook page for SNPO, the Society of Non-Profit Organizations with posted links and tips from the organization.

I especially like the one day's wages app and the salvation army app

Actually, this may be the best explanation I've seen on how to use Twitter, anywhere. Certainly applicable to the average user, as well as any NPO.