NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoup.org - Google

Google’s Search Wiki and Social Actions' add-on - interactive searching is looking better and better for non-profits

Channing — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:47:13 -0500

Everyone was all a-flutter earlier this week when Google introduced a new feature that allows you to vote search results up or down based on their accuracy and track it on a search wiki. The implication is that from now on the web will be a giant popularity contest where, if you haven’t been voted for, you’re a nobody! For non-profits, this is sure to be a refreshing change from the current state of Google search, where you’re nobody unless you’ve been clicked on and linked to.

Well, plus ca change, plus c’est le meme chose.

Sketch Up: great non-profit tool, and it isn't sketchy

Channing — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:56:52 -0500

The latest version of Google’s SketchUp software was released yesterday. Aside from having a cute name, the software has some great potential use in your non-profit toolbox.

For those that haven’t played with it, SketchUp is a three dimensional modeling program. That means you can create little virtual models of practically anything: a house, a train, a space station, a dinosaur. Well, it’s really geared towards mechanical things - my dinosaur comes out looking a little funky.

Geo Challenge Grants from Google.org

amysampleward — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:04:54 -0500

Are you interested in using online maps to help tell your story, communiticate about your services, or show supporters your work? Well, Google.org is accepting applications for its Geo Challenge Grants.

Learn more at Google.org

With this program, Google.org hopes to enable more nonprofit organizations to leverage the power of maps to enhance thier work and impact.

Ask Google for a World Diabetes Day Doodle

tudiabetes — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:24:39 -0400

With a few more days to go before our deadline of Nov. 1, I wanted to appeal to the rest of the NetSquared readers to help us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures, in an attempt to appeal to Google so they will consider doing a World Diabetes Day doodle on Nov. 14.

So far we have collected a little under 9,000 signatures (using iPetitions.com, if you are curious) on DiabetesDoodle.com.

FriendRank and Fundraising?

Channing — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:42:13 -0400

Google has apparently applied for a series of patents that will enable it to a put a value on how connected you are, within your social network. Akin to the "pagerank" system used by the search giant for valuing the popularity of websites, "friendrank" would help identify individuals who are particularly influential within circles of friends.

"May Those Who Help the Most Win"

amysampleward — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:37:53 -0400

The questions from Google's Project 10^100 are: what would help? And help most?

According to the Project, we are in an interesting time. One in which individuals have more information accessible at their fingertips than ever before and yet there are so many people who need help; while studies show that ultimately it is helping others that makes us the most happy.

This just in: evil meters, Superstruct and Darfur Is Dying

Channing — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:40:04 -0400

Some updates on stories we've been following at Social Ch@nge:

Google's Evil Meter:

Get Ga-Ga for Google Grants...

jamesvito — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:10:20 -0400

Yes, that’s the lamest article title I’ve ever thought of and, worse, actually published. But 5 G’s? Would you be able to resist?!? Regardless, Google continues to allude the day when someone with a reputation publicly calls them the next evil empire to pick up Microsoft’s torch (and I happen to like Microsoft and think those people are a bit too harsh.) FYI – this article will be published in several parts so as not to inundate you with content as you work to absorb the work necessary to implement. If you want to educate yourself before the next installment, visit http://www.google.com/grants/tour/1.html for a full tour developed by Google of this program.

Say It Ain't So, Google!: Ethical Project Management Sites for your non-profit

Channing — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:17:22 -0400

There comes a time, usually if you’re working remotely or have no office, where you really need a way to share files, documents, messages and pictures online between a lot of people for free.

Easy, I said at my last Amnesty International meeting, we’ll just set up a Google non-profits account - all their project management tools are free. No thanks, they said, we refuse to use Google because of their human rights record.

Making Technology Available to Everyone - Interview with John Lyman from Google.org

jedsundwall — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:54:47 -0400

John Lyman from Google.org talks to us about how social benefit organizations are using Google Apps to enhance their operations and collaborate.

Our goal is really for non-profits to have access to the same technologies that Fortune 500 companies have… And the way that you do that, basically, is you make the same technology available to everyone, which is what Google has done.