Steve Jobs said it well. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” We celebrate these leaders every year through NPower’s Technology Innovation Award (TIA). For the fifth year, we will be partnering with Accenture to bring together technology executives from across the region to review examples of the innovative use of technology submitted by area nonprofits. And every year, the judges tell us how amazed they are by what and how much these nonprofits are able to do with so little.

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Is your nonprofit effectively using technology to fundraise, communicate, advocate, or even change the world?

Now in its fifth year, the TIA recognizes nonprofits in the Greater DC area whose innovative use of technology enables them to more effectively fulfill their missions. Two nonprofits will each receive an NPower Technology Assessment and free Microsoft software.

The deadline to apply is June 12, 2009.

To learn more about the Awards, register for a free webinar to obtain tips on how to write a strong application, visit us at www.npowergdcr.org/tia.

Attention NPower Clients! Are you looking for an easier way to submit your service tickets?

NPower's Client Access Portal lets you submit a service ticket online AND track progress on resolving your problems. We are able to resolve problems faster and keep you better informed!

If you are a current NPower client and you do not have access to the Client Access Portal, please contact our Operations Manager, Sheryl Augustine, at (202) 234-9670 or Sheryl@npowergdcr.org.

In an effort to get a fresh sense of what software is being used daily by nonprofits across the country and to understand nonprofit satisfaction with these options the NPower Network has joined together with Accenture to put out a Community Technology Survey. The survey aims to identify not only which applications are in use, but the patterns of use and what drives selection.

Your responses will be key to helping us and the larger nonprofit technology assistance provider community understand how to best meet the needs the nonprofit sector. All survey responses will be posted on our website.

3 random winners will be chosen from the completed surveys to win a new iPod Shuffle. Just a small incentive to share your thoughts and a way to say thank you!

Complete the survey today!

Stuck in traffic instead of getting work done? In this economy, who can afford to travel? Save money and the environment by using technology to work remotely and collaborate online.

In honor of Earth Day 2009, TechSoup is kicking off their month long "TeleGreen Your Work" campaign to help nonprofits discover ways to save money, reduce travel, and still be effective in your work.

Find tools and tips for greening your nonprofit through TechSoup's GreenTech Initiative, where social benefit organizations can share and learn more about technology choices that can help to reduce our overall impact on the environment.

In computing, a "patch" is a small piece of software designed to update or fix problems with a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing "bugs," replacing graphics, improving the performance, and fixing security vulnerabilities in software. Patch management involves maintaining current knowledge of available patches, and deciding what patches are appropriate for particular systems at a specified time. NPower releases security patches to our managed services clients weekly, or as soon after a vulnerability announcement as possible. To minimize the disruption, we install patches at night.

Speaking of computer bugs and examples of why you need computer patches – security experts are currently seeing the rise of the ConFicker computer worm. ConFlicker attacks computer systems at various points, attempting to embed itself wherever possible. Experts say they have begun seeing infected computers downloading so-called "scareware" products, including a new rogue anti-virus. These products use fake security alerts to frighten consumers into paying for bogus computer security software. Click here to learn more about the ConFlicker Worm.

Let us help you stay protected against viruses and spyware. Contact us for more information on how we can safe-guard your computer today!