Innovation in Technology Helping to Fund School Projects in the U.S.

Innovation in technology can be used to make people very rich. On the other hand it can also do some great things as seen on the donerschoose.org site. This site is a great implementation of how technology can be used to raise money for projects in schools.

The teachers submit the projects they would like funding for and people can donate money for these projects. The details posted for project tell you which school (in the United States) the project is for, the classroom details such as the ages of the students and of course the total cost for implementing the project.

The site even has a Blogger Challenge which is ongoing until October 31th to determine who can raise the most money in their project. The following awards are also being given:

1. Six Apart - Is sponsoring an award for the bloggers who help the greatest number of students during the Blogger Challenge.


2. Yahoo - The blogger who motivates the most readers to participate in the Blogger Challenge will get lunch with Chief Yahoo Jerry Yang.


3. Google - Is going to reward the winning bloggers with exactly what they gave to DonorsChoose, students, and teachers: traffic. They will post links to the winners’ blogs here, and a $500 gift certificate for each winner to spend on DonorsChoose.

It's a pity that site is only for U.S. projects and only seems to support donations from the U.S., since I tried to make a donation and create a challenge but the registration form only allows U.S. addresses. I guess that has something to do with the fact that they issue tax deductions. I guess I won't be having lunch with Jerry Yang anytime soon.

Those of you are in the U.S. and want to enter the challenge or support a school should pay the site a visit.

Tech Crunch 40 Conference in San Francisco

Ok so hear I am reading some random web blogs then I decide to check out the Business 2.0 website to see what is happening with the demise of the magazine. Then I come across the Business 2.0 blog and a posting by Erick Schonfeld. He has an interesting posting all about the the Tech Crunch 40 Conference that just happened in San Francisco.

Why does all the cool stuff to do with the Web and Technology happen in SF?

A question I keep asking myself. No wonder I am dreaming of moving there for years... aside from the wonderful climate.

Basically the conference is 40 of the hottest new startups from around the world who demo their products then they have the chance to win a$50,000 cash award and lining up other in-kind services and awards from a generous group of corporate sponsors. Really cool.

The winner was Mint an innovative way to mange your money and spending online. Too bad it looks like it is only supporting banks in the US market. :(

I will be sure to check out the rest of the companies participating in the conference as I love to see what startups are doing. Innovation on the web is so great! I think I am obesessed by it... which I think is a good obsession to have :)

Ok... so I procrastinated a bit on the blogging thing

Yes. I admit it. I procrastinate! I have no idea why it happens... mostly it happens with things I want to do that are good for me. For example like when I want to mail the claim form from the Dentist so I can get may $$$ back some how it ends up in a pile of miscellaneous papers and never gets sent. Or like installing the dishawasher I bought last year.... and passing it every day as it sits outside the kitchen. Ok well I finally got that one done last week. :)

Anyhow, cannot solve the procrastinating thing for everything but hope to do that with this blogging thing. :) I forgot my account username and password which is the main reason why I never continued. Then today I was reading this really cool book called Naked Conversations. (No it is not about naked people talking) It is about blogging and how it is changing the world, especially the business world. An interesting read so far - I am halfway through it.

So now my main issue with this blogging thing is to decide what topic to blog about. They say you are supposed to write about what you know... so looks like according to my varied interests I can write about:
Innovation - I love innovation. I am always finding ways to innovate in everything.
Creativity - I am creative and love doing anything that lets me express my creativity.
Technology and gadgets - Oh how I love gadgets.
Apple & Macs - My passion for Macs.
Books - I love to read any kind of book especially ones on technology and business then also art & photography. Reading keeps you learning.
People - I love to meet new people.
Travel - If I had an unlimited source of $$$ I would be doing this all the time.
Photography - I love to take photos, especially black & white film.
Dating - My adventures in dating... I think once you are over age 30 dating becomes tedious as you get tired of the bad date thing.

Ok I guess I will have to decide one day, but for now my blog will just be filled with the random things that fill my life!