For the first meetup of the new year, we went to a new location: Grow Pittsburgh in the East End. A big “thank you” to Rebekkah and the GP staff for hosting us this month!
Here are the notes and resources from this month’s meetup:
Random resources and links
- Nicole DeVault’s article “Keeping Safe on the Internet,” published in the TechNotes section of the Bayer Center’s December E-news
This month’s winners of NTEN swag!
- Other local tech meetup groups
- SalesForce Users group, next meetup is Feb. 18 from 12 – 2 pm at Computer Reach (in Construction Junction) (I can’t find a link, so pls email Kevin Driscoll w/questions)
- WordPress Users group, next meetup TBA, likely late February; also planning a pilot training program for March or April, which will likely be free and held on a Saturday (details TBD)
- Google for Nonprofits Users group, next meetup is Feb. 10 from 5-7 pm at Computer Reach (in Construction Junction)
- Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Pgh Breakfast Club, next meetup is 2/9, 8-9 am, at Nancy’s Diner
- Recent Apple press release – working on long range wireless charging for devices
- KDKA story about devices, including a suitcase that will power all of your devices (the story has been removed, but here’s a link to bluesmart, the maker of “the most powerful carry-on in the world”)
SalesForce
- What to use for selling items and service online (integrations)
- Clickandpledge
- Check on SF Hub – if you post on that forum, you’ll get answers faster than via SF support
- MerchantServices
- What about PCI compliance?
Fair Market Value
- Got into a discussion about deducting FMV from tickets or auctioned items
- Some software assists with this process and generates the proper receipts and some does not
- Can get fined for not giving FMV receipts
- Learn more about FMV at IRS.gov
Sources of Data About Nonprofits
Legacy Equipment
- How long should you hold onto old equipment in order to retrieve older data from it (example: SCSI drives and servers that can handle them)?
- Sometimes, if you really need the backup, you have to purchase duplicates of the equipment in question and keep in the closet “just in case”
- Better to migrate data to a newer and/or cloud-based system
- Communication between IT and end users is crucial when considering upgrades
Software News
- Google Chrome will soon be ending support for 32 bit Linux and Debian 7 OSs
- Microsoft soon making Windows 10 upgrades automatic
- A little independently coded program called GWX Control Panel will let stop this and shut off the persistent Windows 10 upgrade notification in the system tray
Where to Find Technology Help
- SW PA Nonprofit Technology Resource Directory (vendors vetted by the Bayer Center)
- Pittsburgh Technical Institute interns
- High school tech program students
- Interns from other colleges with technology degree programs
Bagels & Bytes - Allegheny 
Good notes as usual Cindy!
For the Salesforce Non-Profit Users Group Meeting at Computer Reach at noon on February 18, and the Google for Non-Profits Users Group meeting at 5pm on February 10, here are directions:
Our workroom/warehouse is inside the Construction Junction building at 214 North Lexington Street. The closest entrance is a big garage door on Lexington Street, opposite Thomas Boulevard. See our website for a photo and more details :
http://www.computerreach.org/get-involved/
Look for our Computer Reach sign. Call our warehouse phone, (412) 444-8816 and staff will come out to welcome you.
If you do not have a phone, press the white button 3 times … and a loud warehouse buzzer will summon someone to let you in. Allow about 3 minutes for someone to walk out as there is no intercom to speak with you remotely.
Thanks for that info, Kevin! – Cindy L.