NTEN members are buzzing about the upcoming Nonprofit Technology Conference, and my favorite contributions include Deborah Finn's NTC wish list. Another list about the NTC comes from an unidentified NTEN member -- a list of favorite things about the NTC plus questions and reservations about the conference. I also have to give a shout-out to the LOLnptech blog for its comedic relief.

Everyone is invited to share their wish lists, reservations, and other conference buzz in the NTC08 Affinity Group.

In non-NTC news, NTEN member Social Solutions has been given a Future 50 award by Baltimore SmartCEO magazine. Social Solutions provides data tracking and reporting software and services to human services organizations (and provides a discount to NTEN members).

A couple of NTEN members were featured as important social media resources in an article from Global Voices. Beth Kanter and her contribution to Read Write Web, along with her own blog, are highlighted, along with TechSoup's definition of web 2.0 in the nonprofit context.

Social Signal, another organizational member of NTEN, is tackling the question of the ROI of social networking by kicking off a series of posts about how organizations can actually earn revenue with Web 2.0. I'm sure many organizations will be tuning in to this series. Be sure to note Alexandra Samuel's points for consideration, including public perception and tax regulations for nonprofits that generate revenue in this manner.

Finally, continuing her series of posts about open source tools for nonprofits, long-time NTEN member and new Board member Michelle Murrain discusses WordPress as an open source blogging tool: how it can be used and optimized for an organization's needs, and how its applications go beyond just blogging.

Flikr photo by david_wilmotI just read this awesome article on CNET about Cameron Sinclair, winner of the 2006 TED Prize and founder of the Open Architecture Network. In their own words, OAN is "...an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design."

By open source, they mean they compile, share, and then implement the ideas and resources of, well, everyone and anyone who contributes via their online network. What's amazing about this is that Sinclair and his organization have not only embraced the tools of Web 2.0 and open source development, but the concept, as well. And they've found a real-world application of it.

In a way, the physical blueprints of, say, an innovative design that can help save a village in Ecuador, have been open sourced.

Most of us in this community have talked about and implemented social networking tools to raise funds or build engagement for a campaign. We've created social change, but it's been somewhat abstract change. The OAN actually applies the tools and concept to change the planet's landscape physically.

From CNET's interview with Sinclair: